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We have a project where the general contractor is stating that the vertical penetration in the stairwell landing, where the standpipes are located, need to be sealed.
They are not asking for it to be a fire-rated seal, but they say some sort of seal will be required. I know on past projects this typically was never a requirement. I have searched NFPA and the IBC with no luck on finding something that would insinuate that no seal is required for the vertical standpipes openings within the rated stair. Is a seal required for these stair landing penetrations? Any input is much appreciated. Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
8 Comments
Dan Wilder
10/27/2020 09:16:16 am
There is no code based requirement for a seal of any pipe or duct that passes through a landing within an stairwell that I have been given. Any smoke, heat, or liquid will just follow the stair treads around the landing.
Kenneth Wymer
10/27/2020 10:16:58 am
Dan Wilder's comment is correct. I have installed one job for Texas A&M were sealing vertical sandpipe penetratrions were in the job spec's.
Todd Wyatt
10/27/2020 10:26:24 am
The fire-resistance rating (FRR) of the stair enclosure will either be a 1-Hour Fire Barrier (1FB) or a 2-Hour Fire Barrier (2FB) depending on the number of stories it connects and/or the FRR of the floor construction it penetrates. Any penetration of the stair's FRR enclosure must meet the applicable code requirements for "penetrations".
Justin Milne
10/27/2020 10:43:24 am
Please correct me if I am wrong, but I do believe that there may be one instance where sealing the landing area of the stairwell would be required. If the floor slab to the building the stairwell is serving somehow relies upon the landing structure via rebar or some alternative method of interconnection, the stairwell landing would be, in some affect, a part of the fire rated assembly and therefore would require the same rating as the floor slab itself, meaning penetrations too.
Manny Rios
10/27/2020 11:02:46 am
As long as the penetrations are within the shaft enclosures for the stairwells and not penetrating the shaft enclosures, sealing of penetrations from floor to floor is not required. IBC Chapter 7 Sections 713 and 714 address the what and how. This could be something that is addressed in the contract specifications for the said project. Sealing of penetrations.
Steve
10/27/2020 08:46:07 pm
Is this a low rise wood frame? Or a scissor stairwell in a tower? If it's a tower scissor stairwell there is definitely a requirement for a seal due to smoke. It's referenced in part 3 of the BC building code. If it's a low rise wood frame I haven't encountered this other than penetrations from the parkade and vestibule itself.
Mike
10/28/2020 01:34:18 am
When contractors do this, I always request a code/standard reference.
Jason
10/30/2020 09:39:39 pm
If the stair is a scissor stair the penetration needs to be sealed as they are separate protected areas. A regular does not Leave a Reply. |
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