Fire Block Foam

[Chris Schiewer]

Trying to decide if Fire Block Foam is accepted for sealing penetrations through fire blocking in the 2012 IBC. I usually see fire caulk. ???

 

[BN4537]

What specific product are you using? Some can, some can't, and then they are deceptively labeled to make it hard to tell.

I assume this fire blocking is 2x lumber in a wall that does not have an hour fire rating?

 

[steveray]

Fire blocking....maybe...Fire rating...no....

 

[north star]

@ ~ @

Chris Schiewer, ...please provide us the testing \ acceptance language
from the product you are considering ?

@ ~ @

 

[mtlogcabin]

This is the typical restriction I have found for the various spray can foam fire blocking products I have researched.

For use in residential Type V and commercial non-rated construction in areas that require sealing to maintain the integrity of a fireblock.

 

[ICE]

Years ago I tested the foam fireblock with a flame. It would not ignite but it acted like Styrofoam in that it melted away. I tried to disallow it but an appeal to the PW Dept. head went against me. It was decided that because the product had an ICC ESR I could not refuse to accept it. Once a person rises above the level of inspector, the backbone is removed....and the sense of humor is greatly diminished.

It has been a while since I did that and I do not have any foam to test....so perhaps some of you guys and gals or gender fluid folks could take it from here.

Thanks

 

[classicT]

Look on the product, most I have encountered indicate for use in residential only and/or commercial non-rated Type V only.

 

[Sifu]

I have one, but it is on an old phone and I can't figure out how to get it off. In a nutshell, I used a propane torch to ignite the orange foam. It not only lit, but stayed lit, looked a lot like a chunk of lava. May not be fair to use a propane torch as it is hotter than the average building fire I think, so I'm not sure how it would react to fire under "normal" conditions. This was about 8 years ago, so maybe they have improved since then.

 

[Chris Schiewer]

The product is 3M Fireblock foam. And I'm talking about using it in non rated walls where the fireblocking has been penetrated. 3M states it has been tested to a modified ASTM E 814. I'm taking the stance that since the test has been modified that it does not meet the standard in the 2012 IBC. What do you all think?

 

[steveray]

The product is 3M Fireblock foam. And I'm talking about using it in non rated walls where the fireblocking has been penetrated. 3M states it has been tested to a modified ASTM E 814. I'm taking the stance that since the test has been modified that it does not meet the standard in the 2012 IBC. What do you all think?

There is no standard for fireblocking....And you can approve whatever you want under #7....Or not...

718.2.1 Fireblocking Materials​

Diagram
Fireblocking shall consist of the following materials:

1. Two-inch (51 mm) nominal lumber.
2. Two thicknesses of 1-inch (25 mm) nominal lumber with broken lap joints.
3. One thickness of 0.719-inch (18.3 mm) wood structural panels with joints backed by 0.719-inch (18.3 mm) wood structural panels.
4. One thickness of 0.75-inch (19.1 mm) particleboard with joints backed by 0.75-inch (19 mm) particleboard.
5. One-half-inch (12.7 mm) gypsum board.
6. One-fourth-inch (6.4 mm) cement-based millboard.
7. Batts or blankets of mineral wool, mineral fiber or other approved materials installed in such a manner as to be securely retained in place.
8. Cellulose insulation tested in the form and manner intended for use to demonstrate its ability to remain in place and to retard the spread of fire and hot gases.
9. Mass timber complying with Section 2304.11.

 

[Inspector Gadget]

Trying to decide if Fire Block Foam is accepted for sealing penetrations through fire blocking in the 2012 IBC. I usually see fire caulk. ???

Challenge for the day: find me a UL/ULC-listed fire stop assembly with fire block foam.