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Lindsey Dutkiewicz
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FCIA “NEWS YOU CAN USE” BLOG

Maintaining Fire-Resistant-Rated and Smoke-Resistant Assemblies…Yes, It’s Critical

With the rash of fires the past year in structures around the world, there has been a call to ‘do something’. The Firestop Contractors International Association (FCIA) recommends that all parts of Total Fire Protection be constantly, and continuously, maintained. Sprinkler Systems and Alarm Systems are systems that are routinely maintained, but what about the fire-resistance-rated and smoke-resistant barriers in buildings? These barriers protect people from fire and smoke spread in buildings. They need maintenance too. Below are five suggested steps to take to keep these barriers safe.

5 steps to maintain fire-resistance rated and smoke-resistant assemblies:
  1. Conduct a Visual Survey – Make sure the surveyors know the testing laboratory listings from UL, FM or Intertek. The Listings and manufacturers’ installation instructions are key to installation, inspection and survey. NFPA 1 requires a knowledgeable person to manage the process.
  2. Inventory the fire-resistance-rated and smoke-resistant assemblies – Create a database, electronic, paper, custom software package, to know what’s in the building.
  3. Inventory the features of fire-resistance-rated and smoke-resistant assemblies – Firestopping, Fire Doors, Fire and Smoke Dampers and Fire-Rated Glazing are all features that protect the barriers. Know what’s in the structure to understand the maintenance requirements.
  4. Repair barriers and the features as needed to stay safe.
  5. Inventory the Repairs. This is for the records that the fire marshal will ask for to see if you have done the required recordkeeping.

Is it this easy? Yes, the steps are, but the most critical component of this is the company that performs the survey. If they do not know and are not familiar with the listings and manufacturers’ requirements, then it’s a waste of time and money.

Firestopping is a big part of keeping the continuity of the fire-resistance-rated and smoke-resistant assembly intact. Breaches, openings and voids are made to allow plumbing, electrical, HVAC, cabling and other service items to serve remote parts of buildings. Those openings are best protected with firestop systems to maintain the fire-resistance. Without protected openings, what these openings have in essence created is a superhighway for fire and smoke to travel through, thereby facilitating the spread of fire and smoke and endangering building occupants.

But, firestopping alone is not the solution.

Doors need to be fire-resistance-rated, closed and latched all the time. Fire dampers in the ductwork need to work when activated. And, holes in fire-resistance-rated or smoke-resistant walls and floors need to be protected through fire-rated repairs.

Each building has a budget for smoke alarm and sprinkler maintenance, but does management have a Fire-Resistance budget? Not many do.

The International Fire Code and NFPA 101/NFPA 1 Codes have requirements to maintain fire-resistance – including the barriers, in buildings. The IFC states that an annual visual inspection is required and that, if required, repairs are to be made when the barriers are breached, damaged or penetrated.

In buildings, breaches, openings and holes may be made in walls and floors, either on purpose or accidentally. That’s why facilities need a line item in their budget for maintaining fire-resistance-rated walls and floors.

Each fire-resistance discipline is different. Fire-resistance-rated doors, dampers, glazing, firestopping, fireproofing, fire barriers and smoke barriers all have specific technical aspects to the assemblies. Facility management personnel can either train building operations staff to understand how to work with the listings and manufacturers’ products that make the assemblies and features, OR they can hire an FCIA Member that specializes in firestopping or barrier management.

When fire strikes, your risk management department will be thankful.

Special Inspection for Firestopping to the ASTM Standards

Did You Know…

The 2012 and 2015 International Building Code requires special inspection of firestopping in certain types of structures. High-Rise and also critical structures in Table 1604.5 need to be inspected to ASTM E 2174 and ASTM E 2393, Standards For the On-Site Inspection of Installed Firestops.

Inspection Agencies that want to prove their competence in inspection and firestopping look to International Accreditation Services (IAS) Accreditation Criteria AC 291.

IAS is a global organization with accredited firms in the Middle East and USA. An IAS AC 291 Inspection Agency builds a management system where its procedures are audited by IAS personnel to verify that procedures for special inspection are followed. For Firestopping, the responsible person at the inspection agency must pass the FM or UL Firestop Exam. Both these exams are based on the FCIA Firestop Manual of Practice, a 1,000 page document that is the compendium of firestop knowledge. Classes for the exam are offered at FCIA’s Conference and Symposiums.

Learn the Real Story of Special Inspection in the International Building Code

In addition to an IAS AC 291 Accredited Inspection Agency, a FCIA Member, Manufacturer Educated AND FM 4991 Approved OR UL/ULC Qualified Firestop Contractor is a must. Why? Firestop Contractors who don’t understand the zero-tolerance installation protocol of systems tot he listings, cause inspection costs to skyrocket to the building owner.

GC’s, Building Owners and Managers, hire the best. Hire a FCIA MemberFM 4991 Approved or UL Qualified Firestop Contractor with inspection by an IAS AC 291 Accredited Inspection Agency.

Hire a Firestop Contractor and a Firestop Inspection Agency/Consultant. Find one today.

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MEET THE 2023 FCIA PRESIDENT'S MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNER & FINALISTS

Each year, FCIA members, sponsors, and supporters participate in the FCIA Memorial Golf Tournament.  All proceeds from sponsorship for the outing fund the FCIA President's Memorial Scholarship for Fire Protection Engineering and Construction Management students.  Third-year, fourth-year, and graduate-level students in these disciplines are eligible to apply for the scholarship.  This year's talent was among the best and brightest ever.  Let's meet this year's Winner, Tyler Kleinsasser, and Finalists, Kendra Cadena and Amanda Mcdowell.

TYLER KLEINSASSER

WINNER

KENDRA CADENA

FINALIST

AMANDA MCDOWELL

FINALIST

 

BUILD YOUR BRAND.
EXPAND YOUR REACH.
ADVERTISE WITH FCIA.

Why Use A Specialty Firestop Contractor?

Cables, pipes of all types, expansion, and building perimeter joints all make breaches in fire-resistance-rated and smoke-resistant assemblies. When breaches that allow penetrations to pass through and joints that allow for movement are required, FCIA Specialty Firestop Installation Contractor Members are the “go to” companies to look for. FCIA Specialty Firestop Installation Contractor Member companies specialize in this highly technical service that protects people, property, and continuity of building operations. They understand how to analyze conditions, correctly select listed firestop SYSTEMS, then install the firestop systems with the utmost attention to detail.

Learn More About FCIA

Why Use A Special Inspection Agency?

FCIA Firestop Special Inspection Agency Members strive to be the best at inspecting highly technical firestop systems. These FCIA Member Inspection Agencies assess the installation of the Specialty Firestop Installation Contractor against the tested and listed system listing that was used to build the firestop system.  Competent, third-party independent inspection by FCIA Firestop Special Inspection Agency Members with the proper equipment, competent personnel, and practical industry experience adds an integral quality check on the firestop installation process. Insist on FCIA Firestop Special Inspection Agencies that know when the installation is right or wrong.

Find a Special Inspection Agency

JOIN AN ELITE GROUP OF FIRESTOP PROFESSIONALS

FCIA members span the globe provided services and materials that uphold the highest level of standards.

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Need Barrier Management Services?

Building Owners and Managers are required by the International Fire Code, NFPA 101, NFPA 1, the National Fire Code of Canada, UAE Fire and Life Safety Code, and other codes to maintain all types of fire-resistance rated and smoke resistant assemblies for the life of the building.

Members who offer these specialized services can register for inclusion in these lists.

Membership has its perks…

You’ve invested in your company. FCIA has invested in building your industry.

Membership Benefits