How did you do with the questions? Hopefully, they made you think a little about this firestop detail, the product, the various field conditions you might encounter and firestop details in general. Let me start by saying the answer to every single question is NOPE! Even question 2 and 7.
Let’s take another look at the questions as we provide the answers.
If you want to review the product cut sheet is here
Question 1: My field condition has a sleeve in a block wall. I can still use this detail because the firestop device is a sleeve, right?
No. The tested and listed detail (WJ2274) did not allow for a sleeve or say that a sleeve was optional. That means that if there is a sleeve in your field condition you have to get a different detail. Maybe one exists, but if it is not in the submittal package it doesn’t count for this project.
Question 2: What kind of anchors do I need to use to secure this to the wall?
You don’t need any anchors, that is one of the selling features of this new product.
Question 3: My field condition is using Aquatherm SDR 11. It’s the same brand, so I can still use this, right?
It may be the same brand, but this detail calls for blue and Aquatherm SDR 11 is green. Blue is not green so you cannot use this detail with green pipe.
Question 4: The sleeve I am using is 10” long and I don’t want to see it on the occupied side. Is it okay to push it in flush with the outside of the wall?
The last line in 3A before listing the product says that the device shall be centered within the wall and extend equally beyond each surface of the wall.
Question 5: We are using brand X firestop sealant and we don’t want to have another sealant on site to confuse people with, so its okay if we use brand X firestop with this new sleeve thing, right?
Sure, go ahead and use brand X .BUT know that you are installing a detail that is non-conformant and you are accepting all liability if this installation should fail. In other words, NO you can’t, unless you can get documentation to support this and that is not likely.
Question 6: The aquatherm pipe is insulated but I got sleeves that are big enough to go around the outside of the insulation so this is fine, right?
There are details for insulated PP pipes, but this is not one of them. The interesting thing is, that if you need an insulated pipe you look in the 5000 series details. When you do this, some of the insulated plastic pipes can be found here. Alternately some of the can be found in the 2000 series detail. It is an odd thing, but at the moment this is the way the details are laid out.
Question 7: I am using 3” Aquatherm green. My hole is 5” and my pipe is centered in the wall with the same annular space all the way around. Can I still use this detail and this product?
See this chart for product information
The chart shows you that the 3” pipe has an OD of 90 mm (which is 3.543 inches- thank you Google unit converter) That means that the annular space of our perfectly centered pipe will be .73” all the way around. The detail manufacturers installation instruction require a minimum ¼” annular space (see installation date item 7). We have that covered no problem. The detail allows for a maximum annular space of 7/8” which is .875. With a 5” opening, 3.54 OD of the pipe, leaves 1.46 around the pipe but its centered so we takehalf of that which is .73. We are allowed 7/8” annular space and .875 is less than .73 so….HA..this one is right.. Sharron was wrong…we can use this detail…except that, as we went though all of this math we forgot one little thing.
Take a second look at 2A.
2 A. Polypropylene (PP-R) Pipe – Nom 6 in dia…. It does not say maximum 6 in dia. If it did say max then you would be fine and you could use this detail. However this detail is only for use with a 6” pipe and only the type and brand of pipe listed.
If you are thinking this is a trick question its not. It is something that is easily overlooked and I wanted to point out how quickly a contractor may be able to convince you that this system is okay. I also wanted to remind you that you have to take a closer look.
Remember we are talking about shaft walls. These are integral to the life safety of the building. HLS is here to help those who want to get it right. To quote the wonderful Dr. Maya Angelou “Do the best you can, until you know better. Then when you know better, do better. “ You may have missed this, or other things we have blogged about on past projects. There is nothing I can do to help you with that, but I certainly can help make sure you get it right from here on out.
If you want us to walk a site with you (in the NY/NJ area) so you can see what you might do better, give us a call.