7. INSPECTION PROCESS
The performance of any passive fire protection system to impede the spread of smoke and fire is directly proportional to the quality of the installation. Firestop inspections provide quality control and quality assurance that the firestop systems installed on a project meet the required fire resistance requirements defined by the building code and local jurisdiction.
The International Building Code( Section 1705, 2024) requires inspection of firestopping systems for high-rise buildings, Risk Category III, and Risk Category IV projects. Inspection of these projects are to be performed by a third-party special inspector who is specifically licensed to perform these inspections. The third-party inspectors must follow ASTM E2174“ Standard Practice for On-Site Inspection of Penetration Firestops” and ASTM E2393“ Standard Practice for On-Site Inspection of Fire-Resistant Joint Systems and Perimeter Fire Barriers”. These ASTM standards provide guidelines for conducting visual inspection and destructive testing of firestop installations.
For projects outside of the special inspection requirements, general inspection of passive fire protection systems is still imperative to ensure life safety of the building and its occupants. Since it is not feasible to inspect every firestop penetration or the entire length of a fire-resistive joint, the referenced ASTM standards for on-site inspection can provide general guidelines for the percentage of work to inspect.
The firestop inspection process typically begins by obtaining the approved firestop system documentation. During the construction phase, the Contractor should maintain documentation of all the listed firestop systems and engineering judgments that were utilized on the project. These firestop system details should serve as a blueprint for the firestop installer to properly select and install the appropriate firestopping materials. These documents will also serve as a blueprint for inspectors when verifying the proper installation of the firestopping materials.
Some of the recommended guidelines and best practices for performing a quality on-site inspection of firestopping installations include:
• Coordinate / schedule the on-site inspection during the installation phase and again at a final walk-through.
• Contractor should not conceal any firestop systems until after the work has been inspected and approved.
• Review the construction documents to identify the location of the fire rated wall / floor assemblies within the building.
• Obtain a copy of the approved firestop system submittal package for the project.
• Compare the installed firestop system with the corresponding firestop detail within the approved submittal package.
• Observe empty containers, boxes, or other packaging to identify the specific firestopping products installed are as specified in the submittal package.
The following sections of this guidebook provide more detailed guidelines for inspecting specific types of firestop systems on a project.
Fig. 7: Sealant thickness measurement when wet
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