Pre & Post Occupancy Fire Barrier Management

Pre & Post Occupancy Fire Barrier Management

Pre & Post Occupancy Fire Barrier Management Event ID: OV SPEC NJ 1014 Course Length: 1 Hour

AIA/CES Course #PPOFBM Specified Technologies Inc. is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems. Credit earned on completion of this program will be reported to CES Records for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for non-aia members are available on request. This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.

Copyright Materials This presentation is protected by US and International Copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, display and use of the presentation without written permission of the speaker is prohibited. The use of any images or text/content in this document may not be used with out written approval from STI s corporate office. Specified Technologies Inc. 2015

Discussion Topics Why Firestop is so Important Code Requirements Common Installation Deficiencies Methods Toward Compliant Practice

What is Firestopping? The process of restoring an hourly fire resistance rating back to a fire barrier that lost its rating from an opening Created in It.

If We Consider All, Life-safety Building Materials Required By Code...

They All Have One Thing In Common

They All Have One Thing In Common Each Item is Installed Only by a Single Specialized Trade

Firestop is Different Virtually Every Trade Installs Firestop

As a Result Most Firestop is Non-Compliant

How Can This Be?

BECAUSE: No Single Trade Takes Ownership Most Trades Consider Firestopping to be Beneath Them Installers Typically Poorly Trained (possibly untrained) Wrong Products Often Sold or Installed Products Rarely Installed per Requirements of UL Systems

Health Care Specific Concerns More Penetrations Than Commercial Many Rated Barriers Many Different Barrier Types Defend in Place Protocol (NFPA Life Safety Code ) Constant Change Unsealed Penetrations Are Leading Cause of EOC Recommendations and PFI s by The Joint Commission Engineering Is Responsible for Barrier Integrity, But Rarely Has Control

3 Principles of Fire Protection Detection Early Warning for Egress & Fighting Fire Suppression Extinguish Fire (Active) Containment Contain Fire & Smoke to Place of Origin (Passive)

Containment is Accomplished by: Compartmentation or Compartmentalization

Fire Protection Fundamentals Why Is Compartmentation Critical? Limits the Rate at Which Fire Spreads Once It Has Begun Complements Automatic Sprinklers, Which Can Not Stop the Spread of Smoke Minimizes (or Reduces) the Risk to Occupants and Property Elsewhere in the Building Permits Defending-in-place" Where Moving Occupants Is Impractical (Hospitals, Assisted Living, Detention Centers, Etc.) Provides Protected Means of Egress for Occupants and Ingress Fire Forces and Paramedics

Discussion Topics Why Firestop is so Important Code Requirements Common Installation Deficiencies Approaches to work toward compliance

Code Requirements and Misconceptions

Firestopping in the Codes All Model Codes Require Fire & Smoke Protection Fire protection requirements are well defined. Smoke or leakage L requirements are not as well defined.

A Quick Look at the IBC SECTION 707 - FIRE BARRIERS 707.7 Penetrations. Penetrations of fire barriers shall comply with Section 713 SECTION 709 - SMOKE BARRIERS 710.3 Fire-resistance rating. A 1 hour fireresistance rating is required for smoke barriers. 710.6 Penetrations. Penetrations of smoke barriers shall comply with Section 713 Extracted from 2009 Edition of IBC

A Quick Look at the IBC SECTION 713 - PENETRATIONS 713.2 Installation Details. Where sleeves are used, they shall be securely fastened to the assembly penetrated. The space between the item contained in the sleeve and the sleeve itself and any space between the sleeve and the assembly penetrated shall be protected in accordance with this section. Insulation and coverings on or in the penetrating item shall not penetrate the assembly unless the specific material used has been tested as part of the assembly in accordance with this section. 713.3.1.2 Through-penetration firestop system. Through penetrations shall be protected by an approved penetration firestop system installed as tested in accordance with ASTM E 814 or UL 1479, with a minimum positive pressure differential of 0.01 inch (2.49 Pa) of water and shall have an F rating of not less than the required fireresistance rating of the wall penetrated. Extracted from 2009 Edition of IBC

Let s take a look at the NEC PERTINENT CODE REFERENCES ARTICLE 300 WIRING METHODS ARTICLE 645 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT ARTICLE 800 COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS ARTICLE 830 NETWORK-POWERED BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS

Firestopping in the NEC Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion ARTICLE 300 WIRING METHODS 300.21 ARTICLE 800 COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS 800.52 (B) ARTICLE 830 NETWORK-POWERED BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS 830.58 (B) Electrical installations in hollow spaces, vertical shafts, and ventilation or airhandling ducts shall be made so that the possible spread of fire or the products of combustion will not be substantially increased. Openings around electrical penetrations shall be firestopped using approved methods to maintain the fire resistance rating.

Firestopping in the NEC Removal of Cables ARTICLE 800 COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS 800.52 (B) Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion. The accessible portion of abandoned communications cables shall not be permitted to remain.

Some Common Misconceptions MISCONCEPTION: Firestops and smoke seals must be airtight! FACT: The codes recognize that this is impractical. THE MODEL CODES do not clearly specify acceptable amounts of air leakage OR specify a method of quantifying leakage (exception IBC 2009 713.5). do recognize that smoke is a major problem. do recognize that hermetic sealing is not practical. do allow a percentage of unsealed space in smoke barriers. (IBC 713.5 states maximum of 5cfm/penetration device or 50cfm/100sq.ft of wall).

Some Common Misconceptions Neither code calls for airtight seals. MISCONCEPTION: Firestops and smoke seals must be airtight! FACT: The codes recognize that this is impractical. ACTUAL CODE LANGUAGE The NEC states that: Installations shall be made so that the possible spread of fire or the products of combustion will not be substantially increased. The NFPA 8.5.6.2 states that: Penetrations for cables, cable trays, conduits wires, and similar items to accommodate electrical and communications systems that pass through a wall, floor, or floor/ceiling assembly constructed as a smoke barrier, or through the ceiling membrane of the roof/ceiling of a smoke barrier assembly, shall be protected by a system or material capable of restricting the transfer of smoke.

L Ratings of Common Conditions

Some Common Misconceptions MISCONCEPTION: Doesn t the NEC limit sleeves to 40% loading just like conduits? ANSWER: There are no NEC mandated limits for sleeves NEC Chapter 9, Table 1, Note 2 states that Table 1 applies only to conduit or tubing systems and is not intended to apply to sections of conduit or tubing used to protect exposed wiring from physical damage. UL Classified Firestop Systems DO LIMIT Cable Fill

Discussion Topics Why Firestop is so Important Code Requirements Common Installation Deficiencies Methods Toward Compliant Practice

Plastic-Jacketed Cable

Cable Jacketing is Fuel Heat Energy in BTU's Source: Minimizing Potential Damage from Cable Tray Fires, Plant Engineering Magazine, 2/18/82 1 Pound Pine Wood: 8,000 BTU s 1 Gallon Gasoline: 135,000 BTU s 1 Foot Length Cable Tray* : 150,000 BTU s 0 50000 100000 150000 * 4 x 18 cable tray, loaded to code compliant condition

Barrier Integrity Over Time 100% Compliance Certificate of Occupancy Non-Compliance = Liability 0% Construction Time Life of Facility

What is the first thing that occurs AFTER the Cert. of Occupancy is issued? Moves, Adds & Changes!!!! Facility employees Outside contractors QC/QA activity is difficult given the magnitude of changes

Managing Barrier Integrity Degree of Change Low High Few Higher Control Many Lower Control

According to Joint Commission inspection reports: The most common deficiency items cited during EOC inspections: 1. Unsigned Doctor Authorizations 2. Barrier penetrations (Firestopping) (57% of all hospitals surveyed in 2009-2010) 3. Door Closure Mechanisms

Consequences of Change When Firestop Is Removed For MAC Work, There Are 8 Possible Outcomes: 1. Replaced Properly Using a UL System Detail 2. Not Replaced at All 3. Replaced, but Arranged Improperly 4. Replaced, but Inadequate Dose 5. Replaced, but Multiple Products 6. Resealed, but Not with Firestop 7. Replaced, but Cable Load Increased and Exceeds Maximum Load Permissible by UL System. 8. Some Combination of Above

Consequences of Change Excessive Cable Load Not 12% Firestop 13% Multiple Products 8% Inadequate Dose 12% Missing 29% Miss-Installed 22% Replaced Properly 4%

Intumescent Expansion Due to Combustibility Firestop Materials MUST expand with heat, and fill voids as cable bundle burns away a minimum dose of firestop material needed to do the job

Excessive Cable Load Cable Load MUST BE REDUCED to make room for the Firestop Fill Materials

Common Installation Deficiencies Cable Load MUST BE REDUCED to make room for the Firestop Fill Materials

Intumescent Expansion As cable load increases, so does fuel load, AND the remaining space available for the firestop sealants decreases!

Common Installation Deficiencies Cable Load Must Be No Greater Than Maximum Load Permitted In The UL System.

Common Installation Deficiencies Ring of Intumescent Sealant/Putty Around Bundle

Common Installation Deficiencies Reality: This Won t Work because Firestop will expand outward in path of least resistance and cannot close down around plastic jacketed fuel load.

Proper Installation Firestop must ALSO be Installed to the required system specified minimum depth (usually ½ -1 Deep)

Proper Installation Firestop MUST be inserted in hole so it has something to push against

Improper Installation Firestop Completely Missing

Improper Installation Firestop Brick Not Installed Correctly

Improper Installation Firestop is Improperly Installed

Improper Installation Firestop Bonded to Combustible Bushing

Improper Installation Premise Wiring Contractor Pulled Cable but FAILED to Firestop Internally Electrical Contractor Built Pathway, and Firestopped Externally Two Contractors Sharing Liability!

Improper Installation Opening Sealed With Combustible Foam

Improper Installation Multiple Products, Careless Install

Even when we try our hardest It can be a difficult process to manage and control: Firestopping removed and not reinstalled Firestop Product types have been mixed Firestopping has been installed outside the sleeve rather than within it. And this is one of the better efforts!

Things often get out of control! What is the Swiss Cheese Syndrome? Definition: New penetrations being created for virtually every cabling change. Let s look at the causes Inadequate capacity. Each opening sized specifically for the immediate requirement. Permanent sealing methods used precluding future additions. Installers wanting their own openings.

The Question is How do we get from here

To Manageable Compliance?

Discussion Topics Why Firestop is so Important Code Requirements Common Installation Deficiencies Methods Toward Compliant Practice

Cable Management vs. Fire Management Maintaining Barrier Integrity in the Datacom Environment

Methods Toward Compliance Three Classes of Firestop Products Field- Metered Doses Hybrids Factory- Metered Doses

Three Classes of Firestop Products # 1. Field Metered Doses: Installer controlled Gun grade sealants (not easily re-enterable) Moderate Easier Harder Skill-Required Gauge Hand Packed Putties (easily re-enterable) Moderate Lower Higher Probability of Compliance Gauge

Three Classes of Firestop Products # 2. Hybrids: Prescribed Dose but Installer controlled Pillows (easily re-enterable) Plugs/Bricks (Moderately re-enterable) Moderate Easier Harder Skill-Required Bags (Moderately re-enterable) Composite Sheet (Very durable but not easily re-enterable) Low Moderate High Probability of Compliance

Three Classes of Firestop Products # 3. Factory Metered Doses: Prescribed Dose with Low Installer Control Fire-Rated Pathway Devices (easily re-enterable) Moderate Easier Harder Skill-Required Gauge Firestop Grommets (easily installed and re-useable) Moderate Lower Higher Probability of Compliance Gauge

Methods Toward Compliance Clearly define and indentify High-traffic Openings (HTO s = Openings in barriers that are expected to be revisited multiple times in the future due to change or expansion). Establish clear MAC protocol/cabling management expectations. Select and mandate only approved firestop system assembly details for ALL installations. Establish installer competency requirements prior to installations.

Methods Toward Compliance Minimize Field dosing when possible. Trend toward Maintenance Free devices that have UL published maximum L Ratings and allow for MAC s without a Last step requirement from an installer to remain compliant. Strategize and Plan for cabling expansion by selecting methods that consider maximum cable loading capacity with minimal firestop system disruption or further barrier compromise. Identify problem areas and put a location specific compliance strategy in place and execute it.

Methods Toward Compliance Implementation of an Above Ceiling Permit program. Deputize all facility staff regardless of department. Provide clear New Hole protocols and when possible dictate through wall routing expectations. Implement Randomized QC/QA inspections and UL system installation review (destructive testing) BEFORE clearing work for payment will be done.

Methods Toward Compliance Before After

Methods Toward Compliance

Maintenance Free and Factory Dosed Items from STI Firestop Grommet EZ-Path Pathways

Fire-Rated Cable Grommet

Fire-Rated Cable Grommet Membrane OR Through Penetrations

Fire-Rated Cable Grommet

The ONLY Maintenance free and Self-adjusting Firerated Pathway available in the market! Maximum L ratings are Known and UL Published. (no variants). Devices may be ganged together for floors and walls. Ganged devices can be installed PRIOR to drywall sheet.

Up to 4Hr Rating in BOTH walls and floors Three Sizes of Flexibility with 100% fill capacity Will not squeeze or constrict cable Waterfall radius control module available Extendable for thicker assemblies

The Same Amount of Cable 10 EZ-Path Devices vs. 4 Sleeve PLUS Room for Expansion in the Same Footprint!

Fully Retrofitable Pathway can be disassembled and installed around existing cables. Or installed into existing sleeves

2000 Cables in floor Using EZ-Path methods 2000 Cables in floor Using traditional methods

1250+ cable capacity with No Touch access Limited class A wall space required No Clustering concerns as load is distributed to studs (UL tested as such)

Thank You

This concludes The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems Program & BICSI Course Content. Specified Technologies Inc. 210 Evans Way, Suite 2 Somerville, NJ 08876 Phone: 1.908.526.8000 Fax: 1.908.526.9623 www.stifirestop.com