Code Change Proposal FS47 - Firestopping of Floor Penetrations in Parking Structures

This post is a continuation of the Proposed Code Change Series, where I highlight some of the interesting and controversial code changes that were presented at the 2024 ICC Committee Action Hearings (CAH). These proposed changes, which could become part of the 2027 ICC codes, are the first step of the updated ICC code development process that now includes two Committee Action Hearings (CAH1 and CAH2), as well as the Public Comment Hearing (PCH).  

​Please note that I am serving on the 2024-2026 IBC Egress Committee, so many of these articles in this series will be egress related. Each post is my attempt to summarize the code change proposal and the presentation/discussion from CAH1, but please refer to the links below that include the actual code change proposal language and the CAH1 recording. These posts are not intended to provide my personal opinion or commentary on the code changes.  

Code Change Proposal FS47 - Firestopping of Floor Penetrations in Parking Structures 
Link: Code Change Proposal  
Link: Hearing Recording  

Summary of Code Change  
This proposal would require firestopping of penetrations through the floor slabs of parking garages. 

Summary of Testimony and Discussion  
Several participants testified in support of this proposal, stating that the firestopping of these penetrations would help to limit floor to floor fire spread. 

Several participants testified in opposition of this proposal, noting that the code allows numerous other vertical openings within parking garages, such as ramps, ducts and elevators, to be unprotected. They stated that it does not make sense to protect pipe penetrations while still allowing all of these other vertical openings. 

CAH1 Result  
This code change proposal was approved by the committee, with a vote of 7-4