firestopping for data cabling - bicsi do the codes require? extract from “fire code of the...
TRANSCRIPT
Firestopping for Data Cabling
Dixon Tan, RCDDSpecified Technologies Inc. (STI)
Data Cabling passing thru’ Fire Barrier
Restore compartmentation in case of fireCompartmentation Openings for doors
and cables
Restore the compartmentation
FIRE RATED Barriers
Compartmentation-
The division of the building into discrete fire zones.
Compartments – six sided
zone.
What is Firestopping?
What is Firestopping?
The process of restoring back the HOURLY FIRERESISTANCE RATING to a FIRE RATED BARRIER that haslost its rating from construction openings, joints andgaps.
This Is What You want…
But Is This What You Get?
What do the codes require?
Extract from “Fire Code of the Philippines 2008”
c. All penetrations of floors and walls shall be provided withfirestopping having a fire resistance rating equal to that of the flooror wall.
International Code “FireStopping”
Model Building Codes That Require Firestop
International Building Code (IBC)
Uniform Building Code (ICBO)
Standard Building Code (SBCCI)
National Building Code (BOCA)
Life Safety Code (NFPA 101)
National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)
NFPA 5000 (NFPA Building Code)
International Code “FireStopping”
Life Safety Code (NFPA 101)
National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)
Fire Rating
The duration for which a passive fire protection system can withstand a standard fire resistance test.
Where Firestopping Is Required
IBC referenced test standards
ASTM UL BS 476 EN
Barriers E 119 263 Part 6&7 1366-1
Through
Penetrati
on
E 814 1479 Part 20 1366-3
Joints E 1966 2079 Part 20 1366-4
Perimeter
JointE 2307 - - 1366-4
Where Firestopping Is Required
Through Penetration JointsCurtain Walls
Testing Requirements
• Third-Party Testing To Standards
• F Ratings
• T Ratings
• L Ratings (Optional)
• Hose Stream
Firestopping Is Required For All Openings…
But, We Use Large Amounts of Combustibles In Buildings …
Combustibles
Image Credit Courtesy of Specified Technologies, Inc. © 2015, All Rights Reserved
Cable Jacket is FUEL!
TypicalCable
Jacketing
Plastic-Jacketed Cable
Plastic-Jacketed Cable
Plastic-Jacketed Cable
Plastic-Jacketed Spaghetti
0 50000 100000 150000
1 Gallon (3.785L) Gasoline: 135,000 BTU’s (56KW-hr)
1 Foot Length (305mm) Cable Tray* : 150,000 BTU’s (62KW-hr)
Heat Energy in BTU'sSource: Minimizing Potential Damage from Cable Tray Fires, Plant Engineering Magazine, 2/18/82
* 4” x 18” (100x450mm) cable tray, loaded to maximum 40% fill as per NEC
FUEL
Firestop Materials MUST expand with heat, and fill voids as cable bundle burns away…
…but there is a minimum dose of firestop material needed to do the job
Firestop Is Different
Intumescence = Expansion with heat
200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1300 1500 1900
Temperature oF
Graphite
30
24
21
15
9
6
4
2
Soften Ignite Burn
Sodium Silicate
ExpansionTimes Expansion Temps for Intumescent Technologies
How Firestop is Tested
Intumescence
Photos
Exposed Non Exposed
Photos
Exposed Non Exposed
Photos
Exposed Side Non Exposed Side
Photos
Exposed Non Exposed
When it comes to maintaining the compliance of fire-resistance-rated construction in any type of building post occupancy, one of the most difficult areas is the breaches in barriers caused by datacom cabling installations.
Challenges
The U.L. System Approach
U.L. Systems
U.L. Systems
Identifying System Variables
Five Groups of Variables:
1. Barrier Type2. Hole Size 3. Penetrant Type4. Firestop Product5. System Rating
Example:
Reading a UL System:
– Through Penetrations
W-J-3158
Floor, Wall or Combination
The First Grouping Means:
THROUGH PENETRATION FIRESTOP SYSTEMS (XHEZ)
First Alpha Character – signifies what is being penetrated
F = Floors
W = Walls
C = Walls and Floors
Example (Cont’d)
Reading a UL System:
– Through Penetrations
W-J-3158
Construction Type of Floor or Wall
The Second Grouping Means:
THROUGH PENETRATION FIRESTOP SYSTEMS (XHEZ)
Following Alpha Character(s) – wall or floor construction type
A = Concrete floors 5 inch thickB = Concrete floors 5 inch thickC = Framed floorsD = Steel decks in marine vesselsE-I = Reserved for future useJ = Concrete or masonry walls 8 inch thickK = Concrete or masonry walls 8 inch thickL = Framed wallsM = Bulkheads in marine vesselsN-Z = Reserved for future use
•
Example (Cont’d)
Reading a UL System:
– Through Penetrations
W-J-3158
Penetrant Type
The Third Grouping Means:
THROUGH PENETRATION FIRESTOP SYSTEMS (XHEZ)Numeric Component – first digit identifies the type of penetrant, next
three are sequential system numbering
0000-0999 = No Penetrant1000-1999 = Metallic pipe, conduit or tubing2000-2999 = Plastic pipe, conduit or tubing3000-3999 = Electrical cables4000-4999 = Cable trays with electrical cables5000-5999 = Insulated pipes6000-6999 = Bus ducts 7000-7999 = HVAC ducts 8000-8999 = Mixed multiple penetrations9000-9999 = Reserved for future use
Example (Cont’d)
Reading a UL System:
– Through Penetrations
W-J-3158
Individual System Number
W-J-3158
How do we get from
here…
Major Issues & Examples
To Manageable
Compliance?
Major Issues & Examples
Traditional: Cables and Sleeve With Putty
The ACTUAL Life Cycle of the Average Datacom
Penetration…- Cables are ADDED
FIRE RATING IS GONE!
- Firestopping is REMOVED
- Until ALL we have are CABLES
Major Issues & Examples
3 Key Challenges:
• Maintaining the seal
• Not overfilling
• Avoiding new holes
Major Issues & Examples
A Self-Adjusting Intumescent Membrane
Provides Smoke and Fire Protection 100% Of
The Time, Empty or Full!
Major Issues & Examples
…Or Foster Future Compliance
Use Devices To Segregate Your Cables…
Major Issues & Examples
Provide Flexibility…
Major Issues & Examples
EZ-Path also has a sweet added bonus:
Major Issues & Examples
$$$ = MAC for Cables + Reinstalled FIRESTOP + Inspection/Certification
Conclusion
Images from Philstar Global
University of the East buildings hit by fire
Questions?
Is he done yet? I want to go home
mmm……interesting
What’s wrong with this?
What’s wrong with this?
What’s wrong with this?
What’s wrong with this?
Dixon Tan, RCDDRegional Manager SEA
Specified Technologies [email protected]:+65 83320332
Ariel Arcilla EstarteTerritory Manager, Philippines
Specified Technologies [email protected]:+63 917 677 2994