Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1386104
July/August/September 2021 I 51 FIRESTOP TESTING & GLOBAL STANDARDIZATION As many data center owners expand their footprint globally, there is a growing desire to standardize on tech- nologies and solutions. This presents some important questions: How do regulated applications, such as fire containment, vary from country to country? Could the same firestop and airflow solutions be specified and installed in data centers across the world? To evaluate these questions, it is important to first understand the basis of firestop testing in the United States. As referenced in the IBC, firestopping for through-penetrations is evaluated in accordance with ASTM International (ASTM) and Underwriters Labora- tories (UL) testing procedures, specifically ASTM E814 and UL 1479. Firestop systems are subjected to multiple fire and pressure resistance tests to pass these standards and be assigned a rating. The two key elements are the fire and hose stream tests. The general sequence of firestop testing is shown in Figure 2. FIGURE 2: Firestop test procedure sequence. In a testing laboratory, a large oven or furnace is utilized to subject the system to rigorous fire conditions. The testing manufacturer constructs a fire-rated assembly, such as gypsum wall or concrete floor, with select MEP penetrating items through openings. The chosen fire- stop product(s) is installed to complete the system. The objective of the fire test is to resist flames from passing through the assembly. Upon successful completion of the fire test, the assembly is subjected to the pressure hose stream proce- dure. The major misconception regarding this process is that it is a simulation of the fire department entrance into a burning building. However, the key objective of the hose stream procedure is to simulate dynamics, such as pressure differentials and thermal shock, that would be experienced under actual fire conditions. In addition to preventing the passage of fire, the post fire tested assembly must maintain a sufficient barrier. Any water from the hose stream that dislodges firestop material and penetrates through the assembly constitutes a failure in the test. The hose stream is conducted 20 feet (≈6.1 m) away at pressures between 30 to 45 pounds per square inch (psi) or (≈207 kPa to ≈310 kPa). Successfully tested and listed through-penetration systems are reflected with an F-rating and T-rating. There are more, optional ratings to which these systems can be subjected, such as water leakage (W-rating) and air leakage (L-rating). Regarding the mini- mum listed metrics, the F-rating is the maximum hourly duration the assembly will resist the passage of fire. The T-rating is known as the temperature rating. 3. Assembly is subjected to hose stream test (U.S. testing) 1. Assembly is placed on furnace. 2. Assembly is exposed to fire test. 4. Assembly results after hose stream.