Firestop

        i.            Firestop locations

• Electrical penetration firestop
• Mechanical penetration firestop
• Structural penetration firestop
• Unpenetrated opening firestop
• Re-entries of existing firestops
• Control or Sway Joint firestop
• Fire rated wall and / or floor junction firestop
• Head-of-Wall Joint firestops

     ii.            Firestop Materials

The following is non-comprehensive list of firestop materials.

• Intumescents
• Firestop mortars
• Firestop silicones
• Firestop Pillows
• Mineral fibers
• Firestop rubber compounds

   iii.            Current problems with building firestop

Currently, each contractor that creates a penetration in a fire-rated wall or floor assembly is responsible for installing firestop in the penetration.  This means that a single project may have ten (10) or more different types of firestop installation methods and materials on a single project.  Additionally, most owners currently do not require any documentation to show what materials and methods have been used and where.  This leads to a large portion of the penetrations with firestop installed incorrectly or not at all, completely violating fire code.

The best way to meet fire code with the firestop and passive fire protection systems is to use a single specialty firestop contractor for all firestop in the building.  The contractor should provide and follow written procedures for installation of firestop in each type of fire-rated wall and floor penetration.  This documentation along with a final walkthrough inspection report should be provided to the owner for proof that the building has the proper installation of firestop and to help the owner with the proper maintenance of the passive fire protection system.

   iv.            Building Fire Protection Plans

If the owner does have a building fire protection plan, the firestop documentation can be incorporated into the plan.

Every building should have a fire protection plan in place to assist in bringing the building up to fire code and to assist in the proper maintenance of the passive fire protection system.

      v.            How we can help

We can help any owner develop a Building Fire Protection Plan for a maintenance situation or a complete overhaul of the passive fire protection system.

Once the plan is in place, we can follow the plan to bring the building up to fire code by installing and maintaining the building firestop.