RENOVATION PROJECTS AND FIRESAFING EXIST ING
FACILITIES
ISSUE:
Renovation projects and maintaining the integrity of fire and smoke barriers..
BACKGROUND:
Demolition of existing walls can expose unsealed penetrations of fire and smoke
partitions due to existing piping, conduits, ductwork etc. These penetrations must
be sealed to maintain the fire rating integrity of the floors and other barriers. Also,
when existing walls are converted to smoke or fire walls, all penetrations must be
sealed properly to establish the rating integrity of these walls.
DISCUSSION:
According to VA master construction specifications, the contractor is required to
seal newly created penetrations with fire stopping material of the proper hourly
rating. However, some A/Es have forgotten to provide details for sealing
existing penetrations and change orders have been issued on a number of
projects to seal these penetrations. Also, at times the A/Es have forgotten to
specify and detail proper fire and smoke modifications of existing walls carrying
new ratings. For instance walls have not been extended and sealed to the
underside of slab above when those existing walls become smoke or fire walls, or
no fire stopping material was provided in the expansion joint gaps between new
floor slabs abutting existing exterior walls.
RECOMMENDATIONS/CONCLUSION:
1. Instruct your A/Es to pay extra attention to fire and safety issues such as above
during design phase of your renovation project.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFOR MATION:
Contact Satish Sehgal at 202-565-5032 in the Standards Service (187C).
11 July 1996
FM-187C-DA55
Previous Page
