Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1386104
50 I ICT TODAY MODEL CODE REGULATIONS For new construction, firestopping is required by the International Building Code (IBC) per section 714. The IBC states, "Through penetrations shall be protected by an approved penetration firestop system installed as tested in accordance with ASTM E814 or UL 1479." This requirement addresses penetrations of any type through rated floor and wall barriers including data cables. Beyond openings for MEP penetrations, other breaches in fire-rated barriers, such as wall-to-wall, floor-to-floor, and head of wall movement joints, are also required to be addressed. Table 1 summarizes IBC firestopping requirements for all application categories. After building occupancy, efforts should be devoted to monitoring and maintaining proper fire compart- mentation. Section 701.6 of the International Fire Code (IFC) states, "The owner shall maintain an inventory of all required fire-resistance-rated construction…Such construction shall be visually inspected by the owner annually and properly repaired, restored or replaced where damaged, altered, breached or penetrated. Records of inspections and repairs shall be maintained." In addition to an initial new build perspective, model code requirements also exist for ongoing inspection and maintenance of fire barriers. Furthermore, owners are TABLE 1: Summary of IBC firestopping requirements. required to maintain records of inspections and conduct any potential repairs to rated barrier breaches. Passive and active fire protection elements are typically more defined in the design phase for an owner/operator of a hyperscale data center. However, multi-tenant data centers (MTDCs) in the wholesale/ retail space can present unique challenges. Due to uncon- firmed interior tenant finish-out needs, as well as colo- cation of multiple occupancy types, final designation of fire-rated barriers and impact of cabling penetrations (e.g., airflow, acoustic) could be unknown. For these data centers, additional consideration of compartmentation strategies should be continually evaluated during design, construction, and operation phases. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) addresses multi-tenant conditions and information technology equipment (ITE) in sections 11.5.2.1.4 and 11.5.2.1.5 of NFPA 75, Standard for the Fire Protection of Information Technology Equipment. 11.5.2.1.4 Where the ITE is located in a structure or building housing multiple tenants or occupancies that include business, industrial, mercantile, or storage, battery systems shall be located in a room separated from other portions of the building by a minimum of a 1-hour fire barrier. 11.5.2.1.5 Where the ITE is located in a structure or building housing multiple tenants or occupancies that include assembly, educational, detention, and correction facilities, health care, ambulatory care, and day care center, and residential board and care and residential occupancies, battery systems shall be located in a room separated from other portions of the building by a minimum of a 2-hour fire barrier. Code Section Category Referenced ASTM / UL Standard 714.3.1.2 Through Penetrations (Walls) ASTM E814 or UL 1479 714.4.1.2 Through Penetrations (Floors) ASTM E814 or UL 1479 714.3.2 Membrane Penetrations ASTM E814 or UL 1479 715.3 Fire Resistant Joints Systems ASTM E1966 or UL 2079 715.4 Exterior Curtain Wall/Floor Intersection (Perimeter Joint) ASTM E2307 1705.16 Special Inspections of Fire Resistant Penetration & Joints Penetrations: ASTM E2174 Joints: ASTM 2393 Multi-tenant data centers (MTDCs) in the wholesale/ retail space can present unique challenges.