Walls & Ceilings Architect/October 2007

horizontal (ﬂoor/ceiling) assemblies and ﬁ re-rated wall assemblies. The second is Section 713 FIRE-RESISTANT JOINT SYSTEMS. This section governs the joints installed in or between ﬁ re-resistance-rated walls, ﬂoors or ﬂoor/ceiling assemblies. PROPER PROCEDURES The architect is responsible for design and must decide on the methods of ﬁ re detection and protection required for the building occupants. This would include the compartmentalization, egress and the type of ﬁ rewalls or smoke barriers required to meet the intent of the code for life safety requirements. Contractors are required to know how to construct and install these systems. Contractors could be held liable for installing a fire-rated system improperly. Contractors would also be expected to note obvious mistakes and/or deﬁ ciencies in systems designed by architects. Contractors have been found liable for missing or failing to notify the architect of what was considered an “obvious” disregard for life/safety or improper design. This is why it is important that contractors understand some “basic” rules about design and life/safety issues. Typically the architect should be specifying the appropriate firestop assembly for each penetrating item. The architect may employ an Engineer familiar with ﬁre safety to review and provide consultation prior to submitting the plans to the building department. The architect/engineer needs to be aware of the type of penetration, the ﬁre-rated assembly he/she has speciﬁed and the tested and approved firestop system that is appropriate. The tested assembly will have specified materials and limits to the size of the penetrating item. The tested ﬁrestop system will also be for a speciﬁed wall/ceiling assembly and cannot arbitrarily be used for other ﬁre-rated assemblies. The tested ﬁrestop systems are done by qualiﬁed third-party codeapproved testing agencies like the UL (Underwriters Laboratory), Intertek Testing Services (Warnock Hersey) or Factory Mutual (FM). All Firestop systems are required to be tested using the same test procedures. Testing is in accordance with procedures established in ASTM E 814 (UL 1479) for through penetration systems or ASTM 1966 (UL2079) for construction joint systems. These tests are to ensure that each designed firestop system will maintain the ﬁre-rated integrity of the particular type of assembly in which it is intended for use. The systems are then assigned an F and T rating. F Rating (Flame): An F rating is determined by the observation of ﬂame through openings or on any element on the unexposed side of the ﬁrestop. A ﬁrestop shall be considered as meeting the requirements for an F rating when it remains in the opening for the duration of the ﬁre and hose stream test. Through penetration ﬁ restop systems for walls are required to have an F rating of not less than the wall penetrated (section 712.3.1.2) T Rating (Temperature): A T rating measures the passage of flame and a rise in temperature of 325 degrees above ambient on the unexposed side of the ﬁrestop or penetrating item. A ﬁrestop shall be considered as meeting the requirements for a T rating when it remains in the opening for the duration of the ﬁre and hose stream test. Through penetration ﬁ restop systems for horizontal (floor/ceiling) assemblies are required to have an F and T rating of not less than onehour but not less than the required rating of the ﬂoor penetrated. L Rating (Leakage): An L rating is an optional test for air leakage through the ﬁ restop system. L ratings are typically reserved for smoke barriers. Because it is impossible to test for every type of condition that a designer and/or contractor will encounter in the construction of a building, there is an allowable procedure known as “Engineering Judgments” for handling these unforeseen circumstances that still require ﬁ restopping. As the name implies, a judgment can be made to determine if a tested ﬁ restop system is appropriate for any unusual occurrences encountered that still Contractors need to make sure the products they are using are tested and are compatible. The ﬁrestop (red putty) PEX tubes used here-and in 75 condominiums-had a chemical reaction that caused pinhole leaks, and had to be replaced at signiﬁcant cost. The insulating foam around this gas line penetrating a ﬁre-rated ceiling does not meet ﬁrestop requirements October 2007 | Walls & Ceilings Architect | 31

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Walls & Ceilings Architect/October 2007

Contents Trade News Silver Certiﬁed Airtight The Men of Steel Thinking Thermal Firestop 101 ICFs Create a Tight Envelope The Finish Line The Green Thumb Cracking the Code

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