New Firestop Blocks!
STI has developed a new product geared towards installers who prefer a block material compared to a firestop pillow. Both firestop solutions are typically utilized for medium to large sized openings where retrofit capabilities and/or limited access are important considerations. Additional testing of theSpecSeal® Firestop Blocks is ongoing and to date we have developed two powerful UL 8000 Series listings, which capture multiple penetrants in concrete floor/wall assemblies via C-AJ-8338 and in gypsum walls with W-L-8145. Both systems provide up to a 2 Hr F Rating and include L Ratings with leakage rates less than 1 CFM/sq ft at both ambient and 400°F. Allowable penetrant types include metallic and nonmetallic pipes/conduits/tubes, insulated metallic pipes/tubes, cable bundles, steel duct, steel strut and steel angles. More details are provided in an article found earlier in this issue dedicated to the launch of the SpecSeal® Firestop Blocks.
Improved PEX Tubing Tuck-In System at 50 Pa!
C-AJ-2936, which was originally developed a few years ago for SDR 9 PEX tubing in concrete floors or walls, is now updated with an option for installations from below to complement the existing top side install method. A single layer of SpecSeal® SSW1000EX Wrap Strip and a 1/4 in. depth of SpecSeal® Series SSS or LCI Sealant are the only materials necessary for firestopping 1-1/2 in. or 2 in. diameter PEX tubing. The system provides an F Rating of 2 Hr and was tested with a 50 Pa pressure differential as required by many Canadian building codes for nonmetallic penetrants.
Collar with Steel Bridge Plate for Deck Assemblies!
Another system demonstrating the 50 Pa pressure differential and developed solely for Canadian markets is F-A-2419. This design makes it possible to install a firestop collar on the underside of a fluted deck assembly by spanning the flutes with a steel plate. The wrap strip collar consists of SpecSeal® SSW1000EX Wrap Strip layers installed against the underside of the steel plate. This system allows PVC, XFR and NAPSYS-HR pipe with equal F and FT Ratings of 2 Hr. When SpecSeal® SIL300 Sealant is utilized as the smoke seal at the top of the floor assembly then coverage for a W Rating is provided. Alternatively, SpecSeal® Series SSS or LCI Sealant may be installed as the smoke seal and all three materials establish L Ratings to demonstrate control of smoke migration.
This article, by David Vail, Project Manager & Codes/Standards, originally appeared in the Summer Wrap-Up 2024 edition of The Burn.