Blog
IFC Q4 2026 Newsletter: Advancing Firestop Education, Industry Partnerships, and Building Safety
The International Firestop Council (IFC) has released its Q4 2026 Newsletter, highlighting a year of meaningful progress in firestop education, special inspector training, industry collaboration, and technical resources supporting building and fire safety professionals. As 2026 enters its final quarter, IFC continues its mission to promote fire and smoke containment [...]
What Is a Perimeter Fire Barrier? A Guide to Curtain Wall Fire Containment
Modern curtain wall systems help buildings achieve important architectural, structural, energy, and weather-resistance goals. However, their installation typically creates a gap between the edge of each fire-resistance-rated floor and the interior face of the exterior wall. If that gap is not properly protected, flames and hot gases may spread through [...]
NBC 2020 Firestopping Requirements: What Changed for Joints and Penetrations
Fire separations are designed to restrict the spread of fire and smoke, but joints, service penetrations and recessed boxes can compromise that protection. The 2020 National Building Code of Canada introduced clearer firestopping requirements for these conditions, especially for joints and perimeter fire containment systems. NBC 2020 requires firestopping to [...]
Build Field Confidence at IFC’s Special Inspector & Manufacturer’s Product Training
Firestop special inspectors must be able to apply technical knowledge under real-world jobsite conditions. That requires an understanding of code requirements, inspection procedures, tested and listed systems, installation details, and the products being evaluated. The Special Inspector & Manufacturer’s Product Training 2026 combines classroom instruction with hands-on demonstrations from leading [...]
Firestop Special Inspection: Turning Technical Knowledge into Field Confidence
Why Does Firestop Special Inspection Require More Than Technical Knowledge? Firestop systems protect openings and joints in fire-resistance-rated construction. Their performance depends on the complete installed condition, including the assembly, opening, penetrating item, materials, dimensions, orientation, and installation method. A product may be permitted in one listed system but not [...]
Preparing for Better Firestop Inspections Through Practical Product Training
Why Does Firestop Inspection Require System-Level Evaluation? Firestopping restores the fire-resistance rating of rated walls, floors, floor-ceiling assemblies, joints, and perimeter gaps where construction has been interrupted. The hourly rating belongs to the complete tested and listed system. That system may include the rated assembly, penetrating item, opening dimensions, annular [...]
Firestop Systems Explained: A Practical Guide for Code Officials
What Is a Firestop System? A firestop system protects openings and joints in fire-resistance-rated construction. Pipes, cables, conduits, ducts, and other building services create openings in rated walls and floors. Joints and perimeter conditions can also interrupt the continuity of an assembly. A listed system defines the rated assembly, penetrant [...]
Why Firestop Special Inspectors Need Manufacturer Training
Firestop product knowledge allows inspectors to evaluate whether an installation matches the complete tested and listed system. A firestop product does not carry an hourly rating by itself. The rating belongs to the complete system, which may include: The fire-resistance-rated wall, floor, or assembly The penetrant or joint configuration The [...]
Firestop Engineering Judgments Are Not As-Built Drawings
Engineering Judgments, often called EJs or Technical Evaluations, play an important role in the firestop industry. They help address unique field conditions where a tested and listed firestop system may not match the exact project condition. But there is a growing concern in the industry: Engineering Judgments are increasingly being [...]
Engineering Judgments Done Right: Why Manufacturers Must Be at the Table
Firestop Engineering Judgments (EJs) must involve a manufacturer for seven critical reasons: Expertise in products and systems: Manufacturers have in-depth knowledge of their firestopping products and systems, including their performance characteristics, durability, and safety in real-world applications. Extensive test data: Manufacturers possess a wealth of internal and third-party test data, [...]
