By Robert Trotter, CBO, CFM
The use of polyurethane expanding foam is expressly not permitted by The Joint Commission for sealing penetrations in fire-rated walls and floors. According to the 2010 Hospital Accreditation Standards LS.02.01.10 Element of Performance 9, "The space around pipes, conduits, bus ducts, cables, wires, air ducts, or pneumatic tubes that penetrate fire-rated walls and floors are protected with an approved fire-rated material." The Joint Commission included this specific note, "Polyurethane expanding foam is not an acceptable fire-rated material for this purpose." According to the 2000 edition of NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code® section 8.2.3.2.4.2 requires the space between the penetrating item and the fire barrier to be filled with a material that is capable of maintaining the fire resistance rating of the fire barrier or it must be protected by an approved device that is designed for the specific purpose.
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