How to install fire stops

The following provides sample specifications and it presents a guide on how to install fire stops inside buildings. During the installation work of electrical services inside buildings especially cables, cable sleeves, cable trays, conduit and trunking, walls and floors often need to be penetrated to allow for the route of these components to pass through.

After installation of a wiring trunking through a wall for example, the gaps between the wall opening and the trunking need to be sealed back. Where the trunking passes through fire compartment walls, it is also usually the requirements of the Fire Department that the inside of the trunking be sealed properly to prevent fire smoke from traveling between adjacent fire compartments.

The same applies to cable sleeves. The gaps between the cables and the pipe sleeve should also be properly applied with fire stop materials to form an effective fire barrier of the same fire rating as the wall being penetrated.


A. GENERAL

a. DESCRIPTION

To supply, install and test a fire-stopping system that comply with the requirements of the Electricity and Gas Supply Board, and in accordance with the contract Documents.

b. SCOPE OF WORK

1.Firestop Compounds.

2. Damming Material.

3. Site Tests

c. SUBMITTALS

Prior to commencement of the work, the contractor is required to submit the following:

1. To submit shop drawings, product data and manufacturer’s installation instructions for all materials and prefabricated devices, providing descriptions sufficient for identification at the job site.

2. To submit shop drawings showing proposed material, reinforcements anchorage, fastenings and method of installation. Construction details shall accurately reflect actual job conditions.

3. To submit Material Safety Data Sheets with product delivered to job site.

4. Previous Installation Records.


d. QUALITY ASSURANCE

1. The installation of the fire stop system should conform to requirements of qualified designs or manufacturer approved modifications, as supported by engineering reports.

2. The installation of the fire stop materials and systems shall fulfill all the requirements specified by the contract Documents and meet all requirements of the Electricity and Gas Supply Board.

3. The contractor shall submit manufacturer’s product data, letter of certification, or certified laboratory test report that the material or combination of materials (fire stop system) meets the requirements specified as and in accordance with the applicable referenced standards.

4. The manufacturer of the materials should have been actively engaged in the manufacture and installation of fire stops for at least 10 years.


B. PRODUCTS

List of acceptable manufacturers:

1. Promat; 2. KBS; 3. Cape Durasteel; or other approved equivalent.


b. FIRESTOPS

1. Fire stop compounds should be provided for caulk, pour, trowel or pump application. Material must be capable of sealing openings around single or multiple ducts, cables, wire or conduits against fire, smoke and toxic gases, and maintaining rating with a thickness no greater than the structure.

2. The fire stop compound should not contain any solvents or inorganic fibers. The penetration seal material must be unaffected by moisture and must maintain the integrity of the floor or wall assembly for its rated time period when tested in accordance with the requirements of Electricity and Gas Supply Board or ASTM E814 (UL 1479). The system should have a classified rating of up to and including 3 hours.

4. The fire stop system shall consist of a material, or combination of materials, to retain the integrity of fire-rated construction by maintaining an effective barrier against the spread of flame, smoke or gases through penetrations in fire-rated barriers. It will be used in specific locations as follows:

i) Penetrations for the passage of duct, cable tray, conduit, and electrical busways and raceways through fire-rated vertical barriers (wall and partitions), horizontal barriers (floor slabs and floor/ceiling assemblies), and vertical services shafts.

ii) Locations shown specifically on the design drawings or where specified in other sections of these specifications.

iii) Damming material, shall be provided where required as per manufacturer’s recommendations.




c. MATERIALS

1. The fire stop materials or systems should be flexible enough to allow for normal movement of building structure and penetrating items without affecting the adhesion or integrity of the system.

2. The materials used should not require that the disposal of used containers be carried out as a hazardous waste.

3. The fire stop materials used should not use solvent materials that will free itself resulting the fire seal shrinking with time.



D. EXECUTION

a. DELIVERY AND STORAGE

1. The materials should be delivered to site in original unopened containers or packages bearing the manufacturer’s name, brand designation, product description and U.L. classification mark.

2. The delivery of the fire seal materials should be coordinated with scheduled installation dates so that the storage time at the construction site can be minimized.

3. All materials should be stored under cover and be protected from weather and damage in compliance with manufacturer’s requirements.

4. The contractor should comply with all safety procedures, precautions and remedies as recommended by the manufacturer or the existing bylaws applicable to handling of any hazardous materials if applicable.

b. EXAMINATION

1. Prior to commencement of work, examine the areas and conditions under which the work is to be performed. Notify the main Contractor in writing of conditions detrimental to proper and timely completion of the work.

2. Ensure that each opening is of a proper size and in a suitable condition for the application of the fire seal. Sometimes the gaps or opening to be sealed is too large for the materials to be applied simply and some form of reinforcements may be required. Guide and instructions from the manufactures should be strictly followed in these cases.

c. PREPARATION

1. The substrate should be properly cleaned and rid of dirt, dust, grease, oil, loose materials, rust or other matter that may affect a proper application or adhesion of the fire stopping materials.

2. Metal and glass surfaces should be cleaned with non-alcohol solvents.

d. INSTALLATION

1. All fire stop material should be installed in accordance with the design requirements and the manufacturer's instruction.

2. All openings, voids or holes resulted from the penetration for the electrical and mechanical services should be properly and completely sealed to form an effective barrier against smoke, water and air.

3. Certain sections of the project specifications may require that certain locations and parts of the work be installed with fire seals. It is the responsibility of the contractor to identify these locations and parts, and to coordinate with other trade contractors related to those parts of Work in order to provide a uniform system of fire stopping.

4. The installation work of the fire stop materials should be coordinated with other trade contractors so that the installation can be carried out after completion of the floor penetration but before covering or concealing of the openings commences.

5. When the ambient temperature of the surrounding exceeds the manufacturer's recommendation for installation of a specified fire stop material, then the installation must not proceed.

6. It is not the intention of a fire stop system to re-establish the structural integrity of a structure. The contractor should consult with the Engineer before coring or penetrating a load bearing structural assembly.

7. Fire stop systems are not designed to support live load or traffic. The contractor should consult with the Engineer if there is a reason to believe that these limitations may be violated for any reason.

e. CABLES

1. A cable pipe sleeve should be installed with the inside diameter large enough to accommodate the intended cable diameter.

2. Fire stop materials should be applied at each end of the pipe sleeve in such a way as to comply with the requirements of a U.L. approved or the requirements of the Electricity and Gas Supply Board.

3. Insulate pipes on each side of a wall and caulk all around the insulation at the joint of wall and insulation.


f. DIESEL GENERATOR EXHAUST PIPES

1. The sleeve for the generator exhaust pipes should be properly installed and with the diameter large enough to accommodate the insulation thickness of the pipes.

2. The fire stop material should be installed in such a way as to comply with a U.L. approved system or to the requirements of the Electricity and Gas Supply Board.


g. TESTS AND INSPECTION

The following visual inspection shall be carried out at each location that has been applied with fire stopping materials:

1. Only appropriate and suitable materials are used.

2. The fire stop materials should be continuously applied around all ducts or cables to for a complete and effective seal.

3. Proper adhesion of the fire stop materials to cables and ducts.


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