What is Firestopping in construction?
A firestop or fire-stopping is a form of passive fire protection that is used to seal around openings and between joints in a fire-resistance-rated wall or floor assembly. Firestops are designed to maintain the fire-resistance rating of a wall or floor assembly intended to impede the spread of fire and smoke.
What materials can be used for Fireblocking?
Fireblocks can be constructed of materials such as 2 inch nominal lumber, structural wood panels, gypsum board, cement fiber board for larger fireblock, and batts or blankets of mineral wool or glass fiber, loose fill insulation, and caulks, sealants, and putties for smaller fireblocks.
What is the difference between fireproofing and firestopping?
While firestopping helps prevent the spread of fire and harmful gases throughout your building, fireproofing protects the structural portions of your building to prevent collapse and irreparable damage during a fire. Fireproofing is most commonly applied to steel and concrete during your building’s construction.
What is fire caulk used for?
Fire caulking, otherwise referred to as fire-stop products, involves sealing joints, seams and other openings to ensure optimal fire safety for buildings. It is required by many local building codes as well as state and federal laws.
Do you need blocking between studs?
In some situations, blocking is required as a fire-stop where a stud bay extends between floors. Without fire-stops, a fire could quickly spread from floor to floor. Blocking and extra studs also are used to catch the edge of the drywall at corners and in places where the stud spacing doesn’t work out perfectly.
When should fire blocking be installed?
1. Fireblocking is required at ceiling and floor levels, and between the top story and the roof space (provided by the wall plates in platform framing). 2. Walls furred off the foundation require fireblocking every 10 ft.
Is fire blocking required with metal studs?
The International Conference of Building Officials (the IBCO) publishes Evaluation Reports covering the minimum requirements for gypsum wall and ceiling assemblies. There is no requirement in any of these standards for fire-blocking for metal stud framing.
Do interior walls need fire blocks?
Although interior walls must be fireblocked, there is no 4′ requirement in the IRC code. They must be fireblocked at the platelines and any spaces that exceed 10′ heights. 4′ blocks are typically for blocking edges of exterior sheathing laid horizontally, and aren’t intended to serve as fireblocks.
Can you use insulation as Fireblocking?
Unfaced fiberglass batts may be used as fireblocking provided that the batt is at least 16 inches in height measured vertically and fills the full width of the stud space. Insulation should be packed around the penetrating opening including the opening in the top or bottom plate.
What is code for Fireblocking?
In combustible construction, fireblocking shall be installed to cut off concealed draft openings (both vertical and horizontal) and shall form an effective barrier between floors, between a top story and a roof or attic space.