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Fire caulk
Fire caulk is a sealant designed to help maintain fire-rated assemblies by sealing small gaps.
Why it matters
It helps keep smoke and fire from moving through penetrations.
Where people get this wrong
Regular caulk is not the same as fire caulk. Fire caulk does not replace proper fire blocking and rated materials.
Real-world example
A cable bundle passes through the garage wall into the house. If the gap is sealed with the right fire caulk, smoke has a harder time finding that shortcut.
Where this hits your build
This shows up during framing. Once walls are up and covered, you lose access. The pre-drywall walkthrough is your window to verify.
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