Is it true a Fire department can disapprove usage of NON RED fire rated sealant? Do my peers specify color of fire sealants?
If it were up to my granddaughters, it would be purple. But I have not, to my knowledge, specified a color.
I’m sure an AHJ could disapprove of anything, though, and some might.
We do not specify color but I have had some fire department inspections fail due to fire rated sealant not being red. Once we provided proof that the sealant was indeed rated then we were okay. We now call for a record of all fire sealants be provided to the owner separate from the typical submittal process.
If it is clear in the submittals that the sealant is fire rated that does not mean the owner knows how to pull up their copy of the submittal to prove it when the fire department walks thru (sometimes years after the installation)
I have also noticed that many fire departments will comment on the sealant when it is not red but they never appear to notice if the contractor has used an intumescent product around a duct with a fire damper which is potentially a much greater risk in my opinion.
A couple of our clients prefer red. It’s for their convenience, but the code official also benefits.
Jerome, When you say “fire rated sealant” I am assuming that you mean “firestopping”.
I searched the 2102 IBC and did not find any requirement that firestopping must be red in color. That said the AHJ probably prefers red so the material is easily recognized in the field.
Funny, I’ve seen this from both sides. We’ve had AHJs require red material be visible during their inspection. I’ve also had to document that the exposed fire-rated assembly, including exposed sealant matching adjacent surfaces (not red), complied with code. The worst was having to put in red material and then covering it up with a second product. Had to get a letter from the assembly manufacturer stating that the additional material didn’t impair the ability of the assembly from achieving the designated rating. What a wonderful world we live in.
I believe that I have heard of there being “red sealants” that are not accepted as a part of a rated fire-stopping system. Don’t think the fire cares what color it is.
OK, so to avoid this becoming a problem in the field would it be prudent to add to the specifications a line that says: "Color of Fire Rated sealant exposed to view to be approved by Fire Marshal.
What color(s) do manufacturers offer? Do they offer colors at all - or is it like a Ford auto and comes in any color as long as it’s X?
I would suggest using “Fire Code Official” in lieu of “Fire Marshal.” The FCO is the title used by the International Codes for the person charged with the enforcement of the code, which may or may not be the Fire Marshal.
Thanks Ron, good point.
Lynn, I was addressing an issue that came up on a job where a suggestion was made that in order to avoid negative comments from the FCO or even disapproval that the specifications include the color of Fire Rated Sealant exposed to view.
Lynn: they are typically red but I have seen grey as well as tan/brown sealants that are fire rated.
I have also seen red acoustical sealant and when the inspectors see this then they start asking why everything else in the wall is not fire-stopped properly. At which point you have to prove that the wall is not rated at all and the red sealant they see is not fire sealant.
I popped to the Hilti site, and the products I checked com in “red” or “light red”. Specified Technologies showed most of their products in red. They have one product, a silicone sealant, that might not be red. It simply didn’t say, but the picture looked “white” and it was for exposed applications.
Looks as if we need to do two things in both the Firestopping and Sealants sections (and perhaps in Gypsum Board Systems):
- Require that the color of firestopping sealants and other fire-resistant sealants be red, or other color(s) acceptable to the Fire Code Official or other AHJ; and
- Require that non-fire-rated or non-fire-resistant sealants NOT be red, or another color that could be mistaken for firestopping or fire-resistant sealant.
What if:
- the firestopping is exposed to view and red is simply not aesthetically acceptable?
- the non-fire-rated sealant is part of a red substrate?
It seems to me this is more than a color issue. It’s partly a trust issue: can the installing contractor be trusted to comply with the codes and specs and install the correct materials?
It’s partly an installation issue: inspection of enclosed firestopping/sealant is supposed to happen before enclosure so the material is visible and theoretically can be tested. Is this requirement being stated and met?
I think the first issue can be addressed by specifying and requiring qualified firms to install. The chances that they would jeopardize their certification status is very small.
Perhaps speaking with the AHJ prior to publishing the Bidding documents would solve the problem; what do they require? Will the inspections happen as required by the specifications?
Pre-Bid meetings can also contribute to a more seamless process.
In short, discuss the issue with the proper people and resolve it early. Specify the products and installer properly. And don’t worry about the color.
Good point Robert, this is why I love this forum.
Since we are talking about Firestopping, I’ve received objections from Contractors over the following verbage which I include in all my project specifications, any comments:
“All through-penetration firestop systems will be installed by one company that will coordinate with all trades requiring through-penetration firestop systems to complete their respective installations.”
The Contractors usually object to my specifying one company as there are multiple subs on their jobs who retain responsibility for installing firestopping products.
I’m with Lynn on this one. However, some firestopping sealants can be painted; therefore, the sealant needs to be inspected before being painted.
Jerome, as for your situation, I, too, try to get a single certified installer for all firestopping and fire-resistive joints. The “you poke it, you patch it” mentality for firestopping and fire-resistive joints does not ensure consistency or proper installation. I want someone on the job who really knows what they are doing. The contractor can complain all they want, but if it’s in the contract documents to have a single installer, then they must comply. However, since I don’t provide CCA services, I don’t know if my clients are enforcing this requirement.
Requiring one installer, and a certified installer where that is available, is the right way to go. Bill McHugh from FCIA is the go to guy on how to do this hes presented frequently at the CSI Conventions over the years. The bigger and better contractors in our market insist on doing it this way because its ultimately less trouble for them.
But youre right, Jerry, its hard to get buy-in from many contractors it’s hard to break the old he who makes the hole fills it rule [Just read Ron’s “you poke it you patch it” - once again I defer to a more concise specification]. But do you really want the least experienced mechanical or electrical apprentice slopping goo on a jobsite? Thats why you always see the slide in the powerpoint presentation showing three different colors in the same penetration. Id love to see the UL listing for that one.
To the original discussion how long before you get the RFI asking which shade of red you want? Submit sealant color samples?
There are no code requirements that specify that a firestop sealant or caulk must be red. In fact, firestopping sealants and caulks come in a variety of colors and custom colors from many different manufacturers. Some Firestop Sealants are sand-able and paint-able. The Product Data Sheets for the material typically will specify a color, but color hue may vary from batch to batch. An appropriate UL Listed System or Engineering Judgment should be used to ensure proper installation and type of sealant in specific penetrations, joints, curtain wall perimeter fire barrier applications or other applications. The UL Listed System or Engineering Judgment will list among other things, the rated assembly construction, max/min opening sizes, annular space, joint gaps, type of sealant, backing material requirements, penetrant types and load restrictions, etc.