3.1.11.7.Fire Block Materials

(1) Except as permitted by Sentences (2) to (5) and (8), fire blocks shall remain in place and prevent the passage of flames for not less than 15 min when subjected to the standard fire exposure in CAN/ULC-S101, “Standard Method of Fire Endurance Tests of Building Construction and Materials.” (2) Gypsum board not less than 12.7 mm thick and sheet steel not less than 0.38 mm thick need not be tested in conformance with Sentence (1) provided all joints have continuous support. (3) In a building required to be of noncombustible construction, wood nailing elements described in Article 3.1.5.8. need not be tested in conformance with Sentence (1). (4) In a building or part of a building permitted to be of encapsulated mass timber construction, wood nailing elements referred to in Article 3.1.6.11. need not be tested in conformance with Sentence (1). (5) In a building permitted to be of combustible construction, in a combustible roof system permitted by Sentences 3.1.5.3.(2) and 3.1.6.7.(1), and in a raised platform permitted by Sentence 3.1.5.10.(2) or 3.1.6.12.(1), fire blocks are permitted to be (a) solid lumber or a structural composite lumber product conforming to ASTM D5456, “Standard Specification for Evaluation of Structural Composite Lumber Products,” not less than 38 mm thick, (b) phenolic bonded plywood, OSB, waferboard or oriented strandboard not less than 12.5 mm thick with joints supported, or (c) two thicknesses of lumber or a structural composite lumber product conforming to ASTM D5456, “Standard Specification for Evaluation of Structural Composite Lumber Products,” each not less than 19 mm thick with joints staggered, where the width or height of the concealed space requires more than one piece of lumber or structural composite lumber product not less than 38 mm thick to block off the space. (6) Openings through materials referred to Sentences (1) to (5) shall be protected to maintain the integrity of the construction. (7) Where materials referred to Sentences (1) to (5) are penetrated by construction elements or by service equipment, a firestop shall be used to seal the penetration. (See Note A-3.1.11.7.(7)) (8) In buildings permitted to be of combustible construction, semi-rigid fibre insulation board produced from glass, rock or slag is permitted to be used to block the vertical space in a double stud wall assembly formed at the intersection of the floor assembly and the walls, provided the width of the vertical space does not exceed 25 mm and the insulation board (a) has a density not less than 45 kg/m3, (b) is securely fastened to one set of studs, (c) extends from below the bottom of the top plates in the lower storey to above the top of the bottom plate in the upper storey, and (d) completely fills the portion of the vertical space between the headers and between the wall plates. (See Note A-3.1.11.7.(8))