Firestop Needed for Sprinkler Penetration?

1/7/2019

Is it necessary to provide a UL firestop for a sprinkler through a fire-rated partition?

I would think that since the penetrating item is a sprinkler that it would not require an actual UL firestop penetration, however I am having trouble finding a code reference to back up my thoughts. My scenario is a sidewall going to through a vertical double layer gypsum partition.

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10 Comments

Edward Glynn link

1/7/2019 10:22:34 am

Yes fire stop is required anytime a penetration is made in a
rated wall and must be equal to the rating of the wall being penetrated.

There firestop manufacturer websites that detail how to fire stop and maintain rating of the wall being penetrated.

In addition, the piping also has a determination on the fire stop being used.

If it is steel piping, any number of firestops may be used.

If it is CPVC piping, you will need to consult with the manufacturer of the CPVC pipe for a listed of approved firestop brands and types listed for use with their particular CPVC piping.

For example, 3M IC15 2 hour rated firestop is listed for use with CPVC pipe but IC25 4 hour rated is NOT listed for use with CPVC piping.

IBC 706.9 requires that all penetrations of fire walls comply with section 714.

There are multiple details contained in Section 714 which will give the specifics of the requirements for the penetration matching your specific project.

Mike

1/7/2019 10:34:21 am

Edward,

I've never seen this before. I thought there was an exception for fire sprinklers.

I am not sure the listing of the sprinkler would be maintained since the fire stopping would interfere with the escutcheon and that is part of it's listing. Not to mention the clearance required for the installation of caulking.

James Phifer

1/7/2019 10:46:03 am

NFPA 13, 2016 edition, prohibits the use caulking to seal the penetrations.

6.2.7.4 The use of caulking or glue to seal the penetration or
to affix the components of a recessed escutcheon or concealed
cover plate shall not be permitted.

Kevin Anderson

1/7/2019 10:30:38 am

I actually posted this question and after doing some more research I found the following from IBC 2012 Edition Section 714 Penetrations

714.3.2 Membrane penetrations. Membrane penetrations shall comply with Section 714.3.1. Where walls or partitions are required to have a fire-resistance rating, recessed fixtures shall be installed such that the required fire-resistance will not be reduced.

Exception 5:
The annular space created by the penetration of an automatic sprinkler, provided it is covered by a metal escutcheon plate.

Sue Byrne

1/7/2019 05:37:57 pm

Kevin, this is exactly what we accept as long as it is a metal escutcheon and it is the escutcheon and fire sprinkler assembly that is making the penetration in the rated wall or ceiling.

Randy Day

2/5/2019 10:36:47 am

Note that a membrane penetration is not a through penetration, which a sprinkler probably is.

Franck Orset

1/7/2019 10:53:32 am

Just the point of view from the Insurance Industry (might be other different points of view).
A fire wall or fire partition is a passive protection.
A sprinkler system, deluge system, gas protection systems... are active protections.
In some circumstances, both are required as they complete each other.
Normally the passive protection is a security when there is no fire protection anymore (impairment, overtaxing of the system...).

In your situation, it could be considered acceptable to leave an opening as you will have a sprinkler protection. But you will lose the benefit of the passive protection in case of impairment of the sprinkler system.

I don't know if you are familiar with Normal Loss Expectancy (NLE) scenarios and Maximum Foreseeable Loss (MFL) or Probable Maximum Loss (PML) scenarios, but the adequate fire separation might change them a lot.
In your case, the NLE is the same with or without fireproofing material in the penetration (because the sprinkler system is considered active in NLEs and the fire will be controlled within the room).
But the MFL/PML might be completely different as the fire is considered to possibly spread through the wall if the sprinkler protection is not operational.

It is the same with openings in fire walls that are "protected" with deluge systems/water curtains. For NLE, the protection of the opening with a deluge system is the same as with rated fire doors. But for MFL/PML, the result is completely different (as the opening is considered wide open without protection if no fire door is provided).

Not blocking correctly the opening might have an impact on the final insurance premium and might result in recommendations from the Insurance Company. Even if the pipe is for a sprinkler head.

Dave L.

1/7/2019 11:09:41 am

^What Kevin said ^
Single membrane penetration per the IBC exception vs. through-penetration.

Dave L.

1/7/2019 11:12:03 am

...but be careful if you happen to have back-to-back penetrations; I believe that could then be considered a though-penetration.

Sue Byrne

1/7/2019 05:35:09 pm

In my jurisdiction we allow for the fire sprinkler metal escutcheon in a snug fitting opening making the penetration. This would mean that only metal fire sprinkler escutcheon would be going through the opening. We do not allow fire sprinklers to be fire caulked around. If the pipe is going through the rated wall or ceiling, then the pipe would need to be sealed around appropriately.

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