Firestopping

[Stanley Chow]

I did a pre-closing inspection on a new townhouse. The furnace/air handler, hot water heater, electric panel, and water distribution system are contained in a Utility Room located above the attached Garage and is accessed through an adjacent bedroom. The floor is exposed plywood.

My question relates to the PEX structured water distribution system. I found the bundled PEX tubing coming from the manifold block penetrating the floor deck, however it does not penetrate through the Garage ceiling. The voids around the penetration was filled with a yellowish orange-colored, foam-type material that I assume is firestopping. My prior experience with foamed-in-place firestopping is red-color. The foam material has been disturbed and left voids in place.

1. Confirm that a 1 hour fire-rating is required at ceiling/floor assembly?
2. Is firestopping required in this case?
3. Is this material firestopping or just spray-foam insulation?
4. Is this foam material just something used to hold the PEX tubing in place?

Thanks.
Stan

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[Jerry Peck]

however it does not penetrate through the Garage ceiling.

If there is 5/8" Type X drywall on the garage ceiling, that is the SEPARATION required.

1. Confirm that a 1 hour fire-rating is required at ceiling/floor assembly?

That is not required to be a 1-hour fire-rated assembly, it just required SEPARATION, and that separation between a garage and living space above is minimum 5/8" Type X gypsum board on the ceilings and 1/2" drywall on the walls supporting the living space above (Type X not required for this).

2. Is firestopping required in this case?

Not as I am envisioning what you are describing - that the PEX piping is above the garage ceiling and does not penetrate the garage ceiling, nonetheless, though "firestopping" would not be required anyway.

3. Is this material firestopping or just spray-foam insulation?

Insufficient information to answer that properly.

4. Is this foam material just something used to hold the PEX tubing in place?

In your case, probably, but that may not have been the intent of it.

[Stanley Chow]

Jerry....Thanks very much for your expert response.

Stan