Special Interest Group - Suitable Acoustic and Firestop Technologies (SIG-SAFT)

Objective

To develop a best practice guide to provide appropriate sound and fire control with fire stops and fire blocks, and to validate the guide through a systematic review process.

Background

Fire resistance and sound transmission ratings are available for a broad range of wall and floor assemblies. However, in addition to choosing suitable assemblies using these ratings, designers and builders need to be able to ensure satisfactory performance of complete building systems — that is, they must use a systems approach that meshes the requirements for both sound and fire control.

While there are many proprietary and generic systems that provide continuity of fire separations at locations such as wall/ceiling junctions or where services penetrate a fire-rated assembly, they may not resolve — or may in fact worsen — acoustic problems such as noise from plumbing services, noise leaks at service penetrations, or structure-borne sound and vibration. Good design requires a systems approach that addresses requirements for both sound and fire control for both fire stops and fire blocks.

Statement of Work

A Special Interest Group was formed and has developed a guideline document based on a synthesis of available information.

Outcome

Best Practice Guide on Fire Stops and Fire Blocks and their Impact on Sound Transmission
Richardson, J.K. Quirt, J.D. Hlady, R.
pp. 232. 2007-06-01
[Full citation / Référence complète]

Participating organizations in the Special Interest Group

3M Canada, A/D Fire Protection Systems, Affinity Architecture Inc., Bibby-Ste-Croix Inc., Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Canadian Copper & Brass Development Association, Canadian Wood Council, The City of Calgary, Gypsum Association, IPEX Inc, Ken Richardson Fire Technologies Inc., North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA), National Research Council Canada (NRC), NUCO Inc., Cobri Technologies Inc., Tremco Inc., Hilti Inc., and International Firestop Council.

Start/Completion Dates

This project began in March 2004 and was completed in July 2007.

Terminology

In the Best Practice Guide on Fire Stops and Fire Blocks and Their Impact on Sound Transmission, specific terminology was adopted to reduce confusion and to promote consistency with other North American documents. This guide uses two terms to describe systems for controlling the spread of fire around or through fire-rated assemblies. 

A "fire stop" is a material, component or system, including its means of support, used to fill gaps between fire separations, between fire separations and other construction assemblies, or used around items that wholly or partially penetrate fire separations. Its purpose is to restrict the spread of fire (and often smoke) thus maintaining the integrity of the fire separation. Fire stops include not only proprietary listed fire stop systems but also certain generic treatments identified in building codes.

A "fire block" is a material, component or system installed in a concealed space in a building to restrict the spread of fire (and smoke) in the concealed space, or from the concealed space to an adjacent space. Fire blocks are usually generic materials or assemblies used to block specific spaces such as an attic or the cavity in a double stud wall separating two dwellings. 

In this Guide, "fire block" is intended to encompass the term "draft stop" which is sometimes used in American codes in reference to some fire blocks in larger concealed spaces. Draft stops are intended to stop air movement as well as fire spread. In the 2005 edition of the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC), the terms "fire stop" or "fire stop system" are used to encompass all such materials and systems, including those commonly called "fire blocks" or "draft stops" in other documents. There are, however, differences that call for unique terminology for each of these applications.

Throughout the Guide, reference is made to "listed fire stop systems". These are systems that have been tested to CAN/ULC-S115 "Standard Method of Fire Tests of Firestop Systems" by a recognized testing agency; proof of that testing and subsequent follow-up service is provided by an independent certification agency. It should be noted that Part 3 of the NBCC requires that fire stops comply with CAN/ULC‑S115 (which may be accomplished by using a listed fire stop system, or a cast-in-place system). Part 9 of the NBCC permits generic materials to be used for fire stops, but listed fire stop systems may also be used. 

Related Information

Institutes:

• NRC Institute for Research in Construction