During a training session on building construction and fire spread, the concept of firestopping came up. Of course, they picked on the "wire monkey" in the room, and used an example of a cap plate cut through 2" wide to run a 1/2" EMT as how not to prevent the spread of fire. How many of your AHJ's require firestopping in residences?

We all know that "listed" occupancies (hospitals, schools, commercial, and classified Hazardous locations) require it when penetrating rated walls, but how many of your municipalities take it that extra step, and require it in single family homes?

Here in IL (Lake County), it's really a city-by-city thing. My home town doesn't, but two towns south does.

Ideas, comments, questions?

It was just getting to be an issue in 84 or 85 when I was last doing that kind of work.

It would be taken pretty serious all holes would get fire sealed.

At the time the GCs where handling it which could be frustrating, drill a bunch of holes come back latter and the GCs laborer already fire stopped it.

Doug, it is a requirement here. The top plate is not required to have a glorified fire caulk only a draft stop to prevent a "chimney" effect.

Walls of attached garages are treated as full blown fire walls.

Roger

It is required here by the framing inspectors not the electrical inspectors. Some CGs want you to firestop what holes you drill and others give that task to the insulators ( where it belongs IMHO).

Here they do not care who performs the firestopping, as long as it is firestopped before the electrical inspection. Dwelling firestopping has been strictly enforced here for a while, recently, the have made the HVAC contractors firestop their gaping (and small)penetrations... needless to say they are pissed.

Pierre

Doug,
That's a very good question!.
Fire Caulking is an important part of any building.
It's amazing just how an un-caulked opening in a wall can cause a heap of damage during a fire.
We are required to seal any openings we make in walls, floors, ceilings and the like before we leave the site.

Yes in most Chicago suburbs- mostly caught by framing inspection- usually done by GC crew guy for all trades, to be sure it is done.

That is why the building code requires the framing inspection to be made after the electrical, plumbing and mechanical rough inspections. The GC can require each trade to do their own firestopping of their penetrations, or he can seal them up himself.

Here, in Dare County NC, all holes in both the top and bottom plates must be fire-caulked prior to the "Rough-In' inspection. The caulking is done by the Insulation Contractor who comes in after all the mechanics; to fire-caulk only. They (Insulators) then come back after the "Rough-In" to insulate and the insulation must then be inspected before the drywall goes on.

See the 2002 NEC Index, and although it is not complete, these are the rules that apply to the question: The AHJ who does not enforce these rules will lose the battle in a courtroom.