Does anyone else add to interior painting specs a requirement to stencil something about the fire &/or smoke rating and wall type on the wall above lay-in ceiling panels? The idea is to help future building maintenance staff to be aware to protect any penetrations or openings and maintain the wall’s rating.
How do you specify so that the wording of the stenciling is not more demanding than that of each type of wall configuration’s code requirements that may vary per project?
We have the following blurbeage in our master:
3.03 LABELING FIRE AND SMOKE PARTITIONS
A. Label fire and smoke partitions in plenum spaces and above ceilings in 2 inch high red letters maximum 20 feet on center.
B. Fire rated partitions: “FIRE PARTITION - DO NOT PENETRATE.”
C. Smoke barrier partitions: “SMOKE PARTITION - DO NOT PENETRATE.”
We have been requiring this for many years. The language came out of the old Southern Building Code “Fire and Smoke Barrier - Protect All Openings” stenciled in red 4" letters at max. 12’ o.c.
We use “Fire and Smoke Barrier, Do Not Penetrate” and require it on Both Sides of the wall in 2 inch letters every ten feet. Also, it’s a requirement specified in the gyp bd spec section, not in painting (we figure the drywall guys knows which walls are rated but the painter probably doesn’t).
Doug:
Your logic makes sense to have the GWB-sub ID the fire/smoke barriers but have you ever had any “static” from them re: being “painters?”
And, do you have verbage in the painting section prohibiting the painters from painting over the stenciling? I realize plenum walls are seldom painted, but I’m a strong believer in Murphys’ Law.
No negative feedback has hit my desk but that doesn’t mean there hasn’t ever been any. I don’t have any language in the Painting spec but it wouldn’t be a bad idea; thanks Ron
We specify this in the Interior Signage section, as decals or stencils.
Thanks all for the feedback so far!
For those of you who are using “…Fire AND Smoke Barrier” or “Fire Partition” and “Smoke Partition”, I’ll share with you our experience.
A fire marshall looked up and saw “Fire AND Smoke” (emphasis on AND is mine), and said “Where are the smoke dampers?” Even though the code does not actually require smoke barrier in this particular location, everybody is very unhappy because they say we must add the dampers or repaint the stenciling - no problem, just a little repainting, right? Well, the project is a complex of 28 buildings. I won’t get into how much time it has taken in phone calls, emails, and site visits so far either!
So, we are looking for ideas on how to correctly, and simply, state what is actually required and nothing more, in revised wording of the stenciling, for this and other projects from now on.
At the moment, I’m toying with an anti-PRM move of using AND/OR.
“X HOUR FIRE AND/OR SMOKE BARRIER AND/OR PARTITION- PROTECT ALL OPENINGS”
I don’t know of any duty we have to be sure each type of wall is labeled individually - the purpose as I understand it is simply to alert the future maintenance staff to not poke holes without properly firestopping, or add doors without using rated products. Are there too many possibilities to try to address all of them?
Isn’t it true that the specs do not specifically assign work to a specific sub-contractor, installer or trade?
If so, then merely placing a sign requirement where walls, partitions are required [and noted] to carry a fire-rating, will get the work done [it’s required] by an entity of the GC’s choosing.
Is that OK?
Anon- For most projects that is correct. Both the A201 in AIA-contract projects, and the UFC in federal projects, support the principle of specs not establishing trade jurisdictions. We do still want to avoid putting a requirement somewhere that would be unlikely to be seen by the trade the GC may be likely to choose, but ultimately it is totally their choice, in the realm of methods and means. I’m beginning to like the gyp board location for the reasons mentioned above. I think it could say they are welcome to paint per Div 09, use a sign per Div 10, or other permanent means of clearly presenting the information.
As specifiers we really don’t care who does it, it is our task to communicate what is to be done.
So if we specify it in one place and cross-reference elsewhere, we should have accomplished our goal.
If the requirement is put in the gypsum board section–what happens for rated masonry partitions?
How about something like this in Painting Section, or in each tech Section where fire-rated walls are addressed?
Fire-Rated Walls
As directed, stencil both sides of all fire-rated walls above finished and decorative ceilings with applicable lettering. Stencils shall be located, spaced, and of a size, wording, and color suitable to authority having jurisdiction.
IBC has specific terminology for each type of requirement (fire wall, fire partition, fire barrier, smoke barrier, smoke partition, shaft enclosure, etc.) that makes it difficult to make the wording generic enough. Even “fire-rated” is problematic because smoke partitions are not necessarily rated but still need to have openings and penetrations sealed (though not firestopped).
“Do not penetrate” also seems inaccurate because it’s the lack of protection, not the penetration itself, that is a problem.
We don’t currently require this, but if we did, I’d likely specify the legend “Life Safety Assembly - Protect All Openings” in the painting section (so it applies to both gyp board and masonry and doesn’t get painted over) with an option for preprinted decals.
Or perhaps, keep it in the painting section and in the other sections say:
Refer to Section 09 9000 for stenciling of fire- and smoke-rated partitions.
I suggest looking at the Firestop Contractors International Association (FCIA) Manual of Practice, appendix D. We have this in the firestopping section of the specification and require this work be done by the firestop contractor, and that there is only one firestop contractor for the entire job. This does a number of good things. First, the old addage of “if you make the hole, fill the hole” goes away. There is one company responsible for making sure this is done correctly and that it isn’t the mechanical, plumbing or electrical apprentice at the last minute. Also, when they are paying by the penetration, they are a little more careful in making sure the routes are laid out correctly. Second, we require that the firestop contractor be a member of the FCIA. We would require FM 4991, but we only have one in the area. This kind of guarantees that we get the stopping and stenciling installed correctly. Third, we reference the FCIA Manual of Practice which gives guidelines and samples of stickers and stenciling for rated partitions. Lastly, at the end of the job, this single source contractor provides a three ring binder listing all openings and fire rated partitions to the Owner. This is particularly useful for our Hospital and School clients.
So, OK, how about, in the Painting Section–
“As required by the buiding code, provide all life safety assemblies [is that defined?] with stencil/painted indications or pre-printed decals, with text of ‘Life Safety Assembly- Protect All Openings’. Such indications shall be applied to the finished surface of the aseemblies”. [i.e., after they are painted, etc.]
Everything then means the code–
Is this a Code requirement, or just something to help future building maintenance staff?
In all of my years detailing partitions, doors & hardware, and writing specifications, I’ve never heard of this.
Virginia requires it in their supplement to the IBC.
Florida Building Code:
Chapter 7 Section 712 (5)
712.5
Fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions, smoke barriers and smoke partitions or any other wall required to have protected openings shall be effectively and permanently identified with signs or stenciling in a manner acceptable to the Authority having Jurisdiction. Such identification shall be above any decorative ceiling and in concealed spaces. Suggested wording for fire and smoke barriers: “FIRE AND SMOKE BARRIER PROTECT ALL OPENINGS.”