Standardization News

A proposed new ASTM International standard will be used to assess the credentials and qualifications of inspectors who routinely use ASTM firestop standards in their work.

The proposed standard is WK40836, Practice for Credentials for Inspectors of Through Penetration Firestop Systems, Fire Resistive Joint Systems and Perimeter Fire Barriers.

WK40836 will provide the information necessary to qualify inspectors who work with ASTM standards E2174, Practice for On-Site Inspection of Installed Firestops, and E2393, Practice for On-Site Inspection of Installed Fire Resistive Joint Systems and Perimeter Fire Barriers.

Both E2174 and E2393 were adopted into the International Building Code 2012 for buildings 75 feet or taller, with Category 3-4 occupancies. The IBC adoption means that more jurisdictions from the local to federal level will need individuals qualified to do firestop inspections.

WK40836 will answer the need for a standard practice for assessing an inspector's credentials and qualifications to assist an authority having jurisdiction and/or authorizing authority in determining what minimum information should be supplied.

According to ASTM member Patrick Tesche, managing director, Global Fire Protection Group, and the International Firestop Council Inspector Committee chair, WK40836 would be used to test the knowledge of inspectors who wish to become qualified to conduct firestop inspections. . The proposed standard will be directed toward building owners, developers and design professionals as well as government agencies.

"The standard that we are developing will help the authority having jurisdiction or authorizing authority to gauge the qualifications of a third party firestop inspector," says Tesche. "The components included are education, experience and knowledge of installed firestop systems as well as understanding conflict of interest and other acceptance criteria."

WK40836 is being developed by Subcommittee E06.21 on Serviceability, part of ASTM International Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings. E06.21 invites all parties with expertise in passive fire protection to participate in the development of WK40836 and other proposed standards. Tesche says the committee would particularly like to see increased participation from independent consulting and firestop inspection firms.

CONTACT Technical Information: Patrick Tesche, Global Fire Protection Group • Avondale, Pa. • tel +1.484.720.8080 | ASTM Staff: Stephen Mawn • tel +1.610.832.9726 | Upcoming Meeting: April 26-29, 2015 • April Committee Week • Anaheim, Calif.