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Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction and the IBC

Chad R. Barnes Marsh Risk Consulting

Agenda • Introductions • Objectives • Fire Protection Methodologies • Passive Fire Protection • Common Standards Governing Passive Fire Protection • International Building Code

– Chapter 7: Fire and Smoke Protection Features • In Review • Closeout

OBJECTIVES Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction and the IBC

Objectives • Terminal

– Utilizing the International Building Code, correctly apply Chapter 7, Fire and Smoke Protection Features, to understand the different types of fire-resistance-rated construction definitions, components, and systems.

Objectives (cont.) • Enabling

– Develop an understanding of the core fire protection principles/methodologies and how when balanced, they present the fire protection tetrahedron

– Utilizing a case study, gain an understanding of the affect passive fire protection has on life and fire safety in vertical construction

– Define passive fire protection and the components of a passive fire protection program

– Develop an understanding of the different nationally recognized standards that govern passive fire protection components/systems testing and listings

– Develop an understanding of Chapter 7 of the IBC, its definitions, and how passive fire protection is applied to a structure

FIRE PROTECTION METHODOLOGIES Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction and the IBC

Fire Protection Methodologies • Active Fire Protection

– Prevention/ITM – Automatic/manual fire

alarm/detection – Automatic/manual fire suppression

• Passive Fire Protection – Fire and smoke barriers

Fire Protection Methodologies (cont.) • The Fire Protection Tetrahedron

- Prevention, Inspection, and Maintenance

- Fire Alarm and Detection

- Fire Suppression

Fire and Smoke Barriers -

PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction and the IBC

Passive Fire Protection • MGM Grand Hotel Fire

– Nov. 21, 1980 – Las Vegas Nevada – 679 injured, 84 dead – Openings in vertical shafts and seismic

joints acted as chimneys spreading smoke and heat all they way up to the 26th floor

– 68 people died on 23rd floor from asphyxia – Fire alarm system destroyed before alarms

could be activated

Passive Fire Protection (cont.) • Definition:

– The containment of fire via the use of construction materials in rated assemblies/systems (i.e. walls, floors, ceilings, etc.).

– Organization of the building into smaller compartments prevents and/or slows the spread of fire from the room of origin, limiting smoke/fire damage and giving occupants longer to evacuate the building.

Passive Fire Protection (cont.) • Components of a passive fire protection

program: – Structural fire protection – Compartmentation – Opening protectives – Through penetration protection

Passive Fire Protection (cont.) • Structural fire protection

– Protection of essential building structural elements from the effects of heat/fire to help prevent/delay catastrophic failure of structural steel which leads to partial or full building collapse.

– Done through spray on cementitious materials or intumescent products such as paint.

– Can also be done with concrete and gypsum board encasement.

Passive Fire Protection (cont.) • Compartmentation

– Fire and smoke barriers used to limit the spread of smoke in a building and give occupants sufficient time for evacuation.

– Includes fire barriers, fire walls, fire partitions, and smoke barriers.

– Can be construction of masonry, gypsum, or other approved listed materials/systems.

Passive Fire Protection (cont.) • Opening Protectives

– Fire rated door and window assemblies, including frames and hardware are installed in fire rated barriers to maintain fire resistance of barrier (floor, wall, etc.).

– Opening protectives are rated assemblies.

Passive Fire Protection (cont.) • Through Penetration Protection

– Materials utilized to limit the spread of fire and/or smoke through a penetration in a fire barrier.

– Done through packing intumescent materials and other items into void spaces to achieve desired rating. All materials comprise a listed system.

– Penetrations, construction joints, membrane penetrations, etc.

COMMON STANDARDS GOVERNING PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION


Common Standards Governing Passive Fire Protection • UFC 3-600-1 - Fire Protection Engineering for Facilities • International Building Code • GA-600 – Gypsum Association Fire Resistance Design Manual • ASTM E 119 – Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction

Materials • UL 263 – Standard for Fire Test of Building Construction Materials • ASTM E 814 – Test Method of Fire Tests of Through-penetration Firestops • UL 1479 – Fire Tests of Through-penetration Firestops • ASTM E 1966 – Test Method for Fire-resistant Joint Systems

Common Standards Governing Passive Fire Protection (cont.)

• UL 2079 – Tests for Fire-resistance of Building Joint Systems • NFPA 80 – Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives • NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code • NFPA 105 – Standard for the Installation of Smoke Door Assemblies • NFPA 252 – Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Door Assemblies • NFPA 257 – Standard for Fire Test for Window and Glass Block

Assemblies • FCIA (Firestop Contractors International Association) Manual of

Practice

Common Standards Governing Passive Fire Protection (cont.)

• FM 4991 – Approval Standard for Approval of Firestop Contractors

• UL Qualified Firestop Contractor Program

INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE – CHAPTER 7


International Building Code - Chapter 7

• Section 701 – General – 701.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall

govern the materials, systems and assemblies used for structural fire resistance and fire-resistance-rated construction separation of adjacent spaces to safeguard against the spread of fire and smoke within a building and the spread of fire to or from buildings.

International Building Code - Chapter 7 (cont.) • Scope

– Governs the materials and assemblies used for structural fire resistance and fire-resistance-rated construction.

– Safeguards against the spread of fire and smoke within a building, and from building to building.

– PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION

International Building Code - Chapter 7 (cont.) • Section 702 – Definitions

– Fire Barrier – Fire Partition – Fire-resistance Rating – Fire Wall – Horizontal Assembly – Smoke Barrier – Smoke Compartment

International Building Code - Chapter 7 (cont.) • Fire Barrier

– A fire-resistance-rated wall assembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in which continuity is maintained

– Generally between fire areas

International Building Code - Chapter 7 (cont.) • Fire Partition

– A vertical assembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in which openings are protected

– Generally a part of means of egress

International Building Code - Chapter 7 (cont.)

• Fire Resistance-Rating – The period of time a building element, component

or assembly maintains the ability to confine a fire, continues to perform a given structural function, or both, as determined by the tests, or the methods based on tests, prescribed in Section 703

International Building Code - Chapter 7 (cont.) • Fire Wall

– A fire-resistance-rated wall having protected openings, which restricts the spread of fire and extends continuously from the foundation to or through the roof, with sufficient structural stability under fire conditions to allow collapse of construction on either side without collapse of the wall.

– Generally separates buildings and/or occupancies

International Building Code - Chapter 7 (cont.) • Horizontal Assembly

– A fire-resistance-rated floor or roof assembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in which continuity is maintained

International Building Code - Chapter 7 (cont.) • Smoke Barrier

– A continuous membrane, either vertical or horizontal, such as a wall, floor or ceiling assembly, that is designed and constructed to resist the movement of smoke


• Smoke Compartment – A space within a building enclosed by smoke

barriers on all sides, including the top and bottom


Walls/Vertical

Fire Wall Fire Barrier Fire Partition

Floors/Ceil/Roof

Horizontal Assembly

Smoke Compartment

Smoke Barrier

International Building Code - Chapter 7 (cont.) • Section 703 – Fire-resistance Ratings and Fire

Tests – Fire resistance is determined using the test

procedures of test standard ASTM E 119 or by calculations and analyses that have the principle test criteria of ASTM E 119 as a basis.

– 703.3 Alternative methods for determining fire resistance.

International Building Code - Chapter 7 (cont.) • Section 704 – Fire-Resistance Rating of Structural

Members – 704.1 Requirements. The fire-resistance ratings of

structural members and assemblies shall comply with this section and the requirements for the type of construction as specified in Table 601. The fire-resistance ratings shall not be less than the ratings required for the fire-resistance-rated assemblies supported by the structural members.


• Chapter 6 – Types of Construction – Table 601 – Fire-Resistance Rating Requirements

for Building Elements (hours)


TABLE 601 FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDING ELEMENTS (hours)

BUILDING ELEMENT TYPE I TYPE II TYPE III TYPE IV TYPE V

A B Ad B Ad B HT Ad B Primary structural frameg

(see Section 202) 3a 2a 1 0 1 0 HT 1 0

Bearing walls Exteriorf, g Interior

3 3a

2 2a

1 1

0 0

2 1

2 0

2 1/HT

1 1

0 0

Nonbearing walls and partitions Exterior See Table 602 Nonbearing walls and partitions Interiore 0 0 0 0 0 0 See Section

602.4.6 0 0

Floor construction and secondary members (see Section 202) 2 2 1 0 1 0 HT 1 0

Roof construction and secondary members (see Section 202) 11/2

b 1b,c 1b,c 0c 1b,c 0 HT 1b,c 0

International Building Code - Chapter 7 (cont.) • Section 705 – Exterior Walls

– 705.5 Exterior wall fire-resistance ratings. • The fire-resistance rating of exterior nonbearing walls shall comply

with Table 602. • The fire-resistance rating of exterior bearing walls shall comply with

Table 601 or 602, whichever is greater. • If the fire separation distance of the wall is greater than 5 feet, then

the wall shall be rated against fire exposure from the interior side. • If the fire separation distance of the wall is 5 feet or less, then the wall

shall be rated against fire exposure from both the interior and exterior sides of the wall.


• Chapter 6 – Types of Construction – Table 602 – Fire-Resistance Rating Requirements

for Exterior Walls Based on Fire Separation Distance


FIRE SEPARATION DISTANCE = X (feet)

TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION

OCCUPANCY GROUP Hf

OCCUPANCY GROUP F-1,

M,S-1g OCCUPANCY GROUP A,

B, E, F-2, I, R,S-2g, Ub X < 5c All 3 2 1

5 ≤ X < 10 IA Others

3 2

2 1

1 1

10 ≤ X < 30 IA, IB

IIB, VB Others

2 1 1

1 0 1

1d 0 1d

X ≥ 30 All 0 0 0

TABLE 602 FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING REQUIREMENTS FOR EXTERIOR WALLS BASED ON FIRE SEPARATION DISTANCEa, e


1=≤+

PROTECTEDALLOWABLEPROTECTEDACTUAL

DUNPROTECTEALLOWABLE

DUNPROTECTEACTUAL

• Section 705 – Exterior Walls (cont.) – 705.8 Openings.

• The maximum area of protected or unprotected openings within an exterior wall for any story (except as noted for open parking garages), shall not exceed those areas stipulated in Table 705.8.

• If both protected and unprotected openings are used within an exterior wall, then the total area of openings shall not exceed the following formula:


• Table 705.8 – Maximum Area of Exterior Wall Openings

International Building Code - Chapter 7 (cont.) FIRE SEPARATION DISTANCE (feet) DEGREE OF OPENING PROTECTION ALLOWABLE AREAa

0 to less than 3b, c

Unprotected, Nonsprinklered (UP, NS) Not Permitted

Unprotected, Sprinklered (UP, S)i Not Permitted

Protected (P) Not Permitted

3 to less than 5d, e

Unprotected, Nonsprinklered (UP, NS) Not Permitted

Unprotected, Sprinklered (UP, S)i 15%

Protected (P) 15%

5 to less than 10e, f

Unprotected, Nonsprinklered (UP, NS) 10%h


Protected (P) 25%

10 to less than 15e, f, g

Unprotected, Nonsprinklered (UP, NS) 15%h


Protected (P) 45%

15 to less than 20f, g

Unprotected, Nonsprinklered (UP, NS) 25%


Protected (P) 75%



Unprotected, Sprinklered (UP, S)i No Limit

Protected (P) No Limit



Unprotected, Sprinklered (UP, S)i No Limit

Protected (P) No Limit

30 or greater

Unprotected, Nonsprinklered (UP, NS) No Limit

Unprotected, Sprinklered (UP, S)i Not Required

Protected (P) Not Required

Chapter 7 - Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction (cont.) Exterior Walls Summary

Issue Requirement

Required fire-resistance rating Type of construction: Table 601 for load bearing walls Fire separation distance: Table 602

Required continuity Foundation to 30 inches above roof (except as noted)

Openings Amount of protected and unprotected openings based upon fire separation distance and vertical exposure, Table 705.8 and Section 705.10

Types of materials Noncombustible for Types I through IV construction

Robustness of structural system If load bearing for external forces as required


• Section 706 – Fire Walls – 706.4 Required fire-resistance rating of fire walls.

• Table 706.4 of the code provides the required fire-resistance rating of fire walls.

• Table 706.4 – Fire Wall Fire-Resistance Ratings

Chapter 7 - Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction (cont.)

Fire Walls Summary

Issue Requirement

Required fire-resistance rating Based upon occupancy classifications of separated buildings or fire areas; Table 706.4

Required continuity Foundation to 30 inches above roof (except as noted)

Openings Any single opening maximum 120 square feet, aggregate width not exceeding 25% of length of wall

Types of materials Noncombustible for Types I through IV construction, combustible for Type V construction

Robustness of structural system Load bearing for tributary loads, as required, allow structural collapse on either side without collapse of wall

International Building Code - Chapter 7 (cont.) • Section 707 – Fire Barrier

– Fire barriers are used in the following applications: • Fire area separations • Mixed occupancy separations • Incidental use areas • Exit enclosures • Shaft enclosures • Horizontal exits

– Table 707.3.9 – Fire-Resistance Rating Requirements for Fire Barrier Assemblies Between Fire Areas


Fire Barriers Summary

Issue Requirement

Required fire-resistance rating Depends on specific use

Required continuity Floor/ceiling below to deck above

Openings General: Aggregate width less than 25% of the wall length; maximum size of 120 square feet. Specific: Rules based on use of barrier

Types of materials As required for the type of construction

Robustness of structural system If load bearing, fire tested with load.

International Building Code - Chapter 7 (cont.) • Section 708 – Shaft Enclosures

– The fire resistance ratings of shaft enclosures are: • Greater than or equal to four stories – 2 hour fire-

resistance rating. • Less than four stories – 1 hour fire-resistance rating. • Not less than the required fire-resistance rating of the

floor penetrated to a maximum of 2 hours. • Sprinklers


• Section 709 – Fire Partitions – Fire partitions are rated assemblies, but with

somewhat less stringent requirements than fire barriers, that are required by the code for the following applications:

• Exit access corridor walls • Elevator lobby separations


Fire Partitions Summary

Issue Requirement

Required fire-resistance rating 1 hour, with exceptions, depending on use, for corridors see Table 1018.1

Required continuity Floor/ceiling below to deck above or tight to underside of fire-resistance-rated assembly Supported by fire-resistance-rated construction, except in corridors, tenant and guestroom separations in Types IIIB and VB construction

Openings 20 minutes for corridors 45 minutes for all others

Types of materials As required for the type of construction

Robustness of structural system If load bearing, fire tested with load

IN REVIEW Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction and the IBC

In Review • What is the difference between a fire wall and

a fire barrier? – Fire wall used to separate two different buildings – Fire walls have requirements for vertical and

horizontal continuity (with exceptions) – Fire wall has to be an independent structure

In Review (cont.) • List the three major components of active fire

protection: – Prevention and ITM – Automatic and manual fire alarm/detection – Automatic and manual fire suppression

In Review (cont.) • What was the major cause of death at the

MGM Grand Hotel fire and what component of passive fire protection could have helped mitigate the number of deaths? – Asphyxia – Through penetration fire/smoke stopping

CLOSEOUT Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction and the IBC

Comments? Questions? • Thank you

Chad R. Barnes Vice President Marsh Risk Consulting P: (315) 425-3916 [email protected]

New York Empire Chapter of the Society of Fire Protection

Engineers

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