Firestop Inspection Service
Firestop, or firestopping, is a passive fire protection method that involves sealing openings and joints in fire-rated walls and floors to prevent the spread of fire and smoke. Any construction project must include a comprehensive fire protection plan utilizing the best fire-resistant materials. In combination with both active and passive fire prevention systems, the resulting structure will then be safe for occupants. So, as a critical part of fire resistance, fire stopping is an essential service. Sadly, many fires result from the use of improper materials to close openings and joints of a building. When this occurs, the entire building project and its future tenants are at an increased risk for fire. Thus, we have the fire stopping service SSA Integrate counts on.
Section 1705 of the 2012 and later editions of the International Building Code (IBC) require special inspection of firestop systems, fire-resistant joint systems and perimeter fire containment systems installed in high-rise buildings defined as Risk Category III or IV. The proper installation of these critical life-safety systems helps protect the building and its occupants against the spread of fire, heat, smoke and toxic gases should a fire occur.
Has your jurisdiction adopted IBC 2012, 2015, or 2018? Then you are likely aware of the firestop special inspection requirement in Chapter 17. Many areas having lacking personnel with the competence required to conduct a knowledgeable and competent special inspection to ASTM standards E814, E2174-20 and E2393. A poor 3rd party inspection can be worse than no inspection at all – passing installations that just won’t work in the event of a fire and reporting proper but unusual firestop installations as “fails.” UL Solutions and other third-party inspection agencies conduct firestop inspections to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations.
IBC Firestop Special Inspection Requirements
1705.17 Fire-resistant penetrations and joints. In high-rise buildings or in buildings assigned to Risk Category III or IV, special inspections for through-penetrations, membrane penetration firestops, fire-resistant joint systems and perimeter fire barrier systems that are tested and listed in accordance with Sections 714.3.1.2, 714.4.2, 715.3 and 715.4 shall be in accordance with Section 1705.17.1 or 1705.17.2.
1705.17.1 Penetration firestops. Inspections of penetration Firestop systems that are tested and listed in accordance with Sections 714.3.1.2 and 714.4.2 shall be conducted by an approved agency in accordance with ASTM E 2174.
1705.17.2 Fire-resistant joint systems. Inspections of penetration Firestop systems that are tested and listed in accordance with Sections 714.3.1.2 and 714.4.2 shall be conducted by an approved agency in accordance with ASTM E 2174.
1704.2 Special inspections and tests. Where application is made to the building official for construction as specified in Section 105, the owner or the owner’s authorized agent, other than the contractor, shall employ one or more approved agencies to provide special inspections and tests during construction on the types of work specified in Section 1705 and identify the approved agencies to the building official. These special inspections and tests are in addition to the inspections by the building official that are identified in Section 110.
Fire Test Check Points
· Is the firestop system Listed? (e.g. by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Factory Mutual (FM), Intertek Testing Services (ITS), Southwest Research Institute (SWRi)).
· Do the specified firestop systems comply with the standard testing requirements for the in-place conditions?
· Is the joint intended to be load bearing, and is it indicated as a load bearing system in the listings?
· Is the specified joint tested and listed to comply with the amount and type of expected building movement?
There are several independent testing laboratories, also referred to as third party testing agencies, which conduct the fire testing of firestop systems. The fire test results are usually included as design listings in the fire resistance directories published by the testing laboratory. These Directories are an important source of information during the plan review process and inspection process. The details, system numbers, manufacturer installation recommendations, and other design listing information are often referred to on the plan submittals. A thorough knowledge of the design listing information is critical to firestop inspections.
Inspection Process
· Do the specifications include what test method the materials or firestop systems shall be tested to?
· Which sections of the architectural plans contain the firestop systems details?
· Are the specific firestop system details included on the plans?
· Has the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) approved the products used in these systems?
· Are the firestop products appropriate for the field conditions? Refer to the design listings and manufacturer datasheets
· Are the specified fire resistive joints tested for the amount of movement and type of movement required?
Inspection
1. The inspector shall be permitted to enter the premises to review the applicable inspection documents, to observe the installation in progress, to inspect completed work and to perform overall functions relative to their duty as inspector.
2. The inspector shall use the inspection documents in to identify and locate fire rated assemblies on the project that are subject to the installation of firestops.
The authorizing authority (AA) shall provide the inspector with a complete set of inspection documents at least ten working days prior to the inspection. The inspector shall review all inspection documents prior to conducting any inspection. When the inspector be lives that the inspection documents contain conflicting information or documentation that the inspector believes is insufficient to perform the inspection, the inspector shall submit written notification of the potential conflict and obtain written clarification from the AA before conducting any inspection.
3. The installer shall notify the inspector of the arrival of the materials as Billing of Materials (BOM) Quantity.
The inspector shall verify that the materials and systems used for firestopping have been tested in accordance with Test Method E814 or UL 1479-94 and are listed and labeled for the use intended.
4. Prior to installation, the inspector shall verify that all materials received for the installation of the firestop meet the requirements inclusive and record this information on the inspection form.
5. Prior to installation, the inspector shall verify any construction detail on the inspection documents that will not be visible after the firestop installation and record this information on the inspection form.
6. The inspector shall not supervise or in any manner direct any aspect of the installation process. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
6.1 Handling and storage of materials,
6.2 The mixing of materials,
6.3 The cutting or fastening of materials, and
6.4 The preparation of substrates.
7. When work is started or completed per the schedule in point 10, the installer shall notify the inspector. Inspection of completed work shall take place within two working days from notification by the installer.
8. The inspector shall verify and document that the firestop systems required in the inspection documents have been installed.
9. The inspector shall verify that every firestop system inspected as required by accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
10. The inspector shall conduct a post installation inspection, which shall require destructive type verification of the firestop system and repair of the firestop system. A minimum of 2 %, but not less than one, of each type of firestop system shall be inspected per floor or for each area of a floor when a floor is larger than 10000 ft2 (946.7 m2). An area consists of 10000 ft2 or less. The installer shall inspect their own work, repair or replace those like firestops within the area prior to re-commencement of inspections by the inspector.
11. Inspection frequency shall depend on the method of inspection and the scope of the project. the method of inspection shall be one of the following:
11.1 The inspector shall be on site during installation and randomly witness a minimum of 10 % of each type of firestop system being installed, or
11.2 The inspector shall conduct a post installation inspection, which shall require destructive type verification of the firestop system and repair of the firestop system. A minimum of 2 %, but not less than one, of each type of firestop system shall be inspected per floor or for each area of a floor when a floor is larger than 10000 ft2 (946.7 m2). An area consists of 10000 ft2 or less.
12. Any type of firestop system noted in point 11.2 that does not comply with the inspection documents will require repair or replacement and re-inspection of that firestop system plus one full additional inspection, of the number specified in point 11.2 of that type firestop system. If non-compliance occurs on 10 %or more of the quantity of firestop products or firestop systems within point 11.1 or 11.2, then inspection of those particular type firestop systems shall cease. The installer shall inspect their own work, repair or replace those like firestops within the area prior to re-commencement of inspections by the inspector.
13.All observed deficiencies shall be documented and marked on the inspection forms. In addition, the inspector shall physically identify the location where a required firestop system has been omitted or where the inspection results indicate that the installed firestop system does not comply with the inspection documents.
14. Prior to installation, the installer and inspector are to establish a communication method and minimum notice time of deficiency or deficiencies of installation after inspection.
15. Prior to installation, the installer and inspector are to establish a communication method and minimum notice time of deficiency or deficiencies of installation after inspection.
16. Repair of firestops damaged during inspection shall be conducted according to the manufacturers recommended procedures and methods. The repaired firestop product that was damaged shall comply with the inspection documents.
17. When repairs have been made to firestop systems with documented deficiencies, the installer shall notify the inspector. Follow up inspections of firestop systems with repaired deficiencies shall take place within two working days from notification by the installer. The repaired firestop system that contained deficiencies shall comply with the inspection documents.
18.Inspection forms shall be submit ted to the AA and installer within one working day after an area is inspected.
Engineering Judgments
· What is the policy of your building department regarding engineering judgments?
· How are engineering judgments evaluated?
· Are all the firestop system details made available to building inspectors?
Pre-Construction/Pre-Planning Meeting
· Do the general contractor and subcontractors understand that the protection of penetrations and joints will be inspected?
· Who is going to be responsible for the protection of all penetrations and joints?
· Who is going to conduct the inspections and when?
· What are the qualifications/experience of the firestop installer indicating expertise in that field?
Inspection Forms
1. Inspection form—the document contained in this standard practice that is used to record information obtained during the inspection(s). It shall be submitted to the authorizing authority (AA) and installer within one working day after an area is inspected.
2. An inspection form shall be written, and clearly de scribe the results of the inspection and any deficiencies.
3. Inspection forms shall be sequentially numbered, starting with 1, and only contain information about one type of firestop system. Use a new inspection form for each type of firestop system. Use as many inspection forms as needed. Attach drawings and additional pages if needed.
4. Firestop systems must not be concealed from view before being inspected and approved
5. Walk through visual inspections should be made during the firestop installation
6. When necessary or required, destructive evaluation will be made on various types of firestop systems
7. Flashlights, coring device and other appropriate tools make a proper inspection easier
8. Proper depths, annular space and product types are critical to the effectiveness of the system
9. Construction documents detailing the firestop locations and systems must be kept on site to assist in the conduct of the inspection
10.Observe that empty containers, wrappings or boxes of the specified materials are in sufficient quantity to have been installed correctly
11.Observe that the actual products, containers, wrappings or boxes are labeled with the approved testing agency marks and are as specified in the submitted details
12.Measure the depth and width of materials as indicated in the details (sometimes density measurements are also required for products such as thermal insulation)
13.Observe that joints have been installed in such manner that the required movement can be achieved (temporary screws used to hold studs to ceiling runners must be removed)
14.Compare the installed firestop system with the approved submitted details
15.Observe a reasonable degree of workmanship, which would indicate compliance with the specified designs
16.Deficient installations must immediately be corrected and then re-inspected before concealment
Report
1. At the end of the installation and inspection process, the inspector shall submit a final report.
2. The final report shall contain a cover page with the following:
2.1. The project name, location, and reference number;
2.2. The name and address of the inspector;
2.3. The name and address of the installer, as well as the prime contractor if different.
2.4. The name and address of the AA; and
2.5. The name and address of the AHJ.
3. The final report shall also contain a summary page with the following:
3.1. Types and quantity of each firestop system on the project according to the inspection documents.
3.2. Which verification method from Inspection 12 was used to ascertain compliance with the inspection documents.
3.3. The quantity of each firestop system inspected on the project and a notarized written statement by the inspector that the number of firestop systems inspected
3.4. The summary page shall also contain percentages of deficiencies for each type of firestop system referenced in the inspection documents.
3.5. A total number of deficiencies shall be expressed as a percentage of the total number of firestop systems inspected.
4. The final report shall also contain copies of all information submitted by the inspector to the AA.
5. The final report shall also contain copies of all inspection forms submitted during the inspection process. They shall be arranged chronologically.
Firestop vs. Fireproofing:
While firestopping prevents fire spread, fireproofing protects structural elements (like steel and concrete) from damage and collapse during a fire
The Building Codes have very clear requirements on passive fire protection. Fire investigative reports have consistently shown that unprotected or improperly protected penetrations and joints have caused millions of dollars in property damage and contributed to the loss of life and injuries due to the uncontrolled migration of fire, smoke and toxic gases. In order to promote life safety and property protection, the International Code Councils (ICC’s) International Building Code (IBC), as well as most State and local Codes, include fire testing and performance requirements for through-penetration and membrane penetration firestops, and fire resistive joint systems. These provisions are included in Chapter 7 – Fire and Smoke Protection Features.
Whenever required by the Building or Fire Code, the fire resistance ratings of floors, walls, horizontal assemblies (e.g. floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assemblies) must be restored when an assembly is breeched to accommodate penetrations for items such as mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and communication systems. Joints between adjacent assemblies must have a fire resistance ratings, in order to maintain continuity. NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, and IAPMO, Uniform Plumbing code (UPC), also include provisions related to protection of penetrations and joints.
The IBC, has explicit requirements for inspection of firestop systems and Joint systems before they are concealed.
Check Point – Have you checked your local code requirements? Model Building Codes such as the IBC, NFPA 5000 Building Code and the Life Safety Code, NFPA 101 include different requirements for firestop systems to meet certain performance and testing criteria specific to various construction assemblies. Check out the IFC website www.firestop.org for latest updates on firestop systems regulations.
REFERANCE:
1. ASTM E2174-20a - ASTM E2174-20a
2. ASTM E2174-20: On-Site Inspection of Installed Firestops - ANSI Blog
3. Inspection Guidelines - International Firestop Council
4. Fire stopping service Springfield IL | Mid-Illinois Companies