A blocking device for mounting within a space defined within a hollow
structure includes a holder and an expandable member. The holder is
adapted to be mounted within the space. The expandable member is
supported on the holder and is expandable by heat to form a foam member
in order to block or substantially close the space. The holder includes a
holder plate extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis of the space and supporting at least one side of the expandable
member. The expandable member includes a constriction absorbing portion
that is deformed so as to absorb potential constriction of the expandable
member at the beginning of the expansion process of the expandable
member.