Fire Stopping Questions
05_24 As plastic pipe systems are becoming more common in all buildings, and even permitted in return air plenums under certain circumstances. Would the O.P.I.A. Cope Tech Committee recommend to the Ministry of Housing that all Fire stop devices must be tested by an accredited testing agency to confirm that: 1. Fire stop devices meet the flame spread rating, and smoke developed classification, requirements currently in the Ontario Building Code? 2. To determine that the life expectancy of the fire stop devices is equal to the life expectancy of the building? 3. To determine the toxicity of fire stop devices when activated (fire situation)?
Answer: (On. Reg. 403/97)
We first of all need to address firestopping as a whole, not just firestopping that is used with plastic piping, but rather, all firestopping materials in general. As we are all aware, the OBC/ NBC requires that, ""in order to maintain the integrity of a required fire separation the annular space surrounding a service penetrant must be filled with a material that has been tested to the test Standard CAN4-S115-M as outlined in 3.1.9.1. (1)(a)"". This is the ""Standard Method of Fire Tests of Firestop Systems"", and must have an F rating not less than the fire-protection rating required for closures in the fire separation. However, please note that the reference made in 3.1.9.1.(1)(b) is intended and applies to Noncombustible piping systems. When dealing with Combustible piping penetrations, you must reference the requirements found in 3.1.9.4. (4)(a), which specifically addresses this application. While this subsection and sentence references and requires the same Standard found in 3.1.9.1., there is an addition requirement to the Standard. Sentence 4(a) stipulates that in addition to the Standard, this test must be performed ""with a pressure differential of 50 Pa. (0.007 psi) between the exposed and unexposed sides, with the higher pressure on the exposed side""." "We are personally unaware of the Standard addressing issues such as, life expectancy or toxicity. If the Standard does address these issues they would apply to All firestopping materials, not just those being used with Combustible piping. With regards to ""flame-spread rating"" and ""smoke classification"", We feel that this really should not be much of an issue since the test Standard already requires these products to stay in place for up to 2 hours, in order to maintain the integrity of the separation. Once again, the requirements in this Standard would not only apply to Combustible piping, it would have to apply to Noncombustible as well. In terms of testing agencies or facilities, we must respect the fact that in order for these tests to be performed accurately to the required Standard, they must be performed by qualified individuals in facilities that are capable of performing the tests as outlined by the Standard. Therefore, we must depend on the ""Standards Council of Canada"" to determine who is capable. There are many agencies in our Country that are ""one-man operations"" and are not equipped to perform tests and are just not qualified. With no disrespect intended, some small operations can influence test results that may not be accurate."
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