Firestop answers
Plain answers to the questions owners, design teams, contractors and authorities ask about firestopping in Canada. Each answer cites the code article or standard clause it relies on.
What does the National Building Code of Canada require for firestopping?
The NBC articles that govern firestopping: CAN/ULC-S115 firestops with an F rating at penetrations, FT ratings where the code calls for them, FT-rated joint firestops, and ASTM E2307 at floor-to-exterior-wall joints, as set out in NBC 2020 and NBC 2025.
Read the answer →Why does the CAN/ULC-S115 listing matter in Canada?
The National Building Code of Canada names CAN/ULC-S115 for firestops, not ASTM E814 or UL 1479. How F, FT, FH and FTH differ from the US F and T ratings, and what to check on a listing.
Read the answer →What does a third-party firestop inspection to ASTM E2174 and ASTM E2393 involve?
How third-party firestop inspection works under ASTM E2174 (penetrations) and ASTM E2393 (joints and perimeter fire barriers): who is involved, how much is inspected, destructive verification, the 10% rule, forms and the final report.
Read the answer →
This page explains the national code and the inspection standards in general terms. It is not a code interpretation, a design opinion or engineering advice for a particular building. The code in force in your province or territory governs, and the authority having jurisdiction decides what is acceptable on a project. PFS is not an engineer, an architect or the authority having jurisdiction, and does not issue, request or procure engineering judgments.