A smoke barrier assembly is required to be protected by a firestop system.

A smoke barrier assembly is required to be protected by a firestop system.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Depends on the assembly
• D. Only for penetrations in high-rise buildings

Answer: (A)

Firestop protects the integrity of a smoke barrier only where it matters—around penetrations and openings. A smoke barrier does not automatically require a firestop system just because it’s a barrier; if there are no penetrations or gaps, no firestop is needed. When penetrations exist—ducts, pipes, cables, or other services passing through the barrier—you must install an appropriate firestop to seal around them and maintain the barrier’s smoke-resistance rating. So the blanket statement isn’t universally true; protection by a firestop depends on whether the barrier has penetrations that could compromise its performance.

Firestop protects the integrity of a smoke barrier only where it matters—around penetrations and openings. A smoke barrier does not automatically require a firestop system just because it’s a barrier; if there are no penetrations or gaps, no firestop is needed. When penetrations exist—ducts, pipes, cables, or other services passing through the barrier—you must install an appropriate firestop to seal around them and maintain the barrier’s smoke-resistance rating. So the blanket statement isn’t universally true; protection by a firestop depends on whether the barrier has penetrations that could compromise its performance.