Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1081695
March/April 2019 I 57 FIGURE 1: A conduit penetration occurrence at left versus a properly sealed conduit opening at right. Modern structures are filled with combustible materials. The increased use of synthetic materials, such as foams and plastics, when compared to the materials used a few decades ago changes the dynamics considerably. According to an online video of a demonstration conducted by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), a structure with modern furnishings and material flashes over in 3 minutes and 40 seconds, whereas one with more traditional furnishings takes closer to 30 minutes. 1 When it comes to passive fire protection, buildings are essentially built with a series of fire-rated compartments made up of fire-rated floors and walls. When these compartments are breached by various building service elements such as pipes, conduits, cables, and ducts, their fire-rating and ability to resist smoke migration is compromised. Firestopping, thus, is the process of installing third-party tested and listed materials into openings in fire-rated barriers to restore fire-resistance ratings. Building and fire codes, such as NFPA, ICC and European standards, require that such ratings be restored through firestopping, making penetration firestops a vitally important topic. The firestopping process of installing third-party tested and listed materials into openings in fire-rated partitions maintains these fire-resistance ratings. This is usually a simple process when thought of ahead of time, but can become painful and expensive if done after the fact. Avoiding it altogether will put any type of structure at risk, even if it is protected by a sprinkler system. A penetration occurs when a service element breaches a fire-rated barrier. In Figure 1, the red object at the left represents a conduit penetrating a fire-rated compartment. If the opening around the conduit is unprotected, the fire has a path to propagate quickly into the adjoining space. The right-hand image shows a properly installed firestop system that seals the opening around the conduit and restores the fire rating of the barrier. Fire and smoke are now contained to the compartment of origin. For many people, the notion of firestopping means red caulk around conduits or cables. However, what good is a great caulk if the barrier cannot withstand the fire? Therefore, a firestop system starts with the fire-rated barrier itself, whether a floor or a wall, then the opening and what goes through it. Finally comes the firestop product installed into the opening as described by a UL-classified firestop system, a factory mutual (FM) approved design, or as tested to the European standard EN 1366. The complete assemblage of elements, which is called a system, achieves the rating, not an individual product. A structure with modern furnishings and material flashes over in 3 minutes and 40 seconds!