Fire Stopping Needed?

[JCTxinspector]

See the attached photo. Is fire stopping or another filament needed to cover the opening around the beam?

 

[TheCommish]

What state, code, building construction type, use group and what is the purpose of the wall?

 

[JCTxinspector]

What state, code, building construction type, use group and what is the purpose of the wall?

2018 IFC. New construction of a storage unit building. Type 1A on the first floor.

 

[steveray]

Purpose of wall? Other than some missing spray on the plate, there are no glaring problems....If the wall is part of a required separation, there may be a couple problems...

 

[JCTxinspector]

Purpose of wall? Other than some missing spray on the plate, there are no glaring problems....If the wall is part of a required separation, there may be a couple problems...

Interior wall, separating a drive up area (also fully enclosed) from another area of the building. All the beams on the first floor are open like this. Builder was unsure if they needed to fill it. Im currently reviewing IFC, IBC, and the approved plans. Reaching out for other opinions.

 

[ICE]

If there is a rated floor supported by the beam, the wall that supports the beam is likewise rated. Are big random holes permitted in rated walls? Or perhaps the floor is not rated and the spray applied fire stop is just because the owner requested that. That sounds odd but I have seen odd before.

 

[Paul Sweet]

If the wall is a fire barrier then the hole needs to be firestopped unless there is adequate masonry behind the beam to provide the fire rating, and the conduits need penetration protection.

If the wall is required to be rated only because it supports a rated floor then the opening around the beam doesn't have to be firestopped.

 

[ICE]

If the wall is required to be rated only because it supports a rated floor then the opening around the beam doesn't have to be firestopped.

While I understand your presumption, lacking a detail on the plans showing a zone where holes are or are not permitted, I would assume that a fire rated wall is treated as usual. The contractor can obtain an RFI from the architect or the engineer that clarifies the matter however, the inspector should expect no less. It has been my experience that such an RFI would not be forthcoming as there is no reason for the professional to take on any liability no matter how remote the possible negative outcome.

Now that I have taken a closer look, I see the face of the CMU on the back side. Is the wall solid grouted everywhere but here? Don't be surprised if the engineer requests high strength grout to fill the cavity.

As my eyesight deteriorates, I find it increasingly difficult to understand pictures and this is sketchy to me as to how the beam is supported.

 

[BN4537]

2018 IFC. New construction of a storage unit building. Type 1A on the first floor.

It appears to me that an interior bearing wall such as this would need a 3 hour fire rating in a Type 1A building per Table 601 of the IBC. Therefore, yes, the penetration would need to be filled with an appropriate fire stopping system that also allows or provides a 3 hour rating for the beam connection. Meaning that the system has to account for the SFRM that is already there.

As my eyesight deteriorates, I find it increasingly difficult to understand pictures and this is sketchy to me as to how the beam is supported.

Is it a welded flange connection? Doesn't look like there are bolts, hard to tell any more with the SFRM in the way.