FSC FSC Testing & Certification Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'FM Approved' mean on a firestop product compared to 'UL Listed'?
- Both designations indicate third-party testing and certification to fire standards, but FM (Factory Mutual) and UL (Underwriters Laboratories) are separate NRTLs with their own testing programs (Correct answer)
- FM Approved products are for industrial facilities only; UL Listed products are for commercial buildings only
- FM Approved means the product passed a single test; UL Listed means annual re-testing is required
- 'FM Approved' applies to fire dampers; 'UL Listed' applies to sealants and mortars only
Correct answer: Both designations indicate third-party testing and certification to fire standards, but FM (Factory Mutual) and UL (Underwriters Laboratories) are separate NRTLs with their own testing programs
FM Global and UL are both nationally recognized testing laboratories that independently test and certify firestop products; both designations are acceptable under US building codes.
Question 2: What is the 'L-rating' sometimes referenced alongside F and T ratings in firestop assembly certifications?
- The L-rating measures air leakage through the firestop assembly at ambient temperature, important for smoke control applications (Correct answer)
- The L-rating identifies the load-bearing capacity of the firestop product
- The L-rating measures the light transmission through the firestop product after installation
- The L-rating is a contractor quality grade assigned during inspection
Correct answer: The L-rating measures air leakage through the firestop assembly at ambient temperature, important for smoke control applications
The L-rating quantifies air leakage in cubic feet per minute per square foot at both ambient and elevated temperatures, critical when the assembly also serves as a smoke barrier.
Question 3: Under IBC Section 714, what alternative to a listed firestop assembly is permitted when no listed assembly exists for a specific penetration condition?
- An engineered firestop system designed by a registered fire protection engineer and approved by the AHJ (Correct answer)
- Any firestop product from a manufacturer with ISO 9001 certification
- A standard mortar fill applied at double the specified depth
- No alternative is permitted; only listed assemblies may be used under any circumstances
Correct answer: An engineered firestop system designed by a registered fire protection engineer and approved by the AHJ
IBC 714.4.2 allows engineered firestop systems when no listed assembly is available, provided a registered fire protection engineer designs the system and the AHJ approves it.
Question 4: For FSC certification maintenance, what is typically required of certified professionals to retain their credential?
- Completion of continuing education units (CEUs) and periodic recertification exams to demonstrate current knowledge of standards and products (Correct answer)
- Installation of a minimum number of firestop assemblies per year on certified projects
- Annual payment of dues to the certifying organization with no additional requirements
- Submission of project photos showing completed firestop installations
Correct answer: Completion of continuing education units (CEUs) and periodic recertification exams to demonstrate current knowledge of standards and products
Firestop certifications require ongoing education and recertification to ensure professionals stay current with evolving codes, products, and installation standards.
Question 5: What is an 'engineering judgment' (EJ) in the context of firestop certification and when is it appropriate to use one?
- A written document by a qualified fire protection engineer extending a listed assembly to a similar but untested condition, used only when no listed assembly covers the exact field condition (Correct answer)
- An informal verbal approval given by a building inspector to use an unlisted product
- A manufacturer's marketing document claiming product equivalency to a listed assembly
- A cost-benefit analysis prepared by the general contractor to justify substituting products
Correct answer: A written document by a qualified fire protection engineer extending a listed assembly to a similar but untested condition, used only when no listed assembly covers the exact field condition
An engineering judgment is a formal technical opinion supported by fire test data and engineering principles, used only as a last resort when the exact field condition has no listed firestop assembly.
Question 6: How does the International Fire Code (IFC) coordinate with the IBC regarding firestop inspection requirements after building occupancy?
- The IFC gives fire marshals authority to require inspection and repair of firestop systems during building occupancy to maintain ongoing life safety compliance (Correct answer)
- The IFC supersedes the IBC, requiring all firestop work to be redone after occupancy
- The IFC applies only to fire suppression systems and does not address firestop assemblies
- Once a building is occupied, the IBC governs all firestop requirements and the IFC no longer applies
Correct answer: The IFC gives fire marshals authority to require inspection and repair of firestop systems during building occupancy to maintain ongoing life safety compliance
The IFC provides ongoing operational fire safety requirements including maintenance of passive fire protection systems, giving fire marshals authority to enforce firestop integrity after occupancy.
FSC FSC Testing & Certification Standards 2
What does 'FM Approved' mean on a firestop product compared to 'UL Listed'?