IFC Firestop Training

1
IFC Firestop Training
Achim Herring
2
Module 1Introduction to Firestopping
Cim.pennnant.com
3
Module 1 Objectives

• Discuss damage caused by products of combustion
  in fire
• Discuss how products of combustion can be
  contained
• Discuss the types of compartmentation and how
  they work
• Discuss what firestopping is and why its
  important

4
Fire and Fire Protection
5
Nature of Fire
Heat
Oxygen
Fuel
6
Products of Combustion
Soot
Smoke
Radiant heat energy
Hot gases
7
Fire Protection
Detection
Control/Suppression
Containment
8
Compartmentation
9
Importance of Compartmentation

• What of fire deaths are caused by smoke
  inhalation?
• 75
• What of people killed in fires are NOT in the
  room where the fire started?
• About 57
• How fast does smoke travel?
• 120-429 feet/minute

10
The MGM Grand Fire
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Compartmentation
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Fire-Rated Walls

• Fire walls (2-4 hour rated)
• Fire barriers (1/2 1 hour rated)
• Smoke barriers (1/2 1 hour rated also limit
  spread of smoke)
• Fire partitions (1/2 1 hour rated)
• Smoke partitions (no fire rating)

13
Fire Walls

• Must be structurally independent
• Wall must run continuously from foundation to
  roof
• Construction on either side of the fire wall
  considered to be a separate building

14
Fire Barriers

• Do not need to be structurally independent
• Must run continuously from slab to slab (floor to
  underside of floor above)
• Can be a wall or a floor
• Used for
• Shaft walls
• Separating different occupancies
• Separating a single occupancy into different fire
  areas
• Telecom switching in high-rises

Computersiteengineering.com
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Smoke Barriers

• Fire barriers that also restrict smoke spread
• Used to subdivide each floor into two or more
  smoke compartments
• Mandated by code in jails and hospitals

16
Fire Partitions

• May end at underside of fire-resistance rated
  floor-ceiling assembly
• Used for walls separating
• Dwelling units (e.g., condos, apartments)
• Guestrooms (e.g., hotels)
• Tenants in malls

17
Curtain Walls

• Exterior walls attached to building structure
• Do not carry building floor or roof loads
• Often contain in-fills of glass, metal panels, or
  thin stone

www.kestan.com
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Fire-Rated Floors

• Provide collapse-resistance
• Separate different occupancies on adjacent floors

www.robbins.com
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???

• If a building has sprinklers, is
  compartmentation still needed?

YES!
20
Areas that Permit Fire Spread
21
Firestopping
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What is Firestopping?

• A process whereby certain materials, some of
  them specifically manufactured, are used to
  resist (or stop) the spread of fire and its
  byproducts through joints and openings made to
  accommodate penetrations in fire-rated walls,
  floors, and floor/ceiling assemblies.

23
How Do Firestop Products Work?

• Filling the voids around penetrations

Cim.pennnant.com
Firestoplogistics.com
24
History of Firestopping
25
History of Firestopping, continued
26
History of Firestopping, continued
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History of Fire Codes
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ASTM E119

• Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials
  (also UL 263 and NFPA 251)
• Determines fire resistance of walls, floors,
  roofs, beams, and columns
• To be qualified
• No flame can pass to the unexposed side of the
  assembly
• Temperatures on the unexposed surface side of the
  assembly cannot exceed 250F above ambient
• No water can pass to the unexposed side of the
  assembly

29
ASTM E814

• Standard Method of Fire Tests of
  Through-Penetration of Fire Stops (also UL 1479)
• Tests firestop systems that penetrate an ASTM
  E119 fire-rated wall, floor, or roof assembly
• Uses same time-temperature curve as E119
• Assigns F and T ratings to a firestop system
• F rating Time firestop assembly prevented
  passage of flame through firestop assembly
• T rating Time firestop assembly remains below
  325F

30
Other Tests Governing Firestopping Requirements

• ASTM E84 Surface Burning Characteristics of
  Building Materials
• UL 723 Surface Burning Characteristics of
  Building Materials
• UL 2079 Fire resistance of building joint
  systems (Steiner Tunnel Test)

31
National Codes

• NEC Section 300-21
• NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code), Chapter 6, Appendix
  A-6
• NFPA 70 (National Electric Code), Chapters 3, 7,
  and 8

32
Regional Building Codes

• ICC (International Code Council), Chapter 7
• SBCCI (Southern Building Code Congress
  International), Chapter 7
• BOCA (Building Officials and Code Administrators
  International), Chapter 7

33
Firestopping

• Seals a through-penetration, membrane
  penetration, or joint in a fire-resistive
  assembly
• Prevents fire from spreading from one side of the
  assembly through to the opposite side
• Tested combination of specific elements (a
  system) to stop fire and hot gases for a
  prescribed period of time

34
Fireblocking

• Materials installed within small concealed spaces
  of combustible construction to resist or block
  the migration of fire and hot gases within that
  concealed space for an undetermined period of
  time.
• Examples Used to subdivide or block off the stud
  cavity inside a wall, in a soffit over cabinets,
  between stair stringers at the top and bottom of
  a run, in an exterior cornice, or in the space
  between the combustible finish materials and the
  wall itself.

35
Draftstopping

• Subdivides large inaccessible spaces of
  combustible construction, such as floor assembly
  voids, attics, and crawl spaces
• Uses lumber or wood structural panels, gypsum
  board, cement fiberboard, or particleboard.

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What Is It?

• Wood structural panel
• Subdivides attic

1997 UBC Handbook
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What Is It?

• Concealed space
• Combustible construction

2000 International Building Code Commentary, Vol.
1
38
What Is It?
Seals a penetration in a fire-resistive assembly
www.insulation.org
39
Assignments

• Go to http//www.firestop.org/
• Read
• Publications
• Saving Lives Through Passive Fire Protection

40
Summary

• What is compartmentation? How does it work?
• What are some examples of compartments?
• How can compartments be compromised?
• What is firestopping?
• Why is firestopping important?
• Where is firestopping used?

41
Module 2 Where Why Firestopping is Required
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Module 2 Objectives

• Identify where firestopping is required
• Identify code requirements for firestopping
  penetrations and joints

43
Why is Firestopping Required?
To compartmentalize and prevent the spread of
flame and smoke through a structure during a fire
44
Code Requirements
45
ASTM E814 Firestop Ratings

• F Length of time firestop system withstands the
  passage of fire (ASTM E814, UL1479, ASTM E2307)
• T Length of time temperature on non-fire side
  of fire-rated assembly does not exceed 325 F
  (ASTM E814, UL1479, ASTM E2307)
• L Quantity of air leakage through the installed
  firestop at both ambient and elevated (warm
  smoke) temperature (UL 1479)
• W Measure of effectiveness of firestop systems
  ability to restrict flow of water (UL 1479)

46
Areas that Permit Fire Spread
47
Through Penetrations
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IBC 2003 CodePenetrations

• Penetrations through the following shall comply
  with IBC 2003 Section 712
• 705.9 Fire walls
• 706.7 Fire barriers
• 707.8 Shaft enclosures
• 708.7 Fire partitions
• 709.6 Smoke barriers
• 710.5 Horizontal assemblies

49
IBC Section 712 Highlights

• 712.3.3 - Penetrations of fire resistance rated
  walls by ducts and air transfer openings that are
  not protected by fire dampers shall comply with
  section 712.
• 712.3.4 Dissimilar material - Noncombustible
  penetrating items shall not connect to
  combustible items beyond the point of
  firestopping unless it can be demonstrated that
  the fire resistance integrity of the wall is
  maintained.

50
IBC Code Requirements for Through Penetrations

• Must be protected by approved penetration
  firestop system
• Wall penetrations F rating not less than the
  required fire resistance rating of the wall
  penetrated
• Floor penetrations F rating and T rating not
  less than 1 hour or the required rating of the
  floor penetrated
• Exception T-rating not required for penetrants
  concealed within a wall

51
Exceptions to Need for E814 Testing

• Where penetrating items are steel, ferrous, or
  copper pipes or steel conduits, the annular
  space shall be permitted to be protected as
  follows
• 1) In concrete or masonry walls, or in single
  concrete floor, where the penetrating item is max
  6 nominal diameter and the opening is max 144
  sq.in. , concrete, grout, mortar shall be
  permitted when installed the full thickness of
  the wall or the thickness required to maintain
  the fire rating
• 2) Or, the material used to fill the annular
  space shall prevent the passage of flame and hot
  gases sufficient to ignite cotton waste when
  subjected to ASTM E119 fire conditions under a
  min. positive pressure differential of 0.01 inch
  column water for the time period equivalent to
  the fire rating of the construction penetrated.
• This is often the solution used to overcome the
  floor T-rating requirement
• Pipes that are cemented in can be problematic
  if expansion or contraction occur

52
Test Your Understanding

1. If the wall penetrated has a fire resistance
   rating of 2 hours, what is the required firestop
   F rating?
2. If the floor penetrated has a fire resistance
   rating of 2 hours, what are the required firestop
   F and T ratings?
3. If the floor penetrated has a fire resistance
   rating of ½ hour, what are the required firestop
   F and T ratings?

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Membrane Penetrations
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IBC 712 RequirementsMembrane Penetrations

• 712.3.2 recessed fixtures shall be installed
  such that the required fire resistance will not
  be reduced.
• Membrane penetrations are firestopped the same as
  through penetrations

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Exceptions to IBC 712 Requirements

• 1. Steel electrical boxes that do not exceed 16
  square inches in area provided that the total
  area of such openings does not exceed 100 square
  inches for any 100 sq ft of wall area. Outlet
  boxes on opposite sides of the wall shall be
  separated as follows
• 1.1 By a horizontal distance of not less than 24
  inches
• 1.2 (fill the wall with cellulose or mineral
  fiber insulation)
• 1.3 By solid fireblocking in accordance with
  716.2.1
• 1.4 By protecting both outlet boxes by listed
  putty pads or
• 1.5 By other listed materials and methods

56
Exceptions to IBC 712 Requirements, contd

• 2. Membrane penetrations for listed electrical
  outlet boxes of any material are permitted
  provided such boxes have been tested for use in
  fire-resistance rated assemblies and are
  installed in accordance with the instructions
  included in the listing.
• 3. The annular space created by the penetration
  of a fire sprinkler provided it is covered by a
  metal escutcheon plate.

57
Test Your Understanding

• If plumbing fixtures penetrates one side of a
  wall with a fire resistance rating of 1 hour
• Must the penetration be firestopped?
• What is the required firestop F rating?

58
Test Your Understanding, contd

• If you have a 12-inch square steel electrical box
  penetrating a wall
• Must the penetration be firestopped?
• What is the required firestop F rating?

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Blank Openings
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Code Requirements forBlank Openings

• Not explicitly addressed in any building code
• IBC 703.2 general statementWhere materials,
  systems or devices that have not been tested as
  part of a fire-resistance rated assembly are
  incorporated into the assembly, sufficient data
  shall be made available to the building official
  to show that the required fire-resistance rating
  is not reduced.
• Reinstate integrity of wall by
• Filling hole in wall with same material as wall,
  with joint made as per requirements for the
  listed wall assembly
• Installing a tested/listed fire-rated door or
  window in the opening
• Installing a firestop system tested/listed for
  blank openings

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Firestopped Blank Openings
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Construction Joints
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Types of Construction Joints

• Wall to wall (expansion joint)
• Floor to floor (expansion joint)
• Floor to wall (shaft construction)
• Wall to floor (head of wall)
• Bottom of wall

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IBC 2003 RequirementsJoints

• Joints made in or between the following shall
  comply with Section 712
• 705.10 Fire walls
• 706.8 Fire barriers
• 707.9 Shaft enclosures
• 708.8 Fire partitions
• 709.7 Smoke barriers
• 710.6 Horizontal assemblies

65
Code Requirements forConstruction Joints

• Must be protected by an approved fire-resistant
  joint system tested in accordance with UL 2079 or
  ASTM E1966
• Firestopped joint must have same fire resistance
  as the assembly in which it is installed
• A tested and listed joint system cannot be
  obtained for the junction between a rated wall
  and an unrated roof

66
Test Your Understanding

1. A 1-hour rated firestop system is being installed
   in a wall-to-wall joint. The walls are rated for
   2 hours. Is this acceptable according to code
   requirements?
2. What is the rating of a joint in a 1-hour rated
   wall extending up to an unrated roof?
3. Fire-resistant joint systems must be tested in
   accordance with what testing standard?

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Perimeter Fire Barrier Systems
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Code Requirements for Perimeter Fire Barrier
Systems

• Voids created at the intersection of exterior
  curtain wall assemblies and fire-resistance rated
  floor assemblies must be sealed with an approved
  material or system.
• The fire resistance rating of the firestop must
  be at least equal to the fire resistance rating
  of the floor assembly.

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ISMA-ASTM E2307
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Duct Enclosure Systems
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IBC 2003 Code Duct and Air Transfer Openings

• Sect. 716
• Ducts and air transfer openings without dampers
  shall comply with Section 712
• Hazardous Exhaust Ducts shall comply with the
  International Mechanical Code

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IMC 2003 Code - Duct Enclosure Requirements

• 506.3.10 Grease Duct Enclosures ducts serving
  Type 1 grease hoods that penetrate a fire rated
  floor/ceiling shall be enclosed from the point of
  penetration to the outlet terminal
• Shaft construction per IBC
• 18 clearance to combustible enclosure
• 6 clearance to gypsum shaft enclosure

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IMC 2003 Code - Duct Enclosure Requirements

• 506.3.10 Shaft Enclosure Exception
• Penetration openings firestopped per ASTM E814
  with F and T Ratings equal to assembly
  penetrated
• Duct covered on all sides with a Classified or
  Labeled fire rated grease duct enclosure system
• Tested per a nationally recognized standard for
  duct enclosure materials

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Duct Enclosure System
75
Duct Enclosure Testing

• ASTM E 2336 Standard for Fire Resistive Grease
  Duct Enclosure Systems (formerly ICCES AC101)
• UL 1978 Standard for Grease Ducts
• UL 263 (ASTM E119) Engulfment Test and ISO
  69441985 Standard for Fire Resistive Ventilation
  Ducts
• UL 1479 (ASTM E814)Standard Test Method for Fire
  Tests of Through-Penetration Firestops

76
Test Your Understanding

• If a grease duct penetrates a fire-rated
  floor/ceiling assembly
• Must the duct penetration be firestopped?
• What methods can be used to enclose the duct?
• What is the required fire resistance rating of
  the firestop system and duct enclosure?

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How Must the Penetration be Protected?
http//www.radhaz.com/images/power-cables.jpg
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How Must the Penetration be Protected?
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How Must the Penetration be Protected?
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How Must the Joint be Protected?
http//www.firestoplogistics.com/images/ejointspra
y_lg.jpg
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Conclusion

• Code requirements for firestopping are very
  simple
• If you have a rated floor or wall, you MUST seal
  joints and through-penetrations in that floor or
  wall.

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Module 3How Firestopping Works
Cim.pennnant.com
83
Module 3 Objectives

• Discuss types of firestops
• Describe how each type of firestop works
• Describe advantages and disadvantages of each
  type of firestop product
• Describe appropriate applications for each type
  of firestop product

84
Types of Firestops
Intumescent
Non-Intumescent
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Intumescent Firestops

• Swell or expand with heat to close gaps or voids
  in through-penetration openings
• Contain sodium silicate, graphite or another type
  of intumescing agent

Grace Construction
86
Examples of Intumescent Firestops

• Caulks (sealants)
• Wraps strips
• Putty and putty pads
• Firestop devices
• Pillows and blocks
• Composite boards/sheets

87
Intumescent Caulks and Sealants

• Latex, latex endothermic,
• and/or solvent-based
• materials mixed with
• sodium silicate, graphite,
• or other intumescing agents.
• Expand up to 2-5 times their original state
• Used for insulated and non-insulated metal pipes,
  small plastic pipes, glass piping, construction
  joints, cable bundles, small to medium-sized
  penetrations, cable trays, busways, and sheet
  metal ducts

Sweets.construction.com
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Advantages of Intumescent Caulks and Sealants

• Many tested systems from which to choose
• Can accommodate penetrant or joint movement
  (minimal)
• Expand from 2-5 times their original volume
• Capable of sealing most insulated pipe assemblies
• Listed systems for a wide variety of penetrants
• Provide a smoke seal

89
Disadvantages of Intumescent Caulks and Sealants

• Limited exterior applications
• Materials must be protected from continuous
  exposure to freeze-thaw cycle
• Sealant may not expand properly if subjected to
  repeated freezing
• Not as flexibile as silicone non-intumescent
  based products
• May not perform as tested if installed against
  surfaces with a temperature as low as 120F

90
Wrap Strips

• Used for combustible (non-metallic) pipes
• Applied in layers around penetrating item
• Expand from 10-25X their original volume
• Available in sizes from 1-2 wide x 2-40 long,
  1/8-1/4 thickness
• Normally used with a smoke-sealing caulk

http//www.insulation.org/
Grace Construction
91
Wrap Strips

• Advantages
• Good for situations in which annular space is
  larger than anticipated
• Many tested system options
• Often used for insulated pipescrushes insulation
  tightly to provide solid firestop
• Easy to install into Tuck-In systems
• Good for situations in which access to bottom of
  slab is limited
• Disadvantages
• Temperature limitations
• Usually contain no adhesive
• Problems when annular space is too small or too
  large

92
Electrical Box Insert

• Potential new product type
• Typically made of wrap strip-type material
• Used
• To protect electrical outlet boxes in wall
  assemblies where the distance between opposing
  electrical boxes is less than required by code
• For retrofit jobs where access is not available
  to back side of electrical box
• Easy install, with self-adhesive back

93
Putty and Putty Pads

• Used to seal cables, small pipe penetrations, and
  electric boxes
• Available in sticks, pads, or blocks

http//www.firestoplogistics.com
www.rectorseal.com
94
Putty and Putty Pads

• Advantages
• Eliminate need for caulk gun installation
• Useful for tight areas
• Products are removable and re-usable
• Disadvantages
• Limited testing
• Minimal movement characteristics
• Difficult to install when material is cold

95
Firestop Devices

• Retaining Collars (Wrap Strips)
• Pre-manufactured Firestop Straps Devices
• Pre-molded Electrical Firestop Devices
• Cast-in Firestop Devices

96
Retaining Collars

• Direct/control intumescent action of firestop
  sealant/wrap strip to where it is needed
• Interior of collar filled with required layers of
  wrap strip or intumescent sealant collar is then
  secured to the pipe with a steel band and then
  fastened to the underside of the opening with
  approved fasteners.
• Must have sufficient clearance around the pipe
  being sealed and the surface the collar will be
  attached to.

http//www.firestoplogistics.com
97
Retaining Collars

• Advantages
• Solution for plastic pipe when there is little or
  no annular space
• Disadvantages
• Cannot be installed when an elbow or Y coupling
  is too close to the wall
• Limitations regarding how close a collar can be
  to plastic pipe fittings
• Has to be installed on bottom of floor
• Increased labor when used with gypsum walls and
  ceilings

98
Retaining Collars

• Recommendations
• Take care to properly measure the amount of
  firestop material to enable a proper firestop
  closure
• Ensure the annular space does not exceed the
  listing requirements
• Watch that the proper amount of space is left
  between the floor or wall and any pipe fitting to
  allow for the firestop system.

99
Pre-manufactured Firestop Straps Devices

• Factory pre-assembled wrap strips, putties, or
  intumescent extrusions installed in steel collars
• Sized to fit standard plastic pipe sizes
• Banding, fastening strips, or friction fitting
  teeth attach collar around penetrant

Grace Construction
100
Pre-manufactured Firestop Straps Devices

• Advantages
• Easy application
• Speedy installation
• Listed in systems for plastic pipes up to 14
  inches in diameter
• Disadvantages
• May not be able to be installed in available
  clearances
• Pre-sized devices may not fit around odd-sized
  pipes or couplings, elbows or Y connections
• Fasteners may be difficult to install

Royal
101
Pre-manufactured Firestop Straps Devices

• Recommendations
• Ensure listed clearance is available for proper
  installation
• Take care to properly match the firestop device
  with plastic pipe diameter

Tremstop
102
Pre-Molded IntumescentElectrical Firestop Devices

• Designed to encapsulate cables
• Consist of steel frames with multiple intumescent
  inserts sized to accommodate cable diameters
• Inserts anchored by steel bolts and plates

www.insulation.org
103
Pre-Molded IntumescentElectrical Firestop Devices

• Advantages
• High degree of vandal resistance
• Good resistance to movement
• Disadvantages
• High cost of installation
• Penetration quantity and diameter must be
  determined prior to installation
• Low in-service temperature limitations

104
Cast-in-Place Firestop Device
105
Cast-in-Place Firestop Device

• Advantages
• Quick and simple installation
• Integrated water and smoke seal
• One-step device for a variety of pipe materials
  and diameters
• Disadvantages
• Not for use in walls
• Pre-sized devices may not meet penetrant diameters

106
Intumescent Pillows and Bags

• Plastic or cloth pillows or bags consisting of
  unexpanded vermiculite or mineral wool with
  intumescent material or wire mesh.
• Compressed and stuffed into openings
• Used limited access or rapidly changing openings

Grace Construction
http//cableorganizer.com
107
Intumescent Pillows and Bags

• Advantages
• Easy to insert and remove
• Burn cleanly in a fire
• Can be installed at any temperature
• Relatively low cost
• Product is removable and re-usable
• May be used for multiple mixed penetrants in
  large openings
• Disadvantages
• Possible vandalism damage to seal
• Floor applications difficult to install
• Typically do not provide a smoke seal
• Top pillow may be difficult to install in walls
• Must be below in-service temperature limits
• Must calculate compression rate

Grace Construction
108
Recommendations for Intumescent Pillows and Bags

• Do not use in areas exposed to vandalism
• Plan opening to ensure proper pillow fit
• Observe in-service temperature limits

Grace Construction
109
Foam Blocks

• For large openings with multiple penetrations
• Used for cables, cable trays, insulated and
  non-insulated metal pipes, small plastic pipes

http//www.firestoplogistics.com
110
Foam Blocks

• Advantages
• Ease of use when access is difficult
• Can be stacked easily
• Can be cut to fit around penetrants
• Friction fitted into opening
• Product is removable and re-usable
• Disadvantages
• Can be installed in the wrong direction
• The area between the penetrants and the blocks
  must be filled with a sealant

111
Composite Sheets

• Light gauge sheet metal laminated to sheets of
  intumescent material
• Attached to a wall or floor surface
• Sealed using sealants, wrap strips, and/or
  putties
• Can be joined together to cover large areas
• Designed for large openings

http//cableorganizer.com/
112
Composite Sheets

• Advantages
• Ability to span large openings
• Tested and listed firestop system for multiple
  penetrating items through the same opening
• Provide high fire ratings
• Not temperature-sensitive during installation
• Applicable to walls and floors
• Disadvantages
• Require good carpentry skills
• Relatively expensive products

www.stifirestop.com/
113
Pre-Manufactured or Field Fitted Adjustable
IntumescentCable Conduit Firestop Devices
www.royalquickstop.com/

• Used for cables and small conduits with or
  without cable trays.
• Steel channels enclose removable lightweight
  insulated cross members and an indexing
  intumescent channel for quick enlargement of
  opening

114
Pre-Manufactured or Field Fitted Adjustable
IntumescentElectrical Firestop Devices

• Advantages
• Expand with cable needs
• Segmentable between cable and blank sections
• Rapid installation of new penetrants
• Does not require depth measurement of firestop
  materials
• Applicable to walls and floors
• Highly resistant to damage
• For cables small conduits with or without cable
  trays

115
Non-Intumescent Firestops

• Act as passive void fillers
• Used for joints and dampers
• For non-combustible penetrants and construction

www/.geocities.com
116
Examples of Non-Intumescent Firestops

• Latex-based sealants
• Silicone-based sealants
• Firestop mortar
• Foams
• Boards
• Joint sprays
• Insulating blankets

http//www.hilti.co.uk
117
Latex-Based Sealants

• For through penetrations, and joint firestop
  systems
• Often used with mineral wool
• Less expensive than intumescent sealants

Grace Construction
Grace Construction
118
Latex-Based Sealants

• Advantages
• Low-cost and easy to apply
• Many tested systems available
• Movement limitations up to 25
• Can usually be painted over
• Easily cleaned up with water before fully cured
• Self-leveling and gun grade consistencies
  available
• Disadvantages
• Washout if exposed to water before curing
• Limited movement capabilities
• Not recommended for exterior use

Grace Construction
119
Silicone-Based Sealants

• Highly elastomeric
• Best suited for applications where penetrants
  move or vibrate
• Good for elevated or cold temperatures
• Used for
• Through penetrations
• Top-of-wall joints
• Large joints
• Expansion joints in floors and walls

Grace Construction
120
Silicone-Based Sealants

• Advantages
• Extremely durable
• Good chemical heat resistance
• Available in gun grade and self-sealing
• UV and weather-resistant
• Disadvantages
• Unpaintable
• Difficult to tool
• Solvents required for clean-up
• Can be used for non-combustibles only
• Not good on wood

http//www.apidistribution.com
121
Firestop Mortar

• Consists of perlite, gypsum-metallic or
  vermiculite concrete cementitious materials
• Used for large and small blanks, and openings
  with multiple penetrants
• Damming material needed for support

Grace Construction
www.firestem.co.uk
122
Firestop Mortar

• Advantages
• Choice of many tested systems
• Low material cost
• Can be used for large opening sizes
• Ability to pour materials
• Disadvantages
• May be chemically incompatible with copper piping
• Rigidity limits penetrant movement
• Difficulty adding new penetrating items
• Sensitivity to ambient temperature
• Freezing or improper mix ratio may cause problems

123
Silicone Foam

• 2-part mixtures put into 1 lifts in an opening
• As foam cures, it increases from 1 to 3 and
  seals around small areas
• During fire, foam produces ablative char
• Used for cable, cable trays, non-combustible
  pipes, and small to medium openings

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Silicone Foam

• Advantages
• Tested systems for large openings
• Abiliity to flow around penetrating items
• Repenetrability
• Good moisture resistance
• Disadvantages
• Lack of testing with plastic piping
• Applicator learning curve
• Installation temperature sensitivity
• Packing and damming can leak
• Can stain areas below floor area

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Polyurethane Foam

• Consists of a coaxial cartridge filled with
  two-component polyurethane-based foam
• Triggering dispenser causes components to mix and
  react, causing product to expand 7-fold
• Used to seal small to medium-sized openings with
  multiple penetrating items, including cables,
  cable trays, and non-combustible, combustible,
  and insulated pipes

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Polyurethane Foam

• Advantages
• Cures within 60 seconds
• Up to 6 times expansion
• Repenetrable
• Reusable
• Disadvantages
• May require formwork
• Product may cure within mixer

http//www.firestoplogistics.com
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Polyurethane Board

• Polyurethane foam material
• Easy to cut without electric tools
• Attached to walls/floors similar to composite
  sheets
• Used with noncombustible and insulated pipes,
  cable trays, and cables

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Polyurethane Board

• Advantages
• Ability to span large openings
• Tested and listed systems
• Lightweight (can be cut with box knife)
• Applicable to walls and floors
• Disadvantage Non-intumescent

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Joint Sprays

• Used for construction joints where maximum
  movement is required
• Allow a high rate of production
• Some systems only require 1/16 application
• Often used with mineral wool or ceramic fiber
  packing

IFC_JOINts
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Joint Sprays

• Advantages
• Speed of application
• Flexibility to accommodate movement
• Variety of installation methods
• Disadvantages
• Must obtain a spray pump
• Pump maintenance and cleanup
• Temperature limitations
• Thickness quality control problems
• Need to train personnel

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Insulating Blankets and Rated Ducts

• Used for fire-rated grease, pressurization, and
  ventilation ducts
• Alternate to fire-rated shaft
• Provide 1 or 2-hour fire protection
• Used with firestop systems at fire-rated wall and
  floor penetrations

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Insulating Blankets andRated Ducts

• Advantages
• Saves building space and installation labor
• Zero clearance to combustibles
• Blankets are easy to handle/fit complex shapes
• Blanket covering provides barrier from grease,
  moisture absorption
• Disadvantages
• Additional protection may be required where
  blankets are exposed to mechanical abuse
• Additional insulation may be required with rated
  duct systems

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Forming/Packing Materials

• Seal pipe holes, joints, and openings
• May help achieve the fire rating of the assembly
• Control the depth of the sealant
• Common forming/packing materials
• Mineral wool
• Ceramic fiber
• Fiberglass insulation
• Foam backer rods
• Urethane foams

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Pre-Manufactured Top-of-Wall Systems

• Combine a metal track with strips of drywall
  attached
• Allows movement or slippage at the top of the
  wall
• Tested assemblies up to 4 hours in duration

Grace Construction
www.geocities.com
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Pre-Manufactured Top-of-Wall Systems

• Advantages
• Relatively fast installation
• Ability to install firestop system at the same
  time as rest of wall
• Use common fireproofing materials to obtain high
  fire ratings
• Disadvantages
• May require additional sealant at slip joint and
  perimeter
• May require firestopping contractor to supervise
  project when walls are being constructed

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Group 1 Group 2
Insulated non-insulated metal pipes Small to medium penetrations
Plastic pipes Large penetrations
Combustible pipes Multiple penetrations
Non-combustible pipes Electrical outlet boxes
Cables/cable bundles Blank openings
Cable trays Joints
High traffic openings
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Penetration Type Recommended Firestop(s)
Insulated non-insulated metal pipes Caulks/sealants Pillows and blocks
Plastic pipes Caulks/sealants Wrap strips and collars Pillows and blocks
Combustible pipes Wrap strips and collars
Non-combustible pipes Putty sticks
Cables/cable bundles Caulks/sealants Putty sticks Pillows and blocks Pre-molded electrical firestop devices
Cable trays Pillows and blocks
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Penetration Type Recommended Firestop(s)
Small to medium penetrations Caulks/sealants Foam
Large penetrations Pillows and blocks Composite sheets
Multiple penetrations Pillows and blocks
Electrical outlet boxes Putty pads
Blank openings Putty sticks Composite board
Joints Caulks/sealants
High traffic openings Putty Pillows
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What Would You Recommend?
http//pubs.acs.org/cen/images/8108/8108notw4.pipe
s.JPG
140
What Would You Recommend?
http//www.csulb.edu/divisions/af/tiu/intro/explan
ation/images/ladderrack1.jpg
141
What Would You Recommend?
142
Summary

• Types of firestops
• How each type of firestop works
• Advantages and disadvantages of each firestop
  product, as well as usage recommendations
• Appropriate applications for each firestop
  product

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About the IFC

• IFC promotes the technology of fire containment
  in modern building construction through
• Research
• Education
• Development of safety standards and code
  provisions
• Website - www.firestop.org
• Email - Info_at_firestop.org