| DescriptionDrywall firestop problem2.jpg |
This is code violation waiting to happen. The drywall is required to have a fire-resistance rating. The plumber is there before the drywaller. He follows a firestop specification by the mechanical engineer and hangs a steel sleeve in place, thus creating a round hole for the pipe (penetrant) to traverse. This is utterly wrong. The sleeve is but another penetrant. In this case, it is also a considerable heatsink, which will carry more heat through to the unexposed side. To avoid the problem, a Section 07840 Firestop specification could have been used, to regulate the forming of openings to enable proper bounding, whereby one speciality firestop sub-contractor seals all through-penetrations and building joints in one sub-contract to the general contractor. As it is, this opening shown here is very difficult to fix, especially the tight spaces between the drywall and the sleeve itself. |
