Firestop Systems at The United Bank New Cairo, Egypt

Atlantis Contracting was appointed to execute the full supply and application of a comprehensive firestop system at The United Bank headquarters in New Cairo, Egypt. The scope encompassed 7,340 linear meters and 6,530 penetration points across 4 floors, utilizing Hilti FS-ONE intumescent sealant, Hilti CP 606 flexible firestop collars, and Rock Wool insulation — all installed in strict compliance with UL fire resistance standards. The project delivers enhanced fire protection, movement control, and long-term building performance for one of Egypt's leading financial institutions.

Project Overview

Firestop Systems Supply & Application — The United Bank

Client / Location:The United Bank — New Cairo, Egypt

Contractor:Atlantis Contracting — atlantis.sa

Scope:Supply & application of firestop systems including Hilti FS-ONE, CP 606, and Rock Wool insulation in compliance with UL standards

Systems Applied:Hilti FS-ONE Intumescent Sealant | Hilti CP 606 Flexible Firestop Collar | Rock Wool

Standard:UL Fire Resistance Standards

Total Linear Meters:7,340 LM

Total Penetrations:6,530 Penetrations

Floors Covered:4 Floors

Site Conditions Upon Arrival

Upon mobilization to The United Bank site, the Atlantis team conducted a full condition survey across all 4 floors. The following conditions were documented: 

•A large number of existing penetrations through fire-rated walls, floors, and partitions were found unsealed or partially sealed with non-compliant materials, presenting active fire and smoke spread risks.

•Multiple pipe and cable penetrations had been installed by other trades without any firestop treatment, requiring full identification, logging, and systematic remediation.

•Several penetrations featured mixed service types — electrical cables, mechanical pipes, and HVAC ducting passing through the same opening — requiring compound firestop detailing.

•Building was partially occupied during execution, imposing strict access control and operational sensitivity across all work zones.

•Coordination with multiple active subcontractors (MEP, civil, fit-out) was required simultaneously across overlapping work areas on all 4 floors.

Site Challenges & Atlantis Solutions

Challenge 1: Working Within an Occupied Commercial Building

The United Bank premises were partially occupied and operational during the execution period. This imposed strict access windows, noise and dust control requirements, and the need to maintain a clean, professional working environment at all times.

Solution: Atlantis implemented a zoned working methodology — isolating active work areas from occupied spaces using temporary hoarding and dust barriers. Works were scheduled to align with off-peak operational hours where required, and all materials and equipment were pre-staged to maximize efficiency within permitted working windows.

Challenge 2: Existing Penetrations in Poor & Non-Compliant Condition

A significant portion of the 6,530 penetrations across the 4 floors had been left unsealed or treated with non-UL-compliant materials by previous contractors. Each penetration required individual assessment before the correct firestop system could be determined and applied.

Solution: The Atlantis team carried out a full penetration-by-penetration audit across all floors, categorizing each by service type, substrate material, annular space, and existing condition. A remediation plan was prepared for non-compliant penetrations — including removal of incorrect materials, substrate preparation, and application of the appropriate Hilti FS-ONE or CP 606 system with Rock Wool backing in line with the applicable UL-listed detail.

Challenge 3: Coordination with Multiple Active Trades

All 4 floors were simultaneously active with MEP, civil finishing, and fit-out subcontractors. Penetration works were frequently interrupted by ongoing installations from other trades, with new penetrations being created after Atlantis had already surveyed and scheduled treatment for that zone.

Solution: Atlantis established a live penetration tracking log updated daily — recording each penetration's location, service type, status, and assigned system. Close coordination meetings were held with the main contractor and subcontractors to freeze penetration works in advance of firestop application zones, ensuring no new openings were introduced into completed areas without re-notification to Atlantis.

Challenge 4: Complex Mixed-Service Penetrations

A number of penetrations contained multiple service types passing through the same opening — combinations of electrical cables, mechanical pipes, and HVAC services — each requiring a different firestop treatment. Standard single-service details were not directly applicable.

Solution: For mixed-service penetrations, Atlantis applied compound firestop detailing referencing Hilti's UL-listed multi-service details. Rock Wool was used as the primary annular space packing material, supplemented by FS-ONE intumescent sealant for cable and pipe penetrations, and CP 606 collars for plastic pipe services — ensuring each service element within the combined opening achieved the required fire resistance rating.

Firestop Systems Applied

System , Application , Standard

Hilti FS-ONE

Intumescent sealant for cable, pipe & joint penetrations through fire-rated assemblies

UL Listed

Hilti CP 606

Flexible firestop collars for plastic pipe penetrations through concrete & masonry

UL Listed

Rock Wool

Mineral wool packing for annular space fill in all penetration types

UL Compliant

Operations Summary

The following sequence of operations was carried out by the Atlantis team:

•Site mobilization and full penetration audit across all 4 floors — logging 6,530 penetrations by location, service type, substrate, and compliance status.

•Identification and removal of all non-compliant and previously applied inadequate firestop materials.

•Substrate preparation and cleaning of all penetration openings to achieve bond-ready and application-ready condition.

•Rock Wool mineral wool packing installed as annular space fill across all applicable penetrations.

•Application of Hilti FS-ONE intumescent sealant to cable, pipe, and joint penetrations through fire-rated walls, floors, and partitions.

•Installation of Hilti CP 606 flexible firestop collars to all plastic pipe penetrations through concrete and masonry substrates.

•Compound multi-service firestop detailing applied to mixed-service penetrations per applicable UL-listed system details.

•Daily penetration tracking log maintained and shared with the main contractor throughout execution.

•Final inspection and quality verification across all 7,340 LM and 6,530 penetrations — confirming full UL standard compliance.

Outcome & Performance

Upon completion, Atlantis Contracting successfully delivered a fully compliant, UL-standard firestop system across all 4 floors of The United Bank, New Cairo — covering 7,340 linear meters and 6,530 penetration points. The installed system provides comprehensive fire and smoke compartmentalization, enhanced structural protection, and long-term building performance in full conformance with applicable fire resistance standards. All works were completed within the operational constraints of an active commercial banking environment.