3.1.9.1.Firestops

(1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) to (7) and Article 3.1.9.3., penetrations of a fire separation or a membrane forming part of an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating shall be (a) sealed by a firestop that, when subjected to the fire test method in CAN/ULC-S115, “Standard Method of Fire Tests of Firestop Systems,” has an F rating not less than the required fire-resistance rating of the fire separation, or (b) cast-in-place, where the item penetrating the fire separation is steel, ferrous, copper, concrete or masonry. (See Note A-3.1.9.1.(1)(b)) (See also Article 3.1.9.4. for requirements regarding penetrations by combustible drain, waste and vent piping.) (2) Except as permitted in Sentence (6), penetrations of a firewall or a horizontal fire separation that is required to have a fire-resistance rating in conformance with Article 3.2.1.2. shall be sealed at the penetration by a firestop that, when subjected to the fire test method in CAN/ULC-S115, “Standard Method of Fire Tests of Firestop Systems,” has an FT rating not less than the fire-resistance rating for the fire separation. (3) Except as permitted in Sentences (6) and (7), penetrations of a fire separation in conformance with Sentence 3.6.4.2.(2) shall be sealed by a firestop that, when subjected to the fire test method in CAN/ULC-S115, “Standard Method of Fire Tests of Firestop Systems,” has an FT rating not less than the fire-resistance rating for the fire separation of the assembly. (4) Sprinklers are permitted to penetrate a fire separation or a membrane forming part of an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating without having to meet the firestop requirements of Sentences (1) to (3), provided the annular space created by the penetration of a fire sprinkler is covered by a metal escutcheon plate in accordance with NFPA 13, “Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.” (5) Unless specifically designed with a firestop, fire dampers are permitted to penetrate a fire separation or a membrane forming part of an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating without having to meet the firestop requirements of Sentences (1) to (3), provided the fire damper is installed in conformance with NFPA 80, “Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives.” (6) Service equipment penetrations through a horizontal fire separation having a fire-resistance rating as described in Sentences (2) and (3) that are contained within the cavity of a wall above and below the horizontal fire separation are permitted to be sealed at the penetration by a firestop that, when subjected to the fire test method in CAN/ULC-S115, “Standard Method of Fire Tests of Firestop Systems,” has an F rating not less than the fire-resistance rating for the fire separation. (7) Service equipment penetrations through a horizontal fire separation having a fire-resistance rating as described in Sentence (3) are permitted to be sealed at the penetration by a firestop that, when subjected to the fire test method in CAN/ULC-S115, “Standard Method of Fire Tests of Firestop Systems,” has an F rating not less than the fire-resistance rating for the fire separation, provided the penetration (a) is contained within the concealed space of a floor or ceiling assembly having a fire-resistance rating, (b) is located above a ceiling membrane that is a horizontal fire separation, or (c) is contained within a horizontal service space conforming to Subsection 3.6.4. that is directly above or below the floor.