Can you penetrate a firewall

Ensure penetration seals are supported by framing around the aperture and not directly by gypsum plasterboard linings. Installation of additional framing members may be required. Alternatively an additional strip of plasterboard can be installed over the existing lining and supported by adjacent framing members. This option is suitable for penetration seals such as cable bundles, small metal pipes and plastic pipe collars. A firestop system that is installed on only one side of the wall will not perform as it was designed and tested; it will likely fail early in its fire exposure.

This can compromise the safety of building occupants who depend on the corridors and stairways to exit the building and for firefighters who depend on the same corridors and stairways for rescue and access to fight the fire and for their emergency evacuation routes. Firefighters and fire inspectors must become familiar with firestop methods and materials, tour buildings under construction and remodeling to observe the installation of firestop materials and to develop a working relationship with their municipal building department so that deficiencies and omissions can be communicated and corrected.

Gregory Havel is a member of the Town of Burlington WI Fire Department; retired deputy chief and training officer; and a year veteran of the fire service. He is a Wisconsin-certified fire instructor II, fire officer II, and fire inspector; an adjunct instructor in fire service programs at Gateway Technical College; and safety director for Scherrer Construction Co.

Norbert College; has more than 35 years of experience in facilities management and building construction; and has presented classes at FDIC.

Sign in. Forgot your password? Clarion Events Privacy Policy. To see the firewalls demarcated refer to the building firewall maps page. The following is a brief introduction to the issues and requirements for protecting these critical life safety structures. Firewalls separate higher hazard areas and exit routes from the rest of the building.

For example, exit stairwell enclosures slow fire in the rest of the building from reaching the exit stairwell. The floors of buildings must not be penetrated for the same reason unless the penetration is within a specially designed chase which is protected by heavy duty firewalls.

The problem arises when these walls or floors are penetrated improperly. It is possible to pass conduit, piping, or wiring through a firewall or floor, but it must be done properly! You must use a UL listed system for sealing penetrations in firewalls and floors.