The General Guidelines of the Underwriters Laboratories Fire Resistance Directory contain information on allowed assembly substitutions and firestop system changes, which are not indicated within the individual firestop system listings. The following will provide information from the UL Fire Resistance Directory that may be helpful in knowing when the published firestop system listing information can be extended to include additional conditions. Such conditions include applications involving floors that are concrete over steel deck, hollow-core pre-cast concrete and penetrating items that are not perpendicular to the wall or floor.

Firestop systems are listed with specific requirements that must be met to conform to the system as tested. Changes to the system are permitted if the general guidelines in the UL Fire Resistance Directory allow for the specific adjustment.  This applies to Joint Systems (UL Fire-resistance directory category XHBN), Perimeter Fire Containment Systems (UL category XHDG) and Through-Penetration Firestop systems (UL category XHEZ).  The following quotes are excerpts taken from the UL Fire Resistance Directory.

"Information concerning these details is described in the individual systems.  The hourly ratings apply only to the complete systems.  Individual components are designated for use in a specific system to achieve specified ratings.  The individual components are not assigned ratings and are not intended to be interchanged between systems.   Additionally, the substitution or elimination of components required in a system should not be made unless specifically permitted in the individual systems or in these general guidelines."

Assembly Substitution

UL joint systems and through-penetrations listed for use in a concrete floor may be installed in a concrete floor over fluted or corrugated steel deck.  This substitution applies where the following conditions are met.

Joint Systems

"Floor-to-floor and floor-to-wall joint systems that specify installation in concrete floors may include installation in floors consisting of fluted or corrugated steel deck topped with structural concrete, provided that:

1.      the concrete topping thickness measured above the top plane of the steel deck is equal to or greater than the minimum concrete thickness specified in the joint system

2.      the joint system does not require any portion of the forming material or fill material to extend below the bottom plane of the floor."

Through-Penetration Firestop Systems

"Firestop systems that specify installation in concrete floors may include installation in floors consisting of fluted or corrugated steel deck topped with structural concrete, provided that:

1. the concrete topping thickness measured above the top plane of the steel deck is equal to or greater than the minimum concrete thickness specified in the system
2. the firestop system does not require any portion of the forming material or fill material to extend below the bottom plane of the floor."

Through-Penetrations in Hollow Core

There are several through-penetration firestop systems that specify hollow-core pre-cast concrete floor assemblies.  Systems not specifying hollow-core that utilize caulk, sealant, putty, or spray materials installed over mineral wool or ceramic blankets may be installed in hollow core floors provided the following three requirements are met: 

1. The thickness of the Hollow-core floor is equal to or greater than the minimum concrete thickness specified in the system
2. The maximum size of the opening is 7 in. diameter or 7 in. by 7 in.
3. Any cores of the pre-cast concrete units penetrated as a result of the firestop system are sealed with a minimum 4 pcf mineral wool or ceramic fiber blanket, or concrete, grout or mortar."

Firestop systems tested in concrete floors that utilize collars or wrap strips and retaining collars on the underside of the floor may be installed in hollow-core pre-cast units.  The two requirements that must be met to make the substitution are:

1. "The thickness of the hollow-core floors is equal to or greater than the minimum concrete thickness specified in the system"
2. "The maximum size of the opening is 7 in. diameter or 7 in. by 7 in."

Angled Penetrations

Most UL systems are not listed to allow the penetrating item to pass through the wall or floor assembly at an angle.  However, Hilti does have some systems that allow the penetration item to pass through the assembly at an angle up to but not exceeding 45 degrees from perpendicular (such as W-L-1054). Systems that do not have an angle listed can be installed at an angle provided the application meets the following requirements.

"Where the penetrating item is indicated as a metallic pipe, conduit, tube, duct, or cable, and the firestop system consists of a fill material (such as sealants, putty or mortar) and a packing material, the penetrant may pass through the opening in the wall or floor assembly at an angle, provided the annular space is maintained on both sides of the wall or floor assembly." 

The general guidelines for the Underwriter's Laboratories Fire Resistance Directory can be accessed at www.UL.Com.  On the homepage, click the "certifications" link on the left hand side.  From there, find the "specific searches" drop down arrow, then select "UL category code."  Type in one of the UL system codes (listed below) in the "UL category code box" and check the "display guide information only" box; then click "search."  Open the file by selecting the link under the headline "link to file." 

UL system codes:

Joint Systems: XHBN

Perimeter Fire Containment Systems: XHDG

Through-Penetration Firestop Systems: XHEZ

Larry Gonzales

Sr. Fire Protection Specialist in Southern Florida

Providing the highest quality firestop systems through a combination of superior products, advanced knowledge and unparallel customer service.

Pinellas Park Fire Explorers Post # 945 got a monetary boost on September 7 from the Wal-Mart Foundation.   Management team members from the Wal-Mart Supercenter Store in Pinellas Park presented the Explorers Post with a $500 donation during a special ceremony to mark the grand re-opening of the newly remodeled store. Pinellas Park Explorers Post was started in 2005, and currently has 19 members.  One of their biggest accomplishments this year was winning three first place trophies and claiming second place overall  in their first ever Fire Explorers Competition. 

Accepting the donation on behalf of the explorers were Pinellas Park Fire Chief Doug Lewis, District Chief Lou Sclafani, and post advisors William Dallam, Dana Dykens, Bruce Thompson, and Derek Twardowski.

-Photos courtesy of City of Pinellas Park and Pinellas Park Fire Department

Gainesville Fire Rescue's Risk Reduction Bureau, Deputy Chief Tim Hayes, Fire Investigator Sandy Ellison, Fire Inspectors Keith Collingwood, Kelly DeRasmo, Steve Hesson and Risk Reduction Specialists Krista Gonzalez and Laura Koppel, presented Operation: Safe Club to 57 attendees from 22 bars.

"There have been many preventable fires in the past that have seriously injured or killed nightclub patrons. For instance, the Station Nightclub fire in Rhode Island on the evening of Thursday, February 20, 2003, killed 100 people and injured more than 200. Pyrotechnics used by the heavy metal band Great White ignited the inferno," said Deputy Chief Tim Hayes. "We are taking a proactive approach in Gainesville to educate nightclub staff on fire prevention and hold them accountable so we can keep patrons safe."  

The training began with a look at historical fires and why fire codes are in place today. A video of the Station Nightclub fire was shown which grabbed the audience's attention.

"Watching the video about the bar that caught fire strengthened the presentation. It could definitely happen. You don't realize that," said Kenny Lane, who provides security at many bars in Gainesville.

The hour and a half training included detailed information regarding the night inspection program, occupant loads, types of fire, fire prevention, arson prevention, public assemblies, fire codes, exits, exit signs, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, sprinklers, building set-up, candles, decorations, pyrotechnics, proper lifting techniques, actions to take in an emergency, parking lot safety and emergency planning.

At least one employee from every bar was required to attend this training. A crowd manager certification program is required by Life Safety Code 12.7.5.2. Each attendee received a personal identification badge upon completion and will be asked to present the badge during night inspections.

"We want the bar staff to take away three key messages from this presentation," said Deputy Chief Tim Hayes. "Have an emergency plan, call 911 immediately and evacuate the people."

A.J. Fuller provides security at Market Street and said his bar is strict about safety issues, but there were a few things mentioned in the presentation that his bar doesn't do. "We don't have vests, and we need some flashlights."

Art Summers, co-manager at Rue Bar said the presentation and turnout were impressive. In addition to hosting this training, his bar hosted Gainesville Police and Fire at the "back-to-school" meeting for nightclub staff regarding responsible hospitality and preventing underage drinking.

"If bars aren't following correct procedures for occupancy loads, exiting, etc, we will have to shut them down. We don't want to have to do that," said Deputy Chief Tim Hayes. "The first step is to educate the bar staff about what we are looking for during nightly inspections. We want to see safe and well-run establishments with staff who have completed the crowd manager certification program."