California Residential Inspector Practice Exam

Through penetration firestop systems for wall or floor-ceiling assemblies must be tested in accordance with which standard?

1. ASTM E 84

2. UL 1479

3. NFPA 251

4. ASTM E 119

The correct answer is: UL 1479

The correct answer is based on the specific requirements for through-penetration firestop systems. These systems are designed to restore the fire-resistive integrity of walls or floor-ceiling assemblies where penetrations for pipes, ducts, or cables occur. The testing standard that applies to these systems is UL 1479, which specifically addresses the fire test for firestop systems used in these types of penetrations. UL 1479 measures how well these firestop systems can prevent the spread of fire and smoke through the penetration, ensuring that they meet essential safety criteria. This includes evaluating the assembly’s performance under fire conditions, making it the appropriate standard for this context. Other standards, like ASTM E 84, NFPA 251, and ASTM E 119, are focused on different aspects of fire testing. For instance, ASTM E 84 is used for testing the surface burning characteristics of building materials, while NFPA 251 and ASTM E 119 are related to testing the fire endurance of assemblies but do not specifically address through-penetration firestop systems. Therefore, UL 1479 is the relevant standard governing the testing of these firestop systems.