Firestopping for Data Cabling Dixon Tan, RCDD Specified Technologies Inc. (STI)
Data Cabling passing thru Fire Barrier Restore compartmentation in case of fire Compartmentation Openings for doors and cables Restore the compartmentation
FIRE RATED Barriers CompartmentationThe division of the building into discrete fire zones. Compartments six sided zone.
What is Firestopping?
What is Firestopping? The process of restoring back the HOURLY FIRE RESISTANCE RATING to a FIRE RATED BARRIER that has lost its rating from construction openings, joints and gaps.
This Is What You want
But Is This What You Get?
What do the codes require? Extract from Fire Code of the Philippines 2008 c. All penetrations of floors and walls shall be provided with firestopping having a fire resistance rating equal to that of the floor or wall.
International Code FireStopping Model Building Codes That Require Firestop International Building Code (IBC) Uniform Building Code (ICBO) Standard Building Code (SBCCI) National Building Code (BOCA) Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) NFPA 5000 (NFPA Building Code)
International Code FireStopping Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)
Fire Rating The duration for which a passive fire protection system can withstand a standard fire resistance test.
Where Firestopping Is Required IBC referenced test standards ASTM UL BS 476 EN Barriers E 119 263 Part 6&7 1366-1 Through Penetrati on E 814 1479 Part 20 1366-3 Joints E 1966 2079 Part 20 1366-4 Perimeter Joint E 2307 - - 1366-4
Where Firestopping Is Required Curtain Walls Through Penetration Joints
Testing Requirements Third-Party Testing To Standards F Ratings T Ratings L Ratings (Optional) Hose Stream
Firestopping Is Required For All Openings
Combustibles Image Credit Courtesy of Specified Technologies, Inc. 2015, All Rights Reserved But, We Use Large Amounts of Combustibles In Buildings
Cable Jacket is FUEL! Typical Cable Jacketing
Plastic-Jacketed Cable
Plastic-Jacketed Cable
Plastic-Jacketed Cable
Plastic-Jacketed Spaghetti
FUEL Heat Energy in BTU's Source: Minimizing Potential Damage from Cable Tray Fires, Plant Engineering Magazine, 2/18/82 1 Gallon (3.785L) Gasoline: 135,000 BTU s (56KW-hr) 1 Foot Length (305mm) Cable Tray* : 150,000 BTU s (62KW-hr) 0 50000 100000 150000 * 4 x 18 (100x450mm) cable tray, loaded to maximum 40% fill as per NEC
Firestop Is Different Firestop Materials MUST expand with heat, and fill voids as cable bundle burns away but there is a minimum dose of firestop material needed to do the job
Intumescence = Expansion with heat
How Firestop is Tested Expansion Times Expansion Temps for Intumescent Technologies 30 24 21 15 Soften Ignite Burn Graphite 9 6 Sodium Silicate 4 2 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1300 1500 1900 Temperature o F
Intumescence
Photos Exposed Non Exposed
Photos Exposed Non Exposed
Photos Exposed Side Non Exposed Side
Photos Exposed Non Exposed
Challenges When it comes to maintaining the compliance of fire-resistance-rated construction in any type of building post occupancy, one of the most difficult areas is the breaches in barriers caused by datacom cabling installations.
The U.L. System Approach
U.L. Systems
U.L. Systems Identifying System Variables Five Groups of Variables: 1. Barrier Type 2. Hole Size 3. Penetrant Type 4. Firestop Product 5. System Rating
Example: Reading a UL System: Through Penetrations W-J-3158 Floor, Wall or Combination
The First Grouping Means: THROUGH PENETRATION FIRESTOP SYSTEMS (XHEZ) First Alpha Character signifies what is being penetrated F = Floors W = Walls C = Walls and Floors
Example (Cont d) Reading a UL System: Through Penetrations W-J-3158 Construction Type of Floor or Wall
The Second Grouping Means: THROUGH PENETRATION FIRESTOP SYSTEMS (XHEZ) Following Alpha Character(s) wall or floor construction type A = Concrete floors 5 inch thick B = Concrete floors 5 inch thick C = Framed floors D = Steel decks in marine vessels E-I = Reserved for future use J = Concrete or masonry walls 8 inch thick K = Concrete or masonry walls 8 inch thick L = Framed walls M = Bulkheads in marine vessels N-Z = Reserved for future use
Example (Cont d) Reading a UL System: Through Penetrations W-J-3158 Penetrant Type
The Third Grouping Means: THROUGH PENETRATION FIRESTOP SYSTEMS (XHEZ) Numeric Component first digit identifies the type of penetrant, next three are sequential system numbering 0000-0999 = No Penetrant 1000-1999 = Metallic pipe, conduit or tubing 2000-2999 = Plastic pipe, conduit or tubing 3000-3999 = Electrical cables 4000-4999 = Cable trays with electrical cables 5000-5999 = Insulated pipes 6000-6999 = Bus ducts 7000-7999 = HVAC ducts 8000-8999 = Mixed multiple penetrations 9000-9999 = Reserved for future use
Example (Cont d) Reading a UL System: Through Penetrations W-J-3158 Individual System Number
W-J-3158
Major Issues & Examples How do we get from here
Major Issues & Examples To Manageable Compliance?
Traditional: Cables and Sleeve With Putty
Major Issues & Examples The ACTUAL Life Cycle of the Average Datacom Penetration - Cables are ADDED - Firestopping is REMOVED - Until ALL we have are CABLES FIRE RATING IS GONE!
Major Issues & Examples 3 Key Challenges: Maintaining the seal Not overfilling Avoiding new holes
Major Issues & Examples A Self-Adjusting Intumescent Membrane Provides Smoke and Fire Protection 100% Of The Time, Empty or Full!
Major Issues & Examples Use Devices To Segregate Your Cables Or Foster Future Compliance
Major Issues & Examples Provide Flexibility
Major Issues & Examples $$$ = MAC for Cables + Reinstalled FIRESTOP + Inspection/Certification EZ-Path also has a sweet added bonus:
Conclusion University of the East buildings hit by fire Images from Philstar Global
Questions? mmm interesting Is he done yet? I want to go home
What s wrong with this?
What s wrong with this?
What s wrong with this?
What s wrong with this?
Dixon Tan, RCDD Regional Manager SEA Specified Technologies Inc. dtan@stifirestop.com Cell:+65 83320332 Ariel Arcilla Estarte Territory Manager, Philippines Specified Technologies Inc. aestarte@stifirestop.com Cell:+63 917 677 2994