It is important to know where to firestop. In construction, firestopping is well defined in safety codes and is mandatory.
Smoke and toxic gases produced by fire cause more deaths than fire itself.
Therefore, the sealing of openings with firestop methods and products will help to contain smoke and fire.
Firestopping is required in all:
• Fire-rated walls
• Fire-rated floors
• Where joints meet
Firestopping systems include three categories:
- Penetrations in rated floors and walls (including through and membrane penetrations).
- Joint systems in rated walls
- Exterior curtainwall assemblies
Furthermore, each building should have a set of life-safety plans illustrating where the fire-rated barriers are for every floor. If a barrier is unsealed, it potentially has no rating, according to STI Firestop. Lastly, always refer to the building or safety code before beginning firestopping. All requirements should be verified by local authorities.
The video below shows and describes where to firestop.
For more information about STI Firestop firestopping products, please contact a local UTF showroom in Houston at 713-692-2323; in San Antonio at 210-495-8665; or College Station at 979-731-8665.
