Fire Resistive Assemblies

Containing fire at the zone of origin

Fire-resistive assemblies include floors, roofs, walls, beams and columns. These assemblies are designed to prevent a fire from spreading beyond its zone of origin. Underwriters Laboratories of Canada can create fire-exposure conditions that represent either a fully developed building fire or a hydrocarbon pool fire. The duration of the fire exposure may last up to 4 hours. Once your product is Listed, it will appear in a ULC Product Directory. These Directories are referenced by hundreds of AHJs, code officials, and architects annually.

With 90 years experience, ULC is a one-stop service provider for fire testing of building materials. We have standard test programs for products like gypsum board, spray-applied fire-resistive materials and intumescent coatings. These programs optimize testing for acceptance with the least amount of expense. We can also customize a test program to fit your needs and limit the amount of full-scale testing necessary using our extensive experience and information database.

ULC can also conduct engineering studies on changes in the evaluated construction and determine if those changes would impact the fire-resistance performance.

Test Standards

  • CAN/ULC-S101Fire Endurance Tests of Building Construction and Materials
  • UL263Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials
  • (ASTM E119, NFPA 251)
  • ISO 834Elements of Building Construction
  • UL1709Rapid Rise Fire Tests of Protection Materials for Structural Steel

Firestop Systems

Maintaining integrity of fire resistive assemblies

Firestop systems are intended to restore the hourly rating of fire-resistive assemblies that require penetration for electrical, plumbing or mechanical items.

Electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems are a necessity in modern building construction. It is often necessary to pass these items through hourly fire-resistive floor or wall assemblies. In order to accomplish this, oversized openings are cut or drilled through the floor or wall. Once the penetrating items are installed, an opening or annular space exists around the penetrants. Left unprotected, these openings would represent a breach of the fire-resistive floor or wall assemblies. Therefore, various types of fire-stopping materials are installed within those openings and/or around the penetrants, preventing the passage of flames and hot gases through the fire-resistive rated assemblies.

The National Building Code (NBC) of Canada and all Provincial building codes mandate that fire stop systems meet the requirements of ULC Standard CAN/ULC-S115.  ULC can also provide testing to UL and ASTM standards for the U.S. marketplace

Underwriters Laboratories of Canada can create fire-exposure conditions that represent a fully developed building fire. The duration of the hourly rating on the fire stop system should be consistent with the rating of the floor and/or wall assembly being penetrated. Typical rating periods may last up to 4 hours. Once your product is Listed, it will appear in a ULC Product Directory. These Directories are referenced by hundreds of AHJs, code officials, and architects annually.

Test Standard

  • CAN/ULC-S115 Fire Tests of Fire stop Systems
  • UL1479 Fire Tests of Through-Penetration Firestops (ASTM E814)

Joint Systems

Preventing the spread of fire

Joint systems are firestop systems intended to prevent the spread of fire through linear openings between or within fire-resistive floor and/or wall assemblies. These linear openings are designed to allow for relative movement between adjacent components of a building. Movements are induced by three potential means: thermal, wind sway and seismic forces. Left unprotected, these linear openings would represent a breach between or within fire-resistive floor and/or wall assemblies. Therefore, fire-resistive joint systems are installed within the linear openings in order to prevent the spread of fire through adjacent building components.

The National Building Code (NBC) of Canada and all Provincial building codes mandate that fire stop systems meet the requirements of ULC Standard CAN/ULC-S115.  ULC can also provide testing to UL and ASTM standards for the U.S. marketplace

Underwriters Laboratories of Canada can create fire-exposure conditions that represent a fully developed building fire. The duration of the hourly rating of the joint system should be consistent with the rating of the floor and/or wall assembly in or between where the joint system is installed. Typical rating periods may last up to 4 hours. Once your product is Listed, it will appear in a ULC Product Directory. These Directories are referenced by hundreds of AHJs, code officials, and architects annually.

Test Standards

  • CAN/ULC-S115 Fire Tests of Firestop Systems
  • UL 2079 Tests for Fire Resistance of Building Joint Systems
  • ASTM E1966 Standard Test Method for Fire-Resistive Joint Systems