Instructions for
SELF-STUDY
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://www.youtube.com/firestoporg
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://www.youtube.com/firestoporg
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. Each such video is available for viewing for $15. You can access them at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/firestop . 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. Over 150 people have passed the examination prior to these video tutorials being available. 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. Each such video is available for viewing for $15. You can access them at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/firestop . 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. Over 150 people have passed the examination prior to these video tutorials being available. 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
Document IFC04-16
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.
Document IFC04-16
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.
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1:
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FEMA: "Overview of fire protection in buildings" (28 pages) [Optional, but highly recommended if you have limited experience in fire safety]
http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1511-20490-8496/403_apa.pdf |
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2:
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Wikipedia "firestop"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firestop |
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3:
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Containment overview
http://www.firestop.org/fire-containment.html |
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4:
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"Close Enough, Is Not Good Enough: A Demonstration of Proper Vs. Improper Firestopping"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4bw-2ME4uc |
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5:
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PowerPoint slides downloadable from the IFC website
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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.
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6:
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"Inspecting firestop for compliance" (18:29)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6ZQy4CuGbk |
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7:
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IFC Engineering Judgment Guidelines
http://a.firestop.org/~firestp5/files/7.ifc_guidelines_for_evaluating_firestop_systems_in_engineering_judgments.pdf |
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8:
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IFC Inspector Pocket Guide
http://a.firestop.org/~firestp5/files/IFC_Pocket_Guide-Rev_2016.pdf |
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9:
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"What's the difference between firestopping & fireblocking", PM Engineer Magazine
http://a.firestop.org/~firestp5/files/9.pme_firesblocking801.pdf |
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10:
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UL Guide Information: Through-penetration Firestop Systems, category XHEZ
http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/template/LISEXT/1FRAME/showpage.html?name=XHEZ.GuideInfo&ccnshorttitle=Through-penetration+Firestop+Systems&objid=1074338240&cfgid=1073741824&version=versionless&parent_id=1073995580&sequence=1 Optional tutorial video on this document is available at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/firestop (Not from IFC) |
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11:
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UL Guide Information: Fire Resistant Joint Systems, category XHBN
http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/template/LISEXT/1FRAME/showpage.html?name=XHBN.GuideInfo&ccnshorttitle=Joint+Systems&objid=1074337724&cfgid=1073741824&version=versionless&parent_id=1073995560&sequence=1 Optional tutorial video on this document is available at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/firestop (Not from IFC) |
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12:
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UL Guide Information: Perimeter Fire Containment Systems, category XHDG
http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/template/LISEXT/1FRAME/showpage.html?name=XHDG.GuideInfo&ccnshorttitle=Joint+Systems&objid=1074337724&cfgid=1073741824&version=versionless&parent_id=1073995560&sequence=1 |
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13:
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"Membrane penetrations in Fire Resistant Rated Walls", The Code Authority, 2009 Issue 1
http://www.ul.com/global/documents/offerings/perspectives/regulators/technical/ul_MembranePenetrations.pdf
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14:
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ASTM E2174-14, Standard Practice for On-Site Inspection of Installed Fire Stops
($42 from astm.org) http://www.astm.org/Standards/E2174.htm Optional tutorial video on this document is available at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/firestop (Not from IFC) |
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15:
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ASTM E2393-10, Standard Practice for On-Site Inspection of Installed Fire Resistive Joint Systems and Perimeter Fire Barriers
($42 from astm.org) http://www.astm.org/Standards/E2393.htm Optional tutorial video on this document is available at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/firestop (Not from IFC) |
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16:
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Common firestop code violations" - ICC Building Safety Journal
https://www.iccsafe.org/building-safety-journal/bsj-technical/common-firestop-code-violations/ |
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17:
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Top 12 Firestop Inspection Deficiencies (ASTM - JAI)
http://a.firestop.org/~firestp5/files/17.top_12_firestop_deficiencies_astmpaper_preprint_published_by_ifc.pdf |
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18:
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Repair of Fire-Rated Gypsum Panel Product Systems (GA-225-15)
http://www.gypsum.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/GA-225-15.pdf |
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19:
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Firestopping: Fortifying the front line
http://insulation.org/io/articles/firestopping-fortifying-the-front-line/ |
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20:
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Firestopping: Fact & Fiction
http://insulation.org/io/articles/firestopping-fact-fiction/ |
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21:
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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/21.ifc_destructive_testing_guidelines.pdf Optional tutorial video on this document is available at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/firestop (Not from IFC) |
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22:
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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/ |
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23:
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Perimeter Fire Containment in Multi-story Buildings
http://a.firestop.org/~firestp5/files/23.Perimeter_fire_containment_in_multi-story_buildings.pdf Optional tutorial video on the subject of perimeter fire barriers is available at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/firestop (Not from IFC) |
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24:
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25:
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Protection of Sprinkler Piping Against Damage Where Subject to Earthquakes
http://a.firestop.org/~firestp5/files/25.NFPA13seismicprotectionrequirements-clearancearoundsprinklerpipes.pdf |
Optional Resources (Not on Exam)
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FCIA Manual Of Practice (cost = free to $1075, depending on job title and location)
http://www.fcia.org/articles/mop.htm |
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Video: Fire Spread in Curtain walled buildings, UK Loss Prevention Council, Part 1 and Part 2
http://www.firestop.org/videos.html |
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ICC Evaluation Service, "Accreditation Criteria for Special Inspection Agencies, AC291"
https://www.iasonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/291-Sep-2017.pdf |
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