NICET III – Fire Stopping Study Review
Practice Test.
What is firestopping? - CORRECT ANSWER A process whereby certain materials, some of them specially
manufactured, are used to resit (or stop) the spread of fire and its byproducts through openings made
to accommodate penetrations in fire-rated walls, floors, and floor/ceiling assemblies. ....International
Firestop Council
Balanced approach to Fire Protection - CORRECT ANSWER Detection - Containment - Suppression
Compartmentation (Fire compartments) - CORRECT ANSWER The spread of fire can be restricted by
dividing a building into separate compartments with fire-resisting walls and floors, thereby increasing
the availability of escape routes for occupants.
What is the leading killer in fires? - CORRECT ANSWER smoke and toxic gasses (prodcuts of combustion)
Intumescence - CORRECT ANSWER The ability of firestop material to swell, enlarge, or expand under
heat conditions. The intumescing action seals and stops the spread of flames and smoke for
penetrations that melt of change shape in a fire (e.g. plastic pipe)
Typical firestop products - CORRECT ANSWER one-part sealants (caulks), putty, cementitious mortars
and grouts, sprays (coatings), intumescent wraps, pillows bags or blocks, mechanical devices
Types of firestop systems - CORRECT ANSWER • Through penetrations
• Membrane penetrations
• Fire resistive construction joints
• Perimeter joints
Through-penetration firestop system - CORRECT ANSWER consists of a fire rated wall or floor, a
penetrating item (pipe, cable, conduit, etc) and the firestop material
, Tests for Through-Penetration Firestops - CORRECT ANSWER ASTM E814 / UL 1479
• F-Rating. Flame does not pass through for test duration
• T-Rating. The time by which the non-fireside reaches approximately 400°F (325 above ambient)
• L-Rating (optional). Amount of air leakage through the FS system at ambient and 400°F. Determines
the system's ability to restrict the movement of smoke, measured in CFM/sq.ft. The lower the number
the better
Factors affecting Through-Penetration firestop performance - CORRECT ANSWER Through penetrations:
- types of penetrating item(s)
- size of penetrating item(s)
- percent fill (cables)
- annular space
- fire severity and duration
- floor or wall construction type
- floor or wall thickness
- stud width for gypsum wall assemblies
drywall tape vs. firestop sealant - CORRECT ANSWER - tape & mud will not withstand the effects of fire
- the tape and mud may burn away leaving an unsealed opening in just minutes
Membrane Penetration - CORRECT ANSWER Membrane Penetration:
An opening made through one side (wall, floor, ceiling membrane) of an assembly
Membrane Penetration Firestop - CORRECT ANSWER Membrane Penetration Firestop:
A material, device or construction installed to resist, for a prescribed time period, the passage of flame
and heat through openings in a protective membrane in order to accommodate cables, cable trays,
conduit, tubing, pipes or similar items
Fire Rated Joint System - CORRECT ANSWER Fire Rated Joint System:
Practice Test.
What is firestopping? - CORRECT ANSWER A process whereby certain materials, some of them specially
manufactured, are used to resit (or stop) the spread of fire and its byproducts through openings made
to accommodate penetrations in fire-rated walls, floors, and floor/ceiling assemblies. ....International
Firestop Council
Balanced approach to Fire Protection - CORRECT ANSWER Detection - Containment - Suppression
Compartmentation (Fire compartments) - CORRECT ANSWER The spread of fire can be restricted by
dividing a building into separate compartments with fire-resisting walls and floors, thereby increasing
the availability of escape routes for occupants.
What is the leading killer in fires? - CORRECT ANSWER smoke and toxic gasses (prodcuts of combustion)
Intumescence - CORRECT ANSWER The ability of firestop material to swell, enlarge, or expand under
heat conditions. The intumescing action seals and stops the spread of flames and smoke for
penetrations that melt of change shape in a fire (e.g. plastic pipe)
Typical firestop products - CORRECT ANSWER one-part sealants (caulks), putty, cementitious mortars
and grouts, sprays (coatings), intumescent wraps, pillows bags or blocks, mechanical devices
Types of firestop systems - CORRECT ANSWER • Through penetrations
• Membrane penetrations
• Fire resistive construction joints
• Perimeter joints
Through-penetration firestop system - CORRECT ANSWER consists of a fire rated wall or floor, a
penetrating item (pipe, cable, conduit, etc) and the firestop material
, Tests for Through-Penetration Firestops - CORRECT ANSWER ASTM E814 / UL 1479
• F-Rating. Flame does not pass through for test duration
• T-Rating. The time by which the non-fireside reaches approximately 400°F (325 above ambient)
• L-Rating (optional). Amount of air leakage through the FS system at ambient and 400°F. Determines
the system's ability to restrict the movement of smoke, measured in CFM/sq.ft. The lower the number
the better
Factors affecting Through-Penetration firestop performance - CORRECT ANSWER Through penetrations:
- types of penetrating item(s)
- size of penetrating item(s)
- percent fill (cables)
- annular space
- fire severity and duration
- floor or wall construction type
- floor or wall thickness
- stud width for gypsum wall assemblies
drywall tape vs. firestop sealant - CORRECT ANSWER - tape & mud will not withstand the effects of fire
- the tape and mud may burn away leaving an unsealed opening in just minutes
Membrane Penetration - CORRECT ANSWER Membrane Penetration:
An opening made through one side (wall, floor, ceiling membrane) of an assembly
Membrane Penetration Firestop - CORRECT ANSWER Membrane Penetration Firestop:
A material, device or construction installed to resist, for a prescribed time period, the passage of flame
and heat through openings in a protective membrane in order to accommodate cables, cable trays,
conduit, tubing, pipes or similar items
Fire Rated Joint System - CORRECT ANSWER Fire Rated Joint System:
