Q. What ASTM Standards detail the firestop inspection guidelines?
A. ASTM E-2174 for Through Penetrations and ASTM E-2393 for fire rated joint assemblies. In these standards, testing requirements, sampling quantities and reporting requirements for firestop inspection are detailed. Most projects reference these 2 industry standards in the Project Manual as the inspection requirements for the job.

Q. Typically, types of items require firestop and when? Are there more than 1 tested system available as a repair for each opening type?
A. Pipe, conduit, cable, bundled cable, HVAC, vents, sprinkler pipe, structural members, plastic pipe, tubing, pneumatic tubes and blank openings all need to be considered in the firestopping equation. Each of these items can be firestopped with any number of tested firestop systems available from any of several firestop manufacturers. The goal is to pick the best system; not the best manufacturer.

Q. Am I required to inspect every opening in my building?
A. No if you are required to meet the ASTM Standards and percentage destructive test and/or witnessed installation can be used as your inspection method. If you are a Joint Commission accredited facility or hospital, your Statement of Conditions (SOC) report will require you to look at and evaluate each fire rated assembly. Typically, the % inspection parameters listed in the ASTM Standards guide most inspection processes.

Q. Do firestop material manufacturers provide third party inspection services for their firestop products?
 A. No. As per the ASTM Standard, a qualified 3rd party inspector must not have an interest as an installer, manfacturer or representative of any firestop manufacturer. Only an independent, qualified firm can perform ASTM firestop inspections.

Q. What benefit does firestop provide?
A. Firestop can limit the uncontrolled migration of fire, smoke and toxic gas in a structure during an emergency. Firestop can saves lives and property and increases evacuation time by protecting egress paths durin a fire when installed properly. Firestop installations provide a fire rated repair to construction penetrations and joints to restore fire and smoke ratings (i.e. 1 Hour, 2 Hour, Smoke Seal...).

Q. Why is firestop required and how is it tested?
A. Firestop systems are required in all types of construction by building code. Only tested firestop systems are considered acceptable for true compliance. Firestop system pass rigirous tests for fire and smoke spread as well as temperature containment. Only a recognized, independent, third party test laboratory (i.e. Underwriters Laboratories) can provide verification that an assembly, as designed, is tested to standard and will work if installed correctly.