CFAA Presentation: and Materials in Canadian Codes Tony Crimi, An Overview of Code Requirements for Firestops & their Role in Fire and Smoke Containment Canadian Code Requirements Overview: Basic Principle of Fire Resistant Construction What is a Firestop System? Terminologies FRR & Compartmentation Principles Canadian vs. US Testing & Certification Factors & Trends Affecting Installation Unique Challenges in Complex Buildings Examples Current Developments & Future trends The National Research Council: Canada s primary science and technology institution NRC Institute for Research in Construction (IRC) NRC-IRC Canadian Codes Centre (CCC) Provides research and administrative support to the overall system The Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC): appointed by NRC members are volunteers represents regulators, construction industry and public interest Oversees the code development system Code Development System Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes PTPACC CCBFC TG Provincial/Territorial Policy Advisory Committee on Codes The Provinces and Territories: SC SC SC SC TG Task Groups (e.g. Task Group on FS Systems) Standing Committees (e.g. Standing Committee on Houses) constitutional role and responsibility Provincial/Territorial Policy Advisory Committee on Codes (PTPACC) three subcommittees (building, fire, plumbing) PTPACC advises the CCBFC on what the provinces and territories need in the national codes. 1
Objective-Based Codes Spell out why we regulate building design and construction Objectives Describe what the design and construction of the building must do to achieve the objectives Functional Statements Provide Acceptable Solutions to these objectives and functional statements Code Objectives Safety Health Accessibility Fire and Structural Protection of Buildings Based on intent analysis conducted between 1997 2003 of every code provision What do the new documents look like? Three Divisions A, B, C Fire Resistance Ratings & Compartmentation National Building Code in Two Volumes Volume Two contains the Appendix Notes for Divisions A, B and C as well as the index for both volumes Fire Resistance A fire separation is a construction assembly that acts as a continuous barrier to the spread of fire and/or smoke. A fire separation may or may not need to have a Fire Resistance Rating Fire Separations Purpose of Fire Separations (a) Impede movement of fire in order to Limit the potential fire size and inhibit movement of smoke (b) Contain the fire long enough to evacuate occupants and allow fire department to gain access (c) Act as components of a fire compartment 2
Fire Separations Fire Compartments Usually, several fire separations are used in combination to surround a given space to contain fire within it. Fire Separations Evaluation of Fire Separations Fire Resistance Rating based on the assembly meeting the acceptance criteria in the standard CAN/ULC-S101-M, Standard Method of Fire Endurance Tests of Building Construction and Materials. NATIONAL CAN/ULC-S101-M04 STANDARD OF CANADA STANDARD METHODS OF FIRE ENDURANCE TESTS OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS Fire Performance Testing Fire Resistance Criteria Generalized Acceptance Criteria (CAN/ULC-S101) CAN/ULC-S101 Standard Fire Exposure Curve No passage of flames or hot gases Temperature rise on the unexposed side limited to - 140º C average or 180ºC individual. Assembly must remain in place & not collapse under design loads No through openings created during the fire or hose stream test (up to 45 psi water pressure). Maximum temperature of steel structural supporting elements (floors, ceilings, beams, columns) of 593ºC average, 704ºC indiv. Canadian Firestop Ratings (F,FT,FH,FTH) Definition of a System An assemblage or combination of things or parts, forming a complete or unitary whole..acting together according to certain natural laws for some special purpose. (The Random House Dictionary of English Language) A E B C D 3
What is a Firestop System? An assemblage or combination of materials, forming a complex whole or unit...acting together in a specific construction to prevent the spread of fire and smoke (?) through the openings in fire resistance rated floor or wall assemblies. System Elements Performing Part(s) + Other Components = Whole System Typical Lab Directories identify all parts, but Certification focuses on key parts Types of & Materials Common Terminology: Fire Resistance Time in minutes that a material or assembly withstands passage of flame, temperature and retain structural integrity under conditions of CAN/ULC-S101 (ASTM E119) test Fire Protection Rating Time in minutes that a closure withstands passage of flame, and retain structural integrity under Standard test conditions Fire Compartment In a building, an enclosed space separated by vertical & horizontal fire separations Firestop Terminology: Floor or Wall Assembly Listed fire-rated assemblies or generic fire rated floor or wall as determined by the National/Provincial Building Codes Batts and Blankets Mineral Wool insulation, processed from rock and slag Minimum density of 81 kg/m3, and compressed minimum 50 percent or as specified in the Design text. Firestop Terminology: Intumescent Increase significantly in volume when exposed to heat, and harden into rigid material Endothermic Releases chemically bonded water, as temp rises, to afford protection Ablative Erode and harden under fire. Elastomeric nature tolerates large SP gaps and joints, and some mechanical movement 4
Types of & Materials Types of & Materials Caulks applied around items w/caulk gun Putties manually pressed into larger openings Wraps & Strips typically wrapped around objects or gaps Composite Sheet galvanized metal panels sandwiched around intumescent material (cut to size, for larger openings) Plastic Pipe Devices metal supporting collars holding intumescent material in place around pipes Types of Firestop Foam applied similar to caulk, typically for small to medium irregular openings Firestop Pillows & Bags used to fill large openings around pipes, ducts, cable trays, etc. in combination with putties or caulks (removable and replaceable) Types of & Materials Firestop Sprays typically elastomeric latex materials, sprayed or brushed, for curtain wall, HW, expansion joints (difficult to reach places) Firestop Mortar plaster like material, troweled, poured or pumped into large SP openings (good bonding adhesion) Firestop Terminology: Firestop System Components Materials that are proprietary in nature, identified in the Listing Design text F - Rating System remains in opening during entire rating period, without permitting passage of flame or openings Firestop Terminology: Packing or Forming Materials Materials used to prevent leakage of sealant (firestop system component) Preferably a non-combustible material (unless removed) or as indicated in the listing. Cables and Cable Trays The specific types and sizes as indicated in design texts 5
Firestop Terminology: Metallic and Non-Metallic Pipes The specific types and sizes as indicated in design texts. Firestop System Components Materials that are proprietary in nature, identified in the Listing Design text Annular Space The void space surrounding the penetrating item (min & max usually specified) Membrane Penetrations: Membrane Penetrations not specifically differentiated in NBC or OBC Fire Blocking versus Firestopping 3.1.9.1.Fire Stopping of Service Penetrations Except as required by Sentence (2), piping, tubing, ducts, chimneys, optical fibre cables, electrical wires and cables, totally enclosed noncombustible raceways, electrical outlet boxes and other similar building services that penetrate a fire separation or a membrane forming part of an assembly required to have a fireresistance rating shall be: a) sealed by a fire stop system that, when subjected to the fire test method in ULC-S115, Fire Tests of, has an F rating not less than the fire-protection rating required for closures in the fire separation in conformance with Table 3.1.8.4., or b) cast in place (see Appendix A). National Building Code of Canada 1995 3.1.9.1.(2) Piping, tubing, ducts.. that penetrates a firewall or a horizontal fire separation that is required to have a fire resistance rating in conformance with 3.2.1.2., shall be sealed at the penetration by a fire stop system that, when subjected to the fire test method in ULC-S115-M, Standard Method for the Fire Tests of Firestop Systems has an FT Rating not less that the fire-resistance rating for the fire separation In stark contrast to US Codes where F, T. & H Ratings used more extensively Continuity of fire separations : 3.1.8.1. General Requirements 1) Any wall, partition or floor assembly required to be a fire separation shall a) except as permitted by Sentence (2), be constructed as a continuous element, and b) as required in this Part, have a fire-resistance rating as specified (see Appendix A). 2) Openings in a fire separation shall be protected with closures, shafts or other means in conformance with Articles 3.1.8.4. to 3.1.8.17. and Subsections 3.1.9. and 3.2.8. (See Appendix A.) Openings and gaps must be protected with a closure, or be effectively fire stopped. Current Canadian Building Codes Requirements for Protection of Joints Any wall, partition or floor assembly required to be a fire separation shall: a) be constructed as a continuous element b) have a fire resistance rating as specified Only real Code Basis for Joint FS & Perimeter Barrier FS systems is general continuity requirement in 3.1.8.1 Perimeter Barrier Firestops Firestopping at Slab Edges Treated as Joints per Canadian test protocol (i.e. CAN/ULC-S115), but Most tested as horizontal slab-to-slab systems Can/should we use: ULC PJ systems (very limited in number) US based Floor-to-Wall type Listings US based Perimeter Fire Containment Systems Permit penetrating items in the Perimeter Joint? Most alternative systems not tested to CAN/ULC-S115 or CAN/ULC-S101 6
National Building Code of Canada 1995 3.1.9.4.(4) and 9.10.9.7.(3) Combustible drain, waste, and vent piping... the piping is sealed at the penetration by a firestop system that has an F Rating subjected to the fire test method in ULC-S115-M, Standard Method for the Fire Tests of with a pressure differential of 50 Pa between the exposed and unexposed sides Listings OBC requires this for virtually All Combustible Pipe F Rating - System must remain in opening without permitting passage of flame through openings, or the occurrence of flaming on any element of the unexposed side of the firestop system. FT Rating - in addition to meeting the F Rating requirement, no heat transmission such as to raise the temperature of any thermocouple on the unexposed surface more than 181ºC above its initial start temperature FH Rating - In addition to F Rating requirement, must not develop opening that would permit projection of water from the hose stream beyond the unexposed side during hose stream test. This equates to an F Rating per UL 1479 & ASTM E814 FTH Rating - must meet the requirements of F,FT and FH Ratings. Closest to a Fire Resistance Rating 7
How Tough is the Testing? Optional L Rating - air leakage rate expressed as Volume of Air/Cross sectional area of sample opening. Before: After: Firestop Certification Organizations Lab Published FS & Joint Directory Information: Alpha-alphanumeric identification systems for Service Penetration Firestop System with or without penetrating items ULC SP or SPC for combustible pipes at 50 Pa UL F for floor, W for wall, or C for both WHI P for penetrations, H - horizontal, V vertical OPL - FS for firestops & suffix FA floors or WA - Walls System Component Specification Lab Published FS & Joint Directory Information: Examples of Alphanumeric Identification systems for 2h rated firestop system with single metallic conduit through floors and walls, at less than 50 Pa, tested for Canada: LARGE PENETRATING ITEMS ULC: (SP) (123) cul: C(A-E)(J-N) 1123 WHI: (XX)/(PHV) (120 01) copl: (FS) (123) (FA) or (WA) MULTIPLE PENETRATING ITEMS SINGLE PENETRATING ITEMS 8
Lab Published FS & Joint Directory Information: Joint - construction joints, gaps and spaces within floors or walls, and intersections of floors and walls ULC: JF if within floors or walls, and PJ for perimeter joint, plus numeric designation cul: combinations of F for floor, W for wall, H for top, B for bottom, CG for corner, or CW (S or D) curtain wall plus number WHI: PH is horizontal, PV is vertical plus number copl: F in floors, W in walls, H top of wall, P for perimeter, and FW for floor-to-wall plus number CAUTION: Canadian Codes very different from US in requirements for Joints and Intersections Continuity of Fire Separations In NBCC, no explicit reference to Joint FS systems However, 3.1.8.1, General Requirement: Any wall, partition or floor assembly required to be a fire separation shall: a) be constructed as a continuous element b) have a fire resistance rating when specified c) have openings protected with closures Other Significant Differences: 3.1.9.4.(4) and 9.10.9.7.(3) Combustible drain, waste, and vent piping tested with a pressure differential of 50 Pa between the exposed and unexposed sides Note: OBC requires this for All Combustible Pipe meet 50 Pa Membrane Penetrations not specifically differentiated in NBC Fire Blocking versus Firestopping Not Currently Differentiated Either Factors that affect Field Performance ASTM E2174-04 & ASTM E2393-04 Highlights: Outlines the inspection procedure for firestop inspectors including: Pre-construction meeting w/installing firm to review submittals, details, variances, and Inspection methods. Build mock-ups for destructive testing. Arrange/schedule witnessed Inspection of 10 percent of installations, Forms provided for use by the inspector to assure uniformity. Destructive T esting Inspector performs destructive testing on 2 percent per 10,000 square feet of floor area, with a minimum of one for each type of penetration. 10 percent variance tolerance before inspector to stop and require that the contractor re -inspect Inspector Firm Qualifications Option to use Inspection firms are hired by an "authorizing agency." Qualifications for the inspector are outlined Inspectors can also be qualified by being acceptable to the "AHJ" or through implementation of ASTM E 699, a standard for inspector firms, but not specific to firestopping. Project Close Out Report Close out report includes critical information for retention by the building's engineering and management personnel A deviation percentage Report is included As built tested system/engineering judgment documentation, any photographic record keeping, field report. Current Developments & Future Trends Changes include new Definitions for Fire Blocks and Fire Stops - Fire block means a material, component or system that restricts the spread of fire within a concealed space or from a concealed space to an adjacent space. - Fire stop means a system consisting of a material, component and means of support, used to fill gaps between fire separations or between fire separations and other assemblies, or used around items that wholly or partially penetrate a fire separation. 9
The Task Group on Combustible Penetrations of the Standing Committee on Fire Protection Proposed Code changes related to Fire Stopping and Fire Blocking are currently being processed to the National Building Code of Canada and undergoing public review. The deadline for submission of public comments was November 23, 2007. Current National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) contains requirements for fire stops, but mixes the notion of fire stops and fire blocks throughout. The Task Group reviewed the existing provisions, and developed numerous recommendations for revision. Chief among these are the following: 1. New definitions for "Fire Stop" & "Fire Block" - first ever 2. Delineation between Fire Blocks and Fire Stops in the Code requirements 3. Recognition that Fire stopping and fire blocking have a role in preventing the free passage of smoke, and that even fire separations with a 0 FRR are intended to function as a smoke barrier/smoke partition 4. An expansion in the types of services which are required to be firestopped 5. New requirements for electrical outlet boxes to be fire stopped, in line with IBC requirements. The current NBCC does not have any limits on the quantity of electrical boxes which can be installed in a FRR wall without being fire stopped. 6. While the current NBCC typically only requires F-ratings, a few more instances of FT-ratings are being proposed. 7. Clarification of the need for joint firestopping to provide continuity of fire barriers. Current Developments &. Inclusion of Joint testing to CAN/ULC-S115 Minimum sample size, splicing methods, thermocouple placements, movement/cycling All pipes tested uncapped on cold side Concept of open vs. closed systems Firestop Contractor Certification (ULC Certification Program or FM 4991) Announced by ULC Jan 2008 Environmental Testing of FS and Joint Materials (as in UL 1479) NRC SIG-SAFT Best Practice Guide Future Canadian Trends: Aging/Environmental Exposure Revisions to the code and test standards to evaluate effect of aging/durability on FS materials Static and Dynamic Joints and FS Systems Water-tightness (W) Ratings Begin discussion of perimeter joints CDN Standard similar to Perimeter Fire Barrier (ASTM E2307-04) Inclusion of Membrane penetrations in CAN/ULC-S115 Social and environmental issues Air quality, energy conservation, mould growth, odour control, water-tightness, vermin control NRC SIGSAFT Activity NRC Special Interest Group- Suitable Acoustic and Firestop Technologies (SIG-SAFT) 3 year project completed June 2007 The stated objective was; "To describe, using a synthesis of available data, the technical solutions necessary to obtain, with firestop systems and fire blocks, appropriate fire and sound control in buildings. Developed through Broad-based consensus of contributors, including regulators 10
The Best Practices Guide is not a Code document! 232 pages in length Makes extensive reference to the NBCC as the source of requirements for firestops and fire blocks in Canada Also illustrates many situations where Firestopping is not "required" by the Canadian Codes, but "Best Practice" dictates that appropriate firestopping methods be employed. Available FREE online at: http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/pubs/fulltext/nrcc49677/ Reaction-to-Fire Testing Smoke Production & Toxicity: Canadian Codes limit smoke production of materials based on quantity rather than composition/toxicity Currently use Tunnel tests in: CAN/ULC-S102 CAN/ULC-S102.2 NBC Committees have identified in their intents that fire hazard includes fire & smoke Some US Jurisdictions (i.e. NYC, FAA) have used smoke toxicity criteria for many years New & improved, toxicologically based Standards have been emerging over the past few years, from ISO and ASTM Improved tests for measuring toxic hazards from fire effluents by simulating scenarios occurring in real fires are the German DIN 53436 furnace and the ISO/CD 19700 Purser furnace tests. Thank You QUESTIONS? Contact Information: Tony Crimi, tcrimi@sympatico.ca 11