Firestopping and passive fire protection contractors
They seal openings where pipes, cables and ducts pass through fire-rated walls and floors, install fire-rated joint systems, and repair or inspect fire separations and fire doors. This keeps fire and smoke contained to the compartment where they start. The work must match a tested, listed system for each kind of opening, so it is a specialist trade rather than 'caulking'.
Who needs one
Businesses: any building with code-required fire separations, such as multi-unit residential, offices, hospitals, schools, hotels and mixed-use buildings. It is needed during construction and after any renovation, cabling or plumbing work that cuts through a rated assembly. Fire doors in rated walls also need inspecting. Homes: in single-family homes only the attached-garage separation, and for duplexes, townhouses and condos the suite separations.
How often
No fixed cycle for firestopping. Inspect when building and after any trade work through rated assemblies, and include it in periodic fire code inspections. Fire doors: inspected and tested annually under NFPA 80 in the US, and checked under the NFC's closure-maintenance rules in Canada.
What it costs
No reliable public price survey was found. Work is usually priced per penetration or per linear foot or metre of joint, plus mobilization. Fire door annual inspections are usually priced per door. Ask for a penetration count and the listed system numbers in the quote.
Codes and standards
- Canada
- NBC Subsection 3.1.9 (penetrations) and 3.1.8 (fire separations and closures). Firestop systems are tested to CAN/ULC-S115. Fire separations must be maintained under the NFC Section 2.2. Fire doors are installed and maintained to NFPA 80, referenced by the NBC/NFC.
- United States
- IBC Chapter 7 (Sections 714–715) and the IFC/NFPA 101 maintenance rules. Firestop systems tested to ASTM E814 / UL 1479, and joints to UL 2079 / ASTM E1966. Field inspection to ASTM E2174 (penetrations) and E2393 (joints). Fire doors: NFPA 80, including an annual inspection, and NFPA 105 for smoke doors.
Licences and credentials to look for
- Canada
- Look for FM 4991 Approved or UL Qualified Firestop Contractor status (both available in Canada), FCIA membership, and the contractor's ability to name the exact ULC or cUL listed system used at each penetration. Fire doors: DHI-certified inspectors.
- United States
- FM 4991 Approved Firestop Contractor or UL Qualified Firestop Contractor, plus an FCIA member with a firestop 'DIIM' (Designated Individual) on staff. Special inspection agencies accredited to IAS AC291 for third-party inspection. DHI Fire Door Assembly Inspector (FDAI) for annual NFPA 80 door inspections.
Questions to ask and red flags
- Ask: are you FM 4991 Approved or UL Qualified Firestop? Then check the FCIA directory.
- Ask for the tested system number (ULC/cUL/UL) for each type of penetration in your quote and close-out package.
- Ask whether they label each firestopped penetration and provide a photo log.
- Ask who is responsible when another trade (cable or plumbing) later breaches the seal, and whether they offer a re-inspection.
- Red flag: 'we just use fire caulk', with no listed system for the specific wall, pipe material and size.
What they install or service: Emergency Lighting, Exit Signs & Fire Doors