Instructions for
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Can I get a printed manual containing all of the reading list references?
Due to copyright reasons, the IFC cannot create and make available a compendium of the listed reference documents, even though such a document would clearly be useful as a reference for study, review, and note-taking. The person using this self-study course is strongly encouraged to print out the referenced web documents on their own as they move through the self-study course. Of course, you must comply with applicable copyright and fair use law, upon which we offer no legal advice.
The latest research on educational techniques indicates that students learn best from printed materials, rather than from online reading. Many people find reading printed material to be easier than reading for hours from a computer screen. Using a printed document will also allow you to highlight the most important information and to make individual notes.
Plan your study program: Watch a replay of the IFC's webinar "Tips and Techniques to Help Prepare for a Successful IFC Special Inspector Exam". Go to the IFC's YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/DxLiQlMcfHE
Due to copyright reasons, the IFC cannot create and make available a compendium of the listed reference documents, even though such a document would clearly be useful as a reference for study, review, and note-taking. The person using this self-study course is strongly encouraged to print out the referenced web documents on their own as they move through the self-study course. Of course, you must comply with applicable copyright and fair use law, upon which we offer no legal advice.
The latest research on educational techniques indicates that students learn best from printed materials, rather than from online reading. Many people find reading printed material to be easier than reading for hours from a computer screen. Using a printed document will also allow you to highlight the most important information and to make individual notes.
Plan your study program: Watch a replay of the IFC's webinar "Tips and Techniques to Help Prepare for a Successful IFC Special Inspector Exam". Go to the IFC's YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/DxLiQlMcfHE
Want some additional help learning/understanding some of the reading list documents?
IFC Special Inspector Member Firewise Consultants have produced some tutorial videos that provide useful explanations and elaborations of a few of the most complex and technical documents in this Reading List. Each document's instructional video lasts from 40 minutes to 1 hour. These videos are available here: https://firestoptraining.com/p/ifcreadinglist (Not from IFC). The IFC does not receive any revenue from the pay-per-view purchase of these videos. We make you aware of them here as a service to those seeking to broaden their learning options, from a recognized expert instructor.
Viewing these tutorial videos is not necessary in order to achieve a passing score on the examination. However, it is judged that these videos will be very helpful in allowing many people to gain a fuller and quicker understanding.
IFC Special Inspector Member Firewise Consultants have produced some tutorial videos that provide useful explanations and elaborations of a few of the most complex and technical documents in this Reading List. Each document's instructional video lasts from 40 minutes to 1 hour. These videos are available here: https://firestoptraining.com/p/ifcreadinglist (Not from IFC). The IFC does not receive any revenue from the pay-per-view purchase of these videos. We make you aware of them here as a service to those seeking to broaden their learning options, from a recognized expert instructor.
Viewing these tutorial videos is not necessary in order to achieve a passing score on the examination. However, it is judged that these videos will be very helpful in allowing many people to gain a fuller and quicker understanding.
Self-Study Reading and Video List
About the Reading List
- Each reading list item can be accessed from the links below
- You can download the above word document as a check list and navigate to each resource through the document from your own desktop.
- The order in which these documents are listed provides an approximate order in which it is suggested that they be read and studied. The material goes from basic to more involved, and from general to more specific.
1: |
Optional (NOT on exam), but highly recommended if you have limited experience in fire safety:
FEMA: "Overview of fire protection in buildings" https://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/fema403_apa.pdf |
2: |
Wikipedia "firestop"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firestop |
3: |
Containment overview
http://www.firestop.org/fire-containment.html |
4: |
"Close Enough, Is Not Good Enough: A Demonstration of Proper Vs. Improper Firestopping"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4bw-2ME4uc |
5: |
Firestop Basics - PowerPoint slides downloadable from the IFC website
http://a.firestop.org/~firestp5/files/5a.firestopoverview_justthebasics.ppt.pdf |
6: |
Construction Joints - PowerPoint slides downloadable from the IFC website
http://a.firestop.org/~firestp5/files/5b.constructionjointspowerpoint_revised.ppt |
7: |
Perimeter Joint Firestopping - PowerPoint slides downloadable from the IFC website
http://a.firestop.org/~firestp5/files/5c.perimeter_curtain_wall_revised.ppt |
8: |
Firestop System Selection - PowerPoint slides downloadable from the IFC website
http://a.firestop.org/~firestp5/files/5d.system_selection.ppt |
Broken links?
If you discover that one of the web links above is broken and unable to retrieve the specified document, kindly send a notice of this fact to: info@firestop.org.
9: |
"Inspecting firestop for compliance" (18:29)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6ZQy4CuGbk |
10: |
IFC Engineering Judgment Guidelines
http://a.firestop.org/~firestp5/files/7.ifc_guidelines_for_evaluating_firestop_systems_in_engineering_judgments.pdf |
11: |
IFC Inspector Pocket Guide
http://a.firestop.org/~firestp5/files/IFC_Pocket_Guide-Rev_2016.pdf |
12: |
"What's the difference between firestopping & fireblocking", PM Engineer Magazine
http://a.firestop.org/~firestp5/files/9.pme_firesblocking801.pdf |
Login Required
To view the following three documents (13, 14, and 15) you will be required to create a free account with UL Product iQ.
13: |
UL Guide Information: Through-penetration Firestop Systems, category XHEZ
https://iq.ulprospector.com/en/profile?e=212159 Optional tutorial lecture on this document is available at https://firestoptraining.com/p/ifcreadinglist (Not from IFC) Optional Free 3-minute video explaining the numeric portion of UL nomenclature https://spark.adobe.com/video/tKUSi0ETTVoyh (Not from IFC) |
14: |
UL Guide Information: Fire Resistant Joint Systems, category XHBN
https://iq.ulprospector.com/en/profile?e=212154 Optional tutorial lecture on this document is available at https://firestoptraining.com/p/ifcreadinglist (Not from IFC) |
15: |
UL Guide Information: Perimeter Fire Containment Systems, category XHDG
https://iq.ulprospector.com/en/profile?e=212157 |
16: |
Membrane penetrations in Fire Resistant Rated Walls, The Code Authority, 2009 Issue 1
http://files.firestop.org/ul_MembranePenetrations.pdf |
17: |
Clarifying membrane penetration requirements
http://a.firestop.org/~firestp5/files/Clarifying_Membrane_Penetration_Requirements.pdf |
18: |
ASTM E2174 - 20a, Standard Practice for On-Site Inspection of Installed Fire Stops
($52 from astm.org) http://www.astm.org/Standards/E2174.htm Optional tutorial lecture on this document is available at https://firestoptraining.com/p/ifcreadinglist (Not from IFC) |
19:
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ASTM E2393 - 20a, Standard Practice for On-Site Inspection of Installed Fire Resistive Joint Systems and Perimeter Fire Barriers
($52 from astm.org) http://www.astm.org/Standards/E2393.htm Optional tutorial lecture on this document is available at https://firestoptraining.com/p/ifcreadinglist (Not from IFC) |
20: |
Common firestop code violations" - ICC Building Safety Journal
http://a.firestop.org/~firestp5/files/BSJ_Common_Firestop_Code_Violations.PDF |
21: |
Top 12 Firestop Inspection Deficiencies (ASTM - JAI)
http://a.firestop.org/~firestp5/files/17.top_12_firestop_deficiencies_astmpaper_preprint_published_by_ifc.pdf |
22: |
Repair of Fire-Rated Gypsum Panel Product Systems (GA-225)
https://gypsum.bnibooks.com/product/ga-225-15-repair-of-fire-rated-gypsum-panel-product-systems GA Tutorial: Repair of Fire Rated Gypsum Panel Product Systems https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkoXTrRpk_0 (Not from IFC) |
23: |
Firestopping: Fortifying the front line
http://insulation.org/io/articles/firestopping-fortifying-the-front-line/ |
24: |
Firestopping: Fact & Fiction
http://insulation.org/io/articles/firestopping-fact-fiction/ |
25: |
IFC Recommended Guidelines for Performing Destructive Testing for Installed Penetration Firestop Systems, Fire-Resistive Joint Systems, or Perimeter Fire Barrier Systems
http://a.firestop.org/~firestp5/files/ifc_destructive_testing_guidelines.pdf Optional tutorial lecture on this document is available at https://firestoptraining.com/p/ifcreadinglist (Not from IFC) |
26: |
Improving Firestopping for HVAC Duct Penetrations in Fire-Rated Walls
http://insulation.org/io/articles/improving-firestopping-for-hvac-duct-penetrations-in-fire-rated-walls/ |
27: |
Perimeter Fire Containment in Multi-story Buildings
http://a.firestop.org/~firestp5/files/23.Perimeter_fire_containment_in_multi-story_buildings.pdf Optional tutorial lecture on this document is available at https://firestoptraining.com/p/ifcreadinglist (Not from IFC) |
28: |
29: |
Protection of Sprinkler Piping Against Damage Where Subject to Earthquakes
http://a.firestop.org/~firestp5/files/25.NFPA13seismicprotectionrequirements-clearancearoundsprinklerpipes.pdf |
Review of Topics - IFC Reading List
"Inspection Guidelines for Penetration Firestop Systems and Fire Resistive Joint Systems in Fire Resistance Rated Construction - 5th Edition"
https://www.firestop.org/inspection-guidelines.html
https://www.firestop.org/inspection-guidelines.html