Like many other safety installations, firestopping is required by Canadian building codes to protect structures, assets, and most importantly, people. Set up properly, firestop systems are designed as passive fire protection. This means that once they are installed they don’t require external power or intervention in the case of an emergency. In Canada, firestop standards are an important element of the Canadian National Building Code.
Standards Council of Canada (SCC)
The Innovation, Science and Economic Development is a department of the Government of Canada whose mandate is to foster the economy. The Crown corporation, Standards Council of Canada is a part of the ISED portfolio. Among other things, SCC’s primary mandate is to develop standards-related strategies. A large driving force for these standards is to benefit the health, safety and welfare of workers and the public. This is where the standards for fire stopping are developed and maintained.
Incendiary Testing
Canada’s NBC calls for manufacturers to test their firestop products in several different scenarios. Penetrating materials, such as pipes and cable trays, are tested against penetrations through walls, floors, and ceilings. In many cases, manufacturers will construct test assemblies in a laboratory. After the firestop material cures, it is burned in a controlled blaze. Successful materials are marked with an identification number and authorized to be installed for that exact application. In this way, Canadian firestop standards are some of the most severe in the world.
Firestop Ratings
Ratings are assigned based on test criteria. The two ratings required by Canadian codes are F and FT.
- F Rating. For the duration of the test, the firestop remains in place and doesn’t allow the passage of fire.
- FT Rating. Same as above, but also limits temperature increase on the unexposed surface of the firestop.
Effective Installation
To ensure that a firestop system performs the same in real-life applications as it does in tests, there are a few areas that professional installers will need to pay attention to:
- What assembly is being used
- Maximum gap size
- How much material is needed
By following and even exceeding the stringent standards of firestopping in Canada, our firestop experts will ensure that your building is as protected as possible. Send us a message or give us a call to book a consultation.
