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Frequently Asked Questions

Click on the question below for answers to frequently asked questions. Each question links to the answer listed below.


Q: What is firestopping?
Q: Why do I need firestopping?
Q: What is the difference between firestopping and fireproofing?
Q: What is an intumescent material?
Q: What are the testing standards for firestopping materials?
Q: What pump does Tremco recommend for its sprayable firestop sealants?
Q: What are fire-rated systems?
Q: What information do I need to determine the correct system to use?
Q: What do I do if I cannot find a system that fits my application?
 
Q: What is firestopping?
A: Firestopping is the process of closing the openings in fire-rated walls and joints in a building to prevent the spread of fire, smoke and water.
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Q: Why do I need firestopping?
A: Firestopping is necessary to meet building codes, but more importantly, it protects a building and its occupants from the rapid spread of smoke and fire.
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Q: What is the difference between firestopping and fireproofing?
A: Both firestopping and fireproofing are related to a building’s fire rating. Firestopping maintains the fire rating of a wall, floor or ceiling. Fireproofing increases the fire rating and thermal resistance of steel members, such as trusses and I-beams, within a building.
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Q: What is an intumescent material?
A: An intumescent material is a one that expands in volume when exposed to the high temperatures of fires. This expansion fills voids created when combustible penetrations, such as plastic pipes, burn away during a fire
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Q: What are the testing standards for firestopping materials?
A: The following testing standards are from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and Underwriters Laboratories of Canada. They are used as a method for testing the performance of products used in firestop applications.
• ASTM E-814: Standard test method for fire tests of through penetration firestops
• ASTM E-119: Standard test method of fire tests of building construction and materials
• ASTM E-84: Standard test method for surface burning characteristics of building materials
• ASTM E-1966: Standard test method for fire-resistive joint systems
• ASTM E-1399: Standard test method for cyclic movement and measuring the minimum and maximum joint widths of architectural joint systems
• CAN4-S115M: Canadian test standard for penetrations and joints
• CAN-S101M: Canadian standard method of fire endurance tests of building construction and materials
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Q: What pump does Tremco recommend for its sprayable firestop sealants?
A: Tremco Fire Protection Systems Group recommends the Graco Ultra Max 795. Tremco also recommends the following:
• Using maximum 3/8” diameter hose up to 50 feet in length
• Using the RAC IV™ tip guard
• Before spraying TREMstop Acrylic Spray, remove the screen filter at the end of the intake tube, the screen filter in the fluid filter, the filter core in the fluid filter, and the screen filter located in the handle of the spray gun.
For more information, see our Sprayer Tips or contact Tremco Technical services at 866-209-2404 or your local Tremco Fire Protection Systems Group sales representatives.
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Q: What are systems?
A: Systems are firestopping techniques or methods tested by an independent laboratory to ASTM or Canadian test methods using a firestop product or combination of products to determine the fire-rating performance.
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Q: What information do I need to determine the correct system?
A: Identify items penetrating the fire-rated assembly, such as cables or pipes. These items will need to be firestopped. Identify the joints in the fire-rated assembly requiring firestopping. The following guidelines provide the details needed to determine the correct firestopping system to meet your needs.
Through penetration guidelines:
• Type of assembly (concrete, gypsum wall board, etc.)
• Type of penetrant (Metallic pipe, non-metallic pipe, cables, etc.)
• Size of opening
• Size of penetrant (diameter)
• Rating required
Joint guidelines:
• Width of joint
• Type of assembly (concrete, gypsum wallboard, etc.)
• Movement
• Rating required
Special considerations:
• Firestop products already in use on the project
• Will there be vibration or movement in the joint?
• Will the opening need to be accessed at a later time?
• Is there limited access to the joint or penetration?
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Q: What do I do if I cannot find a system that fits my application?
A: Tremco Fire Protection Systems Group will provide a documented engineering judgment that follows the International Firestopping Council (IFC) guidelines. To request an engineering judgment, gather all of the information regarding the application including:
• Type of assembly
• Type of penetrant
• Size of opening
• Size of penetrant
• Width of joint
• Movement capabilities
• Other products in use on the project
• Rating required
Make sketches of the application if possible and note any systems with applications similar to yours. Use this information to fill out the Engineering Judgment form.
Fax the form to Tremco Technical Services at 330-220-7055 and the department will work to find a solution that fits your needs.
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