BICSI March 19 th, 2009 Canadian Regional Meeting NBCC Moncton, New Brunswick Firestop, it s not Magic It s understanding!
Presenter: Illya Kornobis
Discussion Topic: Firestop and Re-enterable Firestop Systems, and what makes them better! Fire stops Here!
Not this Bad!
Presentation Overview General Firestopping Information Code references Firestop Systems Inspection Criteria Specialty Firestop Systems designed for Reentry Questions & Answers
Detection Compartmentalization Suppression
Compartmentalization A Simple Concept
Compartmentalization... Is simply keeping the fire in one compartment, without spreading to another.
The Origin of Firestopping 1980 MGM Grand Hotel 84 Died 679 Injured Sprinkler System Failure
Areas Where Fire Can Propagate Penetrations Head of Wall Perimeter Joints Grease Ducts Interior Walls
Passive Firestop Features Passive firestops can still be functional in the following emergency situations: Earthquake Power failure Flood Wind (hurricane, tornado) Explosion Solvent Fire
Firestop Systems Definition of a system... A group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements forming a complex whole. --as defined in www.dictionary.com
Through Penetration Firestop Systems System Components
Floor penetrations generally require only a seal from one side. Wall penetrations, by contrast, almost always require a symmetrical installation, sealing both sides of the wall.
Through Penetration Firestops Tests and Ratings National Building Code (NFPA) ULC Standards
Through Penetration Firestops
Through Penetration Firestops Time/Temperature Curve Is used for testing the fire-resistance rating of the passive fire protection system.
Through Penetration Firestops
Through Penetration Firestops
Through Penetration Firestops
Through Penetration Firestops Hose Stream Test
References and Acceptable Can/ULC S101 Standards in Canada Standard Method of Fire Endurance Tests of Building Construction Materials. Can/ULC S115 Standard Method of Fire Tests of Firestop Systems.
Through Penetration Firestops RATINGS F Rating - System must remain in opening without permitting passage of flame through openings, or the occurrence of flaming on any element of the exposed side of the firestop system
Through Penetration Firestops 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
Through Penetration Firestops 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 181 C above its initial temperature
Through Penetration Firestops FTH Rating - Must meet requirements of F,T and FH ratings
Through Penetration Firestops Not part of code L & W Ratings These ratings are optional and have been developed to address Smoke Travel and Water Resistance.
Through Penetration Firestops L Rating The L rating measures the amount of air that moves through an opening in cubic feet per minute per square foot of opening area, at ambient temperature and 400F.
Through Penetration Firestops W Rating The W rating quantifiably measures resistance of a firestop product to water in buildings.
Through Penetration Firestops W Rating The W rating quantifiably measures resistance of a firestop product to water in buildings.
Penetration Seal Products Alphabet Soup This product category now includes caulks and putties, sealants, tapes, joint strips, composite sheets, mechanical devices for plastic pipes, cast-in-place devices, and a variety of insulating bags, pillows and blocks. Also, newly added, specialty firestop systems.
Penetration Seal Products Caulks are applied around penetrating items with a caulking gun to form a seal against fire, smoke, fumes and water, while putties are pressed into openings manually. Tapes and strips are wrapped around objects and gaps. These materials are generally used to seal penetration gaps created by cables, pipes, wires, ductwork and similar fire barrier penetrations.
Penetration Seal Products Composite sheets are used for openings in concrete or gypsum walls where conduit, pipes or ducts pass from one area to another. Composite sheet consists of galvanized metal panels sandwiched around an intumescent rubber matrix. Composite sheets must be cut to fit closely around penetrating elements, fastened tightly to the fire barrier, and always sealed around the edges with rated putty or caulk.
Penetration Seal Products Various sprays, made of latex, or other formulations, and are used for penetration situations such as curtain wall safing joints, expansion joints and head of wall joints. These materials, are typically intumescent and ablative formulations, can be sprayed or brushed into place to help control heat conduction, and restrict passage of smoke, gas and water.
Penetration Seal Products Plastic pipe devices and related components are used to seal openings completely should a plastic pipe burn or melt. Such materials consist of metal supporting collars to hold an intumescent material in place around the pipe, as well wrap strips and putty to seal the annular space between the pipe and wall or floor surface.
Penetration Seal Products Sprays are typically applied over a substrate of compressed mineral wool insulation that has been used to fill the gap. Firestop sprays are typically elastomeric, and dry to form a flexible seal that can tolerate some vibration and movement.
Penetration Seal Products Firestop mortar is a plaster-like material that can be troweled, poured or pumped to fill large openings around pipes, cable trays and ductwork for a permanent seal. It bonds to most surfaces and sets up to form a water-resistant barrier that does not shrink when drying or under the heat of a fire.
Penetration Seal Products Firestop foam is applied in a manner similar to caulk, and is useful for fire-stopping small to medium sizes irregular or difficult to reach openings. This material expands to fill spaces that are unaccessible to conventional putty or caulk.
Penetration Seal Products Firestop pillows, bags and blocks are used to fill openings such as around pipes, ducts, cable bundles and cable trays, and usually require compression to enable a secure hold. These items combine intumescence with insulating properties, and are sometimes used in conjunction with other products including composite sheets and putties or other sealants.
Penetration Seal Products Cast-in-place devices are plastic or metallic sleeves that are cast into a concrete floor at the time of original construction. They contain an inlay of intumescent material needed to seal off the penetrating items in the event of a fire. The penetrating item is simply pushed through the device as building utilities are being installed. Such devices allow future retrofits without having to break through or destroy the sealants.
Penetration Seal Products Mineral wool is used to fill open spaces. This material can or usually must be compressed and fit into place, and its permanent resilience can withstand structural movement to remain permanently in place Mineral wool is used to increase the thermal rating of the through-penetration fire-stop systems and used in conjunction with sealant material.
Penetration Seal Products Firestop specialty systems are designed as a complete firestop system. They are user-friendly, require little or no components. Are the same tested units that are being installed. And are installed as a complete unit.
Intumescent Technologies Intumescent expands with heat Forms of Intumscent Extruded Flexible Sheet Rigid - Formed Moulded Pre-designed parts Wet/mouldable products Spray Caulking Putty Pads Foams
Caulking Technologies Intumescent expands with heat Endothermic releases moisture during fire Ablative wears away and hardens during the fire (thickness dependant)
Plastic Pipe Firestop Facts Firestop must plug the opening in the fire separation before the fire is able to get to the other side. Firestop needs heat to activate. The firestop must function while the pipe is in its molten state. DWV plastic piping requires a 50 pascal pressure differential rating ULC SPC System Designation
System Approach Identifying System Variables Five Variables: Barrier Type Hole Size Penetrant Type Firestop Product System Rating
Example of a Listed System ULC System: XX-XXXX F Rating - 2 hr / T Rating - 0 hr Substrate - Min. 4-1/2 NW Concrete - Optional max. 8 steel sleeve Penetrant - Max. 24 Steel, 6 Copper/Steel Conduit, or 4 EMT Copper Pipe Concrete Floor Annular Space - Min. 0 to max. 1-7/8 Backing material - Optional mineral wool or backer rod Firestopping - Listed design guidelines Steel Sleeve Firestopping Forming Material in Annular Space
Like a Recipe Must adhere to the manufactures listing and installation instructions.
Like a Recipe Must adhere to the manufactures listing and installation instructions.
Inspection of Firestopping Inspection tips - Main items to check against system design Hourly rating - Does approved system match the listed system? Type and dimensions of substrate - Concrete, Drywall, etc. Penetrant type, amount and size Annular space or joint width dimensions - Min/Max Range or nominal Size of opening Type & thickness of firestop product Backing material - Is mineral wool required? What density or compression? Alternate installation aids (backer rod)?
Inspection of Firestopping More Inspection tips Required Finish of Firestopping Crowns - Build-up of material outside opening Beads - Material application where point of contact occurs Overlap - Extension of firestopping onto the substrate (common with spray applied coatings) Flush/Recessed - With respect to substrate surface
Inspection of Firestopping Other considerations Environmental conditions/manufacturer s instructions Surface preparations (clean and dust free) Accessory products: insulation, fastening, attachments Patching the firestop material Surface flammability and interior finish requirements Use of paint over products (compatibility & finish) Scheduling of firestop systems application
Main Factors Affecting Firestop Performance Misinstallation, Poor Training and Bad Judgment
Traditional Firestopping Traditional firestops use fill type materials that require removal and retrofit of the firestop material each and every time a penetrant is added or removed from the opening.
Traditional Firestopping Most communication penetration openings will be re-entered a rate of greater than 90% of the time over the life of it s application.
Traditional Firestopping How many times? It can be as little as a few into the hundreds!
Example of Traditional Firestopping:
Example of Traditional Firestopping:
Example of Traditional Firestopping:
Example of Traditional Firestopping:
Broken Seal Any Firestop?
Coffee Cup Firestop???
Problems associated to re-entry Improper depth of firestop material Not enough material compression Stripped bolt holes from constant removal UL/ULC Listed system doesn t match the application System damaged during penetrant alterations or additions and improperly replaced into opening
Remember Other considerations Environmental conditions/manufacturer s instructions Surface preparations (clean and dust free) Accessory products: insulation, fastening, attachments Patching the firestop material Surface flammability and interior finish requirements Use of paint over products (compatibility & finish) Scheduling of firestop systems for re-entry.
What are specialty firestop systems and why are they better? Specialty designed for application firestops often remove the compression and thickness guesswork out of the firestop installation by providing the appropriate thickness and amount of firestop material. Specialty firestops can also eliminate adhesion concerns between materials & substrates.
What are specialty firestop systems and why are they better? Specialty designed for application firestops often remove the compression and thickness guesswork out of the firestop installation by providing the appropriate thickness and amount of firestop material. Specialty firestops can also eliminate adhesion concerns between materials & substrates.
What are specialty firestop systems and why are they better? Specialty designed for application firestops often remove the compression and thickness guesswork out of the firestop installation by providing the appropriate thickness and amount of firestop material. Specialty firestops can also eliminate adhesion concerns between materials & substrates.
What are specialty firestop systems and why are they better? Specialty designed for application firestops often remove the compression and thickness guesswork out of the firestop installation by providing the appropriate thickness and amount of firestop material. Specialty firestops can also eliminate adhesion concerns between materials & substrates.
What are specialty firestop systems and why are they better? Specialty designed for application firestops often remove the compression and thickness guesswork out of the firestop installation by providing the appropriate thickness and amount of firestop material. Specialty firestops can also eliminate adhesion concerns between materials & substrates.
What are specialty firestop systems and why are they better? Specialty designed for application firestops often remove the compression and thickness guesswork out of the firestop installation by providing the appropriate thickness and amount of firestop material. Specialty firestops can also eliminate adhesion concerns between materials & substrates.
Are all specialty firestops equal? While specialty products may remove some of the firestop installation guesswork, other problems like misinstallation, overfill, maximum fill issues occur. Make sure they are designed for reentry.
Examples of re-enterable Firestop Systems Specialty Firestop Products Designed Specifically for the Communication & Electrical Markets.
Examples of re-enterable Firestop Systems
Examples of re-enterable Firestop Systems
Examples of re-enterable Firestop Systems
Examples of re-enterable Firestop Systems
Examples of re-enterable Firestop Systems
What is a Re-enterable System? These specialty firestop systems are designed especially for cables and use Intumescent/Expansion Technology to prevent fire from passing from one area to another. To re-cap, a product that intumesces, simply expands with heat to close off an opening and prevent the fire from spreading.
How do these Systems Work? These re-enterable systems have active zones where the cable passes, allowing the intumescent to expand in a controlled atmosphere. Some of these units are expandable, to allow expansion, to add more cables, thus enlarging you active area - again this is manufacture and design specific.
What about cold smoke? Yes! Many of these units also meet other requirements such as cold smoke. Again, this is manufacture specific, you must check your listings.
How is easy? Here are two examples
Core your hole, slid in the device
Clamp into place
Insert smoke seal
A listed device, even when blank
Want to add cable, easy
Remove smoke seal
Add your cable
Wrap with the smoke seal
Your done.
Larger unit for tray applications
Putty for the smoke Seal
Break off a piece
Create a smoke seal
Start adding cables
A few more cables
Putty on top to complete seal
Slide in smoke seal
Done
It s that simple Want to add another cable? Just repeat the process!
Advantages (Manufacture Dependant) A finished product Major Installation Time Savings Material Cost Savings Improved Likelihood of Proper Installation Virtually Eliminates Temporary Opening Installations Minimal Installer Training Increased Fill Opportunity No Nicking or Cutting of Cables
Advantages (Manufacture Dependant) Eliminates Material Aging Concerns Improved Visibility Blank Application/Retrofit-able Huge Re-penetration Cost Savings Approved with or without a cable tray F, T, H, W & L Rated UL/ULC, FM Listed
Conclusion Re-enterable firestop systems offer; A less installer dependant installation. Greater diversity by allowing itself to be adapted to various site application requirements. Re-penetrate the opening without damage or removal to the existing firestop. Greater confidence of a correctly installed firestop system. A much easier inspection process. Cost savings.
Specification The only way systems like these get used is by specification. By the Engineer, the End User or the Building Owner. We urge you to speak to your firestop manufacture and engage them on these types of products. Together we can build a safer world.
Hopefully it wasn t that painful Keep Smiling
Questions and Answers
Thank You!! It has been our pleasure!