Agenda

1. Re2. Address the following frequently asked HVAC and fire protection coordination questions: Where do I find information regarding fire and smoke resistant construction for my project? What are the differences between fire-rated partitions , fire barriers and fire walls? What are the differences between smoke barriers and smoke-tight construction? Where are fire dampers, smoke dampers, combination, and radiation dampers required? When do I need a shaft versus a fire damper in the floor? Is it permitted to use egress corridors or the space above corridor ceilings as a return air plenum? When can I undercut a door or put a door louver in to exhaust rooms adjacent to egress corridors?

Office

Leader

Current Strength*

Miami

Juan Carlos Hernandez

National Capitol

Frank Murphy (NA FP Leader)

Orange / San Francisco

John Stauder

Roanoke

Joey Caldwell

Virginia Beach

Aaron Freid

Total

17

*Dedicated full time FP staff practicing full scope services (i.e. life safety, suppression, alarm, etc.)

Applicable Codes and Standards

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FIRE-RATED PARTITIONS , FIRE BARRIERS AND FIRE WALLS?
COMPARTMENTATION The goals of compartmentation in confining a fire to the room or suite of rooms of origin are generally the following: 1. Segregate a space that has a higher fire hazard than the surrounding area. 2. Compartmentation is also used to protect locations of high value or critical operations from a fire in the surrounding area. 3. Minimize risk of loss of an occupant of one space as a result of a fire in space controlled by another.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FIRE-RATED PARTITIONS , FIRE BARRIERS AND FIRE WALLS?

Source: www.concretecentre.com

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FIRE-RATED PARTITIONS , FIRE BARRIERS AND FIRE WALLS?
Fire Resistance Ratings Typically based on standard time/temperature test (ASTM E119, NFPA 251, ISO 834) Ratings are: 20, 30, 45 min. Ratings are: 1, 1-1/2, 2, 3, 4 hours. These ratings are the minimum time a specimen withstood the standard test without failure.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FIRE-RATED PARTITIONS , FIRE BARRIERS AND FIRE WALLS?
The results of fire tests are published in company directories, which are now available in electronic as well as in print formats: The Fire Resistance Directory is published by UL. Omega Point, Southwest Research Institute, and Intertek Testing each have their own Directory of Listed Products. FM Approvals has access to a facility to conduct the tests and publishes the results in its Approval Guide.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FIRE-RATED PARTITIONS , FIRE BARRIERS AND FIRE WALLS?

Fire Wall A fire resistance rated wall having protected openings which restrict the spread of fire and extend continuously from the foundation to or through the roof, with sufficient structural stability to withstand, under fire conditions, collapse of construction on either side without collapse of the wall.
Source: NFPA ,Fire Protection Handbook, 20 th Ed.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FIRE-RATED PARTITIONS , FIRE BARRIERS AND FIRE WALLS?

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FIRE-RATED PARTITIONS , FIRE BARRIERS AND FIRE WALLS?
Fire Barrier a fire-resistancerated wall assembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in which continuity is maintained. Fire Partition a vertical assembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in which openings are protected.
Fire Barrier a rated wall used to separate exits, incidental use areas, shafts, hazardous materials control areas, and fire areas. They provide a higher degree of protection than fire partitions, but lack the inherent structural integrity of fire walls. Fire Partition used to separate dwelling units in the same building, sleeping units in certain residential and institutional occupancies, tenant spaces in covered mall buildings, corridor walls used for means of egress, elevator lobby separation, and in residential aircraft hangers. May extend only to the underside of a rated ceiling assembly.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FIRE-RATED PARTITIONS , FIRE BARRIERS AND FIRE WALLS?

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FIRE-RATED PARTITIONS , FIRE BARRIERS AND FIRE WALLS?

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SMOKE BARRIERS AND SMOKE-TIGHT CONSTRUCTION?
Smoke Barrier A continuous membrane, either vertical or horizontal, such as a wall, floor, or ceiling assembly that is designed and constructed to restrict the movement of smoke. Smoke Partition (NFPA 101) A continuous membrane that is designed to form a barrier to limit the transfer of smoke. Referred to
Smoke Barrier used to subdivide building spaces for the purpose of restricting the movement of smoke. Required in portions of buildings where occupants are not immediately evacuated and must be protected in place, such as jails, hospitals, and areas of refuge. Smoke Partition used to limit the free movement of smoke, but is not intended to provide an area that would be free of smoke. Used to isolate incidental hazardous areas such as storage or mechanical rooms where fire barriers are not required due to the presence of sprinklers.

WHERE ARE FIRE DAMPERS, SMOKE DAMPERS, COMBINATION, AND RADIATION DAMPERS REQUIRED?

Dampers
Fire - A listed device (UL 555) installed in ducts and air transfer openings designed to close automatically upon detection of heat and resist the passage of flames. Fire dampers are classified for use in either static systems that will automatically shut down in an event of a fire, or in a dynamic system that continues to operate during a fire. A dynamic fire damper is tested and rated for closure under elevated temperature airflow. Smoke - A listed device (UL 555S) installed in ducts and air transfer openings designed to resist the passage of smoke. The device is installed to operate automatically, controlled by smoke detection system, and where required, is capable of being positioned from a fire command center.

Source: www.ruskin.com

WHERE ARE FIRE DAMPERS, SMOKE DAMPERS, COMBINATION, AND RADIATION DAMPERS REQUIRED?
Combination Fire/Smoke A damper that will operate under the constraints of both a fire and smoke damper. Listed for both testing criteria (UL 555 & UL 555S) Ceiling Radiation Damper. A listed device (UL 555C) installed in a ceiling membrane of a fire resistance rated floor-ceiling or roof-ceiling assembly to automatically limit the radiative heat transfer through an air inlet/outlet opening.

Smoke damper installed within a duct must have a smoke detector in the duct within 5 feet of the damper with no air outlets or inlets between the detector and the damper. Spot-type detectors in corridors or complete detection systems can be used to actuate smoke dampers.

WHERE ARE FIRE DAMPERS, SMOKE DAMPERS, COMBINATION, AND RADIATION DAMPERS REQUIRED?

WHERE ARE FIRE DAMPERS, SMOKE DAMPERS, COMBINATION, AND RADIATION DAMPERS REQUIRED?

WHERE ARE FIRE DAMPERS, SMOKE DAMPERS, COMBINATION, AND RADIATION DAMPERS REQUIRED?

WHERE ARE FIRE DAMPERS, SMOKE DAMPERS, COMBINATION, AND RADIATION DAMPERS REQUIRED?

WHERE ARE FIRE DAMPERS, SMOKE DAMPERS, COMBINATION, AND RADIATION DAMPERS REQUIRED?

WHERE ARE FIRE DAMPERS, SMOKE DAMPERS, COMBINATION, AND RADIATION DAMPERS REQUIRED?

WHERE ARE FIRE DAMPERS, SMOKE DAMPERS, COMBINATION, AND RADIATION DAMPERS REQUIRED?

WHERE ARE FIRE DAMPERS, SMOKE DAMPERS, COMBINATION, AND RADIATION DAMPERS REQUIRED?
Fire partitions. The general rule is that a fire damper is required in any duct or air transfer opening that penetrates a fire partition. Exception in fully sprinklered buildings, ducts penetrating tenant separation walls in covered mall buildings need not be fire dampered.

WHERE ARE FIRE DAMPERS, SMOKE DAMPERS, COMBINATION, AND RADIATION DAMPERS REQUIRED?

WHERE ARE FIRE DAMPERS, SMOKE DAMPERS, COMBINATION, AND RADIATION DAMPERS REQUIRED?

WHERE ARE FIRE DAMPERS, SMOKE DAMPERS, COMBINATION, AND RADIATION DAMPERS REQUIRED?

WHERE ARE FIRE DAMPERS, SMOKE DAMPERS, COMBINATION, AND RADIATION DAMPERS REQUIRED?

WHERE ARE FIRE DAMPERS, SMOKE DAMPERS, COMBINATION, AND RADIATION DAMPERS REQUIRED?
Ceiling Radiation Dampers Steel Ducts and air transfer openings that penetrate the ceiling membrane of a fire-resistance-rated floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assembly shall be protected with one of the following: 1. A shaft enclosure 2. A listed ceiling radiation damper installed at the ceiling line where a duct penetrates the ceiling of a fireresistance- rated floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assembly. 3. A listed ceiling radiation damper installed at the ceiling line where a diffuser with no duct attached penetrates the ceiling of a fire-resistance-rated floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assembly.

WHEN DO I NEED A SHAFT VERSUS A FIRE DAMPER IN THE FLOOR?

Shaft An enclosed space extending through one or more stories of a building, connecting vertical openings in successive floors, or floors and roof. Shaft Enclosure The walls or construction forming the boundaries of a shaft.

WHEN DO I NEED A SHAFT VERSUS A FIRE DAMPER IN THE FLOOR?

Example Shaft Enclosures Architectural Work: 4 stories or more = not less than 2 hours Less than 4 stories = not less than 1 hour Basements included Mezzanines not included assembly penetrated, but need not exceed 2 hours. Mechanical Work: Ducts/transfer openings in enclosures protected with fire and smoke dampers Exceptions

WHEN DO I NEED A SHAFT VERSUS A FIRE DAMPER IN THE FLOOR?

WHEN DO I NEED A SHAFT VERSUS A FIRE DAMPER IN THE FLOOR?

Horizontal Assembly A fire resistance rated floor or roof assembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in which continuity is maintained. In general, duct penetrations of horizontal assemblies require a shaft enclosure

WHEN DO I NEED A SHAFT VERSUS A FIRE DAMPER IN THE FLOOR?

Horizontal Assembly Steel duct that penetrates a fireresistance-rated floor/ceiling assembly that connects not more than two stories is permitted without shaft enclosure protection, provided a listed fire damper is installed at the floor line

WHEN DO I NEED A SHAFT VERSUS A FIRE DAMPER IN THE FLOOR?

Smoke Barrier Horizontal assemblies used as smoke barriers must be protected same as other fire resistance rated horizontal assemblies in addition to smoke barrier requirements.

WHEN DO I NEED A SHAFT VERSUS A FIRE DAMPER IN THE FLOOR?

Nonfire-resistance-rated floor assemblies. Steel Duct systems that penetrate nonfire-resistance- rated floor assemblies can be protected by any of the following methods: 1. A shaft enclosure, 2. The duct connects not more than two stories, and the annular space around the penetrating duct is protected (fireblocking), 3. The duct connects not more than three stories, and the annular space around the penetrating duct is protected (fireblocking) and a fire damper is installed at each floor line.

BEST PRACTICES

FIRE AND SMOKE DAMPERS

Conduct a code analysis documenting required locations of dampers Coordinate with Architectural: -ofdamper Installation allows for required access (section 716.4) for periodic inspection and testing Understand static and dynamic damper types Understand leakage requirements for smoke dampers Do not allow gap around fire damper in wall to be filled with an intumescent firestop sealant. The expansion pressure can buckle the duct, hindering or preventing the proper operation of the damper under fire conditions. NFPA 80 and 90A have specific requirements for the installation and testing (both acceptance and periodic). Become very familiar with these requirements. Flexible duct & air connectors must never extend thru fire resistant construction

Is it permitted to use egress corridors or the space above corridor ceilings as a return air plenum?
Two separate questions.
1. ICC Project International Building Code (IBC) International Mechanical Code (IMC) 2. NFPA Project NFPA 101, Life Safety Code (LSC) NFPA 90A, Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems 3. Federal, healthcare, and other projects where a combination of ICC and NFPA criteria applies 4. DoD Project (Be careful) All of the above UFC 3-600-01

Is it permitted to use egress corridors or the space above corridor ceilings as a return air plenum?

Is it permitted to use egress corridors or the space above corridor ceilings as a return air plenum?
1. ICC Project International Building Code (IBC) International Mechanical Code (IMC)

Is it permitted to use egress corridors or the space above corridor ceilings as a return air plenum?
1. ICC Project International Building Code (IBC) International Mechanical Code (IMC)

Is it permitted to use egress corridors or the space above corridor ceilings as a return air plenum?
2. NFPA Project NFPA 101, Life Safety Code (LSC) NFPA 90A, Standard for the Installation of AirConditioning and Ventilating Systems

Is it permitted to use egress corridors or the space above corridor ceilings as a return air plenum?
2. NFPA Project NFPA 101, Life Safety Code (LSC) NFPA 90A, Standard for the Installation of AirConditioning and Ventilating Systems

Is it permitted to use egress corridors or the space above corridor ceilings as a return air plenum?
3. Projects where both NFPA and ICC criteria apply

When both NFPA and ICC criteria are referenced apply: A. Determine if the client specific criteria tells you which one takes precedence over the other (usually NFPA over IBC). B. Meet the worst case scenarios of all applicable criteria

This situation occurs often in US Federal work and in the healthcare market.

Is the space above an egress corridor ceiling ok or prohibited for return?

4. DoD projects Both NFPA and ICC apply NFPA takes precedence for requirements regarding life safety Additional DoD UFC 3600-01 requirement

Takes a NFPA 90A requirement which is limited to certain occupancies, and applies it to all DoD occupancies. NFPA 101 occupancy chapters are not setup for this which creates problems. Example - Fort Eustis Child Development Center

When can I undercut a door or put a door louver in to exhaust rooms adjacent to egress corridors?
When considering the requirements for the previous question, the answer to this question is simple. Not allowed unless you meet certain exceptions:
IBC exceptions listed under 1018.5: 1. Where providing makeup air for toilet rooms, janitor closets, etc under certain conditions. 2. Within a dwelling unit when using the corridor for conveying return air. 3. Within tenant spaces 1,000 sf or less when using the corridor for conveying return air. 4. For incidental air movement from pressurized rooms within health care facilities. NFPA 90A (4.3.12.1.3): 1. Toilet rooms, shower rooms, etc. 2. Door clearances that do not exceed NFPA 80 (air transfer caused by P allowed) 3. As needed for engineered smoke control system. 4. Detention and correctional occupancies with corridor separations of open construction). 5. Review specific requirements contained in each occupancy chapter (NFPA 101).

Date
2/16/2012 3/15/2012 4/19/2012 5/17/2012 6/21/2012 7/19/2012

Subject
Documenting Design Decisions ??? ??? ??? ??? ???

Presenter
Calvin Witt ??? ??? ??? ??? ???

THANK YOU

COURSE CODE: 123111 Thanks to Eric Shelton for his assistance in preparation of this material