Firestop Contractor Programs

Qualified Firestop Contractor Program for U.S. and Canada

In the built environment, firestop systems are a critical safeguard against the spread of heat, fire or smoke through breaches in floors and walls. These breaches made during construction allow construction of joints, openings or penetrations through a fire-resistance-rated wall or floor. The expertise of a qualified firestop contractor is needed to select and install a firestop system to protect the breaches made for penetrations and joints of fire-resistance-rated wall and horizontal assemblies.

UL provides two programs for qualified contractor recognition in the North American market:

• UL Qualified Firestop Contractor Program, for systems installed in accordance with U.S. requirements
• ULC Qualified Firestop Contractor Program, for systems installed in accordance with Canadian requirements

As essential service providers to the building industry, qualified firestop contractors select and install classified firestop systems for residential, institutional, commercial and industrial structures. This process requires careful evaluation and analysis to establish a protective system within a structure to comply with construction documents.

UL’s Qualified Firestop Contractor Programs include two critical elements required of all participating contract firms:

• Contractor firms must appoint and employ at least one designated responsible individual (DRI) with firestop system expertise and experience demonstrated by successfully completing a UL firestop exam and meeting additional requirements.
• Contractor firms must effectively implement and maintain a management system focused on selection and installation of firestop systems as demonstrated by an audit at the contractor’s facility and jobsite.

If you are a contractor and would like to apply for the UL or ULC Qualified Firestop Contractor Program, follow these steps:

• Download and review the program requirements.
• Review the contractor management system checklist form to understand the requirements, and perform your own self-assessment of your management system.
• We recommend that the person selected to be the DRI take the UL or ULC firestop exam prior to scheduling the management system audit. The exam can be taken in-person or online.  To view dates and locations for the in-person exam click here, or click here for the online exam information. The exam can also be accessed by visiting the UL Knowledge Solutions website at ulknowledgeservices.com, and click on "Workshops and eLearning" and then select "Contractors Programs".
• Before the exam, you may want to contact the Firestop Contractors International Association (FCIA) to apply for an educational seminar or obtain a copy of the FCIA Firestop Manual of Practice. A copy of the Best Practice Guide for Canada can be obtained from the National Research Council of Canada (NRC).

Master Audit Certificate of Compliance Program

The (MACC) Program provides stakeholders the confidence that the firestop systems installation on their building was completed by a UL Qualified Firestop Contractor (UL QFCP) and audited to our stringent 10 Element Program Requirements. The (MACC) is a tool that can be requested by architects, contractors and building owners.

Why obtaining a Master Audit Certificate of Compliance is important

UL empowers TRUST by leveraging a global network of technical experts and our trusted brand to deliver independent third-party firestop inspection services that enable contractors and their customers to gain regulatory

approval, demonstrate compliance and mitigate risk. The easiest way to verify that your firestop installation was completed by a UL Qualified Firestop Contractor and audited to our stringent 10 Element Program Requirements is through the MACC program.

The Benefits of the MACC Program Include:

• A Jobsite Specific Management System Audit – Our audit helps provide verified processes and better life safety through properly installed firestop systems.
• A Renewable Jobsite Specific Certificate – After completion of a successful audit, we issue a jobsite specific certificate that is renewable for the building owner, resulting in ongoing maintenance of the firestopping inventory.
• Improved Firestop Systems Documentation – The MACC certificate in conjunction with the firestop systems documentation, builds the fire-resistance inventory required by the International Fire Code for passive fire protection features.