Designation: E 2174 – 01

Standard Practice for

On-Site Inspection of Installed Fire Stops1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2174; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope International Building Code6

1.1 The purpose of this practice is to establish procedures to 3. Terminology
inspect fire stops, including methods for field verification and
inspection. 3.1 Definitions—Terms defined in Terminology E 631, Ter-
1.2 This practice addresses all types of fire stops installed minology E 176, and Criteria E 699 will prevail for terms not
through or into fire resistive assemblies. defined in this document.
3.2 approving authority (AA)—the person, persons or com-
NOTE 1—Fire stop is defined in E 814. pany that hires the inspector and to which the inspector is
1.3 This practice provides methods by which a qualified obligated to disclose all information regarding the inspection.
inspector can verify that all required fire stops on a project have 3.3 authority having jurisdiction (AHJ)—the designated
been installed and that their installations are in accordance with authority, or their duly authorized representative, charged with
the inspection documents. the administration and enforcement of the local fire code or
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the building code or both.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.4 inspection document—any information provided to the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- inspector by the AA that is to be used as the basis for the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- inspection process. This information shall include, but is not
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. limited to, project specifications, contract drawings, Listed
1.5 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes Designs, manufacturer’s instructions and designs, building
that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes codes and other documentation.
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered NOTE 2—The approved fire stop submittal should have sufficient details
as requirements of the standard. including the fire stop manufacturer’s product data, a design listing of the
tested fire stop or the engineering judgement design with illustrated
2. Referenced Documents drawings or descriptive text or both for the purpose of verifying each
2.1 ASTM Standards: installation and conducting the field-inspection procedures.
E 176 Terminology of Fire Standards2 3.5 inspection form—the document contained in this stan-
E 631 Terminology of Building Constructions3 dard practice that is used to record information obtained during
E 699 Criteria for Evaluation of Agencies Involved in the inspection(s).
Testing, Quality Assurance, and Evaluating Building Com- 3.6 inspector—an individual meeting the qualifications set
ponents in Accordance with Test Methods Promulgated by forth in this document and who performs the inspection.
ASTM Committee E-64 3.7 listing label—identification applied to the product that
E 814 Test Method for Fire Tests of Through-Penetration includes the name of a quality assurance agency indicating that
Fire Stops2 a representative sample of the product or material has been
2.2 Other Standards: tested and evaluated by the quality assurance agency.
UL 1479-94 Fire Tests of Through-Penetration Fire Stops5 3.8 quality assurance agency—a company that is engaged
2.3 Other Documents: in conducting inspection services, who possess a valid evalu-
ation report for quality assurance and is recognized by the AHJ.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Perfor- 4. Summary of Practice
mance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.21 on
Serviceability. 4.1 This practice sets forth the minimum requirements to
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 2001. Published February 2002. qualify an inspector to use this practice.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.11.
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02. 6
International Code Council, 5203 Leesburg Pike, Suite 708, Falls Church, VA
5
Underwriters Laboratories, 333 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook, IL 60062. 22401.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 E 2174 – 01
4.2 This practice identifies the types of fire stops subject to 8. Materials
the inspection procedures outlined in this practice. 8.1 The inspector shall verify that the materials used for fire
4.3 This practice provides the minimum information re- stop, which have been tested in accordance with E 814 or UL
quired to verify compliance of installed fire stops with inspec- 1479, on the job are Listed and Labeled for the use intended.
tion documents.
4.4 This practice provides a standard inspection form that is NOTE 3—Listed and Labeled refers to materials, devices or assemblies
that have been tested by an accredited testing agency after which the test
to be used when inspecting fire stops. results and description of the materials, devices or assemblies are
4.5 This practice provides a standard report format that is to published by an accredited quality assurance agency and these materials,
be used when reporting the inspection results. devices or assemblies bear a Listing Label.
8.2 All materials shall bear a Listing Label as defined in 3.7.
5. Significance and Use
Manufacturer’s container labels shall include the manufactur-
5.1 This practice is intended to provide a standard set of er’s name, product name and product description. Other
guidelines that are to be followed when conducting and components of the fire stop shall also be identifiable by
reporting on inspections of installed fire stops. labeling or other method approved by the AHJ.
5.2 This practice is intended to provide a means to verify 8.3 All materials shall be exactly as identified on the
compliance of the installed fire stops to the inspection docu- inspection documents.
ments. 8.4 All materials used in fire stops shall have been tested in
5.3 This practice is not intended to provide a basis for accordance with and met the requirements of E 814 or UL 1479
selecting installers or products or both. as required by the building or fire code.
5.4 This practice is not intended to establish any perfor-
mance criteria of the inspected fire stops. NOTE 4—UL 1479 is considered an equivalent test method to E 814.

9. Inspection Schedule
6. Inspector
9.1 The inspector and installer shall mutually agree upon a
6.1 Qualifications—An inspector shall be acceptable to the schedule for the notification of the following:
AHJ and shall meet at least one of the following requirements: 9.1.1 Inspection of fire stop materials,
6.1.1 Meet the criteria contained in E 699 for agencies 9.1.2 Start of installation, and
involved in quality assurance, or 9.1.3 Anticipated completion of inspection.
6.1.2 Have a minimum of 2 years experience in construction 9.2 The inspection schedule shall not interfere with the
field inspections and have education, credentials, and experi- installation process.
ence acceptable to the AA, or 9.3 The installer shall notify the inspector within 1 working
6.1.3 Be a quality assurance agency accredited by the AHJ. day when any item agreed to on the schedule must be changed
6.2 Conflicts of Interest: due to unforeseen circumstances, such as material delays,
6.2.1 The inspector shall be completely independent of, and project change orders, or other installation conflicts.
divested from, the installer, contractor, manufacturer or sup-
plier of any material being inspected. 10. Inspection
6.2.2 The inspector shall not be a competitor of the installer, 10.1 The inspector shall be permitted to enter the premises
contractor, manufacturer or supplier of any material being to review the applicable inspection documents, to observe the
inspected. installation in progress, to inspect completed work and to
6.3 The inspector shall submit notarized statements to the perform overall functions relative to their duty as inspector.
AA assuring compliance with 6.2.
6.4 The inspector shall make a written submission to the AA NOTE 5—The “duty” of the inspector is to ensure that the installed fire
requesting acceptance. If accepted, the AA shall present the stop submitted conforms to the design listing or engineering judgement
design.
inspector with written confirmation of acceptance.
10.2 The inspector shall use the inspection documents in 7.3
7. Inspection Documents to identify and locate fire rated assemblies on the project that
are subject to the installation of fire stops.
7.1 The inspection documents shall be reviewed by and
10.3 The installer shall notify the inspector of the arrival of
acceptable to the AA and AHJ.
the materials (described in 8.1-8.4 inclusive) as agreed to in
7.2 The AA shall be responsible for ensuring that the
9.1.
inspection documents do not contain conflicting information.
10.4 Prior to installation, the inspector shall verify that all
7.3 The AA shall provide the inspector with a complete set
materials received for the installation of the fire stop meet the
of inspection documents at least 10 working days prior to the
requirements of 8.1-8.4 inclusive and record this information
inspection. The inspector shall review all inspection documents
on the inspection form.
prior to conducting any inspection. When the inspector be-
10.5 Prior to installation, the inspector shall verify any
lieves that the inspection documents contain conflicting infor-
construction detail on the inspection documents that will not be
mation or documentation that the inspector believes is insuffi-
visible after the fire stop installation and record this informa-
cient to perform the inspection, the inspector shall submit
tion on the inspection form.
written notification of the potential conflict and obtain written
clarification from the AA before conducting any inspection. NOTE 6—The following are some examples of construction details that

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 E 2174 – 01
may not be visible after the installation process: the rated floor assembly the installer. The repaired fire stop that contained deficiencies
thickness, the annular space, and the wall construction. shall comply with the inspection documents.
10.6 The inspector shall not supervise or in any manner 10.15 Inspection forms, as defined in 3.5, shall be submitted
direct any aspect of the installation process. This includes, but to the AA and installer within 1 working day after an area is
is not limited to, the following: inspected.
10.6.1 Handling and storage of materials,
10.6.2 The mixing of materials, 11. Inspection Forms
10.6.3 The cutting or fastening of materials, and 11.1 Inspection forms, as defined in 3.5, shall be submitted
10.6.4 The preparation of substrates. to the AA and installer within 1 working day after an area is
10.7 When work is started or completed per the schedule in inspected.
Section 9, the installer shall notify the inspector. Inspection of NOTE 8—The delivery of inspection reports should be performed in a
completed work shall take place within 2 working days from timely manner to ensure that project construction schedules are not
notification by the installer. delayed and that the installer has an adequate opportunity to repair all
10.8 The inspector shall verify compliance of the fire stop deficiencies prior to the work of other trades (for example, installation of
by observing the installation process and by taking and gypsum wallboard, ceilings, ductwork, and so forth) imparing or obstruct-
ing proper installation.
recording measurements of the substrates and materials being
installed or by destructive examination of completed installa- 11.2 An inspection form shall be written, and clearly de-
tions. scribe the results of the inspection and any deficiencies.
10.9 Inspection frequency shall depend on the method of 11.3 Example of inspection form is shown in Fig. 1.
inspection and the scope of the project. The method of 11.4 Inspection forms shall be sequentially numbered, start-
inspection shall be one of the following: ing with 1, and only contain information about one type of fire
10.9.1 The inspector shall be on site during installation and stop. Use a new inspection form for each type of fire stop. Use
randomly witness a minimum of 10 % of each type of fire stop as many inspection forms as needed. Attach drawings and
being installed, or additional pages if needed.
10.9.2 The inspector shall conduct a post installation in- 11.5 When deficiencies or repairs are made to a fire stop, the
spection, which shall require destructive type verification of inspection form number should be cited on the inspection form
the fire stop and repair of the fire stop. A minimum of 2 %, but in 11.4 for cross reference.
not less than one, of each type of fire stop shall be inspected per
floor or for each area of a floor when a floor is larger than 12. Report
10,000 ft2 (946.7 m2). An area consists 10,000 ft2 or less. 12.1 At the end of the installation and inspection process,
NOTE 7—The AA should determine the types of fire stops and subse-
the inspector shall submit a final report.
quently the number of each type that is to be inspected. 12.2 The final report shall contain a cover page with the
following:
10.10 Any type of fire stop noted in 10.9.2 that does not 12.2.1 The project name, location and reference number.
comply with the inspection documents will require repair or 12.2.2 The name and address of the inspector.
replacement and re-inspection of that fire stop plus one 12.2.3 The name and address of the installer, as well as the
additional inspection of that type fire stop. If non-compliance prime contractor if different.
occurs on 10 % or more of the quantity of like fire stops within 12.2.4 The name and address of the AA.
10.9.1 or 10.9.2, then inspection of those particular type fire 12.2.5 The name and address of the AHJ.
stops shall cease. The installer shall inspect their own work, 12.3 The final report shall also contain a summary page with
repair or replace those like fire stops within the area prior to the following:
re-commencement of inspections by the inspector. 12.3.1 Types and quantity of each fire stop on the project
10.11 All observed deficiencies shall be documented and according to the inspection documents.
marked on the inspection forms. In addition, the inspector shall 12.3.2 Which verification method from 10.9 was used to
physically identify the location where a required fire stop has ascertain compliance with the inspection documents.
been omitted or where the inspection results indicate that the 12.3.3 The quantity of each fire stop inspected on the project
installed fire stop does not comply with the inspection docu- and a notarized written statement by the inspector that the
ments. number of fire stops inspected comply with 10.9.
10.12 The inspector shall advise the contractor of any 12.3.4 The summary page should also contain percentages
deficiencies noted within 1 working day. of deficiencies for each type of fire stop referenced in the
10.13 Repair of fire stops damaged during inspection shall inspection documents.
be conducted according to the manufacturers recommended 12.3.5 A total number of deficiencies should be expressed as
procedures and methods. The repaired fire stop that was a percentage of the total number of fire stops inspected.
damaged shall comply with the inspection documents. 12.4 The final report shall also contain copies of all infor-
10.14 When repairs have been made to fire stops with mation submitted by the inspector to the AA.
documented deficiencies, the installer shall notify the inspector. 12.5 The final report shall also contain copies of all inspec-
Follow up inspections of fire stops with repaired deficiencies tion forms submitted during the inspection process. They shall
should take place within 2 working days from notification by be arranged chronologically.

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 E 2174 – 01

FIG. 1 Inspection Form

13. Keywords
13.1 fire stop; inspection; inspector

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 E 2174 – 01
APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1.

X1.1 Visual and Physical Inspections contractors responsible for creating penetrations or openings,
X1.1.1 The following visual and physical inspections the fire stop installer and the inspector.
should be part of the inspection process. X1.4 In order to facilitate co-operation between all parties
X1.1.1.1 Verify and document that the fire stop materials are during the installation and inspection of the fire stops, the AA
as identified in the inspection documents. should make the following documents available: project speci-
X1.1.1.2 Verify and document the installed fire stop is as fications, drawings, penetration schedule and the approved fire
identified in the inspection documents. stop submittals. Project drawings should include, but not be
X1.1.1.3 Verify and document adherence to the fire stop limited to, architectural, structural, mechanical, plumbing,
manufacturer’s installation instructions. electrical and fire protection. These drawings and the penetra-
X1.1.1.4 Verify and document that all of the fire stops tion schedule should be sufficient for identifying and locating
required in the inspection documents have been installed. all fire resistance rated assemblies on the project, as well as the
X1.1.1.5 Document all deficiencies by location and type of penetrating items, and openings relative to the construction
fire stop. trades involved (mechanical, plumbing, masonry, etc.).
X1.2 Inspector X1.5 Normally a current design listing of a fire stop
X1.2.1 The inspector is responsible for the verification and generated by an approved agency should be deemed to be
inspection of all the fire stops on the inspection documents. adequate information for reference in contracts, specifications,
X1.2.2 Therefore it may be desirable that in addition to drawings, submittals and reports. Published fire stop design
meeting the requirements set forth in this practice that the listings or engineering judgement should be from agencies or
inspector is also one of the following: companies acceptable to the AHJ.
X1.2.2.1 A code official.
NOTE X1.1—Examples of listing and testing agencies that produce
X1.2.2.2 An architect. design listings are Factory Mutual, Omega Point Laboratories, Underwrit-
X1.2.2.3 An engineer. ers Laboratories, Underwriters Laboratories of Canada and Warnock
X1.2.2.4 A certified quality control person or agency. Hersey/Intertek Testing Services.
X1.2.2.5 A licensed professional, such as a contractor.
X1.6 Prior to the establishment of the inspection docu-
X1.3 The procedures discussed in this practice should be ments, the fire stop installer should make a submittal to the AA.
established at a mandatory pre-construction meeting attended The name of the fire stop product manufacturer, a description
by representatives of the owner, general contractor, the sub- of the products that will be installed, and the manufacturer’s

FIG. X1.1 Typical Floor Fire Stop

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 E 2174 – 01
installation instructions should be presented for approval by the X1.7.2.3 Metal Pipe.
AA. X1.7.2.4 Cable Trays.
X1.7.2.5 Ducts.
X1.7 The inspector should use the following as a guide
during inspections. X1.7.2.6 Multiple items.
X1.7.3 The thickness and construction of the fire rated
X1.7.1 The inspector should bring any tools needed to assembly into which the fire stop is installed is also critical.
examine the fire stop for compliance. These tools may include
the following:
X1.8 Examples of Fire Stops
X1.7.1.1 A razor knife to cut into the fire stop,
X1.7.1.2 A tape measure to verify dimensions, X1.8.1 Item 1 is the fire-resistive assembly. The thickness
X1.7.1.3 A thickness gauge to verify sealant thickness, and and construction may be critical to performance.
X1.7.1.4 An outside caliper to measure penetrating item X1.8.2 Item 2 is the materials placed into an annular space.
diameters. The thickness of the sealant may be critical, as well as the
X1.7.2 The following are some types of penetrating items thickness and density of the backing material. The shape of the
that may be encountered by the installer and inspector: annular space is typically rectangular or circular.
X1.7.2.1 Plastic Pipe. X1.8.3 Item 3 is the penetrating item. The material and
X1.7.2.2 Cables. diameter are critical components.

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