Plan it in design: Firestopping in healthcare construction

Firestopping keeps fire and smoke from moving through holes in rated walls, floors, and ceilings. In hospitals and clinics, that protection buys time to move patients and helps keep care areas open. The original article from our teams at Multivista makes a strong case for why this matters and how above-ceiling checks can reveal hidden issues. Here, we keep the same idea but add a modeling first angle for teams that want fewer surprises. 

Firestopping and life safety in healthcare facilities 

Firestopping is the practice of sealing penetrations and joints in fire or smoke barriers so that those barriers work as designed. Pipes, ducts, conduits, and cable bundles all punch through rated walls and floors, and if those openings are not sealed with a tested system, smoke and heat can spread quickly. Healthcare occupancies are dense with services, and they care for people who may not evacuate quickly. That makes barrier integrity central to life safety, not just a nice-to-have. 

NFPA describes a smoke compartment as a space that is fully enclosed by smoke barriers on all sides. The goal of that compartment is simple: keep smoke out long enough for staff to protect patients where they are or move them safely along planned routes. In practice, that protection depends on every barrier doing its job. When penetrations are left open or sealed with the wrong materials, the compartment no longer performs as intended. That is why planning and tracking firestopping is so important for hospitals. 

Accrediting bodies and authorities check these barriers closely, and inspectors look above ceilings and in shafts because many problems hide there. If they find unsealed penetrations or makeshift products that are not listed for firestop use, the deficiency goes on the record. That can lead to rework, schedule hits, or even a temporary loss of services. The fix is to design the solution early, install it correctly, and keep good records so future maintenance does not undo the work. 

Firestopping planned in BIM for smoother construction 

The best time to coordinate firestopping is during design. Start by modeling every fire-rated wall, floor, shaft, and ceiling with the correct rating. Then model the penetrations that will cross those barriers. Treat those openings like any other building system: Give them sizes, materials, and locations, and group services where it helps. For example, plan multi-trade sleeves for cable trays and small diameter pipes so you make one clean opening instead of many scattered holes. The model becomes your single source of truth. 

Next, select the listed firestop systems for each typical condition. Show those systems in the drawings and store the references in model properties. Your MEP layouts will then respect the rating and the required clearance for collars, wraps, or sleeves. Coordinators can test route options to avoid overloading critical chase walls or corridors. Designers can resolve clashes that relate to fire barriers before work starts on site. Crews in the field see the same details, so they do not have to guess at height which product to use or how to install it. 

This shift pays off in predictable ways. You get fewer RFIs because the decisions are made in design, not during rough-in. You cut change orders because you solve conflicts in the model, not after the wall is framed. You improve sequencing because you can tie firestopping tasks to the schedule so no wall closes before seals are installed and checked. You support infection control because sleeves and devices can be planned or prefabricated, which reduces cutting and rework in live areas. Reality capture still has a place to verify work in hard-to-reach spaces, but modeling first makes the installation right from the get-go. 

Fabrication modeling makes the gains larger. When pipe spools, multi-trade racks, or prefabricated headwalls are modeled with exact penetrations, teams can install sleeves and firestop devices in the shop. Fieldwork becomes faster and cleaner, with fewer hours in sensitive zones. Standardized openings also make inspections and future maintenance simpler. A consistent pattern of penetrations through rated walls is easier to check, easier to repair, and easier to document for turnover. 

Firestopping in action: simple steps and real results 

Begin with the scope  

Ask the design team to model firestopping with the same rigor they apply to structure and MEP. Hold a short review that filters the model to show only rated barriers and crossing services. Assign a listed system to each condition and record that choice in the model and on the sheets. During construction, tag each penetration, install the correct system, and take quick photos tied to the room and grid. Deliver a simple register at handover that lists the penetration, the system used, and where to find it on the floor plan. 

Plan for operations  

Hospitals change a lot after opening. Vendors add cables and devices. Small jobs can break a barrier if the team does not understand ratings. An on-going penetration register helps facility staff stay compliant. The International Firestop Council advises hospitals to inspect and maintain firestopping regularly, with documentation that proves systems remain effective. Doing this well requires a clear list of locations and a simple way to update the status after maintenance. If you provide that structure at turnover, the facility will use it for years. 

Clear up myths early  

Firestopping is not a generic red caulk problem. It is a tested assembly chosen for a specific size, substrate, and service type. The cheapest product you can buy at a big box store is often not listed for firestop use in rated walls. Teams sometimes assume scanning at the end will avoid delays. Scanning helps you find issues, but it cannot recover time if penetrations were never planned or executed correctly. A better approach is to design for fewer, well-organized openings, assign the right systems, and then verify to confirm work in place. 

Get focused help  

Add BIM or VDC staffing to model penetrations and listed systems with care. Bring in a firestopping specialist or experienced subcontractor who knows manufacturers’ instructions and healthcare constraints. Pair that specialist with your coordination team so details move fast. This support is a small cost compared to schedule slips, repeated inspections, rework, or disruptions to patient care. 

Expect fewer RFIs because questions are answered in design. Change orders fall since rerouting in the model is cheap, and tearing out finished work is not. Sequencing runs smoother, and inspections move faster because tasks and locations are clearly documented. Most importantly, your building is safer, and smoke compartments perform when it matters. Want fewer RFIs and faster inspections? Get a free 30-minute consultation to review your firestopping approach here.