FIRESTOP 101:

An Introduction
to Firestopping
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to Firestopping
Role of Firestop
What is Firestopping?
A process whereby certain materials, some of
them specially manufactured, are used to resist
(or stop) the spread of fire and its byproducts
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(or stop) the spread of fire and its byproducts
through openings made to accommodate
penetrations in fire-rated walls, floors and
floor/ceiling assemblies.
International Firestop Council
The Balanced Approach to Fire Protection
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One Globally Applied Principle for Fire Safety:
Compartmentation (Fire Compartments)
The spread of fire can be restricted by dividing a building into separate
compartments with fire-resisting walls and floors, thereby:
- increasing the availability of escape routes for occupants
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Fire Statistics
What is the leading killer in fires?
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SMOKE & TOXIC GASES
Fire Statistics
3/4 of all fire deaths are caused by smoke inhalation.
Source: Hall, Jr. John R. NFPA Fire Analysis & Research, Quincy, MA. Burns, Toxic Gases, and other Hazards.
Approximately 57% of people killed in fires are not in the room of
the fires origin.
Why Must We Contain Smoke, Toxic Gases and Fire?
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the fires origin.
Source: NFPA Fire Protection Handbook, 18th Ed. Table 1-1P. Pg. 1-15.
Visibility - 47% of survivors caught in a fire could not see more than
12 feet.
Source: NFPA Fire Protection Handbook, 18th Ed. Table 8-1P. Pg. 8-17.
Smoke travels 120-420 feet per minute under fire conditions
Source: Estimate based upon ceiling jet velocity calculations for typical ceiling heights and heat release rates.
Consider this:
A square room 20 ft x 20 ft x 20 ft has a pencil hole between
compartments.
How Fast Does Smoke Travel?
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How long will it take for the smoke to fill the room to a thickness such
that you cannot see your hands 18 inches in front of you?
Pencil Hole
20 ft x 20 ft x 20 ft room
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3 minutes
40 seconds
Areas that allow for fire/smoke spread
Unsealed/Open Joints
Unsealed Pipe
Penetrations/Ducts
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Unsealed/Open Joints
Unsealed Cable
Penetrations
Doors/Windows
How Do Firestop Products Work?
Through-penetration firestop products work by
filling the voids around penetrating items in fire
rated walls and floors.
Some firestop products intumesce or expand in
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Some firestop products intumesce or expand in
the presence of heat.
The intumescing action seals and stops the
spread of flames and smoke to other floors and
rooms for penetrations that melt or change
shape in a fire (eg. Plastic pipe)
ONE PART SEALANTS (CAULKS)
PUTTY
CEMENTITIOUS MORTARS and GROUTS
Typical Firestop Products
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SPRAYS (COATINGS)
INTUMESCENT WRAPS
PILLOWS, BAGS or BLOCKS
MECHANICAL DEVICES
Types of Firestop Systems
Through Penetrations
Membrane Penetrations
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Fire Resistive Construction Joints
Perimeter Joints
WHAT IS A THROUGH-PENETRATION
FIRESTOP SYSTEM ?
A through-penetration firestop system consists of a fire rated wall or
floor, a penetrating item (pipe, cable, conduit, etc.) and the firestop
material. For rated systems, the COMPLETE firestop system is
tested and listed, not just the firestop material alone.
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Fire rated assembly (floor/wall)
Penetrating item (pipe, cable, etc.)
Firestop material
Standard Method of Fire Tests of Through-Penetration
Firestops
F-Rating - Flame does not pass through for test duration.
T-Rating - The time by which the non-fireside reaches approximately
ASTM E814 / UL 1479
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T-Rating - The time by which the non-fireside reaches approximately
400 F (325 above ambient).
To receive either rating the firestop must pass hose stream.
L-Rating (optional) - Amount of air leakage through the FS system
@ ambient & 400F. Determines the systems ability to restrict the
movement of smoke. Measured in CFM/sq. ft. The lower the
number, the better.
Factors Affecting Firestop
Performance
Type of penetrating item(s)
Size of penetrating item(s)
Through Penetrations
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Size of penetrating item(s)
Percent fill (cables)
Annular space
Fire severity and duration
Floor or wall construction type
Floor or wall thickness
Stud width for gypsum wall assemblies
Traditional Installation of
Through Penetrations
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Tape and Mud will not
withstand the effects of Fire.
Depending on fire conditions,
the tape and mud may burn
away leaving an unsealed
Construction Tape Correct
Drywall Tape vs. Firestop Sealant
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away leaving an unsealed
opening in just minutes.
A Firestop Sealant will restore
an assembly to its Fire
Resistance Rating.
Construction Tape Correct
What is a Membrane Firestop
Penetration?
Membrane Penetration An opening made through one
side (wall, floor, ceiling membrane) of an assembly.
Example: Toilet or sink piping
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Membrane Penetration Firestop A material, device or
construction installed to resist, for a prescribed time
period, the passage of flame and heat through openings
in a protective membrane in order to accommodate
cables, cable trays, conduit, tubing, pipes or similar items.
What is a Fire Rated Joint System?
A fire rated joint system consists of specified materials
designed and tested to resist the passage of flames and
hot gasses sufficient to ignite cotton waste for a
prescribed period of time in accordance with UL 2079.
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Head of Wall
Expansion Joints
Vertical Control Joints
Joint system is cycled (typically 500 times) through intended
range of movement before fire exposure per ASTM E1399
ASTM E1966 / UL 2079 - Test Standard
Tests for Fire Resistance of Building
Joint Systems
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Assembly Rating - Measures both the fire and temperature ratings
on the non-fireside (both required to pass test)
Same time/temperature curve as ASTM E 814
Hose stream is only required for top-of-wall and wall-to-wall joints
Factors Affecting Firestop
Performance
Movement requirements
Joint width
Joints
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Joint width
Fire severity and duration
Floor and wall construction type
Floor and wall thickness
Head of Wall Joint
Fire Resistive Joint Testing
Floor to Floor Joint
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Goal of Building Codes and Regulations
Life Safety of Life Safety of
Occupants Occupants
The goal is:
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Occupants Occupants
and Protection of and Protection of
Property Property
All regulations are based
on this objective
Building Codes
Model Building Codes That Require Firestop
International Building Code (IBC)
Uniform Building Code (ICBO)
Standard Building Code (SBCCI)
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Standard Building Code (SBCCI)
National Building Code (BOCA)
Life Safety Code (NFPA 101)
National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)
NFPA 5000 (NFPA Building Code)
How Do We Measure Firestop Performance?
The fore-runner and basic model for current test standards is ASTM E119
(UL263, NFPA 251) STANDARD TEST METHODS for FIRE TESTS of
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS.
The most important test for through penetration fire stop systems is
ASTM E814, STANDARD TEST METHOD for FIRE TESTS of
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ASTM E814, STANDARD TEST METHOD for FIRE TESTS of
THROUGH-PENETRATION FIRESTOPS.
The most important test for fire resistive joint systems is ASTM E1966,
TESTS FOR FIRE RESISTANCE OF BUILDING JOINT SYSTEMS.
In addition, UL has developed its own test standard, UL 1479 FIRE TESTS
OF THROUGH-PENETRATION FIRESTOPS, and UL 2079 TESTS FOR
FIRE RESISTANCE OF BUILDING JOINT SYSTEMS.
TESTING LABORATORIES
Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Northbrook, Illinois
Underwriters Laboratories of Canada
Scarborough, Ontario
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Intertek Testing Services
Pittsburg, California
Omega Point Laboratories
San Antonio, Texas
ASTM E-814 Time Temperature Curve
Temperature at 10 minutes = 1300 F
Melting Points (approximate):
PVC plastic pipe - 413 F
1
Fiberglass insulation - 1050 F
2
Aluminum - 1220 F
3
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Aluminum - 1220 F
3
Sources:
1. SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering,
1st Ed. Table 1-12.1. Pg. 1-166.
2. Owens Corning SSL I or II Fiberglas Insulation
specification sheet.
3. NFPA Fire Protection Handbook, 18th Ed. Table
4-16A. Pg 4-183.
Guidelines for creating/evaluating EJs
Issued by qualified technical personnel (FPE).
Based upon previously tested system.
Engineering Judgments
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Issued only for a single job and location.
Based upon assumption that the recommended
firestop system would pass UL 1479 (ASTM E814)
or UL 2079(ASTM E1966) for the required rated
period of time.
Engineering Judgments
Guidelines for creating/evaluating EJs
Clearly indicate that the system is an EJ and not a
listed system.
(Contin.)
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Identify the job, location and fire rating conditions.
Provide descriptions of systems (products,
densities, depths, annular space, etc.).
WALL or FLOOR ASSEMBLY WALL or FLOOR ASSEMBLY - - A fire resistance rated wall or floor
that contains through-penetrations.
THROUGH THROUGH- -PENETRATION PENETRATION -- An opening (hole) that has been made
through a fire rated wall or floor.
PENETRANT PENETRANT (or Penetrating item Penetrating item) - Pipes, electrical conduit,
Key Firestop Terms and Definitions
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PENETRANT PENETRANT (or Penetrating item Penetrating item) - Pipes, electrical conduit,
cables, cable trays, or ducts that have been placed through a fire rated
assembly.
ANNULAR SPACE ANNULAR SPACE -- The gap between the penetrating item and the edge
of the opening. A point of contact or an area where no gap exists is referred to
as ZERO ANNULAR SPACE.
FILL MATERIAL FILL MATERIAL -- The firestop sealant material that is placed in and/or
around the opening.
BACKING MATERIAL or FORMING MATERIAL BACKING MATERIAL or FORMING MATERIAL -- Noncombustible material
used to provide support for fire-rated sealant (i.e. foam backer rod or mineral wool)
INTUMESCENT INTUMESCENT - - The ability of firestop to swell, inflate, or expand with heat. Some
firestop sealants will intumesce when exposed to the intense heat of fire causing them to
close gaps or voids in through-penetration openings.
COLLAR COLLAR - - A sheet metal restricting device normally used in conjunction with plastic pipe
to direct and control the intumescent action of the firestop sealant with which it is filled.
Key Firestop Terms and Definitions
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to direct and control the intumescent action of the firestop sealant with which it is filled.
FF-- RATING RATING - - The time in hours that a firestop system will prevent the passage of flames
through an opening, remain in place, and not permit the projection of a water stream as
determined by standard test methods ASTM E814 or UL 1479.
TT-- RATING RATING - - The time in minutes required for the temperature on the unexposed
surface of a firestop system or any penetrating item to rise 325
o
F above the ambient
temperature as determined by ASTM E814 or UL 1479.
Simply put, firestop systems are now required by all model
building codes.
More importantly, firestop products play a significant role in
reducing the number of lives and property lost
Why Are Firestop Products So Important?
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reducing the number of lives and property lost
unnecessarily due to the rapid spread of fire and smoke.
Mandated for public safety
Mandated for property loss management
QUESTIONS: FIRESTOP TRAINING
1. Why are firestop products needed?
Code required
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Code required
Life safety
Limit property damage
2. What are the components of a
through-penetration firestop system?
QUESTIONS: FIRESTOP TRAINING
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1. Fire-rated assembly
2. Penetrating item
3. Sealant or barrier material
3. What basic information is needed to
determine the proper firestop system?
1. Fire-rated assembly
QUESTIONS: FIRESTOP TRAINING
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1. Fire-rated assembly
2. Penetrating item
3. Hole size / Annular space
4. F-Rating
TRUE OR FALSE
4. A firestop system refers only to the firestop sealant. False
5. Mineral wool alone is a complete firestop system
False
QUESTIONS: FIRESTOP TRAINING
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5. Mineral wool alone is a complete firestop system
as defined by ASTM E814.
False
6. Drywall tape/compound, mortar, grout and
concrete will intumesce and form a fire rated seal.
False
7. The gap between the penetrating item and the
edge of the opening is the
a) Char
b) Annular Space
QUESTIONS: FIRESTOP TRAINING
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b) Annular Space
c) Rating
d) Assembly
8. The ability of firestop material to swell, enlarge, or
expand under heat conditions is
a) Annulus
b) Char
QUESTIONS: FIRESTOP TRAINING
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b) Char
c) Intumescence
d) Static
9. The time in hours that a firestop system will
prevent the passage of flames through an
opening, remain in place, and not permit the
projection of water is the
QUESTIONS: FIRESTOP TRAINING
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a) F Rating
b) T Rating
c) L Rating
d) All the above
10. The appropriate test for through-
penetration firestop systems is
a) ASTM E84
QUESTIONS: FIRESTOP TRAINING
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a) ASTM E84
b) ASTM C112
c) UL 680
d) ASTM E814
About the IFC
The International Firestop Council is a not-for-profit association of manufacturers,
distributors and installers of fire protective materials and systems.
IFC's mission is to promote the technology of fire containment in modern building
construction through research, education and development of safety standards and
code provisions.
Website - www.firestop.org
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Website - www.firestop.org
Email - Info@firestop.org
Available educational seminars
on our website include..
Firestop 101 An introduction to firestopping
Perimeter Curtain Wall Fire Protection
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Firestop System Selection
Flexible Duct Wrap Systems
Fire Protection of Construction Joints