APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEALING AN OPENING IN A FIRE PARTITION THROUGH WHICH A COMBUSTIBLE CONDUIT EXTENDS

An apparatus for sealing an opening, or the like, in a fire partition through which an existing combustible conduit extends includes a first enclosure capable of being fastened to the fire partition on one side of the conduit opening and having a first recess therein. A second non-combustible enclosure capable of being fastened to the fire partition on a side of the conduit opening opposite the first enclosure, has a second recess therein and is hingedly connected to the first non-combustible enclosure. The first and second enclosures lie in a common plane and are operable, through the use of the hinged connection, to be spread apart for installation over the existing combustible conduit and can be closed together such that a recess-formed opening is defined about the conduit by the first and second recesses. First and second shutter doors are slidable in the first and second enclosures respectively, the first and second shutter doors being slidable between a first, open position in which the recess-formed opening is unobstructed by the shutter doors and a second, closed position in which the recess-formed opening is obstructed by the shutter doors. The first and second shutter doors are urged into the closed position such that the recess-defined opening is obstructed when the combustible conduit is burned away.