This isn't an NEC question, but I'm not sure where else to post it. The IBC, the UBC, and, I assume, other building codes require fire blocking at various locations in wood frame construction. These locations would include intersections between vertical and horizontal concealed spaces such as the top and bottom of stud walls where they meet floor joist spaces. These codes require that the integrity of fire blocking be maintained. How is this requirement being implemented/enforced in various parts of the country, when holes for electrical wiring (and I?m thinking primarily of NM cable) are bored through the fire blocking? I?m wondering, in particular about holes bored through wall top and bottom plates.
Bored Holes Through Fire Blocking
- Thread starter eprice
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allenwayne
Senior Member
Re: Bored Holes Through Fire Blocking
That pink fire foam takes cre of it haven`t seen a problem yet but then again I have been in the sunny state of Florida for almost 20 years
That pink fire foam takes cre of it haven`t seen a problem yet but then again I have been in the sunny state of Florida for almost 20 years
Re: Bored Holes Through Fire Blocking
The yellow foam that is sold for insulated purposes is supposed to have a 15 minute fire rating when used to plug holes in wood. If that is all that your jurisdiction requires then that is good enough. I have used the stuff to plug good sized holes using transparent packing tape as a mold. The mold has to be penetrated by plastic tubing that you can buy at the hardware store because the tube that comes with the can will not work - the tubes have to be attached to the mold and have to stay attached until the foam hardens. The application was when I was living in an apartment and I needed to stop tobacco smoke from the neighbors.
If they require a 30 minute rating then you have to use fire caulk. However, the fire rating is not going to be better than the wood itself.
The yellow foam that is sold for insulated purposes is supposed to have a 15 minute fire rating when used to plug holes in wood. If that is all that your jurisdiction requires then that is good enough. I have used the stuff to plug good sized holes using transparent packing tape as a mold. The mold has to be penetrated by plastic tubing that you can buy at the hardware store because the tube that comes with the can will not work - the tubes have to be attached to the mold and have to stay attached until the foam hardens. The application was when I was living in an apartment and I needed to stop tobacco smoke from the neighbors.
If they require a 30 minute rating then you have to use fire caulk. However, the fire rating is not going to be better than the wood itself.
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