Editing Silicone (section)

=== Firestops ===
[[File:Sl silicone pipe covering.jpg|thumb|Red-colored silicone firestopping]]

[[Silicone foam]] has been used in North American buildings in an attempt to [[firestop]] openings within the fire-resistance-rated wall and floor assemblies to prevent the spread of flames and smoke from one room to another.  When properly installed, silicone-foam firestops can be fabricated for building code compliance. Advantages include flexibility and high [[dielectric]] strength. Disadvantages include combustibility (hard to extinguish) and significant smoke development.

Silicone-foam firestops have been the subject of controversy and press attention due to smoke development from pyrolysis of combustible components within the foam, [[hydrogen]] gas escape, shrinkage, and cracking. These problems have led to reportable events among licensees (operators of [[nuclear power plant]]s) of the [[Nuclear Regulatory Commission|Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)]].{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

Silicone firestops are also used in aircraft.