HomeMy WebLinkAboutFireBlocking_Stopping Bulletin 161104 pdfPage 1 of 7
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
BUILDING DIVISION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 7, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 (808) 961-8331, Fax (808) 961-8410
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building E, Kailua -Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808) 323-4720, Fax (808) 327-3509
INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN: 2016-09-01
DATE: November 16, 2016
CODE/ EDITION: International Building Code 2006 (IBC),
International Residential Code 2006 (IRC)
SUBJECT: Fireblocking in Concealed Spaces of Combustible Assemblies
DISCUSSION:
Fireblocking (fireblock) are materials applied to combustible assemblies with objectives to
retard airflow from feeding a fire and the free passage of flames, smoke or other products of
combustion to other areas through concealed spaces. It is required by code to be applied in
concealed locations of combustible assemblies.
Not to be confused, firestopping (firestop) is a practice of protecting penetrations that pass
through fire-rated assemblies with materials that are approved for use in specific construction
details that reflects the installed assemblies and meant to protect the rated penetrations to the
same degree as the fire-rated assemblies that were penetrated.
CODE DEFINITION:
IBC 702.1, IRC R202 - FIREBLOCKING. Building materials installed to resist the free
passage of flame to other areas of the building through concealed spaces.
CODE SUMMARY:
IBC 717.2 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. Fireblocking shall be
installed in the locations specified in Sections IBC 717.2.2 through IBC 717.2.7.
IBC 717.2.1 Fireblocking materials. Fireblocking shall consist of 2-inch'(51 mm) nominal
lumber or two thicknesses of I-inch (25 mm) nominal lumber with broken lap joints or one
thickness of 0.719-inch (18.3 mm) wood structural panel with joints backed by 0.719-inch
(18.3 mm) wood structural panel or one thickness of 0.75-inch (19 mm) particleboard with
joints backed by 0.75-inch (19 mm) particleboard. Gypsum board, cement fiber board, batts
or blankets of mineral wool, glass fiber or other approved materials installed in such a
manner as to be securely retained in place shall be permitted as an acceptable fireblock. Batts
or blankets of mineral or glass fiber or other approved nonrigid materials shall be permitted
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County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
for compliance with the 10-foot (3048 mm) horizontal fireblocking in walls constructed
using parallel rows of studs or staggered studs. Loose-fill insulation material shall not be
used as a fireblock unless specifically tested in the form and manner intended for use to
demonstrate its ability to remain in place and to retard the spread of fire and hot gases. The
integrity of fireblocks shall be maintained.
IBC 717.2.1.1 Double stud walls. Batts or blankets of mineral or glass fiber or other
approved nonrigid materials shall be allowed as fireblocking in walls constructed using
parallel rows of studs or staggered studs.
IBC 717.2.2 Concealed wall spaces. Fireblocking shall be provided in concealed spaces of
stud walls and partitions, including furred spaces, and parallel rows of studs or staggered
studs, as follows:
1. Vertically at the ceiling and floor levels.
2. Horizontally at intervals not exceeding 10 feet (3048 mm).
IBC 717.2.3 Connections between horizontal and vertical spaces. Fireblocking shall be
provided at interconnections between concealed vertical stud wall or partition spaces and
concealed horizontal spaces created by an assembly of floor joists or trusses, and between
concealed vertical and horizontal spaces such as occur at soffits, drop ceilings, cove ceilings
and similar locations.
IBC 717.2.4 Stairways. Fireblocking shall be provided in concealed spaces between stair
stringers at the top and bottom of the run. Enclosed spaces under stairs shall also comply
with Section 1009.5.3.
IBC 717.2.5 Ceiling and floor openings. Where annular space protection is provided in
accordance with Exception 6 of Section 707.2, Exception 1 of Section 712.4.1.2, or Section
712.4.2, fireblocking shall be installed at openings around vents, pipes, ducts, chimneys and
fireplaces at ceiling and floor levels, with an approved material to resist the free passage of
flame and the products of combustion. Factory-built chimneys and fireplaces shall be
fireblocked in accordance with UL 103 and UL 127.
IBC 717.2.6 Architectural trim. Fireblocking shall be installed within concealed spaces of
exterior wall finish and other exterior architectural elements where permitted to be of
combustible construction as specified in Section 1406 or where erected with combustible
frames, at maximum intervals of 20 feet (6096 mm), so that there will be no open space
exceeding 100 square feet (9.3 m3). Where wood furring strips are used, they shall be of
approved wood of natural decay resistance or preservative-treated wood. If noncontinuous,
such elements shall have closed ends, with at least 4 inches (102 mm) of separation between
sections.
Exceptions:
1. Fireblocking of cornices is not required in single-family dwellings. Fireblocking
of cornices of a two-family dwelling is required only at the line of dwelling unit
separation.
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County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
2. Fireblocking shall not be required where installed on noncombustible framing and
the face of the exterior wall finish exposed to the concealed space is covered by
one of the following materials:
2.1. Aluminum having a minimum thickness of 0.019 inch (0.5 mm).
2.2. Corrosion-resistant steel having a base metal thickness not less than 0.016
inch (0.4 mm) at any point.
2.3. Other approved noncombustible materials.
IBC 717.2.7 Concealed sleeper spaces. Where wood sleepers are used for laying wood
flooring on masonry or concrete fire-resistance-rated floors, the space between the floor slab
and the underside of the wood flooring shall be filled with an approved material to resist the
free passage of flame and products of combustion or fireblocked in such a manner that there
will be no open spaces under the flooring that will exceed 100 square feet (9.3 m2) in area
and such space shall be filled solidly under permanent partitions so that there is no
communication under the flooring between adjoining rooms.
Exceptions:
1. Fireblocking is not required for slab-on-grade floors in gymnasiums.
2. Fireblocking is required only at the juncture of each alternate lane and at the ends
of each lane in a bowling facility.
IRC R602.8 Fireblocking required. Fireblocking shall be provided to cut off all concealed
draft openings (both vertical and horizontal) and to form an effective fire barrier between
stories, and between a top story and the roof space. Fireblocking shall be provided in wood-
frame construction in the following locations:
1. In concealed spaces of stud walls and partitions, including furred spaces and parallel
rows of studs or staggered studs; as follows:
1.1 Vertically at the ceiling and floor levels.
1.2 Horizontally at intervals not exceeding 10 feet (3048 mm).
2. At all interconnections between concealed vertical and horizontal spaces such as
occur at soffits, drop ceilings and cove ceilings.
3. In concealed spaces between stair stringers at the top and bottom of the run. Enclosed
spaces under stairs shall comply with Section R311.2.2.
4. At openings around vents, pipes, ducts, cables and wires at ceiling and floor level,
with an approved material to resist the free passage of flame and products of
combustion.
5. For the fireblocking of chimneys and fireplaces, see Section R1003.19.
6. Fireblocking of cornices of a two-family dwelling is required at the line of dwelling
unit separation.
IRC R602.8.1 Materials. Except as provided in Section R602.8, Item 4, fireblocking shall
consist of 2-inch (51 mm) nominal lumber, or two thicknesses of I-inch (25.4 mm) nominal
lumber with broken lap joints, or one thickness of 23/32-inch (19.8 mm) wood structural
panels with joints backed by 23/32-inch (19.8 mm) wood structural panels or one thickness
of 3/4-inch (19.1 mm) particleboard with joints backed by 3/4-inch (19.1 mm) particleboard,
1/2-inch (12.7 mm) gypsum board, or 1/4-inch (6.4 mm) cement-based millboard. Batts or
blankets of mineral wool or glass fiber or other approved materials installed in such a manner
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County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
as to be securely retained in place shall be permitted as an acceptable fire block. Batts or
blankets of mineral or glass fiber or other approved nonrigid materials shall be permitted for
compliance with the 10 foot horizontal fireblocking in walls constructed using parallel rows
of studs or staggered studs. Loose-fill insulation material shall not be used as a fire block
unless specifically tested in the form and manner intended for use to demonstrate its ability to
remain in place and to retard the spread of fire and hot gases.
IRC R602.8.1.1 Unfaced fiberglass. Unfaced fiberglass batt insulation used as fireblocking
shall fill the entire cross section of the wall cavity to a minimum height of 16 inches (406
mm) measured vertically. When piping, conduit or similar obstructions are encountered; the
insulation shall be packed tightly around the obstruction.
IRC R602.8.1.2 Fireblocking integrity. The integrity of all fireblocks shall be maintained.
REFERENCE: International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES)
ICC-ES Reports - Fireblock:
ESL-1058, ESL-1072, ESR-1040, ESR-1269, ESR-1387, ESR-1642, ESR-1926, ESR-1961,
ESR-2092, ESR-2179, ESR-2316, ESR-2599, ESR-2909, ESR-3102, ESR-3118, ESR-3263,
ESR-3302, ESR-3402, ESR-3466, ESR-3582, ESR-3600, ESR-3758, ESR-3885, ESR-3906.
ICC-ES
Report #
Category Product Manufacturer
ESL-1058 Thermal and Moisture
Protection and Annular
Space Protection
840 Fireblock Insulating Foam
Sealant and 840P Insulating
Foam Sealant
Akkim Yapi
Kimyasallari
Sanayi ve Ticaret
A.S.
ESL-1072 Thermal and Moisture
Protection and Thermal
Insulation
Mitee Seal Fireblock Mitex Building
Products, LLC
ESR-1040 Wood, Plastics and
Composites and
Laminated veneer
Lumber
Versa-Lam and Versa-Rim
Laminated Veneer Lumber
Boise Cascade
Wood Products,
LLC
ESR-1269 Concrete, Insulating
Concrete Forming
Amvic Standard and Amvic
Plus 3.30 Expanded Polystyrene
Insulating Concrete Forms
(ICFS)
Amvic
Incorporated.
ESR-1387 Wood, Plastics and
Composites, Laminated
veneer Lumber,
Laminated veneer
Lumber, Parallel Strand
Lumber, Laminated
Strand Lumber.
Structural Composite
Lumber:Timberstrand
Laminated Strand Lumber
(LSL); Parallam Parallel Strand
Lumber(PSL); Microllam
Laminated Veneer Lumber
(LVL); Timberstrand LSL Rim
Board; TJ Rim Board; and
Weyerhaeuser
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County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
ICC-ES
Report #
Category Product Manufacturer
Weyerhaeuser Rim Board.
ESR-1642 Concrete, Insulating
Concrete Forming
Logix Insulating Concrete
Forms
Logix Insulated
Concrete Forms
LTD.
ESR-1926 Thermal and Moisture
Protection and Annular
Space Protection
Polyurethane Foam Sealants:
Touch'n Seal Gun Foam II/
Touch'n Foam Pro All Purpose
Gun Form; Touch'n Seal No
Warp/Touch'n Foam Window
and Door Foam; Touch'n Seal
All Season Gun Foam, Touch'n
Seal /Touch'n Foam Firebreak
Technology Foam; Touch'n
Seal Quick Cure/Touch'n Foam
Triple Expansion; Touch'n Seal
/Touch'n Foam Pro Quick Cure
Canister Foam 10/16/23 Pound
Clayton
Corporation
ESR-1961 Thermal and Moisture
Protection, Thermal
Insulation and Annular
Space Protection
Great Stuff Gaps & Cracks,
Great Stuff Multipurpose Black
Insulating Foam Sealant, Great
Stuff Fireblock, Great Stuff
Window & Door, Great Stuff
Big Gap Filler, Great Stuff Pro
Gaps & Cracks, Contractor
Grade Insulating Foam Sealant
Gap Filler, Great Stuff Pro
Window & Door, Contractor
Grade Insulating Form Sealant
Door & Window and Enerfoam.
The Dow
Chemical
Company
ESR-2092 Concrete, Insulating
Concrete Forming
Nudura Integrated Building
Technology Insulating Concrete
Form (ICF) Wall System
Nudura
Corporation
ESR-2179 Thermal and Moisture
Protection and Annular
Space Protection
Hilti CF-AS-CIP All Seasons
Crack and Joint Insulation Form
and Fireblock
Hilti, Inc.
ESR-2316 Specialties,
Manufactured Fireplaces
Isokern Standard Models
Fireplace and DM Chimney
System: Isokern Magnum
Fireplace Series Models;
Isokern Fireplace with Fire-Lite
Application;
Earthcore
Industries, LLC
ESR-2599 Specialties,
Manufactured Fireplaces
Fire Rock Modular Refractory
Fireplace and Chimney
Systems: Fire Rock
Fire Rock
Products LLC
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County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
ICC-ES
Report #
Category Product Manufacturer
Conventional Fireplace Series;
Fire Rock B-Vent Fireplace
Series Models; Fire Rock Lite-
Rock Fireplace Series Models;
Fire Rock Vent Fireplace ;
Outdoor Fireplace Series
Models, and Fire Rock
Rumford.
ESR-2909 Wood, Plastics and
Composites, Laminated
veneer Lumber
Pacific Woodtech Laminated
Veneer Lumber (LVL), and
Pacific Woodtech 1 1/4-inchx
1.5 E Rim Board
Pacific
Woodtech
Corporation
ESR-3102 Thermal and Moisture
Protection and Thermal
Insulation
Enertite NM and Enertite IB-
418 Open-Cell Spray
Polyurethane Foam Insulations
BASF
Corporation
ESR-3118 Thermal and Moisture
Protection, Thermal
Insulation and Annular
Space Protection
Soudafoam Gap & Block Soudal NV
ESR-3263 Thermal and Moisture
Protection, Thermal
Insulation and Annular
Space Protection
Triggerfoam Pro Fire Block,
Triggerfoam Pro Window and
Door, Triggerfoam Pro All
Season Foam Sealants
Dewalt
ESR-3302 Thermal and Moisture
Protection, Thermal
Insulation and Annular
Space Protection
Tytan Professional Fire Block Selena FM S.A
ESR-3402 Thermal and Moisture
Protection, Thermal
Insulation and Annular
Space Protection
Red Devil Fireblock Form-N-
Fill
Red Devil Inc.
ESR-3466 Concrete, Insulating
Concrete Forming
Superform Insulating Concrete
Forms (ICFs)
Superform
Products LTD.
ESR-3582 Thermal and Moisture
Protection, Thermal
Insulation and Annular
Space Protection
Seal Pro Gaps and Cracks Service Partners,
LLC
ESR-3600 Thermal and Moisture
Protection, Thermal
Insulation and Annular
Space Protection
DAP Fireblock Form
Polyurethane Form Sealant
DAP Products
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County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
ICC-ES Reports - Firestop:
ESR-1006, ESR-1255, ESR-2064, ESR-2213, ESR-2224, ER-2331, ESR-2996, ESR-3439,
ESR-3462, ESR-3745.
ICC-ES
Report #
Category Product Manufacturer
ESR-1006 Thermal and Moisture
Protection, Thermal
Insulation and Roof and
Deck Insulation
Foam-Control Boards,
Foam-Control with Perform
Guard Boards and Foam-
control with Perform Guard
Boards and Foam-Control
Geofoam Blocks
AFM
Corporation
ESR-1255 Thermal and Moisture
Protection and Mineral-
Fiber Fireproofing
3M Fire Barrier Duct Wrap
615+ Blanket for Grease
Duct Enclosure Assemblies
3M Fire
Protection
Products
ESR-2064 Thermal and Moisture
Protection, Exterior
Insulation and Finish
Systems and Water-
Drainage Exterior
insulation and Finish
System
Akroflex Barrier, Akroflex
Water Managed (WW), and
Akroflex Water Managed
Plus (MM+) Exterior
Insulation and Finish System
(EIFS)
Omega Products
International,
Inc.
ESR-2213 Thermal and Moisture
Protection and Mineral-
Fiber Fireproofing
Firemaster Fastwrap XL Fire
Protection System for Grease
Ducts
Thermal
Ceramics, Inc.
ESR-2224 Thermal and Moisture
Protection and Mineral-
Fiber Fireproofing
Fyrewrap Elite 1.5 and Max
2.0 Grease Duct Enclosure
Assemblies
Unifrax I LLC
ER-2331 Insulation Thermafiber Insulation
Products
Thermafiber
LLC
ESR-2996 Thermal and Moisture
Protection and
Firestopping
Passive Fire Protection
Partners Through-
Penetration Firestop Systems
and Fire-Resistive Joint
Systems
Passive Fire
Protection
Partners
ESR-3439 Thermal and Moisture
Protection and Composite
wall panels
ProdEX IGN Wall Panel
Cladding System
Prodema, S.A.
ESR-3462 Thermal and Moisture
Protection and Composite
wall panels
Parklex Façade F Wall Panel
Cladding System
Composites
Gurea
ESR-3745 Cold-Formed Metal
Framing and Structural
Metal Stud Framing
Prescient Fire-Resistance
Rated Wall and Floor-
Ceiling Assemblies
Prescient
Company, Inc.