Firestopping for Data Cabling - BICSI do the codes require? Extract from “Fire Code of the...

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 Inc.dtan@stifirestop.comCell:+65 83320332

Ariel Arcilla EstarteTerritory Manager, Philippines

Specified Technologies Inc.aestarte@stifirestop.comCell:+63 917 677 2994