I often ask contractors what they’d rather do... Pull cable or fabricate sleeves? The answer for an electrical contractor is obvious. Installing conduits, running cables - these are the things they are trained to do and get paid to do. Their employees are most productive when they are fully engaged in these tasks. Running open cable through fire-rated walls in a code compliant manner can be a time consuming task requiring the cutting of conduit as well as gathering up the other ancillary items required to complete the installation. For most contractors, time spent fabricating sleeves and rounding up parts is time that could be used more profitably at the jobsite. A new generation of products are available that can streamline this entire process and make you, the contractor, more profitable at the jobsite. These products combine the sleeve and all of the required mounting components, as well as the firestopping into a single kit. In this article we’ll discuss the value proposition for two of these new products and show you what they can do for you.

Traditional Putty/Sleeve Installations
The traditional method for running open cables through fire barriers involves the use of a sleeve generally fabricated from EMT and firestopping consisting of either firestop sealant (caulk) or non-hardening firestop putty. For a code compliant installation, some form of mechanical attachment is required. Often installers will use a pair of conduit clamps attached to short lengths of strut to sandwich the wall and hold the sleeve in place. A pair of bushings is also required to prevent cable damage during cable installation. What does all this cost? Most contractors that we have spoken with don’t really know. The ones who have analyzed this have been surprised at the actual cost. What they haven’t even considered is the lost opportunity cost. By that I mean if X hours are spent cutting conduit and assembling parts, how much more money could be made installing cables or performing other tasks that provide a better pay back? A new line of available products is billed as providing everything you need to perform a code-compliant installation except the wall. These products are sold in kit form and include a sleeve and set screw escutcheons to quickly and easily secure them into the wall. Since the codes require sleeves to be firestopped both internally and externally, enough putty to firestop both ends of the sleeve is provided along with intumescent firestop gaskets used to firestop around the sleeve. Some of these products also include a built-in bushing system that protects cables as they are installed. This type of product represents a complete sleeve assembly and firestop system in a bag, ready to use at any time. These sleeve kits are available in two forms depending on whether cable has already been installed through the barrier or whether it will be installed after the sleeve is in place. Let’s discuss new cable applications first. For new cable installations, a solid, one-piece sleeve represents the most economical solution. You simply make an opening in the wall the size of the sleeve and secure the sleeve in place using the solid escutcheon plates at both sides of the wall. Where cables have already been installed through a barrier, a different set of problems may be encountered. Let’s spend a little more time discussing this type of application. If cables have been installed without a sleeve, there is a good chance that the requirements of a sleeve were never considered. Thus the opening may be oversized and in the case of gypsum wallboard or concrete block, will almost assuredly be irregular in shape. Fortunately there is a sleeve product that can accommodate these conditions. This is referred to as a split sleeve. This product is designed so that both the sleeve and the wall attachment plates split apart to allow them to be installed around a cable bundle.

Some considerations for all sleeves:
• Weight can be an important consideration. When working on a ladder above the ceiling tiles, a lighter product will be a lot easier and less fatiguing to install.
• Complexity: Fewer parts are better. This is especially true when working on a ladder. Built-in bushings and one-piece escutcheons make assembly and installation faster and easier. Some considerations for split sleeves:
• Opening Size: Just because a product includes over-sized wall plates, do not assume that it is actually tested and UL Classified for over-sized openings. Not all are. So be sure to check for any limitations imposed by the UL Classified System. Another consideration is that you do not want the sleeve just flopping around in an over-sized opening. Look for products that allow the installation of wall anchors to properly support and stabilize the sleeve.
• Weight and complexity are a particularly important consideration for this type of product. You only have two hands. Products utilizing threaded sleeves can be heavy and complicated. Opt for lighter weight and a simple design.
• Cable Slots: Typically these sleeves are all split right down the middle and can capture the entire cable bundle. Wall mounting plates may differ however. Some products utilize a narrow slot in the plate. Cables must be inserted one or two at a time. Product designs with plates that split completely in half to accept the complete cable bundle are faster and easier to use. This is particularly important when working on a ladder or in tight quarters.

Additional Benefits: Another benefit provided by the factory-manufactured solution is product labeling. Why you might ask? Factory manufactured products are usually labeled with not only the product and manufacturer information, but the UL Firestop Classification as well. This can greatly simplify and streamline the inspection process since this makes life a lot easier for the inspector. Your biggest benefit will be the value proposition. Those installers that we spoke about earlier who have computed their costs have indicated that you can expect a 15 to 25% reduction in installed costs for a code compliant installation when compared to shop or jobsite fabricated solutions. The real bonus provided by pre-manufactured sleeve kits is the improvement in productivity. You too can pull spend a higher percentage of your time doing the things that make the most of your time and maximize your profits. Isn’t that what we all are looking for?