FM 4991, Standard for the Approval of Firestop Contractors

Important information about how Contractors Earn FM 4991 Approval:

What does it take to get FM 4991 Approved ?

There are several steps towards FM 4991 Approval:

1.  Download the FM 4991 Standard

2.  Study the FCIA Firestop Manual of Practice

3.  Take the FM 4991 Firestop Exam for DRI's

4.  Write a company Management System Manual.  Join FCIA to access the FCIA Sample Management System Manual, for use as a 'template' to start your manual.  (Once joining, find in Members Only)

5.  Have FM Approvals audit your management system a the office, and on the jobsite.

6.  Once the company is FM 4991 Approved, the person who passed the FM 4991 Firestop Exam becomes a "DRI', Designated Responsible Individual. 

The links below step you through the process.  Contact the FCIA Office at 708-202-1108 if you have questions.

FCIA's Accreditation Committee worked with FM Approvals to develop this program, and meets continually to maintain it. This page contains information needed to get Approved...

FM 4991 Standard

The link below is the complete FM 4991 Standard, PDF, from FM Approvals.  It is required reading to get approved, and the first step. 

Standard for the Approval of Firestop Contractors, Class 4991

FM 4991 Contractor Quality Manual Development Guidelines by Jeff Gould, FM Approvals

FM Approvals' Jeff Gould presented this powerpoint presentation about how to develop a quality manual.  Below it is the FM Document that explains how to create a Quality Manual documenting the Firestop Contractor Firm's Quality Managment System. 

FM 4991 Quality Control Manual Guide Powerpoint

Suggested Quality Control Manual Guidelines

Firestop Contracto Audits by FM Personnel - Initial Facilities and Procedures Audit Guidelines

FM 4991 & Contractor DRI FM Testing Study Manual - The FCIA Firestop Manual of Practice (MOP)

To become an FM 4991 DRI, this manual is a must read for you to study.  It is available from FCIA, at a huge discount for FCIA Members.  Join today if you haven't already. 

Checklist of items for Firestop Contractors seeking FM 4991 Approval for their firm

Need to report CEU's attained?
FM 4991 Contractor DRI CEU Reporting Information

Below are forms to submit CEU activities to FM Approvals for continued FM DRI Status in the FM 4991 Standard for the Approval of Firestop Contractor Program.

Here's how you get CEU's.

1. Attend FCIA Conferences - 1 CEU*

2. Attend a Fire Protection Conference; NFPA Seminar, International Code Council, AIA, ALA, Construction Specifications Institute national or local chapters. 

3. Attend FCIA Total Fire Protection Systems Symposium - See FCIA Events Page for dates.

4. Attend FCIA Effective Compartmentation Symposiums - FCIA presents this at the CONSTRUCT shows in the US.  Watch the FCIA Events Page.

5. Other opportnities..watch the FCIA Events Page for opportunities for CEU Credit Seminars in addition to FCIA Conferences.

* FM determines CEU Values for #2,3,4,5. 

FM 4991 DRI CEU Requirements and Reporting Form
FM 4991 DRI CEU Firestop Presentation Report Form
FM 4991 DRI CEU Firestop Presentation Attendee Sign in Form

FCIA Specification with FM 4991 included

FCIA has written a suggested specification for professionals to use when specifying Firestopping for all disciplines.

Firestopping Penetrations, Joints and Perimeter Fire Containment

You will need the free Acrobat Reader to view any of these documents.

For more information about how to become an FM 4991 Approved Firestop Contractor, contact the FCIA Office at (708) 202-1108, or email us.

Miscellaneous

QC info - suggested guildelines
Firestop Initial F&PA Guidelines

Standard for the Approval of Firestop Contractors, Class 4991

FCIA worked with FM Approvals to develop FM 4991 in 1999 and 2000.  FM 4991, Standard for Approval of Firestop Contractors, is a quality installation protocol for firestop systems installation. FM 4991 is the quality standard from which Specialty Firestop Contractors can be qualified for zero tolerance Firestop Systems installation.

FM 4991 was the first program of its type to be accepted nationwide by architects and engineers through programs like MasterSpec, SpecLink and other master specifications at leading architectural firms specifying projects worldwide.

To become approved, the contractor firm appoints a Designated Responsible Individual (DRI).  To become a DRI the person must past a rigorous industry exam to become the key person in the firm to monitor the firestopping quality managment process.

Once a DRI is in place, the contractor firm then authorizes and pays FM Approvals to audit the contracting firm's procedures as listed in their Quality Manual to confirm that the firm's processes meet their own quality manual statements for Firestop Systems instllation. A field audit of a jobsite is also part of the process, with a destructive test , performed to verify the management process works in the field.

FM 4991 Approval is only given those companies who have passed the Intial Facility and Prodedure Audit Process, and employ a person that has passed the FM 4991 DRI Exam.

Follow up Audits are performed by FM Approvals yearly by FM Personnel. DRI's must retest and provide verification of CEU eligible Education sessions attended every three years.  Testing and CEU's occurs at FCIA Conferences.

The FCIA Firestop Contractor Members donated time and energy to develop and maintain this program, a new trend in the Construction Industry ...... Quality Process Protocol program for Specialty Firestop Contractors... that can be specified quantitatively to qualify a contractor for better Fire and Life safety in buildings.

Press Coverage
   Passive Fire Protection, 10/03
   CSI Article, 7/03
   Passive firestopping, 4/03
   BSD Fall Newsletter
   CSI Letter, 8/9/02
   Daily Commercial News 7/02
   CSI's Magazine Feb, 2001
   Press Release Jan 31, 2001