Excerpts from 2000 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®

Through penetrations of fire-resistance-rated horizontal assemblies shall comply with Section 711.4.1.1 or 711.4.1.2.

Exceptions:

1. Penetrations by steel, ferrous or copper conduits, pipes, tubes, vents, concrete, or masonry through a single fire-resistance-rated floor assembly where the annular space is protected with materials that prevent the passage of flame and hot gases sufficient to ignite cotton waste where subjected to ASTM E 119 time temperature fire conditions under a minimum positive pressure differential of 0.01 inch (2.49 Pa) of water at the location of the penetration for the time period equivalent to the fire-resistance rating of the construction penetrated. Penetrating items with a maximum 6 inch (152 mm) nominal diameter shall not be limited to the penetration of a single fire-resistance-rated floor assembly provided that the area of the penetration does not exceed 144 square inches (92 900 mm²) in any 100 square feet (9.3 m²) of floor area.

2. Penetrations in a single concrete floor by steel, ferrous or copper conduits, pipes, tubes and vents with a maximum 6 inch (152 mm) nominal diameter provided concrete, grout or mortar is installed the full thickness of the floor or the thickness required to maintain the fire-resistance rating. The penetrating items with a maximum 6 inch (152 mm) nominal diameter shall not be limited to the penetration of a single concrete floor provided that the area of the penetration does not exceed 144 square inches (0.0929 m²).

3. Electrical outlet boxes of any material are permit- ted provided that such boxes are tested for use in fire-resistance-rated assemblies and installed in accordance with the tested assembly.