Firestop FAQ

Firestop FAQ – What You Need to Know

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Firestop FAQ – What You Need to Know

Firestop FAQYour facility has recently undergone some IT changes, which means penetrations and wires are running through walls that hadn’t previously. Now you face the challenge of figuring out how to go about firestopping these penetrations, or even if it’s really that important. If you’re stumped on your next move, we’ve put together some questions you might have and went ahead with answering them.

Q: What is firestop?

A: Firestop is a life safety system that is designed to protect the integrity of fire-rated barriers and floors by filling in any penetrating voids that have been caused by new construction of reconfiguration in a facility.

Q: How does firestop work?

A: All buildings are designed to compartmentalize smoke and flame when a fire occurs. The compartmentation allows for the fire and smoke to be contained in the room of origin to allow safe evacuation of the rest of the building. However, this will not work if there are penetrations in fire-rated barriers because even the smallest of holes can allow smoke or flame into the adjoining room.

Q: Who regulates firestopping in my building?

A: Firestop is regulated by The Joint Commission (TJC) and Firestop Contractors of America (FCIA). Other Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AJH) may also regulate firestopping.

Q: What are different types of firestop?

A: Firestop products range from caulks or putties, intumescent collars and pillows. However, there are over 3,000 UL system options, which can vary depending on the type of penetration.

Q: Can I use any kind of caulk or putty?

A: No. Caulks and putties used in firestopping must be fire-rated and follow UL specifications.

Q: What is “intumescent?”

A: Material that is classified as intumescent indicates that the material has an expanding capability when exposed to fire or heat. Intumescent sealants are used on penetrating materials that could burn or melt away during a fire. When exposed to heat or fire, intumescent pillows or collars expand to fill the void that is created by the melting penetrant to seal off the spread of smoke or fire.

Q: Is firestop needed if a sprinkler system is already in place?

A: Sprinkler systems are a great form of active fire safety, however sprinklers only put out the flame. Spinklers are unable to stop smoke or toxic gas from spreading during a fire. Firestopping is needed to contain the fire, while also preventing smoke from travelling through the facility. Considering that smoke inhalation is the leading cause of death in fires, it’s vital to keep the smoke from spreading and inhibiting occupants from reaching the exit.

Q: What product should I use for my facility?

A: Choosing a firestop system for your facility could be dependent on a few things such as: construction of the barrier, size of the penetration, and size and material of the penetrating item. After you’ve determined the penetration and collected the necessary information, you can consult the UL Fire Resistance Directory to determine with UL system is appropriate for the penetration.

Q: Why is firestop important?

A: Firestopping is mandatory by building code, and more importantly, it can protect your facility and occupants in a fire. Firestopping aids in preventing the travel of smoke from room-to-room, which is the number one cause of fire-related deaths. Even a pencil-sized hole can allow smoke to fill the adjacent room in less than 4 minutes. With proper firestopping, injuries and fatalities could be prevented.

Q: Can I do firestopping myself?

A: In-house firestop maintenance is possibly in most facilities. However, hiring an outside contractor will eliminate the chance of using the wrong products, and ensure the job is done correctly and timely. Firestopping contractors are more familiar with codes and UL systems, and can easily determine which system is acceptable for your facility. A facility employee may not be as educated in UL systems, and it can take a lot of time and resources to figure out which one works for the situation.

Fire-Barrier Maintenance Saves Lives

The most important thing to remember when it comes to firestopping is that protection it adds to the facility and occupants. Preventing the spread of smoke throughout a building with proper firestopping could be the difference of life or death. It is important for facility managers to know what is going on in their building, and to keep an eye out for any changes in fire-rated barriers that may lessen the integrity or inhibit their ability to protect during a fire.

With so many things to consider, deciding on how to manage your fire barriers could be overwhelming. Contacting a specialty firestop contractor will help you decide on which of the 3,000 UL system choices is right for your facility. PREVENT Life Safety has over 18 years of experience in selecting the proper UL system and applying it in facilities across the nation. Call us at 1-877-392-6074 to discuss your fire barrier compliance or get a free quote online.

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Solution Containment Unit

How Can Mobile Containment Aid in Firestopping Jobs?

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How Can Mobile Containment Aid in Firestopping Jobs?

Solution Mobile Containment Unit

The main purpose of mobile containment is to prevent infection when accessing the ductwork above the ceiling. It is especially used in sensitive areas like operating rooms and intensive care units. Dust, debris, and infectious particles are harbored above-ceiling. When these elements are exposed, they can compromise the well-being of the occupants in the area. However, preventing infection is not the only use for a mobile containment unit. They can be used for many other jobs and purposes in and around a healthcare facility. Today, we are going to focus on how mobile containment can help with firestopping jobs.

Here are some benefits of using mobile containment during firestopping jobs:

Save Time on the Job

When a job calls for firestopping multiple penetrations in a facility, many hours of labor can be added just by having to move materials and tools to each area. Often times, technicians are having to move ladders or make trips back and forth to gather additional materials for each penetration. A hard-sided mobile containment unit can help reduce the time in between by storing all or most materials inside the unit. Plus you can move quickly throughout a facility. Without the extra trips and taking time to move ladders and tools, a job can be finished more quickly, costing the facility less in labor fees.

Keep Work Areas Clean & Tidy

Firestopping materials can create a messy work space. This adds to total labor time if a technician is spending a considerable amount of time cleaning up after each job. Using a mobile containment unit to conduct firestopping will make for easier clean up since the mess and debris from the job is contained to one area inside the unit. Hard-sided units, like The Solution, have easy-to-clean walls so any firestopping caulk can easily be wiped off. This is very important in medical facilities, especially hospitals, since cleanliness is a top priority to maintaining the health of the occupants of the building.

Limit Dust/Debris & Infection

If a firestopping project is in a sensitive environment it is very important to keep the area clean. The goal is to limit the amount of dust and debris that may be caused when moving ceiling tiles to reach problem areas. With a mobile containment unit, particulates will fall into the unit and be filtered through a HEPA-filtration system. Some units have a HEPA system built in, while others have to be manually brought into the unit. This filtration will help keep dust and debris from penetrating the air and potentially causing infection to occupants in the area.

The Solution Mobile Containment Unit

The Solution was designed to prevent infection in facilities. However, it can also be used as a tool to help facility managers maintain the life safety in their building. The Solution is the only mobile containment unit that allows for a quick, one person set up. Our goal was to make The Solution easy and efficient to use. Additional features include storage areas, retractable cord reel, and multiple power outlets offer time-saving convenience. To learn more about how your facility can benefit from The Solution, visit www.thesolutioncontainment.com or call 1-800-822-8489.

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Fire Barrier Management by PREVENT

Is a Fire Barrier Management Plan Right for Your Facility?

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Is a Fire Barrier Management Plan Right for Your Facility?

We all know that maintaining all components of a fire barrier system can be a challenge – especially when you have so many additional responsibilities. In fact, one of the most common phone calls we receive at PREVENT are the panicked ones that sound something like “The Joint Commission is coming and I need my facility inspected right away!” Setting up a Fire Barrier Management Plan with PREVENT is like having a life safety guru on your staff. Your custom plan will keep your facility compliant while saving you time and money.

How a Fire Barrier Management Plan Benefits Your Facility

  • Inspection Ready
    Each aspect of your fire barrier has different inspection requirements. For example, your fire damper inspection might occur every 6 years, however, fire doors are done annually. PREVENT will keep track of all your inspection dates and make sure you are compliant.
  • Budget Friendly
    One of the biggest advantages to creating a custom Fire Barrier Management plan with PREVENT is how much money you are able to save. When you bundle your services, you get a lower rate per service. Plus, you can lock in today’s rate for the entire term of your contract.
  • Always Compliant
    Staying code compliant is vital to keeping your facility safe for its occupants. Each inspection includes detailed, easy-to-read reporting that the Joint Commission or AHJ requires. Therefore, worrying about your next inspection will be a thing of the past.

Gain peace of mind when you take advantage of all the benefits of a custom fire barrier management plan. PREVENT will manage each fire barrier component you include in your plan and keep you up-to-date every step of the way.

PREVENT has you covered. We were the first in the industry to offer all three fire barrier services. With our years of experience, we know how to keep your facility safe and compliant.

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Get a FREE Fire Barrier Management Quote

Select which fire barrier services you want included in your quote:

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A Beginner's Guide to Firestopping

A Beginner’s Guide to Firestopping

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A Beginner's Guide to FirestoppingA Beginner’s Guide to Firestopping

Firestopping can be one of the most difficult jobs you are faced with when conducting maintenance and inspections in your facility. There are many different codes and specifications that go into knowing which UL system to use depending on the penetration, and how to do the job right to help protect your fire barriers. We’ve pulled together the most important questions our customers have asked and found the answers that will help future facility managers in this guide to firestopping.

  1. What is Firestop, and why is it important?
    Firestop is a maintenance technique that is designed to help protect the integrity of fire-rated barriers and floors. When penetrations are made in fire barriers to run cables, wires, or for new construction, the fire barriers are vulnerable to the passage of smoke and flame in the case of a fire. When fire barriers are properly firestopped, the chance of fire and smoke passing through to the adjacent room or hallway are much more unlikely, leaving clear outlet for occupants to exit the building safely.
  2. Which code specifies firestop requirements?
    NFPA codes 80 and 101 each outline different requirements and specifications for proper firestop installation. Under both codes, it is stated that any penetration in fire walls or barriers to be treated immediately with the proper UL systems. In addition to code, there are also requirements for which materials can be used and the method to which they are applied dependent on the UL system. It is also important that materials are never mixed between manufacturers, and the UL system is followed thoroughly.
  3. What do firestop ratings mean?
    There are three different levels of firestop ratings.

F-Rating – Flame Rating         F-Rating is the measurement of how many hours the barrier is able to withstand a fire before it is consumed by flame, or the time before smoke is able to make its way through the barrier. According to NFPA 101, any firestop materials used on a barrier must be the same F-rating at the barrier, but not less than 1 hour.

T-Rating – Thermal Rating     T-Rating is also measured in hours, but the number represents the length of time the temperature on the non-fire side exceeds a certain point. This is to ensure that the side of the wall away from the flame does not reach the flash point of any materials on that side of the wall.

L-Rating – Smoke Rating       L-Rating is the amount of air that is able to leak through a penetration. The number is measured in cubic feet per minute. This is considered a relatively new rating to fire barriers, but is the most important since smoke is the deadliest element in a fire.

If your facility has undergone any new construction or changes, have a plan in place to address newly-present penetrations. These penetrations are not only required for immediate repair by code, but could also leave your facility exposed to tragedy. Protecting the fire barriers is crucial to your life safety systems, so they can work in conjunction with fire doors and fire dampers in the outbreak of a fire. For more information on firestop and firestop maintenance, contact PREVENT at 877-392-6074 or visit us or request a free quote.

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Fire Barriers

Maintaining Fire Barriers

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Fire BarriersMaintaining Fire Barriers

As a facility engineer, you know that maintaining fire barriers keeps smoke and other toxic gases from spreading around the building and allows occupants to evacuate safely. According to the Life Safety Code, NFPA 101, any penetrations must be treated right away. The compartmentalization of smoke during a fire in the building could mean life or death for building occupants. Even an opening the size of a pinhole in a fire-rated barrier can fill a room with smoke in a matter of minutes.

What is the best way to ensure your fire barriers are maintained?

When work might need to be done in areas where there are fire-rated barriers, it’s important to set specific procedures and requirements for hospital personnel and contractors to follow. Establishing an above-ceiling permit program can help facilities managers keep track of work that could potentially penetrate fire and smoke-rated assemblies. This way they know when and where any penetrations in fire barriers may need to be firestopped.

Another great way to ensure that your fire and smoke barriers are compliant is to set up a firestop maintenance plan, especially in facilities where there are a lot of unaddressed or unknown penetrations. By addressing certain zones or floors on a quarterly or monthly basis, you keep your facility continuously on plan for code-compliance. This not only establishes a plan for compliance, satisfying most AHJs (authorities having jurisdiction – fire marshals, The Joint Commission, etc.), but also saves you time and money by breaking up the work over a period of time.

Either way, it’s important that you maintain detailed reporting of any firestop work, including before and after pictures. This will allow you to review work that’s been completed in the past and also serves as documentation when it’s time for your life safety inspection.

How do I know the penetrations in my fire barriers are properly firestopped?

In order to maintain compliance and the integrity of your fire barriers, it’s important that the proper UL systems and materials are used to seal penetrations. If the fire stop systems are not installed exactly up to par with the UL systems specifications, they will most likely fail to stop the spread of a fire if it occurs. Make sure whoever you choose to firestop your penetrations has experience and knowledge of NFPA code and the proper UL systems.

If you choose to use a third party contractor to take care of your firestopping, ensure that the contractor you choose is aware of the different UL systems and is using the appropriate materials. A good way to ensure that the company is reputable is to choose a contractor affiliated with the FCIA (Firestop Contractors International Association).

As always, if you need help with your firestopping, feel free to contact us! We’d love to help.

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PREVENT is your source for life safety services. Take advantage of our fire door inspection special
and lock in today’s rate PLUS an additional 5% discount for 3 YEARS! Hurry, offer ends May 31, 2016. Schedule your inspection. Questions? Call Prevent today at (877) 392-6074 or e-mail info@prevent-lss.com.

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Benefits of Hiring local life safety contractors

Benefits of Hiring Local Life Safety Contractors

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Benefits of Hiring Local Life Safety Contractors

Visits from The Joint Commission or other AHJs are usually unexpected. If there are areas of your facility that have been neglected, you could be facing hefty fines or consequences when an AHJ is in the facility surveying. Having local life safety contractors nearby staff can help eliminate these repercussions if they get to the facility before the AHJ has left and finish any necessary work. This is one of the added benefits of having a contractor that has technicians that work and live in your area.

Here are some other benefits of hiring local life safety contractors:

Local Contractors Means Quick Turnaround

If your contractor is not local, it can take weeks or days to get on their schedule. Local contractors are usually able to schedule a job more quickly, since they don’t have to spend time booking travel and hotel for their technicians. These local technicians are able to take care of issues as you need them, especially since they are likely already working in the area. This is especially helpful for issues that come up unexpectedly and need immediate attention.

Local Contractors Saves Money

Local companies are going to get the job done more quickly and are usually less expensive than other companies. When hiring a company that’s not local to your area, they often adjust pricing to accommodate the expenses they will accumulate for traveling to your facility. If your contractor is already in the local area, that can ease some of the cost that come with maintaining life safety systems. Instead of paying premium to have an out-of-area contractor, hire someone that is in a close vicinity to your facility to save on costs and receive better service.

Local Contractors Equal More Accountability

Local life safety contractors who have offices near your facility often provide a higher-quality service than other contractors. They have local staff that is trained and employed by the company, which translates to better service. Many out-of-area contractors hire sub-contractors to take care of work where they don’t have offices. These subcontractors are less likely to do a great job because their reputation is not on the line. Local staff is more likely to do a better job, go out of their way for a customer, and care more for the customer than a team of subcontractors because they are invested in the company they are working for.PREVENT's in-house local life safety contractors

Local Contractors Take Care of Emergencies

Emergencies can happen at any time of day, and always seem to come up at the most inopportune moments. If your contractor is local, these emergencies are more easily eliminated since someone is close by to come and help alleviate the problem. If your contractor is not local, it may take them days or weeks to get someone out to your facility to take a look at the problem. Many contractors say they work all over the country, but they don’t actually have personnel on-hand to provide services that are needed at the drop of a hat. If you can’t get your contractor out to your facility right away, you could end up paying more in the long run in fines and time of having to wait to have your issue addressed.

Working with a local contractor is the best option for your facility, and will ensure your facility will be code compliant all year long. A local contractor will finish the job in a more quickly and efficient manner, save money for your facility, and be on-hand if any emergencies come up along the way.

If you need help with your life safety systems, or want to learn more about the areas PREVENT serves, visit us online or call us at 877-39-6074 so we can put you in touch with your local account manager.

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Fire Barriers

Firestopping Essentials for All FMs

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Firestopping Essentials for All FMs

Firestopping

How does firestopping work?

All buildings are designed and built to compartmentalize smoke and flames if a fire occurs. This separation keeps the fire contained in the room of origin, allowing for safe evacuation of the remainder of the building. This design is compromised when holes are made in the fire-rated barriers, firestop systems are used to restore the integrity of the fire barrier.

Firestop products work by filling the void around penetrating items in fire-rated walls and floors.

There is a large variety of different firestop products, each having their own benefits. Some products expand in the presence of heat (intumescent), this action seals the penetrating item and prohibits the spread of flames and smoke to other rooms. Intumescent materials are ideal when the penetrating item may burn or melt and fall apart. Non-intumescent sealants are more suited for construction joints, where movement of the joint is expected.

There are also endothermic products which absorb the heat from the fire and release water, to slow the transfer of heat and help protect critical electrical and structural components from fire.

 

How to determine which firestopping product is best

When it comes to firestopping you have to consider numerous factors to determine which firestop system is correct for each penetration. The construction of the barrier, the size of the penetration, as well as the size and material of the penetrating item all play a role. These variables along with firestop materials together create a firestop system. Each individual system requires a specific product.

Once you have examined the penetration and collect this information, you can consult the UL Fire Resistance Directory to determine which UL system is appropriate for your specific penetration. If you do not have the time to identify the correct UL system from the 3,000 available, you can contact a specialty firestop contractor who can help you ensure the correct system is used.

 

Why is firestopping Important?

Though sprinkler systems protect your facility from the spread of flame, sprinklers cannot stop the spread of smoke. Firestop systems work in conjunction with both active (sprinkler and alarm systems) and passive(fire doors, fire dampers, etc.)  fire protection systems in your facility, to suppress the spread of smoke and flame to extend time for a safe egress from the building.

Here are a few statistics that highlight the importance of proper firestop:

  • 75% of all fire related deaths are a result of smoke inhalation
  • Approximately 57% of people killed in fires were not in the room where the fire originated.
  • Smoke can fill a 20x20x20 foot room through a pencil sized hole in under 4 minutes.

When applied correctly, firestop can help to reduce the numbers mentioned above by slowing the spread of smoke.

The bottom line is that firestop systems save lives, protect property and allow for continuity of building operations in case of a fire. It is important for facility managers to know what is going on in their building, and to keep an eye out for any changes in the fire-rated barriers that may weaken their integrity and inhibit their ability to protect the building in the face of a fire.

PREVENT Life Safety has over 15 years of experience in selecting the proper UL system and applying it in facilities across the nation. Contact us today if you have questions regarding firestop or the passive fire protection system in your facility.

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The life safety specialists at Prevent have you covered for all of your fire barrier component service needs. Call 1-877-392-6074 to discuss your compliance or request a free quote online.

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Dos & Don’ts of Firestop Installation

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Firestopping is an important part of maintaining and repairing your fire barriers. Without proper firestopping, penetrations that are left untreated can be deadly if a fire were to break out in the facility. There can be many different opinions on how to tackle firestopping projects, but those are likely never based on the facts or code. Don’t let your facility fall short on compliance by listening to opinions rather than knowing the facts.

To ensure that your facility’s fire barriers are code compliant, follow these dos and don’ts on proper firestop installation:

DON’T Mix Manufacturer Products
Manufacturers each have their own set of firestop UL systems that are specific to their products and cannot be combined with other manufacturer’s products. If products from different manufacturers are being used on the same penetration, the UL system is considered non-compliant. When this happens, your fire barriers can become compromised, and are no longer being protected. If you are doing your firestop maintenance in house, be surestanford firestop 1 you are only using one manufacturer, and are following their specific UL system requirements. If you decide to go with an outside contractor, be sure to let them know what product you prefer to use in your facility.

DO Have a Plan for Addressing Open Penetrations
Having a plan for protecting your fire barriers is important to implement in your facility. Over the years, projects or maintenance can happen at any given time. This means penetrations can be made in your fire walls and barriers to run cables to a different room, accommodate new construction, etc. If you don’t’ have a plan in place to maintain these penetrations and stay aware of areas needing firestop, your facility will fall short on compliance and be unprotected in a fire. If you don’t have the manpower to put a plan in place, hire a specialty firestop contractor to set up a monthly or quarterly maintenance plan to take care of your fire barriers.

DON’T Allow Your Contractor to Leave Without Documentation
Thorough documentation with before/after photos of firestop maintenance done in your facility is required during an AHJ survey. Without documentation from your contractor, you will not know which areas have been completed and what, if anything, still needs to be done. If documentation is not available during an AHJ survey, they are more likely to fine or discredit your facility for not being code-compliant. If you do have documentation to prove that a program is in place to maintaining these issues, an AHJ is more likely to be lenient on the areas that have yet to be touched.

DO Enforce the Documentation of Which UL System was Used
After receiving documentation from your firestop contractor, be sure that the documentation is thorough and includes which UL systems were used on each penetration. This is the first thing AHJs will look for when conducting a survey in your facility. If UL systems are not included on the documentation, even if the penetration has been sealed using the right UL system, your facility could be facing consequences. Make sure each UL system is written out in documentation clearly to avoid any consequences.

DO Research Your Firestop Contractor
If you decide to set up a program with a specialty firestop contractor, do a little research on them. Don’t just hire the easiest or cheapest option, hire a contractor that has a track record of being the best in the business. Here are some more tips on how to hire a reputable firestop contractor.

DON’T Let Your Facility Fall Short on Compliance
Maintaining compliance in your facility is a job that you do on a daily basis to keep the facility running smoothly, while also keeping the building and occupants safe. We cannot stress how important it is to follow code, as they are in place to help maintain safety and save lives. If you are in need of a firestop contractor to protect the integrity of your fire barriers, many contractors such as PREVENT can help you get back in tip top shape.

Give us a call at 877-392-6074 or request a free quote online.

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5 Things Your Firestop Contractor Should Be Doing

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Finding a specialty firestop contractor can take a lot of time and resources, so when you finally find one that you think is a good fit for your facility it can be a huge relief. You’ve likely scheduled some on-going maintenance with your contractor, and expect that they are doing the job in a timely, professional and safe manner. To ensure that they are doing the job up to your standards, here are a few things to look out for to be certain that money spent is going to good use.

They Provide Updates on the Job
If your firestop contractor is not providing updates on the progress of the job, how do you know it’s actually being completed? A good firestop contractor should make a point of keeping you informed. As they work through your facility, you should know what has been accomplished so far, if they found anything out of the ordinary, and what the status of the job is so far. These updates will help you keep track of your budget, ease your compliance worries, and avoid any surprises at the end of the job.

They Obtain Certification from Multiple Firestop Manufacturers
As we all know, materials from different manufacturers should never been mixed in one firestop penetration, so it’s important that your specialty firestop contractor is familiar with the materials used in your facility. When a specialty firestop contractor is certified by one or many firestop manufacturers, it ensures they are familiar with the product and UL codes associated with each product. Each manufacturer has its own set of UL specifications, so having a firestop contractor that is certified from the preferred manufacturer means they understand the code and specifications to the fullest.

They Keep Work Areas Clean & Tidy
Firestopping can be a messy task if the person doing the job is inexperienced. Many contractors that are seasoned pros will know how to firestop a penetration correctly, while also making it appear neat and tidy. If your firestop contractor gives you the excuse “firestop is sloppy,” they are likely not as experienced in the field, and could be doing the job incorrectly all together.

They Know How to Handle Special Circumstances
Some areas in your facility may be very sensitive to outside elements, such as operating rooms, intensive care units, or specialty manufacturing areas. Hiring a specialty firestop contractor with experience working in these delicate conditions is crucial. If you notice your contractor is not taking precautionary measures to limit the amount of dust and other infectious particles or foreign entities in these sensitive spaces, they could be affecting the health and air quality of your facility. Most quality firestop contractors will also use a mobile containment unit, such as The Solution, to keep their materials and any dust confined to a controlled space when working in sensitive areas. A mobile containment unit is also helpful for not only keeping sensitive areas free of contaminants, but they also make a job run more smoothly and quickly.

They Provide Documentation with Before/After Photos
Providing thorough and clear documentation is one of the most important things your contractor should be doing for your facility. Without this documentation, your facility could be subject to fines or penalties from an AHJ. Along with the documentation should come before and after photos of each penetration, to give definitive proof that the penetration has been sealed using the right materials according to UL specifications. Without before and after photos, it can be hard to tell what was done, or if a penetration was firestopped prior to the most recent maintenance. If your contractor is not providing these documents for you, your facility could be facing reparations from the AHJ.

It’s important to be sure your firestop contractor is doing the job, doing it correctly, and providing you with the tools you need to keep your facility in compliance. Any contractor that enters your facility should have the same high standards that you hold as a facility manager. If your contractor isn’t doing these five things while working in your facility, they could end up costing your facility more money in time and labor. Don’t let your facility be jeopardized by a contractor that doesn’t have your facility’s best interest in mind the way you do.

If you’re looking for a specialty firestop contractor, PREVENT can create a program to fit your facility’s needs. Give us a call at 877-392-6074 or request a free quote online.

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New Year’s Resolution: Set up a Firestop Maintenance Program

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The holiday season has ended, and the New Year is here. While you’re making resolutions for yourself personally, don’t forget to make resolutions for the workplace to help get 2016 started in the right direction. One of the resolutions we suggest this New Year is coordinating a firestop maintenance program to ensure facility safety and compliance.

Fire Barrier ComplianceWhether you schedule a program in-house or with a reputable contractor, firestop is crucial to the integrity of your fire barriers. However, firestop can be the trickiest to maintain correctly by code. There are over 3,000 UL systems in place for firestopping, and it can be difficult to determine which one is correct for the task at hand. Setting up a firestop maintenance program with a reputable contractor will help take the burden (and possible confusion) off your hands, while letting the experts maintain your facility safety and code compliance all year long.

Here are some benefits to setting up a firestop maintenance program:

Scheduled Maintenance Throughout the Year

Scheduling a firestop maintenance program allows you to be “worry-free” throughout the year, with pre-scheduled maintenance that covers your entire building. Whether it’s coordinated by one floor each quarter, or specific areas monthly, problem areas will be addressed in a timely manner. According to NFPA, any penetrations in fire barriers must be firestopped without delay, so having a program in place to take care of these problem areas will allow you to focus on other areas of facility maintenance. These programs are designed to save your facility time, so you or your employees are able to focus on more pressing issues.

Find Areas Needing Maintenance

In larger facilities, there are many departments and moving parts that go into making the facility run smoothly. With so many departments, it can be difficult to know exactly what each department is working on, or if there are any new changes or construction. This can lead to open penetrations in areas of the facility you may not have been aware of. Even with a ceiling management program in place, it is easy for penetrations to go without notice. Because of this, many reputable contractors will set up the maintenance plan so the entire facility is looked at over a 1-2 year period, to avoid missing any areas that may not be already known.

Make AHJ Surveys Easier

While your facility will never be 100% compliant at all times, having a firestop program in place may help your facility during AHJ surveys. Sticking to a plan or schedule will ensure that open penetrations are treated and help keep documentation up to date. Specialty firestop contractors will also provide documentation of their work to provide for an AHJ. With accurate documentation and a written maintenance plan in place, AHJs tend to be more lenient and less likely to cite or warn a facility. They understand that many projects are happening at once, and seeing a maintenance plan in place shows that your facility is being responsibly managed.

Facility Savings with Quarterly Programs

These maintenance programs are set up to provide facility managers with the most convenience, and with that convenience comes dollar savings. Many facilities may only be able to receive approval for certain dollar amounts at a time, so instead of trying to have a large sum approved at once, having smaller parts of a project completed throughout a period of time will help get these jobs done easily. Also, regular maintenance programs from specialty firestop contractors will usually come with reduced rates for continuing business monthly or quarterly, which will also help savings on the bottom line for the facility.

Start the New Year on the Right Foot!

NFPA code states “any penetrations in fire barriers must be firestopped to the correct UL specifications without delay.” A firestop maintenance program will help target those problem areas to help protect your fire barriers and building occupants. Don’t let your facility fall short on compliance this upcoming year, and set up a regularly scheduled firestop maintenance plan today!

The team at PREVENT Life Safety wishes you a prosperous New Year!

Click here for information on firestop maintenance programs or request a free quote online.

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