feature FOCUS THE EVOLUTION OF FIRESTOPPING By Don Pilz and Brent Johnson
Firestopping is the process of containing fire and/or smoke through the use of properly installed, UL-tested and certified products and assemblies. Firestopping as we know it has been around for approximately 40 years. At first, builders used what was readily available—drywall, mineral wool, steel framing, and spray-applied fireproofing were all products known to restrict the passage of fire. These original assemblies were great for limiting fire transmission but did not do as well when it came to limiting the passage of smoke or protecting against seismic activity. To address this, intumescent tracks were created in 2008. Factory-applied intumescent tape over steel framing members provided a permanent, high-movement seal to building joints. In 2012, the International Building Code adopted a major change: “Special Inspections� for firestop penetrations and joints. These inspections require visual and/or destructive testing, which involves the special inspector taking a “coupon� (removal of field-installed firestop sealant or fire spray) from a fully cured firestop product at multiple
inspections with no wait time since they arrived fully cured. Today, nearly all major firestop manufacturers offer some type of pre-formed/fully cured products for joints and penetrations.
locations along the bond lines (either at the penetration or perimeter joint of the substrate interface) to verify its depth throughout. This code change was the result the industry wanted to ensure the proper installation of firestopping by qualified professionals.
The most recent evolution of firestopping appeared in 2019, when fire-rated drywall accessories were introduced to the market. These products combine intumescent tape with a flexible, paintable, vinyl drywall bead for an unbreakable seal against uneven concrete and roof decks while minimizing installation error. Since they come fully cured, they offer easier inspections with no wait time.
With this code change, firestopping manufacturers looked to develop products that could be easily inspected and installed while reducing potential installation errors. In 2015, preformed/fully cured firestop products that minimized installation error by providing factory-metered dosage were introduced to the market. They also provided easier and immediate
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