‘500’ Firestop Special Inspectors

firestop inspector

This week the International Firestop Council (IFC) marks a major milestone in the enhancement and quality in the fire protection and life safety of the built environment! It is with pride that we announce that the IFC Firestop Special Inspector certificate program has reached 500 currently certificated Firestop Special Inspectors!

These 500 individuals are located across the globe from as far away as Seoul, South Korea, throughout the Middle East (UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia), into the UK, and in nearly all 50 states including Alaska. This mark of distinction indicates that there are 500 trained, qualified inspectors who understand firestopping, is application, and proper installation.

If your jurisdiction is not yet enforcing IBC Chapter 17 requirement for special inspection of firestopping, which has existed in the IBC since 2012, the time is now to familiarize yourself with the code requirement and to begin its enforcement in earnest. The workforce of qualified individuals is ready to meet the demand.

To find the IFC-certificated firestop special inspectors nearest to you, or working in your area, go to www.firestop.org/directory.

firestop inspector

About the Program

The development of the special inspector certificate program was initiated when the ICC approved the addition of special inspections for penetration and joint firestopping in the 2012 IBC. A bad/incompetent special inspection can be worse than no inspection. Installations that are noncompliant might be “passed”, and acceptable installations might be “failed”. Since sufficiently competent firestop special inspectors were unlikely to spontaneously appear, and in sufficient numbers to cover the US, it was clear that a training and accreditation program needed to be developed.

It took nearly two years of work by dedicated industry volunteers to develop and launch the IFC education and examination program. It was launched in June of 2014.

An overview of the program can be viewed here.

The IFC certificate program has received broad acceptance in the US and around the world:

  • It is recognized as providing suitable education and examination in ASTM E3038, Standard Practice for Assessing and Qualifying Candidates as Inspectors of Firestop Systems and Fire-Resistive Joint Systems.
  • It is included in the list of acceptable examinations in ICC IAS Accreditation Criteria AC291.
  • It was accepted by OSHPD (in archaic document PIN67) for healthcare special inspections in California, and continues to be accepted by HCAI.
  • It is written into the UAE Fire Code as the acceptable credential for firestop special inspectors.
  • Individuals with the IFC inspector certificate continue to be approved by AHJs in all jurisdictions where special inspection is being enforced.
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