3. FIRESTOP CODES AND STANDARDS
3.1 Building codes requirements
Firestopping is well defined in the model building codes and safety codes. The various firestop codes and standards help to define where firestopping is required within a building, the appropriate testing standards, and other requirements to ensure life safety. The following list references some of the relevant code sections related to firestopping.
• International Building Code( IBC)( 2024 Edition) – Section 714.4.1.2 Through Penetration Firestop( walls) – Section 714.4.2 Membrane Penetrations – Section 714.5.1.2 Through Penetration Firestop( floors) – Section 714.5.4 Smoke Barriers – Section 715.1 Joints – Section 715.4 Curtain Wall – Section 715.6 Joints( Smoke Barriers)
• International Fire Code( IFC)( 2024 Edition) – Section 701.2 Fire Resistance Rated Construction – Section 701.3 Smoke Barriers – Section 701.4 Smoke Partitions
• NFPA 101: Life Safety Code( 2018 Edition) – Section 8.3.4.1.1 Penetrations – Section 8.3.4.7.1 Membrane Penetrations – Section 8.3.5 Joints – Section 8.3.5.4.1 Curtain Walls and Perimeter Joints
• National Building Code of Canada( NBCC)( 2020 Edition) – Vol 1: Division B. 3.1.9 Penetrations in Fire Separations and Fire-Rated Assemblies
3.2 Applicable standards
Test standards relevant to firestop systems:
1. ASTM E 1399“ Cyclic Movement and Measuring the Minimum and Maximum Joint Widths of
Architectural Joint Systems” 2. ASTM E 1966( ANSI / UL 2079)“ Standards Test Method for Fire-Resistive Joint Systems” 3. ASTM E 2174“ Standard Practice for On-Site Inspection of Installed Firestops” 4. ASTM E 2307“ Standard Test Method for Determining the Fire Resistance of Perimeter Fire Barrier
Systems Using the Intermediate Scale, Multi-Story Test Apparatus” 5. ASTM E 2336“ Standard Test Methods for Fire Resistive Grease Duct Enclosure Systems” 6. ASTM E 2393“ Standard Practice for On-Site Inspection of Installed Fire Resistive Joint System and
Perimeter Fire Barriers” 7. ASTM E 2750“ Standard Guide for Extension of Data from Firestop Penetration System Tests
Conducted in Accordance with ASTM E814” 8. ASTM E 814( ANSI / UL 1479)“ Standard Test Method for Fire Tests of Through-Penetration Firestops” 9. ASTM E 119( UL 263)“ Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials” 10. ICC ES AC179“ Acceptance Criteria for Metallic HVAC Duct Enclosure Assemblies” 11. ISO 6944“ Fire Resistance Tests – Ventilation Ducts” 12. CAN / ULC-S115“ Standard Method of Fire Tests of Firestop Systems”
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