FCIA'S 'DIIM' OF FIRESTOPPING TM

Proper ‘D’esign of firestop systems begins with the Design and Specification community. By educating the Architects and Specifiers who are designing these installations about firestopping and all elements of Barrier Management Systems, properly ‘D’esigned construction documents are provided, improving accurate communication to Contractors, Special Inspection Agencies, and Building Owners and Managers.

FCIA’s detailed 07-84-00 Specification and the FCIA Firestop Manual of Practice (MOP) provide a foundation for the firestop industry, Architects, Specifiers, Building Code Officials, and Fire Marshals to understand the requirements of and to gain knowledge in this specialized field. This living document is updated as the standards and practices of the industry change.

When firestop products are installed to the Manufacturer’s installation instructions and tested and listed system specs, the result is an installed firestop or fire-resistance-rated SYSTEM.  Specialty Firestop Installation Contractors understand this.

Proper ‘I’nstallation of Firestop Systems by a Specialty Firestop Installation Contractor company that has a culture of ‘Zero Tolerance’ provides continuity to breached, fire-resistance-rated and smoke-resistant barriers. Only Specialty Firestop Installation Contractor companies have the expertise required to navigate the technical landscape of firestopping and effective compartmentation.

Those Specialty Firestop Installation Contractors looking for the tools needed to employ the best in the industry should look at the Firestop Containment Worker Education Program. This generic, step-by-step education program for training Firestop Containment Field Workers and Instructors is available for purchase by FCIA Member Firestop Contractor and Non-Member Firestop Contractor organizations in several forms – FSCW-IE Instructor Edition and FSCW-M Containment Worker Manual.

Further, third-party accreditation programs, the FM 4991 Approved and UL-ULC Qualified Firestop Contractor Programs, provide an independent, third-party audit path to accreditation directly to interested Specialty Firestop Installation Contractor companies. These two programs have become standards among Specialized Firestop Installation Contractors worldwide.

Both programs were built for the express purpose of improving Specialty Firestop Installation Contractor operations, resulting in better installations and safer buildings. By having the accreditation programs offered directly through FM and UL-ULC, the process is completely objective. While FCIA provides education for the FM &UL-ULC Firestop Exams and Quality Management System Manual development, FM or UL-ULC provides the Quality Management System & Manual and Field audits.

Using competent, third-party independent ‘I’nspection by Firestop Special Inspection Agencies with proper equipment, qualified personnel, and experience adds an integral quality-check of the firestop installation process.

Firestop Special Inspection Agencies can be accredited under the International Accreditation Services AS AC 291 accreditation program, but their personnel must also show individual competence through experience, training, and/or passing the FM or UL Firestop Exam and the IFC Firestop Exam. These qualified Inspectors need to understand firestop product installation instructions and listings for the Observation Inspection method. They also need to understand how to properly conduct a destructive test of the firestop system’s installation to know if the installing contractor met the requirements of the installed system.

‘M’aintaining Protection of existing fire-resistance-rated and smoke-resistant assemblies, including Barrier Management Systems and both rated and non-rated assemblies, are critical to fire- and life-safety. These systems need regular attention to conform to the International Fire Code requirements.       

NFPA 1, The Fire Code and NFPA 101 The Life Safety Code both have requirements for maintaining protection of all installed fire-resistance-rated and smoke-resistant assemblies for the life of the building. An annual inspection – or survey – of the installed ‘Compartmentation Features’, including firestopping, is part of this ‘M’aintaining Protection strategy and is required by the Fire Codes. The FCIA Barrier Management Symposiums bring education to Building Owners and Managers about what’s really required to keep these assemblies working properly should they be called upon.