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Fire-blocking – What do the Codes Say

S. Crain and P. SchulzThe Dow Chemical Company

SPFA 2008 Conference Safety/Quality TrackMarch 16, 2008

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Outline

Bottom Line for Product Development

Definitions

Application Examples

Codes

Residential

Commercial

Fire and Fire Blocking

Code Changes and their Affect

Conclusion

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Bottom Line for Product Development

Understand your application

Develop a code strategy

Keep up with code changes

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Definitions

2006 IBC. 2602.1 General.

FOAM PLASTIC INSULATION. A plastic that is

intentionally expanded by the use of a foaming agent to

produce a reduced-density plastic containing voids

consisting of open or closed cells distributed throughout

the plastic for thermal insulating or acoustical purposes

and that has a density less than 20 pounds per cubic foot

(pcf) (320 kg/m3).

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Definitions

Fireblocking - Building materials installed to resist the free passage of flame to other areas of the building through concealed spaces. (2006 IBC)

Commercial & Residential – Requires an approved fireblocking materials.

Firestop System – An assembly tested via ASTM E-814 that meets building code (2006 IBC)

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Definitions – FB to FS

New Material Fire Block Fire Stop System

Approved

Testing

material prevents

the free passage

of flame

ASTM E814

Specific F/T Rating

system prevents

the free passage

of flame, for a given

period of time, to

achieve a required rating

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Definitions

OCF– one component foam

Acceptance Criteria AC377 – Spray-Applied Foam Plastic Insulation

ASTM C1029 – Spray-Applied Rigid Cellular Polyurethane Thermal

Insulation

CAN/ULC-S710.1 – Material Specification for OCF

CAN/ULC-S710.2 – Installation Specification for OCF

pre-Mix’ed A/B

“A” is excess polyisocyanate (Iso)

“B” is polyol and additives (Resin)

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Definitions

TCF –two component foam

Acceptance Criteria AC377 – Spray-Applied Foam Plastic Insulation

ASTM C1029 – Spray-Applied Rigid Cellular Polyurethane Thermal Insulation

CAN/ULC-S705.1 – Material Specification for Medium Density SPF

CAN/ULC-S705.2 – Application Specification for Medium Density SPF

CAN/ULC-S711.1 – Bead-Applied Polyurethane Air Sealant Foam Part 1: Material Specification (specific for TCF)

CAN/ULC-S711.2 – Bead-Applied Polyurethane Air Sealant Foam Part 1: Application Specification (specific for TCF)

A

B

Mix AB

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Fire Block Codes

IRC 2006

R602.8 Fireblocking required.

Fireblocking shall be provided to cut off all concealed draft openings (both vertical and horizontal) and to form an effective fire barrier between stories, and between a top story and the roof space. Fireblocking shall be provided in wood-frame construction in the following locations.

1. In concealed spaces of stud walls and partitions, including furred spaces and parallel rows of studs or staggered studs; as follows:

1.1. Vertically at the ceiling and floor levels.

1.2. Horizontally at intervals not exceeding 10 feet (3048 mm).

2. At all interconnections between concealed vertical and horizontal spaces such as occur at soffits, drop ceilings and cove ceilings.

3. In concealed spaces between stair stringers at the top and bottom of the run. Enclosed spaces under stairs shall comply with Section R311.2.2.

4. At openings around vents, pipes, ducts, cables and wires at ceiling and floor level, with an approved material to resist the free passage of flame and products of combustion.

5. For the fireblocking of chimneys and fireplaces, see Section R1003.19.

6. Fireblocking of cornices of a two-family dwelling is required at the line of dwelling unit separation.

IBC 2006

717.1 General.

Fireblocking and draftstopping shall be installed in combustible concealed locations in accordance with this section. Fireblocking shall comply with Section 717.2. Draftstopping in floor/ceiling spaces and attic spaces shall comply with Sections 717.3 and 717.4, respectively. The permitted use of combustible materials in concealed spaces of buildings of Type I or II construction shall be limited to the applications indicated in Section 717.5.

The Fire Triangle

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Fire characteristics

Fires are started with a heat source in the presence of fuel and oxygen

The products of fire are heat, solid particulates and toxic gases

Fireblocking materials

resist flame passage

resist transfer of gases

Fireblocking materials are used to help slow fire spread and thus provide more time for occupant egress

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History of Fireblocking

Mid-80’s

Building codes began to more clearly distinguish the requirements for subdividing large and small concealed spaces within wood frame construction

Mid-90’s:

All three model code groups approved changes revising their codes to clearly distinguish "firestopping" from "fireblocking“

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Fireblocking materials – approved per 2006 IBC*

Lumber

Wood Structural Panel

Particle Board

Gypsum Board

Cement Fiber Board

Mineral Wool

Glass Fiber

Other approved materials

*See the 2006 IBC for specific requirements

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Why test – what are we trying to learn?

fire spread rate and smoke quantity rate – time and distance

occupant egress – speed of fire and visibility

extent of damage and spread to other rooms and structures

laterally, up a slope, through an assembly, up a wall, out an open structure

heat and fire affect on assemblies and their affect on

occupant egress

fire fighter rescue

Comparative to current approved structures

Comparative to larger scale tests

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Why test – what are we trying to learn?

Component Testing

Example: ASTM E 84 Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials (also known as UL 723)

Comparative test: controlled air flow and flaming fire exposure for 20”X 288”X 23/32” select-grade red oak flooring to allow a flame spread of 19.5 feet from the end of the ignition fire in 5.5 minutes.

Simplest Case: Flame Spread Index = 0.515 * AT (AT is an area term related to the distance a flame travels and the total time of flame travel relative to the red oak).

Fire Block Testing

Multiple ways to reduce FSI – better fire safety

delay the start of the fire (coatings, materials of construction)

slow the speed of the flame travel

minimize the combustible material’s flame travel distance

fire blocks to prevent the free passage of flame

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Recent Fireblocking Code Development

Int'l Building Code - Fire Safety

Int'l Building Code – General

Int'l Existing Building Code

Int'l Residential Code – Building

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Recent Fireblocking Code Development

Int'l Building Code - Fire Safety – 4 proposals reviewed by SPFA

Clarifies performance (3 proposals)

SPFA – supports FS96, FS98, FS147

Clarifies the performance of materials used to prevent the

passage of fire (tested in the form and manner to be used and

are required to be approved for the use stated not just labeled

as fire blocks)

Expand sealing component list

SPFA – does not support

Increases costs for all by requiring assembly testing (firestop

systems)

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Recent Fireblocking Code Development

Int'l Building Code – General – No proposals reviewed by SPFA

Labeling

Definition of listed

Criteria for energy use

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Recent Fireblocking Code Development

Int'l Existing Building Code – No proposals reviewed by SPFA

add ceiling fixtures and editorial upgrades

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Recent Fireblocking Code Development

Int'l Residential Code – Building – 2 significant proposals

both were disapproved

remove combustible materials (wood) as ignition or thermal barrier

in attics and crawl spaces

add half pound foam to sill plates and headers

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Conclusions

Develop a code strategy

Know how the product will be used

Know what test best mimics the application

Know your building codes

Know of proposed code changes

Consult with ICC.

Products must comply with building codes

Testing must be conducted to ensure compliance

The local area may require other test method or documentation

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Questions / Comments