May 19, 2025

S1 E16 Firestopping 101 with Sharron Halpert

1 hour 18 minutes

Fire stopping is essential for life safety in construction, requiring adherence to UL standards, ongoing education, and careful engineering judgments when standards do not directly apply. Collaboration among trades, effective communication, quality control, and selecting the right contractors help ensure compliance, reduce liability, and maintain high safety standards.

In this episode of Management Under Construction, Dee Davis and Brad Wyatt engage with Sharron Halpert, a fire stopping expert, to explore the critical aspects of fire stopping in construction. They discuss personal journeys into the field, the importance of understanding fire safety regulations, and the legal responsibilities contractors face. The conversation emphasizes the need for effective communication among project teams, the significance of UL standards, and the role of engineering judgments in fire stopping. Sharron shares insights on choosing the right fire stopping contractor and the importance of quality control, ultimately highlighting the necessity of education and collaboration in ensuring life safety in construction projects.

Takeaways

Fire stopping is essential for life safety in construction.

Understanding UL listings is crucial for compliance.

Contractors have a legal and moral responsibility for fire safety.

Collaboration among trades is key to effective fire stopping.

Education in fire stopping should be ongoing and accessible.

Engineering judgments are necessary when UL listings do not apply.

Fire stopping requires a scientific approach, not just a quick fix.

The building code sets the minimum standards for safety.

Choosing the right partners can mitigate liability in projects.

Good, fast, and cheap are mutually exclusive in construction.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Fire Stopping and Its Importance
02:58 Personal Journeys into Fire Stopping
06:53 Legal Responsibilities and Life Safety
10:41 Understanding Fire Stopping Basics
14:00 The Role of UL Listings in Fire Stopping
17:42 Common Mistakes and Best Practices
21:36 The Need for Expert Knowledge in Fire Stopping
24:34 Navigating Large Projects and Collaboration
26:54 Efficiency in Firestopping: New Builds vs. Refits
31:23 The Pyromaniac Mindset: Thinking Like a Firestopper
36:12 The Role of Quality Control in Firestopping
39:26 Understanding Engineering Judgments in Firestopping
47:15 The Importance of Specialty Contractors
49:22 Lessons from Experience: The Risks of Self-Performing Firestopping
54:08 The Value of Specialization in Construction
54:59 Building a Collaborative Environment
56:30 The Pitfalls of Choosing Low-Bid Contractors
58:59 Training and Resources for Better Construction Practices