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We have a military project (UFC 3-600-01 and NFPA 101 criteria) with 1/2-hour fire-resistance-rated fire barriers between each sleeping unit.
Each 1/2-hour wall consists of gypsum on each side of a metal-studded wall. The gypsum runs within about an inch of the floor in each room (not touching the floor, intentionally, to avoid soaking up moisture/water) where it has metal stud on the backside. Is firestop required along the base of the gypsum to maintain the 1/2-hour rating? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
5 Comments
Richard Mercer
6/28/2021 09:03:56 am
The Life Safety Code allows Fire Barriers of 1/2 hour as called out in the occupancy chapters with a prescriptive construction description in the appendix. The key here is section 8.3.1.2. Is the floor in question rated as well? If not, I think you are fine without fire stopping the bottom joint. Additionally the wood exposed at the bottom is not likely to fail within a half hour.
Asker
6/28/2021 09:08:58 am
Thanks Richard! The floor is not rated, although it is required to to resist leakage and carry an L-rating, per NFPA 101.
Patrick
11/3/2025 11:48:06 am
Hi Asker,
Todd Wyatt
6/28/2021 09:18:10 am
The NFPA 101 references NFPA 221, Standard for High Challenge Fire Walls, Fire Walls and Fire Barrier Walls (https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=221).
sean
7/1/2021 12:56:57 pm
you would require a joint firestop system. best to check out 3m or hilti website. Leave a Reply. |
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