Fire Stop

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Fire Protection and Fire Stopping

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Module 7 - Firestopping and Comprehensive Fire Prevention Systems

Identify the elements of a comprehensive fire protection system

Understand firestopping and its role in fire protection Discuss the different products and materials used in

firestopping

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Module 7 - Firestopping and Comprehensive Fire Prevention Systems

Select the appropriate firestopping system for your application

List installation guidelines for firestopping systems Document network addresses, changes,

procedures, and logging

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When dealing with fire, the primary goal is its prevention; since total prevention has yet to be achieved, protection becomes the next priority

A comprehensive fire protection system that meets or exceeds building code requirements is one of the best defenses against fire; this system is a combination of three subsystems: Detection systems Suppression systems Containment systems

Fire Protection Systems

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Fire detection systems provide early warning signals that can prevent fire losses

The primary elements of detection systems are: Detectors for smoke and fire are designed for different

burning characteristics and have different responses Detection devices include: optical smoke detectors;

differential maximum heat detectors; ionization smoke detectors; spark and flame detectors; high-sensitivity smoke detectors; bypass detectors; gas detectors

Fire Protection Systems

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Fire detectors are complemented by: Fire control panels, which provide supervision and

coordination among elements of a detection system, and must conform to requirements for local and auxiliary protective signal systems, as defined by National Fire Protection Association Code 72

Alarms, which provide signals for rescue and timely fire-fighting; they are either manual fire alarm stations, audible alarms, or optical alarms

Annunciators, which provide graphic displays to pinpoint alarms quickly

Fire Protection Systems

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A fire suppression system extinguishes fire; its secondary goal is to help reduce danger

The extinguishant is the primary component Water is used for Class A (glowing substance) fires and it

extinguishes by cooling, or removing heat Extinguishing foam is used for Class A and B fires and

extinguishes by: cooling; covering; separating and displacing; and restraining

Clean agents are nonconductive materials that extinguish flames by absorbing their heat

Extinguishing powder will suffocate a fire

Fire Protection Systems

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A fire containment system is designed to reduce the rapid spread of fire and toxic fumes with these three components: Fireblocking consists of barriers that resist or block the

spread of fire within stud walls, soffits and drop ceilings, and at the top and bottom of stair stringers

Draftstopping consists of barriers within the large concealed spaces of a floor, attic, or crawlspace

Firestopping helps contain fire and toxic gases to the area of origin by sealing around penetrations and construction joints in fire-rated floors and walls

Fire Protection Systems

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Firestopping systems include: Fire resistance-rated walls, floors, or ceilings; penetration

items such as pipes, cable, or conduit; and listed materials to seal penetrations or constructions joints

The containment of fires has proven to reduce danger and provide time for people to safely exit

This measure of protection has played a major role in the adoption and enforcement of firestopping systems by major building codes

Firestopping and Its Role inFire Protection

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Firestopping systems (cont.): ASTM completed ASTM E-814 in 1983 To ensure that firestops provide proper protection and meet

code requirements, E-814 and other codes require assemblies to have an FT rating, where “F” indicates the number of hours a fire-resistant barrier can withstand fire before allowing the flames to pass though; and “T” indicates how many hours it takes non-fire side temperatures of a fire-rated assembly to exceed 325° above the ambient temperature

Other tests designed to rate the performance of firestopping products: ASTM E-84 and E-119

Firestopping and Its Role inFire Protection

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There are many firestopping products available to meet the needs of any application These products must be tested and listed by an

independent testing laboratory Products are approved only for the application for which

they were designed and tested Because so many products are available, care must be

taken to match the application with an appropriately listed firestopping system

Firestopping Products and Materials

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Firestopping products (cont.): The most common firestopping method is the use of

sealants to seal openings around penetration and construction joints

Sealants come in two groups: intumescent products, which are designed to expand at a pre-determined temperature range; and nonintumescent sealants, which are most commonly used in construction joints

Large, combustible pipes exceed the capabilities of intumescent seals to properly seal the opening and maintain the desired fire rating; in these cases, intumescent collars and wrap strips are used

Firestopping Products and Materials

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Firestopping products (cont.): Very large openings or those with multiple penetrations

present a real challenge to firestopping The following list describes firestopping products to use

for these applications: fire blocks are designed to form a barrier to fire and smoke; fire pillows are made of specially treated glass cloth filled with a mixture of mineral fiber and reactive expansion agents; intumescent mortar is a gypsum-based, fire-retardant material; fire-rated foam is a one-component polyurethane foam that expands tofill and seal gaps

Firestopping Products and Materials

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Firestopping products (cont.): Other firestopping products include: intumescent putty,

which is non-hardening and noncuring, and is commonly used around penetrations for electrical cable, telecommunications cable, and metallic pipes; cast-in devices incorporate firestopping with the insertion of a durable cylindrical device (sleeving) through a penetration, which allows another pipe to be inserted through it; fire seals are small pieces of rubberlike, flexible, fire-retardant material and they adhere tightly to cable trays, conduits, and cables, allowing them to move within the penetration

Firestopping Products and Materials

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To help in determining whether you have chosen the proper firestopping system, you must answer the following questions: What hourly rating is required? What type of construction is involved? What are the sizes of the openings? What type of penetrants will be used? How big is the annular space? Has any unusual contraction or expansion been

observed?

Selecting the RightFirestopping System

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Things to do in order to ensure that system installation meets zero-tolerance requirements Follow the requirements of the Firestop Contractors

International Assoc. (FCIA) and Factory Mutual Research, in their joint standard, FM 4991: “Standard for Approval of Fire Stop Contractors,” which calls for: selecting the right products; installing the system properly; inspecting the installation; providing installment documentation

As well, future standards will require specific training for installers in proper firestopping practices

Installation Guidelines for Firestopping Systems

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Zero-tolerance requirements (cont.): Check with the building inspector and fire marshal Follow manufacturer’s installation instructions Adopt a corporate standard operating procedure for

firestopping tasks Do not run new cables through existing fire barriers that

violate code Remember that intumescent materials expand to fill a

sleeve, so never exceed the fill capacity Never use regular insulation for packing

Installation Guidelines for Firestopping Systems

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Effective network documentation requires: Documenting MAC and IP addresses for servers,

workstations, managed hubs, switches and routers A current and accurate list of all network MAC and IP

addresses is the most important documentation to have, next to cable plant documentation

Documenting additions, moves, and changes; This documentation should consist of two sections: the

first should include detailed procedures for all additions, moves, and changes; the second should be a detailed log of all actions taken

Documenting Network Addresses, Changes, Procedures, and Logging

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Module Summary

Fires take lives and destroy property every day, which is why building codes have such stringent requirements for fire protection. A comprehensive fire protection system is one of the most important safety measures in building construction

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Module Summary

A fire protection system should include three separate subsystems for fire detection, fire suppression, and fire containment. The fire detection system provides early warning signals with detectors, fire control panels, alarms, and annunciators that help you locate alarms. The fire suppression system extinguishes the fire and helps reduce damage, by removing either the heat, the oxygen, or the combustible source. The fire containment system reduces the spread of fire

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Module Summary

Firestopping, the key element of a fire containment system, is the method used to contain fire and toxic gases to the area of origin by sealing around penetrations and construction joints in fire-rated floors and walls. A firestopping system includes fire resistance-rated walls, floors, or ceilings; penetration items, such as pipes, cable, or conduit; and listed materials to be used for sealing

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Module Summary

Firestopping products come in a variety of types to meet the needs of any application. All firestopping products must be tested and listed. Products are approved only for the application for which they were designed and tested, not for all firestopping applications. Sealants are the most widely used firestopping products. Other products include collars, wrap strips, fire blocks, fire pillows, mortar, foam, putty, caulk, cast-in devices, and fire seals

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Module Summary

Many top manufacturers of firestopping products provide on-site technical consultation and engineering support to answer your questions and help you make the proper selections for firestopping products and listed systems. The engineering support can help you work with complicated applications

To help you ensure that your firestopping installations are “zero tolerance” systems, obtain proper information from the manufacturer of each product you use, and follow their installations instructions explicitly. You can also obtain information through FM 4991, “Standard for Approval of Fire Stop Contractors”

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Module Summary

Your network documentation must include a section for listing MAC and IP addresses of all the nodes on your network. Documentation must also include detailed procedures for any network additions, moves, or changes. Log all changes in a set of journals to maintain a running history of all work done on the network. These procedures and documentation help you eliminate and troubleshoot network problems