How Critical is to Stop the Fire Spreading when a Building is on Fire ?
Fire is one of the leading causes of accidental deaths worldwide - but one of the most preventable! A little precaution goes a long way.
A fire in your building could mean total devastation - get the facts on passive fire protection to minimize the spread of fire in your facilities. While every facility professional will do what he or she can to ensure that a fire never begins in the first place, the next step is knowing how to minimize its spread.
There are three critical elements of a building’s passive fire protection system. Fire barriers (walls), fire doors, and fire dampers, together they make up the fire-rated separations that allow for compartmentation of a building in the face of a fire. In high-rise buildings such as hotels and apartment complexes, fire barriers are present not only in walls, but between floors as floor/ceiling assemblies to prevent the fire/smoke from spreading vertically.
How does firestop fit in?
Firestop is used to seal openings and penetrations in fire barriers to maintain the integrity of the barrier. Typical openings include those made for the passage of pipes, vents, wires and more. If a penetration is made in a fire barrier for any reason it must be firestopped and repaired with the correct UL system without delay to maintain the integrity of the fire barriers fire/smoke resistance rating. A well-maintained fire barrier prevents the spread of fire, smoke, and toxic gases from one side of the barrier to the other. This compartmentation allows for safe egress of building occupants and minimizes property damage.
An incorrectly installed firestop system means a breach in the continuity of the fire barrier. To ensure continuity of fire barriers in your building make sure to follow the proper NFPA codes.
Which codes regulate firestopping?
Passive Fire Protection Clauses in NBC 2005
Revised Building Codes of India Firestop Guidelines (excerpts from part 4: Firestop Life safety)
Openings in separating Walls and floors
Clause 3.4.8 At the time of designing openings in separating walls and floors, particular attention shall be paid at all such factors as will limit fire spread through these openings and maintain fire rating of the structural member.
Clause 3.4.8.1 Every wall opening shall be protected with fire-resisting doors having the fire rating of not less than 2 h in accordance with accepted standard. All openings in the floor shall be protected by vertical enclosures extending above and below such openings, the walls of such enclosures having a fire resistance of not less than 2 h.
Clause 3.3.1 & 3.3.2 - Fire Test Requirement – General It is required that an element / component shall have the requisite fire resistance performance when tested in accordance with the accepted standard.
Clause C-9 Compartmentation
The building shall be suitably compartmentalized so that the fire and smoke remain confined to the area where the fire incident has occurred and does not spread to the other part of the building.
Clause 3.4.8.3 Fire Stopping
Openings in walls or floors which are provided for the passage of all building services like cables, electrical wiring and telephone cables etc., shall be protected by enclosures in the form of Ducts / Shafts with a fire resistance of not less than 2 hours.
Clause 3.4.8.4 Fire Stopping
Every vertical opening between the floors of a building shall be suitable enclosed or protected as necessary to provide reasonable safety to the occupants while using the means of egress by preventing spread of fire, smoke or fumes through vertical openings from floor to floor, thus allowing occupants to complete their safe use of the means of egress.
Service Ducts/Shafts
Annex Clause C1.9 Fire Stopping Service Ducts & Shafts
Service ducts and shafts shall be enclosed by walls of 2 hour and doors of 1 hour rating. All such ducts / shafts shall be properly sealed and fire stopped at all floors.
Annex Clause C1.12 Fire Stopping Cable Ducts Penetrations
The electric distribution cables / wiring shall be laid in a separate duct. The duct shall be sealed at every floor with non-combustible materials having the same fire resistance as the fire rating of the cable duct.
Annex Clause C1.17 Fire Rated Ducts
Where the duct passes through fire walls, the opening around the duct shall be sealed with fire resisting materials having the fire resistant rating of the compartment. Where the duct crosses the compartment which is fire rated, the duct shall be fire rated for same fire rating. Further, depending on the services passing around ductwork, which may be affected in case of fire temperature rising, the ducts shall be insulated.
Annex Clause C1.12a Cable Ducts
The electric distribution cables / wiring shall be laid in a separate duct. The duct shall be sealed at every floor with non-combustible materials having the same fire resistance as the fire rating of the duct.
Annex Clause C1.16a Transformer Substation
The outside walls, ceiling, floor, opening including door and windows to the transformer substation area shall be provided with fire resistance of 2 hours rating.
Annex Clause C1.16C Transformer Room
When housed inside the building the transformer shall be of dry type and shall be compartmentised from the other portion of the premises by walls / doors / cut-outs having fire a minimum fire resistance of 4 hours.
Smoke Venting
Claus 3.4.12.3 Where smoke venting facilities are installed for purpose of exit safety these shall be adequate to prevent dangerous accumulation of smoke during the period of time necessary to evacuate the area served using available exit facilities with a margin of safety to allow for unforeseen contingencies.
Every opening in a fire barrier shall be protected to limit the spread of fire and restrict the movement of smoke from one side of a barrier to the other. (NFPA 101 8.2.3.2.3)
Fire/smoke barriers shall be continuous in accordance these specifications: Fire compartments shall be formed by fire barriers that are continuous from outside wall to outside wall, from one fire barrier to another or a combination of the two. This continuity must continue through all concealed spaces such as those above the ceiling. (NFPA 101 8.2.2.3*)
Penetrations for cables, conduits, pipes, tubes, exhaust vents, wires, etc, that are created to accommodate electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and communications systems, must be protected by a firestop system or device if they pass through a wall or floor/ceiling assembly constructed as a fire barrier.(NFPA 101 8.3.5.1* Firestop Systems and Devices Required.)
Firestop systems and devices shall have an F rating of at least 1 hour, but not less than the required fire-resistive rating of the fire barrier that has been penetrated. (NFPA 101 8.3.5.1.3)
Not sure what all these codes mean? Call us to ask questions.
Firestop Maintenance Programs Help You Stay Code Compliant
The best way to avoid citations from any Authority Having Jurisdiction, such as the fire officer, is to set up a firestop maintenance plan. In high-rise buildings there are numerous fire barriers that must be continuously maintained and code compliant, using a scheduled maintenance plan spreads out the cost, making it easier to budget and fund firestopping projects. By performing preventative maintenance on a monthly or quarterly basis, you can ensure compliance and more importantly a safer facility.
Most people are familiar with the basics of fire suppression (sprinklers, fire extinguishers, etc.), but the passive fire protection that actually contains a fire at its point of origin can be invisible and nearly forgotten - until the day you come to truly appreciate and depend on it.
Extensive exposure to smoke remains one of the primary causes of fire-related fatalities, especially in high-rise buildings. In the 1981 Toronto Hotel Fire, a fire began on the 2nd floor of the 23-story building. The fire was contained to the room of origin, but the smoke spread was significant. Six fatalities occurred in the stairwells and upper floors of the hotel as a result of smoke spreading through the elevators, stairwells and vertical service shafts.
Firestop is used to seal openings and penetrations in fire barriers to maintain the integrity of the barrier. Typical openings include those made for the passage of pipes, vents, wires and more. If a penetration is made in a fire barrier for any reason it must be firestopped and repaired with the correct UL system without delay to maintain the integrity of the fire barriers fire/smoke resistance rating. A well-maintained fire barrier prevents the spread of fire, smoke, and toxic gases from one side of the barrier to the other. This compartmentation allows for safe egress of building occupants and minimizes property damage.
An incorrectly installed firestop system means a breach in the continuity of the fire barrier. To ensure continuity of fire barriers in your building make sure to follow the proper NFPA codes.
Which codes regulate firestopping?
Passive Fire Protection Clauses in NBC 2005
Revised Building Codes of India Firestop Guidelines (excerpts from part 4: Firestop Life safety)
Openings in separating Walls and floors
Clause 3.4.8 At the time of designing openings in separating walls and floors, particular attention shall be paid at all such factors as will limit fire spread through these openings and maintain fire rating of the structural member.
Clause 3.4.8.1 Every wall opening shall be protected with fire-resisting doors having the fire rating of not less than 2 h in accordance with accepted standard. All openings in the floor shall be protected by vertical enclosures extending above and below such openings, the walls of such enclosures having a fire resistance of not less than 2 h.
Clause 3.3.1 & 3.3.2 - Fire Test Requirement – General It is required that an element / component shall have the requisite fire resistance performance when tested in accordance with the accepted standard.
Clause C-9 Compartmentation
The building shall be suitably compartmentalized so that the fire and smoke remain confined to the area where the fire incident has occurred and does not spread to the other part of the building.
Clause 3.4.8.3 Fire Stopping
Openings in walls or floors which are provided for the passage of all building services like cables, electrical wiring and telephone cables etc., shall be protected by enclosures in the form of Ducts / Shafts with a fire resistance of not less than 2 hours.
Clause 3.4.8.4 Fire Stopping
Every vertical opening between the floors of a building shall be suitable enclosed or protected as necessary to provide reasonable safety to the occupants while using the means of egress by preventing spread of fire, smoke or fumes through vertical openings from floor to floor, thus allowing occupants to complete their safe use of the means of egress.
Service Ducts/Shafts
Annex Clause C1.9 Fire Stopping Service Ducts & Shafts
Service ducts and shafts shall be enclosed by walls of 2 hour and doors of 1 hour rating. All such ducts / shafts shall be properly sealed and fire stopped at all floors.
Annex Clause C1.12 Fire Stopping Cable Ducts Penetrations
The electric distribution cables / wiring shall be laid in a separate duct. The duct shall be sealed at every floor with non-combustible materials having the same fire resistance as the fire rating of the cable duct.
Annex Clause C1.17 Fire Rated Ducts
Where the duct passes through fire walls, the opening around the duct shall be sealed with fire resisting materials having the fire resistant rating of the compartment. Where the duct crosses the compartment which is fire rated, the duct shall be fire rated for same fire rating. Further, depending on the services passing around ductwork, which may be affected in case of fire temperature rising, the ducts shall be insulated.
Annex Clause C1.12a Cable Ducts
The electric distribution cables / wiring shall be laid in a separate duct. The duct shall be sealed at every floor with non-combustible materials having the same fire resistance as the fire rating of the duct.
Annex Clause C1.16a Transformer Substation
The outside walls, ceiling, floor, opening including door and windows to the transformer substation area shall be provided with fire resistance of 2 hours rating.
Annex Clause C1.16C Transformer Room
When housed inside the building the transformer shall be of dry type and shall be compartmentised from the other portion of the premises by walls / doors / cut-outs having fire a minimum fire resistance of 4 hours.
Smoke Venting
Claus 3.4.12.3 Where smoke venting facilities are installed for purpose of exit safety these shall be adequate to prevent dangerous accumulation of smoke during the period of time necessary to evacuate the area served using available exit facilities with a margin of safety to allow for unforeseen contingencies.
Fire/smoke barriers shall be continuous in accordance these specifications: Fire compartments shall be formed by fire barriers that are continuous from outside wall to outside wall, from one fire barrier to another or a combination of the two. This continuity must continue through all concealed spaces such as those above the ceiling. (NFPA 101 8.2.2.3*)
Penetrations for cables, conduits, pipes, tubes, exhaust vents, wires, etc, that are created to accommodate electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and communications systems, must be protected by a firestop system or device if they pass through a wall or floor/ceiling assembly constructed as a fire barrier.(NFPA 101 8.3.5.1* Firestop Systems and Devices Required.)
Firestop systems and devices shall have an F rating of at least 1 hour, but not less than the required fire-resistive rating of the fire barrier that has been penetrated. (NFPA 101 8.3.5.1.3)
Not sure what all these codes mean? Call us to ask questions.
Firestop Maintenance Programs Help You Stay Code Compliant
The best way to avoid citations from any Authority Having Jurisdiction, such as the fire officer, is to set up a firestop maintenance plan. In high-rise buildings there are numerous fire barriers that must be continuously maintained and code compliant, using a scheduled maintenance plan spreads out the cost, making it easier to budget and fund firestopping projects. By performing preventative maintenance on a monthly or quarterly basis, you can ensure compliance and more importantly a safer facility.
By hiring a professional Fire Protection Service specialist always helps you acquire protection for your people around you, your property as well as prolong your business productivity.
fire protection systems helps live fear free life like you are rest confident of no fire misfortunes anywhere in your building ever.
fire protection systems helps live fear free life like you are rest confident of no fire misfortunes anywhere in your building ever.
About us
We take pleasure in introducing ourselves as a professionally managed company providing full spectrum TURNKEY solutions in the areas of Total Fire Safety.
i.e Design, Supply, Installation, Testing & Commissioning of
ACTIVE FIRE PROTECTION SOLUTIONS
- Fire Detection & Alarm system
- Water based Fire Protection systems – Hydrant, Sprinklers, High Velocity Water Spray System, Medium Velocity Water Spray System.
- Gas based Fire Suppression Systems.
PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION SOLUTIONS
- Structural Steel Fire Protection (fireproofing)
- Fire Stopping, Fire Barriers,
- Fire Rated Doors and Glass
About us
We take pleasure in introducing ourselves as a professionally managed company providing full spectrum TURNKEY solutions in the areas of Total Fire Safety.
i.e Design, Supply, Installation, Testing & Commissioning of
ACTIVE FIRE PROTECTION SOLUTIONS
- Fire Detection & Alarm system
- Water based Fire Protection systems – Hydrant, Sprinklers, High Velocity Water Spray System, Medium Velocity Water Spray System.
- Gas based Fire Suppression Systems.
PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION SOLUTIONS
- Structural Steel Fire Protection (fireproofing)
- Fire Stopping, Fire Barriers,
- Fire Rated Doors and Glass
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