firestopping

[jeffmoss26]

http://www.tech-lounge.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=123&perpage=15&pagenumber=2

I saw these pics and I was confused. You will note they firestopped at the drop ceiling and the carpet. I didnt see any conduits and I was confused as to why they did this like that. Also look at the extreme lack of cable management in some pics, especially the 110 blocks. Also, they used TONS of 12 port 89D patch blocks instead of rack mount panels.
Take a look and let me know about the firestopping
Jeff jeff moss
jeffmoss26@adelphia.net

 

[daronwilson]

Wow what an interesting mix of clean and messy, good and poor. Some portions of the installation seem very neat and orderly, while others seem to just be dangling out there. I personally don't believe that type of firestopping meets the intent of the code. However, I have seen arguments that it does meet the code. The ceiling firestopping may depend on whether or not it is a fire rated ceiling. I find the best way to approach firestopping is to ask the firestop manufacturer for compliance information on their product. Most manufacturers can provide you with data sheets for each product and installation, showing exactly how their product must be used to meet code.

Good Luck!
It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com

 

[jeffbouldin]

What a mess!! About the firestop; I can see why they would fierstop the floor, but the drop ceiling? Drop ceilings aren't fire rated. As for the floor, they messed up by not puting conduit sleeves through the floor, running the wire through these, and firestopping them. That would be what the code would require.

 

[daronwilson]

Actually ceilings CAN be fire rated. Most drop ceilings you encounter are not 'rated' products and it can be confusing.

None the less, it is a sloppy and not-compliant installation. It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com

 

[ricos0]

As for the floor penetrations, I recently did 20 floors of new construction where to achieve the 2-hour T rating requirement, there could be no sleeves. Go figure...

 

[daronwilson]

I recently called Specified Technologies Inc. (STI) for some advice on fire stopping in a particular installation. I highly recommend a call to these folks to get a catalog, the middle section is VERY good educational material explaining the different techniques and properties.

It was explained to me that the sleeve is in fact a bit tricky. I used to think a longer sleeve was better, they say just the opposite is true. As I look through the UL specs for vertical penetrations, most of the conduit sleeves do not have any T rating.

Anyway, there are certainly many ways to do it, please consult a manufacturer of the firestopping material for your particular installation to make sure it will meet the needed requirements and pass. It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com

 

[jeffmoss26]

I cant see how their network actually runs on that mess. If you look, yeah the switches are spotless, but the patch cables (which some will say are the weakest link in the chain) are basically tied in knots going to the patch panels. That phone wiring is another story. Did anyone notice the bottle of Mountain Dew on the junction box in one of those pictures? jeff moss
jeffmoss26@adelphia.net

 

[InnoTech]

yeah i can here it now.... "ok guys we have a job to do over at the call center down the street.... it should only take you a couple hours to clean up and lable... there's no overtime on this one so step it up!" lol