Apprentice answer

Can you fire-caulk raw duct directly through a rated drywall wall without a sleeve

3rd YearDampers, Fire/Smoke & Life SafetyStop and Get Direction

Do not treat raw duct plus caulk as an automatic rated penetration. Rated wall crossings need the approved sleeve/firestop/retaining detail for that assembly.

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Plain-English answer

A rated wall penetration is not just a hole to fill with red caulk. The duct, sleeve, wall type, damper requirement, annular space, packing, and firestop system all have to match the approved assembly.

If raw duct is touching rated drywall and only caulk is applied, stop and verify the detail. The likely recovery is to back it out, frame/sleeve the opening correctly, use approved packing/firestop, and install retaining angles or damper components as required.

Ask Foreman

The duct at [location] penetrates a rated drywall wall without the proper sleeve/detail, just fire caulk. I checked the wall rating. Do you want us to pull back and install the approved penetration assembly?

Verify before acting

Use this as training guidance. Foreman direction, approved drawings, project specs, manufacturer instructions, employer safety policy, and AHJ/code requirements always control the final answer.

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