TDMM Chapter 7 Flashcards
Ablative
The development of a hard char that resists the erosion of fire and flames
AHJ
Authority having jurisdiction
Annular Space
the ring of apace outside of a pipe or cable penetrating a fire rated barrier but inside the hole or sleeve
Cementitious Firestop
A firestopping material that is mixed with water and is similar in appearance to concrete
Engineering Judgement
A document furnished by the manufacturer for nonstandard conditions in which a firestop system does not exist
Fire detection
The means of detecting the occurrence of heat, smoke or other products of combustion
Fire protection
the active means of detecting and suppressing fires
fire rated assembly
architectural barrier that is fire rated to contain a fire within for. specified amount of time
Fire resistance
a property of materials or assembly that can withstand combustion for a period of time
firestop
a fire rated material, device or assembly preventing the spread of fire
flame
a body or stream of gaseous material involved in the combustion process of fire
interstitial space
a small or narrow space located above or below the occupied space on each floor
Intumescent
the ability to expand to close gaps or voids
listed
a product that successfully completes firestopping tests
membrane penetration
an opening through only one surface of a barrier
NRTL
Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory
Penetration
An opening in a barrier
Two types are membrane penetration or through penetration
qualified
indicates compliance or accordance with specific standards or requirements
What do the terms qualified and listed mean when they are uses to describe a firestop system?
That the firestop system has been tested by a nationally recognized laboratory and certified as compliant
Name four secondary functions that may be performed by a firestop system
- Acting as environmental protection seals
- Providing sound attenuation or acoustical sealing
- Sealing around pipes that reach high temperatures and may move axially or laterally
- Resisting the affects of explosion
Name the four keys to fire protection
- Prevention
- Detection
- Suppression
- Compartmentation
What is compartmentation?
The process of limiting fire and smoke spread with fire resistive barriers
What are the three pillars of a balanced approach to fire protection
- Compartmentation
- Detection
- Suppression
Name the four types of fire stop applications
- Through penetration firstop systems
- Membrane penetration firestop systems
- Joint penetration systems
- Perimeter fire barrier systems
What is a penetration?
Location where a cable, conduit or sleeve system passes through an opening
What type of penetration occurs when the service element passes through both sides of the assembly?
through penetration
What type of penetration occurs when the service element passes through only a single side or membrane of the assembly?
Membrane penetration
Who is generally required to properly seal the opening to restore the integrity of the barrier that has been penetrated?
The trade that penetrates the barrier
Name four factors that contribute to the design of the fire rated barriers
- type of construction
- occupancy levels
- purposes of the building
- exit routes
what nullifies the hourly fire resistance rating of the barrier?
any disruption in the continuity or integrity of the surface
a firestop system shall provide an appropriate balance between what three factors?
- durability
- ease of installation
- ease of maintenance
name two requirements for performing a firestop repair
- must be qualified by performance testa or engineered judgements
- must be simple to achieve
Name five criteria that are used to select a firestop system for a construction project
- Qualification testing
- Installation testing
- Maintenance convenience
- Future cable moves, adds or changes
- Architectural or environmental requirements
What are the three parts of a fire assembly?
- Floor or wall assembly
- Penetrating items
- Firestop materials
Name three electrical apparatuses that are tested under exposure to fire and qualified for use in fire rates assemblies
- Boxes
- Junction boxes
- Fixtures
how is fire resistance of penetration firestops evaluated?
under positive pressure, time versus temperature and furnace conditions
Name the four testing ratings
- F rating
- T rating
- W rating
- L rating
define F rating
time period that an assembly resists flame passage
define T rating
time by which the unexposed side of an assembly reaches 358 degrees over the initial starting temperature
define the L rating
Air leakage test run at 400 degrees to simulate smoke leakage through firestopping systems
define W rating
water leakage test where the firestop system is subjected to a 3ft water column for 72 hours
when is a hose stream test conducted?
within 10 minutes of removing the assembly from the furnace fire
how far is the hose from the assembly during a hose stream test?
20ft
what is a successful hose stream test?
one where no water is observed passing through to the unexposed side of the assembly at the conclusion of the test
why might the L rating be useful for installations in a health care facility
because it is a sealing rating, it can be used to help prevent the spread pf airborne communicable diseases
what is the most common use for the L rating
as a predictor of smoke movement in buildings
where does most air leakage occur?
around the penetrating item and within grouped penetrating items
True or False
An area adjusted value is the preferred measurements for L ratings
False
Actual leakage values are easier to interpret
Why were W rating criteria established?
to address concerns where water stands on top of a firestop seal for a prolonged period of time
True or False
W ratings are a mixture of early rain resistance
False
How is the T rating expressed?
In hours or minutes
What is the purpose of qualification testing for a firestop?
To provide evidence of the systems performance across the range of conditions know or expected to exist
Name two locations where firestop systems are tested
- Sleeve systems
- Construction representative of the barrier into which the firestop system is installed
What is a firestop system required to demonstrate?
The ability to perform despite the mass of thermal conducting elements expected to penetrate openings and combustible or degradable material likely to penetrate openings
Name two broad categories of firestop systems
- Mechanical
- Non mechanical
How is a mechanical firestop typically described?
As a product that is furnished in its final form to the project site
How are non mechanical firestops generally described?
A product that is assembled or installed in a precise manner to achieve a particular fire rating
Name three common categories of mechanical firestop systems
- Cable transit systems
- Fire rated pathway devices
- Factory fabricated sleeve systems
What is a cable transit system?
Consists of pre manufactured elastomeric components shaped to fit around standard cables, tubes etc
Why are modular systems the most useful type of mechanical firestop system?
They offer maximum flexibility in accepting multiple elements of different diameters
Why must all modular systems be equipped with a means of compression?
Compression is required to establish a tight seal
What is a fire rated pathway device?
A modular device that integrates a built in firestopping system, which eliminates the need to remove or install firestopping materials
Describe a factory fabricated sleeve system
A kit that includes a tube or sleeve along with locking escutcheon plates that mechanically attach the device in the barrier
Why are all prefabricate intumescent firestop collars split?
To facilitate installation
Why do cast in place firestop systems require a high degree of upfront planning?
Once the device is in place, nothing else can be routed through it
List four characteristics of putty available in bulk, bars or sticks
- Have the consistency of glazing putty
- Remain permanently soft and pliable
- Allow easy firestop reentry
- May be installed with other approved fillers
True or False
The use of putty pads on boxes can impede sound transmission through walls
True
What is a potential problem associated with using certain clay based firestop putties?
Can dry out over time and fall out
Name two characteristics of caulks and sealants
- Cure after a relatively short time to form a tight seal
- Are dispensed either from standard caulk tubes, rolled packages or large pails
What happens when an installer needs to re-enter a penetration with firestopping caulk?
The installer will have to cut into the seal
Name three characteristics of cementitious materials
- Dry powder
- Premixed or mixed with water
- More adaptable to large openings than putty or caulk
True of False
Grout is an acceptable substitute for a cementitious firestop
False
How is an intumescent sheet with a sheet metal backing likely to be used?
To seal a large opening
What is an intumescent wrap strip?
A thin rubber like strip used to firestop material that may burn away in a fire and leave a void
What is a major weakness of silicone foams?
Tend to shrink over time
How does a pillows fiber matrix react to fire?
it swells (or intumesces)
Describe intumescent blocks
Ready to use standard sized foam blocks that are stacked in an opening or as a wall
Why are firestop bags installed with chicken wire?
Chicken wire prevents settling of loose material so bags dont fall out
Describe a plenum shield blanket
A high temperature ceramic blanket designed to provide a non combustible barrier for combustible items within a plenum
Name four types of packing or foaming materials
- Mineral Wool batt insulation
- Glass fiber batt insulation
- Ceramic fiber insulation
- Foam backer rods
What is the melting point of glass fiber batt insulation?
Around 1200 F, can melt prematurely under fire conditions
Why has the industry moved away from using ceramic fiber insulation?
Testing has shown it to be carcinogenic
How are foam backer rods typically used?
Behind the firestopping system to ensure proper depth
Name six firestop parameters for penetration in concrete walls
- Wall thickness
- Required Hourly rating
- Opening size
- Annular space
- Sleeve systems
- Material selection
Name four firestop parameters for penetrations in framed wall assemblies
- Hourly rating
- Opening size
- Annular space
- Sleeve systems
What is a preferred solution for firestopping existing penetrations?
A split sleeve system assembly that can be installed around the existing cables without interrupting service
Name four benefits of a sleeve system
- Ease of installation
- Supports and protects cables being installed
- Packed with mineral wool or ceramic fiber and intumescent fill material
- Ren enterable
What guidelines should be used to firestop through penetrations?
According to guidelines for the basic construction of the two outermost layers of combination wall
How should load bearing stud walls that are part of combination walls be firestopped?
By enclosing the penetration in the cavity
How should partial (membrane) penetrations in a combination wall be firestopped?
According to the recommendations for the type of wall that is being penetrated
Who must be consulted before a rated floor can be penetrated?
Project structural engineer
What method should be used to firestop acoustic materials in a ceiling?
Fully surround with mineral wool or ceramic fiber insulation and flash or use a permanently pliable putty or firestop caulk
What method should be used to firestop concrete ceilings?
Use the same method as specified for concrete floor systems
Name two reasons why firefighters vent the roof during a fire
- Prevent heat buildup
- Reduce the possibility of roof collapse
True or False
Elements contained in vertical shafts do not need to be firestopped within shafts at the floor/ceiling assemblies
True
What should the installed do after labelling each penetration?
Take a photo/video of each for submission to the AHJ
