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 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.

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 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.

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.

To prepare for these special inspections and achieve the most code-compliant solution for the life of the structure, select and install per tested listed systems as required in section 715 of the IBC. Though expanding product offerings provides contractors and design professionals more options to meet today’s construction demands, listed systems ensure that a building meets code requirements while limiting risk and liability for all parties involved. Additionally, because the special inspector will be required to evaluate any product per ASTM E2393 and will probably be required to perform a visual inspection during the installation, these new product categories help reduce the required steps for inspection in certain tested, listed systems by eliminating the need for mineral wool compression calculations or destructive samples of sealant depth.

For the entire article on the evolution of firestopping, visit wallboardtrim.com. To find more information on passive fire protection, visit the International Firestop Council (IFC), a non-profit association of manufacturers, distributors, and inspectors with over 30 years of firestop expertise. ▪