Firestopping in residential wood frame construction

[hbiss]

Something new here in New York. We are now required to fill all bored holes,spaces, etc. through wood framing members for both vertical and horizontal runs with firestopping compound and, if necessary, rockwool first. Doesn't matter if you are using NM, AC or pipe. Doesn't matter what the building or occupancy is. I'm also told all other trades will be responsible for their work.

I'm still trying to find out why and where this came from and I might not have all my facts straight. It might be an amendment to the building code though I'm told indirectly that the electrical inspector says it's from the NEC. At any rate I'm told he will red tag a job if we don't firestop our work, not the building inspector. If you run wire through an opening you are responsible for firestopping it.

Only thing I see in the NEC is Article 300.21 which deals with installations in fire resistive construction with which I'm familiar.

Anybody heard of anything like this?

 

[pierre]

Re: Firestopping in residential wood frame construction

Hello hbiss

I also am from NY and I will tell you what I know. BTW- I am from Westchester County, by the Tappen Zee Bridge.
Fire Stopping has been in the NEC since at least '62, that is as far back as my code book collection goes. One of the reasons it has not been enforced in our jurisdiction (NY Board of Fire Underwriters), is there was not a 'listed' product back then and it slipped through the cracks until the last code cycle (so I was told). It is also in the Building Code, Check the NYSRBC- new as of January 1st, 2003.
The Building Inspector, or the Electrical Inspector can redtag the job. In NY, the Building Official is the AHJ, not the Electrical Inspector, that is a fact! It has also been in the building code, but I am not sure for how long.

As far as where and how to firestop, I can only positively refer to the NEC tonight, my copy of the NYSRBC is at work. There are some variables that are a little different. BTW- if you are a contractor it is worth getting a copy of this, you can get it at www.constructionbook.com. Also the Energy Conservation Code of NYS should be purchased, I hear the Building Officials are going to really start enforcing this document.
For vertical locations, it is when you go from floor level to floor level, such as drilling through the plate from the 2nd floor to an attic space.
Horizontal spaces are when you penetrate a 'fire wall', not when you drill the studs of a wall to run cable say from a wall switch to a receptacle as some Building Officials were asking for. Could you imagine the cost? Running a cable through any opening does not require firestopping, just through fire rated openings.
Another 'tidbit'. In the Building code it mandates where some lighting fixtures are to be located, such as stairways, interior and exterior locations. HMMMM !!
If you like you can email me for further info, once I have a my copy of the NY code in hand, or go to http://www.gorr.state.ny.us/gorr/

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Pierre

[ July 03, 2003, 08:37 AM: Message edited by: pierre ]