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IBC
®
INTERNATIONAL
BUILDING
CODE®
A Member of the International Code Family®
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2021 International Building Code
Date of First Publication: October 23, 2020
First Printing: October 2020
ISBN: 978-1-60983-955-0 (soft-cover edition)
ISBN: 978-1-60983-956-7 (loose-leaf edition)
COPYRIGHT  2020
by
INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL, INC.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This 2021 International Building Code® is a copyrighted work owned by the International Code
Council, Inc. (“ICC”). Without advance written permission from the ICC, no part of this book may be reproduced, distributed or
transmitted in any form or by any means, including, without limitation, electronic, optical or mechanical means (by way of
example, and not limitation, photocopying or recording by or in an information storage retrieval system). For information on use
rights and permissions, please contact: ICC Publications, 4051 Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, IL 60478. Phone 1-888ICC-SAFE (422-7233).
Trademarks: “International Code Council,” the “International Code Council” logo, “ICC,” the “ICC” logo, “International Building Code,” “IBC” and other names and trademarks appearing in this book are trademarks of the International Code Council, Inc.,
and/or its licensors (as applicable), and may not be used without permission.
T025567
PRINTED IN THE USA
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PREFACE
Introduction
The International Building Code® (IBC®) establishes minimum requirements for building systems using
prescriptive and performance-related provisions. It is founded on broad-based principles that make
possible the use of new materials and new building designs. This 2021 edition is fully compatible with
all of the International Codes® (I-Codes®) published by the International Code Council® (ICC®), including the International Energy Conservation Code® (IECC®), International Existing Building Code® (IEBC®),
International Fire Code® (IFC®), International Fuel Gas Code® (IFGC®), International Green Construction
Code® (IgCC®), International Mechanical Code® (IMC®), International Plumbing Code® (IPC®), International Private Sewage Disposal Code® (IPSDC®), International Property Maintenance Code® (IPMC®),
International Residential Code® (IRC®), International Swimming Pool and Spa Code® (ISPSC®), International Wildland-Urban Interface Code® (IWUIC®), International Zoning Code® (IZC®) and International
Code Council Performance Code® (ICCPC®).
In addition to the codes themselves, the code development process brings together building professionals on a regular basis. It provides an international forum for discussion and deliberation about
building design, construction methods, safety, performance requirements, technological advances
and innovative products.
The I-Codes, including the IBC, are used in a variety of ways in both the public and private sectors.
Most industry professionals are familiar with the I-Codes as the basis of laws and regulations in communities across the US and in other countries. However, the impact of the codes extends well beyond
the regulatory arena, as they are used in a variety of nonregulatory settings, including:
•
Voluntary compliance programs such as those promoting sustainability, energy efficiency and
disaster resistance.
•
The insurance industry, to estimate and manage risk, and as a tool in underwriting and rate
decisions.
•
Certification and credentialing of individuals involved in the fields of building design, construction and safety.
•
Certification of building and construction-related products.
•
US federal agencies, to guide construction in an array of government-owned properties.
•
Facilities management.
•
“Best practices” benchmarks for designers and builders, including those who are engaged in
projects in jurisdictions that do not have a formal regulatory system or a governmental
enforcement mechanism.
•
College, university and professional school textbooks and curricula.
•
Reference works related to building design and construction.
In addition to the codes themselves, the code development process brings together building professionals on a regular basis. It provides an international forum for discussion and deliberation about
building design, construction methods, safety, performance requirements, technological advances
and innovative products.
Development
This 2021 edition presents the code as originally issued, with changes reflected in the 2003 through
2018 editions and further changes approved by the ICC Code Development Process through 2019. A
new edition such as this is promulgated every 3 years.
This code is intended to establish provisions that adequately protect public health, safety and welfare; that do not unnecessarily increase construction costs; that do not restrict the use of new materials, products or methods of construction; and that do not give preferential treatment to particular
types or classes of materials, products or methods of construction.
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Maintenance
The IBC is kept up to date through the review of proposed changes submitted by code enforcement
officials, industry representatives, design professionals and other interested parties. Proposed
changes are carefully considered through an open code development process in which all interested
and affected parties may participate.
The ICC Code Development Process reflects principles of openness, transparency, balance, due process and consensus, the principles embodied in OMB Circular A-119, which governs the federal government’s use of private-sector standards. The ICC process is open to anyone; there is no cost to participate,
and people can participate without travel cost through the ICC’s cloud-based app, cdpAccess®. A broad
cross section of interests are represented in the ICC Code Development Process. The codes, which are
updated regularly, include safeguards that allow for emergency action when required for health and
safety reasons.
In order to ensure that organizations with a direct and material interest in the codes have a voice in
the process, the ICC has developed partnerships with key industry segments that support the ICC’s
important public safety mission. Some code development committee members were nominated by
the following industry partners and approved by the ICC Board:
•
American Institute of Architects (AIA)
•
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
•
National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM)
The code development committees evaluate and make recommendations regarding proposed
changes to the codes. Their recommendations are then subject to public comment and council-wide
votes. The ICC’s governmental members—public safety officials who have no financial or business
interest in the outcome—cast the final votes on proposed changes.
The contents of this work are subject to change through the code development cycles and by any
governmental entity that enacts the code into law. For more information regarding the code development process, contact the Codes and Standards Development Department of the ICC.
While the I-Code development procedure is thorough and comprehensive, the ICC, its members
and those participating in the development of the codes disclaim any liability resulting from the publication or use of the I-Codes, or from compliance or noncompliance with their provisions. The ICC does
not have the power or authority to police or enforce compliance with the contents of this code.
IBC Primary Code Development Committees
In each code development cycle, code change proposals to this code are considered at the Committee
Action Hearings by 11 different code development committees. Four of these committees have primary responsibility for designated chapters and appendices as shown in the following table:
IBC CODE COMMITTEES
IBC—Egress Code Development Committee [BE]:
Chapters 10, 11, Appendix E
IBC—Fire Safety Code Development Committee [BF]: Chapters 7, 8, 9, 14, 26
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IBC—General Code Development Committee [BG]:
Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31,
32, 33, Appendices A, B, C, D, K, N, O
IBC—Structural Code Development Committee [BS]:
Chapters 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23,
24, 25, Appendices F, G, H, I, J, L, M
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Code Development Committee Responsibilities
(Letter Designations in Front of Section Numbers)
As mentioned in the preceding material, in each code development cycle, code change proposals to
this code are considered at the Committee Action Hearings by 11 different code development committees.
Code change proposals to sections of the code that are preceded by a bracketed letter designation,
such as [A], will be considered by a committee other than the building code committee listed for the
chapter or appendix on the preceding page. For example, proposed code changes to Section [F]
307.1.1 will be considered by the International Fire Code Development Committee during the Committee Action Hearing in the 2021 (Group A) code development cycle.
The bracketed letter designations for committees responsible for portions of this code are as follows:
[A] = Administrative Code Development Committee
[BE] = IBC—Egress Code Development Committee
[BF] = IBC—Fire Safety Code Development Committee
[BG] = IBC—General Code Development Committee
[BS] = IBC—Structural Code Development Committee
[E] = International Commercial Energy Conservation Code Development Committee or
International Residential Energy Conservation Code Development Committee
[EB] = International Existing Building Code Development Committee
[F] = International Fire Code Development Committee
[FG] = International Fuel Gas Code Development Committee
[M] = International Mechanical Code Development Committee
[P] = International Plumbing Code Development Committee
For the development of the 2024 edition of the I-Codes, there will be two groups of code development committees and they will meet in separate years, as shown in the following Code Development
Hearings Table.
Code change proposals submitted for code sections that have a letter designation in front of them
will be heard by the respective committee responsible for such code sections. Because different committees hold Committee Action Hearings in different years, proposals for the IBC will be heard by committees in both the 2021 (Group A) and the 2022 (Group B) code development cycles.
For instance, every section of Chapter 16 is the responsibility of the IBC—Structural Code Development Committee. As noted in the preceding table, that committee will hold its Committee Action
Hearings in 2022 to consider code change proposals for the chapters for which it is responsible. Therefore any proposals received for Chapter 16 of this code will be assigned to the IBC—Structural Code
Development Committee and will be considered in 2022, during the Group B code change cycle.
It is very important that anyone submitting code change proposals understands which code development committee is responsible for the section of the code that is the subject of the code change
proposal. For further information on the Code Development Committee responsibilities, please visit
the ICC website at www.iccsafe.org/current-code-development-cycle.
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CODE DEVELOPMENT HEARINGS
Group A Codes (Heard in 2021, Code Change
Proposals Deadline: January 11, 2021)
International Building Code
– Egress (Chapters 10, 11, Appendix E)
– Fire Safety (Chapters 7, 8, 9, 14, 26)
– General (Chapters 2–6, 12, 27–33,
Appendices A, B, C, D, K, N)
International Fire Code
Group B Codes (Heard in 2022, Code Change
Proposals Deadline: January 10, 2022)
Administrative Provisions (Chapter 1 of all codes
except IECC, IRC and IgCC; IBC Appendix O; the
appendices titled “Board of Appeals” for all codes
except IECC, IRC, IgCC, ICCPC and IZC; administrative updates to currently referenced standards; and
designated definitions)
International Building Code
– Structural (Chapters 15–25, Appendices F, G,
H, I, J, L, M)
International Fuel Gas Code
International Existing Building Code
International Mechanical Code
International Energy Conservation Code—Commercial
International Plumbing Code
International Energy Conservation Code—Residential
– IECC—Residential
– IRC—Energy (Chapter 11)
International Property Maintenance Code
International Green Construction Code (Chapter 1)
International Private Sewage Disposal Code
International Residential Code
– IRC—Building (Chapters 1–10, Appendices AE,
AF, AH, AJ, AK, AL, AM, AO, AQ, AR,
AS, AT, AU, AV, AW)
International Residential Code
– IRC—Mechanical (Chapters 12–23)
– IRC—Plumbing (Chapters 25–33,
Appendices AG, AI , AN, AP)
International Swimming Pool and Spa Code
International Wildland-Urban Interface Code
International Zoning Code
Note: Proposed changes to the ICCPC will be heard by the code development committee noted in
brackets [ ] in the text of the ICCPC.
Marginal Markings
Solid vertical lines in the margins within the body of the code indicate a technical change from the
requirements of the 2018 edition. Deletion indicators in the form of an arrow ( ) are provided in the
margin where an entire section, paragraph, exception or table has been deleted or an item in a list of
items or a row of a table has been deleted.
A single asterisk [*] placed in the margin indicates that text or a table has been relocated within the
code. A double asterisk [**] placed in the margin indicates that the text or table immediately following
it has been relocated there from elsewhere in the code. The following table indicates such relocations
in the 2021 edition of the IBC.
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RELOCATIONS
2021 LOCATION
2018 LOCATION
508.5–508.5.11
419.1–419.9
904.12
904.14
904.13
904.12
904.14
904.13
1010.2
1010.1.9
1010.2.1
1010.1.9.6
1010.2.2
1010.1.9.1
1010.2.3
1010.1.9.2
1010.2.4
1010.1.9.4
1010.2.5
1010.1.9.5
1010.2.6
1010.1.9.6.1
1010.2.7
1010.1.9.12
1010.2.8
1010.1.4.4
1010.2.9
1010.1.10
1010.2.9.3
1010.1.10.1
1010.2.9.4
1010.1.10.2
1010.2.10
1010.1.9.3
1010.2.11
1010.1.9.10
1010.2.12
1010.1.9.9
1010.2.13
1010.1.9.8
1010.2.13.1
1010.1.9.8.1
1010.2.14
1010.1.9.7
1010.2.15
1010.1.9.11
1010.3
1010.1.4
1010.3.1
1010.1.4.1
Table 1010.3.1(1)
Table 1010.1.4.1(1)
Table 1010.3.1(2)
Table 1010.1.4.1(2)
1010.3.1.1
1010.1.4.1.1
1010.3.1.2
1010.1.4.1.2
1010.3.2
1010.1.4.2
1010.3.3
1010.1.4.3
1029.1
1028.4
1029.2
1028.4.2
1029.3
1028.4.2
(continued)
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RELOCATIONS—continued
2021 LOCATION
2018 LOCATION
1107.3
1109.14
1110.14
1109.12.1
1605.2
605.3.2
1607.14.2.2
1607.13.3
1607.14.4.3
1607.13.5.2.1
2304.12.2.6
2304.12.3
2304.12.2.6.1
2304.12.3.1
2304.12.2.7
2304.12.4
2304.12.2.8
2304.12.5
3301.2.1
1511.2
Coordination of the International Codes
The coordination of technical provisions is one of the strengths of the ICC family of model codes. The
codes can be used as a complete set of complementary documents, which will provide users with full
integration and coordination of technical provisions. Individual codes can also be used in subsets or as
stand-alone documents. To make sure that each individual code is as complete as possible, some technical provisions that are relevant to more than one subject area are duplicated in some of the model
codes. This allows users maximum flexibility in their application of the I-Codes.
Italicized Terms
Terms italicized in code text, other than document titles, are defined in Chapter 2. The terms selected
to be italicized have definitions that the user should read carefully to better understand the code.
Where italicized, the Chapter 2 definition applies. If not italicized, common-use definitions apply.
Note: In Sections 1903 through 1905, italics indicate provisions that differ from ACI 318.
Adoption
The International Code Council maintains a copyright in all of its codes and standards. Maintaining
copyright allows the ICC to fund its mission through sales of books, in both print and electronic formats. The ICC welcomes adoption of its codes by jurisdictions that recognize and acknowledge the
ICC’s copyright in the code, and further acknowledge the substantial shared value of the public/private
partnership for code development between jurisdictions and the ICC.
The ICC also recognizes the need for jurisdictions to make laws available to the public. All I-Codes
and I-Standards, along with the laws of many jurisdictions, are available for free in a nondownloadable
form on the ICC’s website. Jurisdictions should contact the ICC at adoptions@iccsafe.org to learn how
to adopt and distribute laws based on the IBC in a manner that provides necessary access, while maintaining the ICC’s copyright.
To facilitate adoption, several sections of this code contain blanks for fill-in information that needs
to be supplied by the adopting jurisdiction as part of the adoption legislation. For this code, please see:
Section 101.1. Insert: [NAME OF JURISDICTION]
Section 103.1. Insert: [NAME OF DEPARTMENT]
Section 1612.3. Insert: [NAME OF JURISDICTION]
Section 1612.3. Insert: [DATE OF ISSUANCE]
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Effective Use of the International Building Code
The IBC is a model code that provides minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety
and general welfare of the occupants of new and existing buildings and structures. The IBC is fully
compatible with the ICC family of codes, including: the IECC, IEBC, IFC, IFGC, IgCC, IMC, IPC, IPSDC,
IPMC, IRC, ISPSC, IWUIC, IZC and ICCPC.
The IBC addresses structural strength, means of egress, sanitation, adequate lighting and ventilation, accessibility, energy conservation and life safety in regard to new and existing buildings, facilities
and systems. The codes are promulgated on a 3-year cycle to allow for new construction methods and
technologies to be incorporated into the codes. Alternative materials, designs and methods not specifically addressed in the code can be approved by the building official where the proposed materials,
designs or methods comply with the intent of the provisions of the code (see Section 104.11).
The IBC applies to all occupancies, including one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses that
are not within the scope of the IRC. The IRC is referenced for coverage of detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses as defined in the exception to Section 101.2 and the definition for
“Townhouse” in Chapter 2. The IRC can also be used for the construction of live/work units (as defined
in Section 508.5) and small bed and breakfast-style hotels where there are five or fewer guest rooms
and the hotel is owner occupied. The IBC applies to all types of buildings and structures unless
exempted. Work exempted from permits is listed in Section 105.2.
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ARRANGEMENT AND FORMAT OF THE 2021 IBC
Before applying the requirements of the IBC, it is beneficial to understand its arrangement and format.
The IBC, like other codes published by ICC, is arranged and organized to follow sequential steps that
generally occur during a plan review or inspection.
The following table shows how the IBC is divided. The three tables following that show IBC requirements that are correlated with other I-Codes. Lastly, the ensuing chapter-by-chapter synopsis details
the scope and intent of the provisions of the IBC.
CHAPTER TOPICS
Chapters
1–2
3
Subjects
Administration and definitions
Use and occupancy classifications
4, 31
Special requirements for specific occupancies or elements
5–6
Height and area limitations based on type of
construction
7–9
Fire resistance and protection requirements
10
Requirements for evacuation
11
Specific requirements to allow use and access to a building for persons
with disabilities
12–13, 27–30
14–26
Building systems, such as lighting, HVAC, lumbing fixtures, elevators
Structural components—performance and stability
32
Encroachment outside of property lines
33
Safeguards during construction
35
Referenced standards
Appendices A–O
Appendices
IFC Correlated Topics
The IBC requirements for hazardous materials, fire-resistance-rated construction, interior finish, fire
protection systems, means of egress, emergency and standby power, and temporary structures are
directly correlated with the requirements of the IFC. The following table shows chapters/sections of
the IBC that are correlated with the IFC:
IBC Chapter/Section
IBC/IFC CORRELATED TOPICS
IFC Chapter/Section
Subject
Sections 307, 414, 415
Chapters 50–67
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Fire-resistance-rated construction
(fire and smoke protection features in the IFC)
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Interior finish, decorative materials and furnishings
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Fire protection systems
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Means of egress
Chapter 27
Section 604
Standby and emergency power
Section 3103
Chapter 31
Temporary structures
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Hazardous materials and Group H requirements
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IMC Correlated Topics
The IBC requirements for smoke control systems, and smoke and fire dampers are directly correlated
to the requirements of the IMC. IBC Chapter 28 is a reference to the IMC and the IFGC for chimneys,
fireplaces and barbecues, and all aspects of mechanical systems. The following table shows chapters/
sections of the IBC that are correlated with the IMC:
IBC Chapter/Section
IBC/IMC CORRELATED TOPICS
IMC Chapter/Section
Section 717
Section 607
Smoke and fire dampers
Section 909
Section 513
Smoke control
Subject
IPC Correlated Topics
The IBC requirements for plumbing fixtures and toilet rooms are directly correlated to the requirements
of the IPC. The following table shows chapters/sections of the IBC that are correlated with the IPC:
IBC Chapter/Section
IBC/IPC CORRELATED TOPICS
IPC Chapter/Section
Chapter 29
Chapters 3 & 4
Subject
Plumbing fixtures and facilities
Chapter 1 Scope and Administration
Chapter 1 establishes the limits of applicability of the code and describes how the code is to be applied
and enforced. Chapter 1 is in two parts, Part 1— Scope and Application (Sections 101-102) and Part
2—Administration and Enforcement (Sections 103-116). Section 101 identifies which buildings and
structures come under its purview and references other I-Codes as applicable. Standards and codes
are scoped to the extent referenced (see Section 102.4).
The building code is intended to be adopted as a legally enforceable document and it cannot be
effective without adequate provisions for its administration and enforcement. The provisions of Chapter 1 establish the authority and duties of the building official appointed by the authority having jurisdiction and also establish the rights and privileges of the design professional, contractor and property
owner.
Chapter 2 Definitions
All terms that are defined in the code are listed alphabetically in Chapter 2. While a defined term may
be used in one chapter or another, the meaning provided in Chapter 2 is applicable throughout the
code.
Where understanding a term’s definition is especially key to or necessary for understanding a particular code provision, the term is shown in italics. This is true only for those terms that have a meaning that is unique to the code. In other words, the generally understood meaning of a term or phrase
might not be sufficient or consistent with the meaning prescribed by the code; therefore, it is essential
that the code-defined meaning be known.
Guidance regarding tense, gender and plurality of defined terms as well as guidance regarding
terms not defined in this code is provided.
Chapter 3 Occupancy Classification and Use
Chapter 3 provides for the classification of buildings, structures and parts thereof based on the purpose or purposes for which they are used. Section 302 identifies the groups into which all buildings,
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structures and parts thereof must be classified. Sections 303 through 312 identify the occupancy characteristics of each group classification. In some sections, specific group classifications having requirements in common are collectively organized such that one term applies to all. For example, Groups A1, A-2, A-3, A-4 and A-5 are individual groups for assembly-type buildings. The general term “Group A,”
however, includes each of these individual groups. Other groups include Business (B), Educational (E),
Factory (F-1, F-2), High Hazard (H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4, H-5), Institutional (I-1, I-2, I-3, I-4), Mercantile (M),
Residential (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4), Storage (S-1, S-2) and Utility (U). In some occupancies, the smaller
number means a higher hazard, but that is not always the case.
Defining the use of the buildings is very important as it sets the tone for the remaining chapters of
the code. Occupancy works with the height, area and construction type requirements in Chapters 5
and 6, as well as the special provisions in Chapter 4, to determine “equivalent risk,” or providing a reasonable level of protection or life safety for building occupants. The determination of equivalent risk
involves three interdependent considerations: (1) the level of fire hazard associated with the specific
occupancy of the facility; (2) the reduction of fire hazard by limiting the floor area and the height of
the building based on the fuel load (combustible contents and burnable building components); and (3)
the level of overall fire resistance provided by the type of construction used for the building. The
greater the potential fire hazards indicated as a function of the group, the lesser the height and area
allowances for a particular construction type.
Occupancy classification also plays a key part in organizing and prescribing the appropriate protection measures. As such, threshold requirements for fire protection and means of egress systems are
based on occupancy classification (see Chapters 9 and 10). Other sections of the code also contain
requirements respective to the classification of building groups. For example, Section 706 specifies
requirements for fire wall fire-resistance ratings that are tied to the occupancy classification of a building and Section 803.11 contains interior finish requirements that are dependent upon the occupancy
classification. The use of the space, rather than the occupancy of the building, is utilized for determining occupant loading (Section 1004) and live loading (Section 1607).
Over the useful life of a building, the activities in the building will evolve and change. Where the
provisions of the code address uses differently, moving from one activity to another or from one level
of activity to another is, by definition, a change of occupancy. The new occupancy must be in compliance with the applicable provisions.
Chapter 4 Special Detailed Requirements Based on Occupancy and Use
Chapter 4 contains the requirements for protecting special uses and occupancies, which are supplemental to the remainder of the code. Chapter 4 contains provisions that may alter requirements found
elsewhere in the code; however, the general requirements of the code still apply unless modified
within the chapter. For example, the height and area limitations established in Chapter 5 apply to all
special occupancies unless Chapter 4 contains height and area limitations. In this case, the limitations
in Chapter 4 supersede those in other sections. An example of this is the height and area limitations
for open parking garages given in Section 406.5.4, which supersede the limitations given in Sections
504 and 506.
In some instances, it may not be necessary to apply the provisions of Chapter 4. For example, if a
covered mall building complies with the provisions of the code for Group M, Section 402 does not
apply; however, other sections that address a use, process or operation must be applied to that specific occupancy, such as stages and platforms, special amusement buildings and hazardous materials
(Sections 410, 411 and 414).
The chapter includes requirements for buildings and conditions that apply to one or more groups,
such as high-rise buildings, underground buildings or atriums. Special uses may also imply specific
occupancies and operations, such as for Group H, hazardous materials, application of flammable finishes, drying rooms, organic coatings and combustible storage or hydrogen fuel gas rooms, all of which
are coordinated with the IFC. Unique consideration is taken for special use areas, such as covered mall
buildings, motor-vehicle-related occupancies, special amusement buildings and aircraft-related occupancies. Special facilities within other occupancies are considered, such as stages and platforms,
motion picture projection rooms, children’s play structures and storm shelters. Finally, in order that
the overall package of protection features can be easily understood, unique considerations for specific
occupancies are addressed: Groups I-1, I-2, I-3, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4; and ambulatory care facilities
and live/work units.
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Chapter 5 General Building Heights and Areas
Chapter 5 contains the provisions that regulate the minimum type of construction for area limits and
height limits based on the occupancy of the building. Height and area increases (including allowances
for basements, mezzanines and equipment platforms) are permitted based on open frontage for fire
department access, separation and the type of sprinkler protection provided (Sections 503-506, 510).
These thresholds are reduced for buildings over three stories in height in accordance with Sections
506.2.1 and 506.2.2. Provisions include the protection and/or separation of incidental uses (Table
509.1), accessory occupancies (Section 508.2) and mixed uses in the same building (Sections 506.2.2,
508.3, 508.4 and 510). Unlimited area buildings are permitted in certain occupancies when they meet
special provisions (Section 507). Live/work units are provided for in Section 508.5.
Tables 504.3, 504.4 and 506.2 are the keystones in setting thresholds for building size based on the
building’s use and the materials with which it is constructed. If one then looks at Tables 504.3, 504.4
and 506.2, the relationship among group classification, allowable heights and areas and types of construction becomes apparent. Respective to each group classification, the greater the fire-resistance
rating of structural elements, as represented by the type of construction, the greater the floor area
and height allowances. The greater the potential fire hazards indicated as a function of the group, the
lesser the height and area allowances for a particular construction type. Starting in the 2015 edition,
the table that once contained both height and area has been separated and these three new tables
address the topics individually. In addition, the tables list criteria for buildings with and without automatic sprinkler systems.
Chapter 6 Types of Construction
The interdependence of these fire safety considerations can be seen by first looking at Tables 601 and
705.5, which show the fire-resistance ratings of the principal structural elements comprising a building
in relation to the five classifications for types of construction. Type I construction is the classification
that generally requires the highest fire-resistance ratings for structural elements, whereas Type V construction, which is designated as a combustible type of construction, generally requires the least
amount of fire-resistance-rated structural elements. The greater the potential fire hazards indicated
as a function of the group, the lesser the height and area allowances for a particular construction type.
Section 603 includes a list of combustible elements that can be part of a noncombustible building
(Types I and II construction).
Chapter 7 Fire and Smoke Protection Features
The provisions of Chapter 7 present the fundamental concepts of fire performance that all buildings
are expected to achieve in some form. This chapter identifies the acceptable materials, techniques
and methods by which proposed construction can be designed and evaluated against to determine a
building’s ability to limit the impact of fire. The fire-resistance-rated construction requirements within
Chapter 7 provide passive resistance to the spread and effects of fire. Types of separations addressed
include fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions, horizontal assemblies, smoke barriers and smoke partitions. A fire produces heat that can weaken structural components and smoke products that cause
property damage and place occupants at risk. The requirements of Chapter 7 work in unison with
height and area requirements (Chapter 5), active fire detection and suppression systems (Chapter 9)
and occupant egress requirements (Chapter 10) to contain a fire should it occur while helping ensure
occupants are able to safely exit.
Chapter 8 Interior Finishes
This chapter contains the performance requirements for controlling fire growth within buildings by
restricting interior finish and decorative materials. Past fire experience has shown that interior finish
and decorative materials are key elements in the development and spread of fire. The provisions of
Chapter 8 require materials used as interior finishes and decorations to meet certain flame-spread
index or flame-propagation criteria based on the relative fire hazard associated with the occupancy. As
smoke is also a hazard associated with fire, this chapter contains limits on the smoke development
characteristics of interior finishes. The performance of the material is evaluated based on test standards.
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Chapter 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
Chapter 9 prescribes the minimum requirements for active systems of fire protection equipment to
perform the following functions: detect a fire; alert the occupants or fire department of a fire emergency; and control smoke and control or extinguish the fire. Generally, the requirements are based on
the occupancy, the height and the area of the building, because these are the factors that most affect
fire-fighting capabilities and the relative hazard of a specific building or portion thereof. This chapter
parallels and is substantially duplicated in Chapter 9 of the IFC; however, the IFC Chapter 9 also contains periodic testing criteria that are not contained in the IBC. In addition, the special fire protection
system requirements based on use and occupancy found in IBC Chapter 4 are duplicated in IFC Chapter 9 as a user convenience.
Chapter 10 Means of Egress
The general criteria set forth in Chapter 10 regulating the design of the means of egress are established as the primary method for protection of people in buildings by allowing timely relocation or
evacuation of building occupants. Both prescriptive and performance language is utilized in this chapter to provide for a basic approach in the determination of a safe exiting system for all occupancies. It
addresses all portions of the egress system (i.e., exit access, exits and exit discharge) and includes
design requirements as well as provisions regulating individual components. The requirements detail
the size, arrangement, number and protection of means of egress components. Functional and operational characteristics also are specified for the components that will permit their safe use without special knowledge or effort. The means of egress protection requirements work in coordination with
other sections of the code, such as protection of vertical openings (see Chapter 7), interior finish (see
Chapter 8), fire suppression and detection systems (see Chapter 9) and numerous others, all having an
impact on life safety. Chapter 10 of the IBC is duplicated in Chapter 10 of the IFC; however, the IFC
contains one additional section on the means of egress system in existing buildings.
Chapter 11 Accessibility
Chapter 11 contains provisions that set forth requirements for accessibility of buildings and their associated sites and facilities for people with physical disabilities. The fundamental philosophy of the code
on the subject of accessibility is that everything is required to be accessible. This is reflected in the
basic applicability requirement (see Section 1103.1). The code’s scoping requirements then address
the conditions under which accessibility is not required in terms of exceptions to this general mandate. While the IBC contains scoping provisions for accessibility (for example, what, where and how
many), ICC A117.1, Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, is the referenced standard for the
technical provisions (in other words, how).
There are many accessibility issues that not only benefit people with disabilities, but also provide a
tangible benefit to people without disabilities. This type of requirement can be set forth in the code as
generally applicable without necessarily identifying it specifically as an accessibility-related issue. Such
a requirement would then be considered as having been “mainstreamed.” For example, visible alarms
are located in Chapter 9 and accessible means of egress and ramp requirements are addressed in
Chapter 10.
Accessibility criteria for existing buildings are addressed in the IEBC.
Appendix E is supplemental information included in the code to address accessibility for items in
the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design that were not typically enforceable through the standard traditional building code enforcement approach system (for example, beds, room signage). The
IRC references Chapter 11 for accessibility provisions; therefore, this chapter may be applicable to
housing covered under the IRC.
Chapter 12 Interior Environment
Chapter 12 provides minimum standards for the interior environment of a building. The standards
address the minimum sizes of spaces, minimum temperature levels, and minimum light and ventilation levels. The collection of requirements addresses limiting sound transmission through walls, ventilation of attic spaces and under floor spaces (crawl spaces). Finally, the chapter provides minimum
standards for toilet and bathroom construction, including privacy shielding and standards for walls,
partitions and floors to resist water intrusion and damage.
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Chapter 13 Energy Efficiency
The purpose of Chapter 13 is to provide minimum design requirements that will promote efficient utilization of energy in buildings. The requirements are directed toward the design of building envelopes
with adequate thermal resistance and low air leakage, and toward the design and selection of
mechanical, water heating, electrical and illumination systems that promote effective use of depletable energy resources. For the specifics of these criteria, Chapter 13 requires design and construction
in compliance with the IECC.
Chapter 14 Exterior Walls
This chapter addresses requirements for exterior walls of buildings. Minimum standards for wall covering materials, installation of wall coverings and the ability of the wall to provide weather protection
are provided. This chapter also requires exterior walls that are close to lot lines, or that are bearing
walls for certain types of construction, to comply with the minimum fire-resistance ratings specified in
Chapters 6 and 7. The installation of each type of wall covering, be it wood, masonry, vinyl, metal composite material or an exterior insulation and finish system, is critical to its long-term performance in
protecting the interior of the building from the elements and the spread of fire. Limitations on the use
of combustible materials on exterior building elements such as balconies, eaves, decks and architectural trim are also addressed in this chapter.
Chapter 15 Roof Assemblies and Rooftop Structures
Chapter 15 provides standards for both roof assemblies and structures that sit on top of the roofs of
buildings. The criteria address roof construction and covering, including the weather-protective barrier at the roof and, in most circumstances, a fire-resistant barrier. The chapter is prescriptive in
nature and is based on decades of experience with various traditional materials, but it also addresses
newer products such as photovoltaic shingles. These prescriptive rules are very important for satisfying performance of one type of roof covering or another. Section 1511 addresses rooftop structures,
including penthouses, tanks, towers and spires. Rooftop penthouses larger than prescribed in this
chapter must be treated as a story under Chapter 5.
Chapter 16 Structural Design
Chapter 16 prescribes minimum structural loading requirements for use in the design and construction of buildings and structural components. It includes minimum design loads, assignment of risk categories and permitted design methodologies. Standards are provided for minimum design loads (live,
dead, snow, wind, rain, flood, ice and earthquake as well as the required load combinations). The
application of these loads and adherence to the serviceability criteria will enhance the protection of
life and property. The chapter references and relies on many nationally recognized design standards. A
key standard is the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other
Structures (ASCE 7). Structural design must address the conditions of the site and location. Therefore,
maps are provided of rainfall, seismic, snow and wind criteria in different regions.
Chapter 17 Special Inspections and Tests
Chapter 17 provides a variety of procedures and criteria for testing materials and assemblies, labeling
materials and assemblies and special inspection of structural assemblies. This chapter expands on the
inspections of Chapter 1 by requiring special inspection where indicated and, in some cases, structural
observation. It also spells out additional responsibilities for the owner, contractor, design professionals and special inspectors. Proper assembly of structural components, proper quality of materials used
and proper application of materials are essential to ensuring that a building, once constructed, complies with the structural and fire-resistance minimums of the code and the approved design. To determine this compliance often requires continuous or frequent inspection and testing. Chapter 17
establishes standards for special inspection, testing and reporting of the work to the building official.
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Chapter 18 Soils and Foundations
Chapter 18 provides criteria for geotechnical and structural considerations in the selection, design and
installation of foundation systems to support the loads from the structure above. This chapter includes
requirements for soils investigation and site preparation for receiving a foundation, including the
allowed load-bearing values for soils and for protecting the foundation from water intrusion. Section
1808 addresses the basic requirements for all foundation types. Later sections address foundation
requirements that are specific to shallow foundations and deep foundations. Due care must be exercised in the planning and design of foundation systems based on obtaining sufficient soils information,
the use of accepted engineering procedures, experience and good technical judgment.
Chapter 19 Concrete
This chapter provides minimum accepted practices for the design and construction of buildings and
structural components using concrete—both plain and reinforced. Chapter 19 relies primarily on the
reference to American Concrete Institute (ACI) 318, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete. This chapter also includes references to additional standards. Structural concrete must be
designed and constructed to comply with this code and all listed standards. There are specific sections
of the chapter addressing concrete slabs, anchorage to concrete and shotcrete. Because of the variable properties of material and numerous design and construction options available in the uses of concrete, due care and control throughout the construction process is necessary.
Chapter 20 Aluminum
Chapter 20 contains standards for the use of aluminum in building construction. Only the structural
applications of aluminum are addressed. This chapter does not address the use of aluminum in specialty products such as storefront or window framing or architectural hardware. The use of aluminum
in heating, ventilating or air-conditioning systems is addressed in the IMC. This chapter references
national standards from the Aluminum Association for use of aluminum in building construction, AA
ASM 35, Aluminum Sheet Metal Work in Building Construction, and AA ADM, Aluminum Design Manual. By utilizing the standards set forth, a proper application of this material can be obtained.
Chapter 21 Masonry
This chapter provides comprehensive and practical requirements for masonry construction. The provisions of Chapter 21 require minimum accepted practices and the use of standards for the design and
construction of masonry structures. The provisions address: material specifications and test methods;
types of wall construction; criteria for engineered and empirical designs; and required details of construction, including the execution of construction. Masonry design methodologies including allowable
stress design, strength design and empirical design are covered by provisions of this chapter. Also
addressed are masonry fireplaces and chimneys, masonry heaters and glass unit masonry. Fire-resistant construction using masonry is also required to comply with Chapter 7. Masonry foundations are
also subject to the requirements of Chapter 18.
Chapter 22 Steel
Chapter 22 provides the requirements necessary for the design and construction of structural steel
(including composite construction), cold-formed steel, steel joists, steel cable structures and steel
storage racks. This chapter specifies appropriate design and construction standards for these types of
structures. It also provides a road map of the applicable technical requirements for steel structures.
Because steel is a noncombustible building material, it is commonly associated with Types I and II construction; however, it is permitted to be used in all types of construction. Chapter 22 requires that the
design and use of steel materials be in accordance with the specifications and standards of the American Institute of Steel Construction, the American Iron and Steel Institute, the Steel Joist Institute and
the American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Chapter 23 Wood
This chapter provides minimum requirements for the design of buildings and structures that use wood
and wood-based products. The chapter is organized around three design methodologies: allowable
stress design (ASD), load and resistance factor design (LRFD) and conventional light-frame construction. Included in this chapter are references to design and manufacturing standards for various wood
and wood-based products; general construction requirements; design criteria for lateral force-resisting systems and specific requirements for the application of the three design methods. In general, only
Type III, IV or V buildings may be constructed of wood.
Chapter 24 Glass and Glazing
This chapter establishes regulations for glass and glazing that, when installed in buildings and structures, are subjected to wind, snow and dead loads. Engineering and design requirements are included
in the chapter. Additional structural requirements are found in Chapter 16. Another concern of this
chapter is glass and glazing used in areas where it is likely to be impacted by the occupants. Section
2406 identifies hazardous locations where glazing installed must either be safety glazing or blocked to
prevent human impact. Safety glazing must meet stringent standards and be appropriately marked or
identified. Additional requirements are provided for glass and glazing in guards, handrails, elevator
hoistways and elevator cars, as well as in athletic facilities.
Chapter 25 Gypsum Board, Gypsum Panel Products and Plaster
Chapter 25 contains the provisions and referenced standards that regulate the design, construction
and quality of gypsum board, gypsum panel products and plaster. It also addresses reinforced gypsum
concrete. These represent the most common interior and exterior finish materials in the building
industry. This chapter primarily addresses quality-control-related issues with regard to material specifications and installation requirements. Most products are manufactured under the control of industry
standards. The building official or inspector primarily needs to verify that the appropriate product is
used and properly installed for the intended use and location. While often simply used as wall and ceiling coverings, proper design and application are necessary to provide weather resistance and required
fire protection for both structural and nonstructural building components.
Chapter 26 Plastic
The use of plastics in building construction and components is addressed in Chapter 26. This chapter
provides standards addressing foam plastic insulation, foam plastics used as interior finish and trim,
and other plastic veneers used on the inside or outside of a building. Plastic siding is regulated by
Chapter 14. Sections 2606 through 2611 address the use of light-transmitting plastics in various configurations such as walls, roof panels, skylights, signs and as glazing. Requirements for the use of fiberreinforced polymers, fiberglass-reinforced polymers and reflective plastic core insulation are also contained in this chapter. Additionally, requirements specific to the use of wood-plastic composites and
plastic lumber are contained in this chapter. Some plastics exhibit rapid flame spread and heavy
smoke density characteristics when exposed to fire. Exposure to the heat generated by a fire can
cause some plastics to deform, which can affect their performance. The requirements and limitations
of this chapter are necessary to control the use of plastic and foam plastic products such that they do
not compromise the safety of building occupants.
Chapter 27 Electrical
Since electrical systems and components are an integral part of almost all structures, it is necessary for
the code to address the installation of such systems. For this purpose, Chapter 27 references the
National Electrical Code (NEC). In addition, Section 2702 addresses emergency and standby power
requirements. Such systems must comply with the IFC and referenced standards. This section also provides references to the various code sections requiring emergency and standby power, such as highrise buildings and buildings containing hazardous materials.
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Chapter 28 Mechanical Systems
Nearly all buildings will include mechanical systems. This chapter provides references to the IMC and
the IFGC for the design and installation of mechanical systems. In addition, Chapter 21 of this code is
referenced for masonry chimneys, fireplaces and barbecues.
Chapter 29 Plumbing Systems
Chapter 29 regulates the minimum number of plumbing fixtures that must be provided for every type
of building. This chapter also regulates the location of the required fixtures in various types of buildings. This section requires separate facilities for males and females except for certain types of small
occupancies. The regulations in this chapter come directly from Chapters 3 and 4 of the IPC.
Chapter 30 Elevators and Conveying Systems
Chapter 30 provides standards for the installation of elevators into buildings. Referenced standards
provide the requirements for the elevator system and mechanisms. Detailed standards are provided in
the chapter for hoistway enclosures, machine rooms and requirements for sizing of elevators. Beginning in the 2015 edition of this code, the elevator lobby requirements were moved from Chapter 7 to
Chapter 30 to pull all the elevator-related construction requirements together. New provisions were
added in the 2009 edition for fire service access elevators required in high-rise buildings and for the
optional choice of occupant evacuation elevators (see Section 403).
Chapter 31 Special Construction
Chapter 31 contains a collection of regulations for a variety of unique structures and architectural features. Pedestrian walkways and tunnels connecting two buildings are addressed in Section 3104.
Membrane and air-supported structures are addressed by Section 3102. Safeguards for swimming
pool safety are addressed by way of reference to the ISPSC in Section 3109. Standards for temporary
structures, including permit requirements, are provided in Section 3103. Structures as varied as
awnings, marquees, signs, telecommunication and broadcast towers and automatic vehicular gates
are also addressed (see Sections 3105 through 3108 and 3110).
Chapter 32 Encroachments into the Public Right-of-way
Buildings and structures from time to time are designed to extend over a property line and into the
public right-of-way. Local regulations outside of the building code usually set limits to such encroachments, and such regulations take precedence over the provisions of this chapter. Standards are provided for encroachments below grade for structural support, vaults and areaways. Encroachments
above grade are divided into below 8 feet, 8 feet to 15 feet, and above 15 feet, because of headroom
and vehicular height issues. This includes steps, columns, awnings, canopies, marquees, signs, windows and balconies. Similar architectural features above grade are also addressed. Pedestrian walkways must also comply with Chapter 31.
Chapter 33 Safeguards During Construction
Chapter 33 provides safety requirements during construction and demolition of buildings and structures. These requirements are intended to protect the public from injury and adjoining property from
damage. In addition the chapter provides for the progressive installation and operation of exit stairways and standpipe systems during construction.
Chapter 34 Reserved
During the 2015 code change cycle the membership voted to delete Chapter 34, Existing Structures,
from this code and reference the IEBC. The provisions that were in Chapter 34 appear in the IEBC. Former Sections 3402 through 3411 appear as IEBC Chapter 4 and Section 3412 as Chapter 14.
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Chapter 35 Referenced Standards
The code contains numerous references to standards that are used to regulate materials and methods
of construction. Chapter 35 contains a comprehensive list of all standards that are referenced in the
code, including the appendices. The standards are part of the code to the extent of the reference to
the standard (see Section 102.4). Compliance with the referenced standard is necessary for compliance with this code. By providing specifically adopted standards, the construction and installation
requirements necessary for compliance with the code can be readily determined. The basis for code
compliance is, therefore, established and available on an equal basis to the building official, contractor, designer and owner.
Chapter 35 is organized in a manner that makes it easy to locate specific standards. It lists all of the
referenced standards, alphabetically, by acronym of the promulgating agency of the standard. Each
agency’s standards are then listed in either alphabetical or numeric order based upon the standard
identification. The list also contains the title of the standard; the edition (date) of the standard referenced; any addenda included as part of the ICC adoption; and the section or sections of this code that
reference the standard.
Appendices
Appendices are provided in the IBC to offer optional or supplemental criteria to the provisions in the
main chapters of the code. Appendices provide additional information for administration of the
Department of Building Safety as well as standards not typically administered by all building departments. Appendices have the same force and effect as the first 35 chapters of the IBC only when explicitly adopted by the jurisdiction.
Appendix A Employee Qualifications
Effective administration and enforcement of the family of International Codes depends on the training
and expertise of the personnel employed by the jurisdiction and their knowledge of the codes. Section
103 of the code establishes the Department of Building Safety and calls for the appointment of a building official and deputies such as plans examiners and inspectors. Appendix A provides standards for
experience, training and certification for the building official and the other staff mentioned in Chapter 1.
Appendix B Board of Appeals
Section 113 requires the establishment of a board of appeals to hear appeals regarding determinations made by the building official. Appendix B provides qualification standards for members of the
board as well as operational procedures of such board.
Appendix C Group U—Agricultural Buildings
Appendix C provides a more liberal set of standards for the construction of agricultural buildings,
rather than strictly following the utility building provision, reflective of their specific usage and limited
occupant load. The provisions of this appendix, when adopted, allow reasonable heights and areas
commensurate with the risk of agricultural buildings.
Appendix D Fire Districts
Fire districts have been a tool used to limit conflagration hazards in areas of a city with intense and
concentrated development. More frequently used under the model codes that preceded the IBC, this
appendix is provided to allow jurisdictions to continue the designation and use of fire districts. Fire district standards restrict certain occupancies within the district, as well as setting higher minimum construction standards.
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Appendix E Supplementary Accessibility Requirements
The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (U.S. Access Board) has revised and
updated its accessibility guidelines for buildings and facilities covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA). Appendix E includes scoping requirements contained in the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design that are not in Chapter 11 and not otherwise
mentioned or mainstreamed throughout the code. Items in the appendix address subjects not typically addressed in building codes (for example, beds, room signage, transportation facilities).
Appendix F Rodentproofing
The provisions of this appendix are minimum mechanical methods to prevent the entry of rodents into
a building. These standards, when used in conjunction with cleanliness and maintenance programs,
can significantly reduce the potential of rodents invading a building.
Appendix G Flood-resistant Construction
Appendix G is intended to fulfill the flood-plain management and administrative requirements of the
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that are not included in the code. Communities that adopt
the IBC and Appendix G will meet the minimum requirements of NFIP as set forth in Title 44 of the
Code of Federal Regulations.
Appendix H Signs
Appendix H gathers in one place the various code standards that regulate the construction and protection of outdoor signs. Whenever possible, this appendix provides standards in performance language,
thus allowing the widest possible application.
Appendix I Patio Covers
Appendix I provides standards applicable to the construction and use of patio covers. It is limited in
application to patio covers accessory to dwelling units. Covers of patios and other outdoor areas associated with restaurants, mercantile buildings, offices, nursing homes or other nondwelling occupancies would be subject to standards in the main code and not this appendix.
Appendix J Grading
Appendix J provides standards for the grading of properties. This appendix also provides standards for
administration and enforcement of a grading program including permit and inspection requirements.
Appendix J was originally developed in the 1960s and used for many years in jurisdictions throughout
the western United States. It is intended to provide consistent and uniform code requirements anywhere grading is considered an issue.
Appendix K Administrative Provisions
Appendix K primarily provides administrative provisions for jurisdictions adopting and enforcing NFPA
70—the National Electrical Code (NEC). The provisions contained in this appendix are compatible with
administrative and enforcement provisions contained in Chapter 1 of the IBC and the other I-Codes.
Annex H of NFPA 70 also contains administrative provisions for the NEC; however, some of its provisions are not compatible with IBC Chapter 1. Section K110 also contains technical provisions that are
unique to this appendix and are in addition to technical standards of NFPA 70.
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Appendix L Earthquake Recording Instrumentation
The purpose of this appendix is to foster the collection of ground motion data, particularly from
strong-motion earthquakes. When this ground motion data is synthesized, it may be useful in developing future improvements to the earthquake provisions of the IBC.
Appendix M Tsunami-Generated Flood Hazards
Addressing a tsunami risk for all types of construction in a tsunami hazard zone through building code
requirements would typically not be cost effective, making tsunami-resistant construction impractical
at an individual building level. However, this appendix does allow the adoption and enforcement of
requirements for tsunami hazard zones that regulate the presence of high-risk or high-hazard structures.
Appendix N Replicable Buildings
Many jurisdictions have recognized the need for some form of expedited review process for replicable
buildings. By codifying the approach contained in the ICC G1-2010 Guideline for Replicable Buildings,
this appendix provides jurisdictions with a means of incorporating replicable building requirements
into their building code adoption process. The intent is to streamline the plan review process at the
local level by removing redundant reviews.
Appendix O Performance-based Application
Appendix O provides an optional design, review and approval framework for use by the building official. It simply extracts the relevant administrative provisions from the ICCPC into a more concise,
usable appendix format for a jurisdiction confronted with such a need. Typical uses would include
cases of alternate methods in Chapter 1 and select areas of the code that require a rational analysis,
such as Section 909.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 SCOPE AND
ADMINISTRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
PART 1—SCOPE AND APPLICATION . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Section
101
Scope and General Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
102
Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
PART 2—ADMINISTRATION AND
ENFORCEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
308
Institutional Group I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
309
Mercantile Group M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
310
Residential Group R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
311
Storage Group S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
312
Utility and Miscellaneous Group U. . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
CHAPTER 4 SPECIAL DETAILED
REQUIREMENTS BASED
ON OCCUPANCY AND USE . . . . . . 4-1
Section
103
Code Compliance Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
401
Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
104
Duties and Powers of Building Official. . . . . . . . . 1-2
402
Covered Mall and Open Mall Buildings . . . . . . . . 4-1
105
Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
403
High-rise Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
106
Floor and Roof Design Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
404
Atriums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
107
Construction Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
405
Underground Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
108
Temporary Structures and Uses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
406
Motor-vehicle-related Occupancies . . . . . . . . . . 4-10
109
Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
407
Group I-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
110
Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
408
Group I-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
111
Certificate of Occupancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
409
Motion Picture Projection Rooms . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21
112
Service Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
410
113
Means of Appeals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Stages, Platforms and Technical
Production Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21
114
Violations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
411
Special Amusement Areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-23
115
Stop Work Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
412
Aircraft-related Occupancies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24
116
Unsafe Structures and Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
413
Combustible Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-28
414
Hazardous Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-28
CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
415
Groups H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4 and H-5 . . . . . . . . . . 4-32
Section
416
Spray Application of Flammable Finishes . . . . . 4-41
201
General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
417
Drying Rooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-42
202
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
418
Organic Coatings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-42
419
Artificial Decorative Vegetation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-42
420
Groups I-1, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 . . . . . . . . . . . 4-42
421
Hydrogen Fuel Gas Rooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-44
422
Ambulatory Care Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-44
423
Storm Shelters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-45
424
Play Structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-46
425
Hyperbaric Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-46
426
Combustible Dusts,
Grain Processing and Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-46
427
Medical Gas Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-47
428
Higher Education Laboratories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-48
CHAPTER 3 OCCUPANCY
CLASSIFICATION AND USE . . . . . . 3-1
Section
301
Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
302
Occupancy Classification and Use Designation . . 3-1
303
Assembly Group A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
304
Business Group B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
305
Educational Group E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
306
Factory Group F. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
307
High-hazard Group H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
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CHAPTER 5 GENERAL BUILDING
HEIGHTS AND AREAS . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
721
Prescriptive Fire Resistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-40
722
Calculated Fire Resistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-65
Section
501
General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
CHAPTER 8 INTERIOR FINISHES . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-1
502
Building Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Section
503
General Building Height and Area Limitations. . . 5-1
801
Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-1
504
Building Height and Number of Stories . . . . . . . . 5-2
802
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-1
505
Mezzanines and Equipment Platforms . . . . . . . . . 5-2
803
Wall and Ceiling Finishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-1
506
Building Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
804
Interior Floor Finish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-4
507
Unlimited Area Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
805
508
Mixed Use and Occupancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Combustible Materials in Types I
and II Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-5
509
Incidental Uses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
806
Decorative Materials and Trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-5
510
Special Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
807
Insulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-6
808
Acoustical Ceiling Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-6
CHAPTER 6 TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION. . . . . . 6-1
Section
601
General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
602
Construction Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
603
Combustible Material in
Types I and II Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
CHAPTER 9 FIRE PROTECTION
AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS . . . . .9-1
Section
901
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-1
902
Fire Pump and Riser Room Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-2
903
Automatic Sprinkler Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-2
CHAPTER 7 FIRE AND SMOKE
PROTECTION FEATURES. . . . . . . . 7-1
904
Alternative Automatic
Fire-extinguishing Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-9
Section
905
Standpipe Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-11
701
General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
906
Portable Fire Extinguishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-14
702
Multiple-use Fire Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
907
Fire Alarm and Detection Systems . . . . . . . . . . . .9-16
703
Fire-resistance Ratings and Fire Tests . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
908
Emergency Alarm Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-27
704
Fire-resistance Rating of Structural Members. . . . . 7-2
909
Smoke Control Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-27
705
Exterior Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
910
Smoke and Heat Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-36
706
Fire Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9
911
Fire Command Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-37
707
Fire Barriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
912
Fire Department Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-39
708
Fire Partitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13
913
Fire Pumps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-39
709
Smoke Barriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
914
Emergency Responder Safety Features. . . . . . . . .9-40
710
Smoke Partitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-16
915
Carbon Monoxide Detection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-40
711
Floor and Roof Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-16
916
Gas Detection Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-42
712
Vertical Openings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17
917
Mass Notification Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-42
713
Shaft Enclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19
918
714
Penetrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-20
Emergency Responder
Communication Coverage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-42
715
Joints and Voids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-23
716
Opening Protectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-24
717
Ducts and Air Transfer Openings . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-31
718
Concealed Spaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-37
719
Fire-resistance Requirements for Plaster . . . . . . . 7-39
720
Thermal- and Sound-insulating Materials . . . . . . 7-39
CHAPTER 10 MEANS OF EGRESS . . . . . . . . . . . .10-1
Section
1001 Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-1
1002 Maintenance and Plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-1
1003 General Means of Egress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-1
1004 Occupant Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-2
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1005 Means of Egress Sizing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
CHAPTER 12 INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT . . . . 12-1
1006 Number of Exits and
Exit Access Doorways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Section
1007 Exit and Exit Access
Doorway Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-8
1202 Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
1008 Means of Egress Illumination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-9
1009 Accessible Means of Egress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10
1010 Doors, Gates and Turnstiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12
1011 Stairways. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
1012 Ramps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
1013 Exit Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
1014 Handrails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
1201 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
1203 Temperature Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-4
1204 Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-4
1205 Yards or Courts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-4
1206 Sound Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-5
1207 Enhanced Classroom Acoustics . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-5
1208 Interior Space Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-5
1209 Access to Unoccupied Spaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-6
1210 Toilet and Bathroom Requirements . . . . . . . . . . 12-6
1015 Guards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
1016 Exit Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
CHAPTER 13 ENERGY EFFICIENCY. . . . . . . . . . 13-1
1017 Exit Access Travel Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Section
1018 Aisles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
1301 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1
1019 Exit Access Stairways and Ramps . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
1020 Corridors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
CHAPTER 14 EXTERIOR WALLS . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
1021 Egress Balconies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Section
1022 Exits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
1401 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
1023 Interior Exit Stairways and Ramps . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
1402 Performance Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
1024 Exit Passageways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
1403 Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
1025 Luminous Egress Path Markings . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
1404 Installation of Wall Coverings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-3
1026 Horizontal Exits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
1027 Exterior Exit Stairways and Ramps . . . . . . . . . 10-41
1405 Combustible Materials on the
Exterior Side of Exterior Walls . . . . . . . . . . . 14-9
1028 Exit Discharge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
1406 Metal Composite Materials (MCM). . . . . . . . . 14-10
1029 Egress Courts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
1407 Exterior Insulation and
Finish Systems (EIFS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-10
1030 Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
1031 Emergency Escape and Rescue. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
CHAPTER 11 ACCESSIBILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Section
1408 High-pressure Decorative Exterior-grade
Compact Laminates (HPL). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-11
1409 Plastic Composite Decking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-12
1101 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
CHAPTER 15 ROOF ASSEMBLIES AND
ROOFTOP STRUCTURES . . . . . . 15-1
1102 Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Section
1103 Scoping Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
1501 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-1
1104 Accessible Route. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2
1502 Roof Drainage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-1
1105 Accessible Entrances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3
1503 Weather Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-1
1106 Parking and Passenger Loading Facilities . . . . . 11-4
1504 Performance Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-2
1107 Motor-vehicle-related Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-5
1505 Fire Classification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-3
1108 Dwelling Units and Sleeping Units . . . . . . . . . . 11-5
1506 Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-4
1109 Special Occupancies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-9
1507 Requirements for Roof Coverings . . . . . . . . . . . 15-4
1110 Other Features and Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-11
1508 Roof Insulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-16
1111 Recreational Facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-15
1509 Roof Coatings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-16
1112 Signage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-17
1510 Radiant Barriers Installed Above Deck . . . . . . 15-17
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1511 Rooftop Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-17
1512 Reroofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-19
1807 Foundation Walls, Retaining Walls
and Embedded Posts and Poles . . . . . . . . . . . .18-6
1808 Foundations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18-12
CHAPTER 16 STRUCTURAL DESIGN . . . . . . . . 16-1
1809 Shallow Foundations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18-15
Section
1810 Deep Foundations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18-17
1601 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-1
1602 Notations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-1
CHAPTER 19 CONCRETE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19-1
1603 Construction Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-1
Section
1604 General Design Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-2
1901 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19-1
1605 Load Combinations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-6
1902 Coordination of Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19-1
1606 Dead Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-6
1903 Specifications for Tests and Materials . . . . . . . . .19-2
1607 Live Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-7
1904 Durability Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19-2
1608 Snow Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-15
1905 Modifications to ACI 318 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19-2
1609 Wind Loads. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-15
1906 Footings for Light-frame Construction . . . . . . . .19-5
1610 Soil Loads and Hydrostatic Pressure . . . . . . . . 16-33
1907 Minimum Slab Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19-5
1611 Rain Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-33
1908 Shotcrete. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19-5
1612 Flood Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-34
1613 Earthquake Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-40
1614 Atmospheric Ice Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-43
1615 Tsunami Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-43
1616 Structural Integrity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-43
CHAPTER 17 SPECIAL INSPECTIONS
AND TESTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-1
CHAPTER 20 ALUMINUM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20-1
Section
2001 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20-1
2002 Materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20-1
CHAPTER 21 MASONRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21-1
Section
Section
2101 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21-1
1701 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-1
2102 Notations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21-1
1702 New Materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-1
2103 Masonry Construction Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . .21-1
1703 Approvals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-1
2104 Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21-2
1704 Special Inspections and Tests,
Contractor Responsibility
and Structural Observation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-2
2105 Quality Assurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21-2
1705 Required Special Inspections and Tests . . . . . . . 17-4
2108 Strength Design of Masonry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21-3
1706 Design Strengths of Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-13
2109 Empirical Design of Adobe Masonry . . . . . . . . .21-3
1707 Alternative Test Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-13
2110 Glass Unit Masonry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21-5
1708 In-situ Load Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-13
2111 Masonry Fireplaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21-6
1709 Preconstruction Load Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-14
2112 Masonry Heaters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21-8
2106 Seismic Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21-2
2107 Allowable Stress Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21-2
2113 Masonry Chimneys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21-9
CHAPTER 18 SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS . . . . 18-1
2114 Dry-stack Masonry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21-13
Section
1801 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-1
CHAPTER 22 STEEL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22-1
1802 Design Basis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-1
Section
1803 Geotechnical Investigations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-1
2201 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22-1
1804 Excavation, Grading and Fill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-3
2202 Identification of Steel for
Structural Purposes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22-1
1805 Dampproofing and Waterproofing . . . . . . . . . . . 18-4
1806 Presumptive Load-bearing Values of Soils . . . . 18-6
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2203 Protection of Steel
for Structural Purposes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22-1
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2204 Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-1
2505 Shear Wall Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-1
2205 Structural Steel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-1
2506 Gypsum Board and Gypsum
Panel Product Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-1
2206 Composite Structural Steel and
Concrete Structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-2
2507 Lathing and Plastering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-2
2207 Steel Joists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-2
2508 Gypsum Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-2
2208 Steel Cable Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-3
2509 Showers and Water Closets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-4
2209 Steel Storage Racks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-3
2210 Cold-formed Steel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-3
2510 Lathing and Furring for
Cement Plaster (Stucco) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-4
2211 Cold-formed Steel Light-frame Construction. . . 22-4
2511 Interior Plaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-5
2512 Exterior Plaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-5
CHAPTER 23 WOOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23-1
2513 Exposed Aggregate Plaster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-6
Section
2514 Reinforced Gypsum Concrete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-7
2301 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23-1
2302 Design Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23-1
CHAPTER 26 PLASTIC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-1
2303 Minimum Standards and Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . 23-1
Section
2304 General Construction Requirements . . . . . . . . . 23-10
2601 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-1
2305 General Design Requirements for
Lateral Force-resisting Systems . . . . . . . . . . 23-23
2602 Finish and Trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-1
2306 Allowable Stress Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23-25
2604 Interior Finish and Trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-7
2307 Load and Resistance Factor Design . . . . . . . . . 23-26
2605 Plastic Veneer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-7
2308 Conventional Light-frame Construction . . . . . . 23-26
2606 Light-transmitting Plastics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-8
2309 Wood Frame Construction Manual. . . . . . . . . . 23-58
2607 Light-transmitting Plastic Wall Panels. . . . . . . . 26-9
2603 Foam Plastic Insulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-1
2608 Light-transmitting Plastic Glazing . . . . . . . . . . 26-10
CHAPTER 24 GLASS AND GLAZING . . . . . . . . . 24-1
2609 Light-transmitting Plastic Roof Panels. . . . . . . 26-11
Section
2610 Light-transmitting Plastic Skylight Glazing. . . 26-11
2401 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-1
2611 Light-transmitting Plastic Interior Signs . . . . . 26-12
2402 Glazing Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-1
2612 Plastic Composites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-12
2403 General Requirements for Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-1
2613 Fiber-reinforced Polymer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-13
2404 Wind, Snow, Seismic and
Dead Loads on Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-1
2614 Reflective Plastic Core Insulation . . . . . . . . . . 26-13
2405 Sloped Glazing and Skylights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-3
CHAPTER 27 ELECTRICAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27-1
2406 Safety Glazing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-4
Section
2407 Glass in Handrails and Guards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-6
2701 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27-1
2408 Glazing in Athletic Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-7
2702 Emergency and Standby Power Systems . . . . . . 27-1
2409 Glass in Walkways, Elevator Hoistways
and Elevator Cars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-7
CHAPTER 28 MECHANICAL SYSTEMS . . . . . . 28-1
Section
CHAPTER 25 GYPSUM BOARD,
GYPSUM PANEL PRODUCTS
AND PLASTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-1
CHAPTER 29 PLUMBING SYSTEMS . . . . . . . . . 29-1
Section
2501 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-1
2502 Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-1
2503 Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-1
2504 Vertical and Horizontal Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . 25-1
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2801 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-1
Section
2901 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29-1
2902 Minimum Plumbing Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29-1
2903 Installation of Fixtures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29-6
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CHAPTER 30 ELEVATORS AND
CONVEYING SYSTEMS . . . . . . . . 30-1
3305 Sanitary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33-2
Section
3307 Protection of Adjoining Property . . . . . . . . . . . . .33-3
3001 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-1
3002 Hoistway Enclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-1
3308 Temporary Use of Streets,
Alleys and Public Property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33-3
3003 Emergency Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-2
3309 Fire Extinguishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33-4
3004 Conveying Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-2
3310 Means of Egress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33-4
3005 Machine Rooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-3
3311 Standpipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33-4
3006 Elevator Lobbies and
Hoistway Opening Protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-3
3312 Automatic Sprinkler System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33-4
3007 Fire Service Access Elevator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-4
3314 Fire Watch During Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . .33-5
3306 Protection of Pedestrians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33-2
3313 Water Supply for Fire Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . .33-4
3008 Occupant Evacuation Elevators . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-6
CHAPTER 34 RESERVED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34-1
CHAPTER 31 SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION . . . . . 31-1
Section
CHAPTER 35 REFERENCED STANDARDS. . . . .35-1
3101 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-1
3102 Membrane Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-1
3103 Temporary Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-2
3104 Pedestrian Walkways and Tunnels . . . . . . . . . . . 31-3
3105 Awnings and Canopies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-4
3106 Marquees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-4
3107 Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-5
APPENDIX A EMPLOYEE
QUALIFICATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
Section
A101 Building Official Qualifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
A102 Referenced Standards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
3108 Telecommunication and Broadcast Towers . . . . 31-5
APPENDIX B BOARD OF
APPEALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1
3109 Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs . . . . . . . . 31-5
Section
3110 Automatic Vehicular Gates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-5
B101 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1
3111 Solar Energy Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-5
3112 Greenhouses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-5
3113 Relocatable Buildings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-6
APPENDIX C GROUP U—AGRICULTURAL
BUILDINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1
3114 Public Use Restroom Buildings in
Flood Hazard Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-6
Section
3115 Intermodal Shipping Containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-7
C102 Allowable Height and Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1
C101 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1
C103 Mixed Occupancies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1
CHAPTER 32 ENCROACHMENTS INTO THE
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY. . . . . . . 32-1
C104 Exits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1
Section
APPENDIX D FIRE DISTRICTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1
3201 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-1
Section
3202 Encroachments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-1
D101 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1
D102 Building Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1
CHAPTER 33 SAFEGUARDS DURING
CONSTRUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33-1
D103 Changes to Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-2
Section
D104 Buildings Located Partially in the
Fire District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-2
3301 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33-1
3302 Construction Safeguards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33-1
D105 Exceptions to Restrictions
in Fire District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-2
3303 Demolition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33-1
D106 Referenced Standards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-3
3304 Site Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33-1
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APPENDIX E SUPPLEMENTARY
ACCESSIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-1
Section
H103 Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-1
H104 Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-2
H105 Design and Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-2
H106 Electrical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-2
E101 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-1
E102 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-1
E103 Accessible Route. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-1
E104 Special Occupancies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-1
E105 Other Features and Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-2
E106 Telephones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-2
E107 Signage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-3
E108 Bus Stops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-4
E109 Transportation Facilities
and Stations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-4
E110 Airports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-5
E111 Referenced Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-5
APPENDIX F RODENTPROOFING . . . . . . . . . . . . F-1
Section
F101 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-1
APPENDIX G FLOOD-RESISTANT
CONSTRUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .G-1
H107 Combustible Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-2
H108 Animated Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-2
H109 Ground Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-3
H110 Roof Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-3
H111 Wall Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-3
H112 Projecting Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-3
H113 Marquee Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-4
H114 Portable Signs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-4
H115 Thickness of Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-4
H116 Referenced Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-4
APPENDIX I
PATIO COVERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I-1
Section
I101
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-1
I102
Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-1
I103
Exterior Walls and Openings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-1
I104
Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-1
I105
Structural Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-1
Section
G101 Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-1
APPENDIX J
G102 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-1
Section
G103 Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-2
J101 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .J-1
G104 Powers and Duties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-2
J102 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .J-1
G105 Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-3
J103 Permits Required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .J-1
G106 Variances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-3
J104 Permit Application and
Submittals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .J-2
G107 Subdivisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-4
G108 Site Improvement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-5
G109 Manufactured Homes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-5
G110 Recreational Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-5
G111 Tanks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-5
G112 Other Building Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-6
G113 Temporary Structures and
Temporary Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-6
G114 Utility and Miscellaneous
Group U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-6
G115 Referenced Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-7
GRADING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J-1
J105 Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .J-2
J106 Excavations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .J-2
J107 Fills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .J-2
J108 Setbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .J-2
J109 Drainage and Terracing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .J-4
J110 Erosion Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .J-4
J111 Referenced Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .J-4
APPENDIX K ADMINISTRATIVE
PROVISIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K-1
Section
APPENDIX H SIGNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .H-1
K101 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K-1
Section
K102 Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K-1
H101 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-1
K103 Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K-1
H102 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-1
K104 Construction Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K-2
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K105 Alternative Engineered Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K-2
K106 Required Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K-2
K107 Prefabricated Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K-2
RESOURCE A RECOMMENDED
PRACTICES FOR
REMOTE VIRTUAL
INSPECTIONS (RVI) . . . Resource A-1
K108 Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K-3
K109 Reconnection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K-3
K110 Condemning Electrical Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K-3
K111 Electrical Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K-3
APPENDIX L EARTHQUAKE RECORDING
INSTRUMENTATION . . . . . . . . . . . L-1
Section
L101 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L-1
APPENDIX M TSUNAMI-GENERATED
FLOOD HAZARDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . M-1
Section
M101 Refuge Structures for Vertical
Evacuation from Tsunami-generated
Flood Hazards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .M-1
M102 Referenced Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .M-1
APPENDIX N REPLICABLE
BUILDINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N-1
Section
N101 Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N-1
N102 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N-1
N103 Replicable Design
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N-1
N104 Replicable Design Submittal
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N-1
N105 Review and Approval of
Replicable Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N-2
N106 Site-specific Application of
Approved Replicable Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N-2
N107 Site-specific Review and Approval of
Replicable Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N-2
APPENDIX O PERFORMANCE-BASED
APPLICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O-1
Section
O101 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O-1
INDEX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . INDEX-1
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CHAPTER 1
SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
User notes:
About this chapter: Chapter 1 establishes the limits of applicability of the code and describes how the code is to be applied and enforced.
Chapter 1 is in two parts: Part 1—Scope and Application (Sections 101–102) and Part 2—Administration and Enforcement (Sections 103–
116). Section 101 identifies which buildings and structures come under its purview and references other I-Codes as applicable. Standards
and codes are scoped to the extent referenced (see Section 102.4).
This code is intended to be adopted as a legally enforceable document and it cannot be effective without adequate provisions for its administration and enforcement. The provisions of Chapter 1 establish the authority and duties of the code official appointed by the authority
having jurisdiction and also establish the rights and privileges of the design professional, contractor and property owner. Chapter 1 is
largely concerned with maintaining “due process of law” in enforcing the building performance criteria contained in the body of the code.
Code development reminder: Code change proposals to this chapter will be considered by the Administrative Code Development
Committee during the 2022 (Group B) Code Development Cycle.
PART 1—SCOPE AND APPLICATION
SECTION 101
SCOPE AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
[A] 101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the
Building Code of [NAME OF JURISDICTION], hereinafter
referred to as “this code.”
[A] 101.2 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to
the construction, alteration, relocation, enlargement,
replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every building
or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to
such buildings or structures.
Exception: Detached one- and two-family dwellings and
townhouses not more than three stories above grade
plane in height with a separate means of egress, and their
accessory structures not more than three stories above
grade plane in height, shall comply with this code or the
International Residential Code.
[A] 101.2.1 Appendices. Provisions in the appendices
shall not apply unless specifically adopted.
[A] 101.3 Purpose. The purpose of this code is to establish
the minimum requirements to provide a reasonable level of
safety, health and general welfare through structural
strength, means of egress, stability, sanitation, light and
ventilation, energy conservation, and for providing a reasonable level of life safety and property protection from the
hazards of fire, explosion or dangerous conditions, and to
provide a reasonable level of safety to fire fighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.
[A] 101.4 Referenced codes. The other codes specified in
Sections 101.4.1 through 101.4.7 and referenced elsewhere
in this code shall be considered to be part of the requirements
of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference.
[A] 101.4.1 Gas. The provisions of the International Fuel
Gas Code shall apply to the installation of gas piping
from the point of delivery, gas appliances and related
accessories as covered in this code. These requirements
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apply to gas piping systems extending from the point of
delivery to the inlet connections of appliances and the
installation and operation of residential and commercial
gas appliances and related accessories.
[A] 101.4.2 Mechanical. The provisions of the International Mechanical Code shall apply to the installation,
alterations, repairs and replacement of mechanical
systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures,
fittings and appurtenances, including ventilating, heating,
cooling, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, incinerators and other energy-related systems.
[A] 101.4.3 Plumbing. The provisions of the International Plumbing Code shall apply to the installation,
alteration, repair and replacement of plumbing systems,
including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and
appurtenances, and where connected to a water or sewage
system and all aspects of a medical gas system. The
provisions of the International Private Sewage Disposal
Code shall apply to private sewage disposal systems.
[A] 101.4.4 Property maintenance. The provisions of
the International Property Maintenance Code shall apply
to existing structures and premises; equipment and facilities; light, ventilation, space heating, sanitation, life and
fire safety hazards; responsibilities of owners, operators
and occupants; and occupancy of existing premises and
structures.
[A] 101.4.5 Fire prevention. The provisions of the International Fire Code shall apply to matters affecting or
relating to structures, processes and premises from the
hazard of fire and explosion arising from the storage,
handling or use of structures, materials or devices; from
conditions hazardous to life, property or public welfare in
the occupancy of structures or premises; and from the
construction, extension, repair, alteration or removal of
fire suppression, automatic sprinkler systems and alarm
systems or fire hazards in the structure or on the premises
from occupancy or operation.
[A] 101.4.6 Energy. The provisions of the International
Energy Conservation Code shall apply to all matters
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governing the design and construction of buildings for
energy efficiency.
[A] 101.4.7 Existing buildings. The provisions of the
International Existing Building Code shall apply to
matters governing the repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition to and relocation of existing buildings.
SECTION 102
APPLICABILITY
PART 2—ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
[A] 102.1 General. Where there is a conflict between a
general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific
requirement shall be applicable. Where, in any specific case,
different sections of this code specify different materials,
methods of construction or other requirements, the most
restrictive shall govern.
[A] 102.2 Other laws. The provisions of this code shall not
be deemed to nullify any provisions of local, state or federal
law.
[A] 102.3 Application of references. References to chapter
or section numbers, or to provisions not specifically identified by number, shall be construed to refer to such chapter,
section or provision of this code.
[A] 102.4 Referenced codes and standards. The codes and
standards referenced in this code shall be considered to be
part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent
of each such reference and as further regulated in Sections
102.4.1 and 102.4.2.
[A] 102.4.1 Conflicts. Where conflicts occur between
provisions of this code and referenced codes and standards, the provisions of this code shall apply.
[A] 102.4.2 Provisions in referenced codes and standards. Where the extent of the reference to a referenced
code or standard includes subject matter that is within the
scope of this code or the International Codes specified in
Section 101.4, the provisions of this code or the International Codes specified in Section 101.4, as applicable,
shall take precedence over the provisions in the referenced code or standard.
[A] 102.5 Partial invalidity. In the event that any part or
provision of this code is held to be illegal or void, this shall
not have the effect of making void or illegal any of the other
parts or provisions.
[A] 102.6 Existing structures. The legal occupancy of any
structure existing on the date of adoption of this code shall
be permitted to continue without change, except as otherwise
specifically provided in this code, the International Existing
Building Code, the International Property Maintenance
Code or the International Fire Code.
[A] 102.6.1 Buildings not previously occupied. A building or portion of a building that has not been previously
occupied or used for its intended purpose in accordance
with the laws in existence at the time of its completion
shall comply with the provisions of this code or the International Residential Code, as applicable, for new
construction or with any current permit for such
occupancy.
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[A] 102.6.2 Buildings previously occupied. The legal
occupancy of any building existing on the date of adoption of this code shall be permitted to continue without
change, except as otherwise specifically provided in this
code, the International Fire Code or International Property Maintenance Code, or as is deemed necessary by the
building official for the general safety and welfare of the
occupants and the public.
SECTION 103
CODE COMPLIANCE AGENCY
[A] 103.1 Creation of enforcement agency. The [INSERT
NAME OF DEPARTMENT] is hereby created and the official in
charge thereof shall be known as the building official. The
function of the agency shall be the implementation, administration and enforcement of the provisions of this code.
[A] 103.2 Appointment. The building official shall be
appointed by the chief appointing authority of the
jurisdiction.
[A] 103.3 Deputies. In accordance with the prescribed
procedures of this jurisdiction and with the concurrence of
the appointing authority, the building official shall have the
authority to appoint a deputy building official, other related
technical officers, inspectors and other employees. Such
employees shall have powers as delegated by the building
official.
SECTION 104
DUTIES AND POWERS OF BUILDING OFFICIAL
[A] 104.1 General. The building official is hereby authorized and directed to enforce the provisions of this code. The
building official shall have the authority to render interpretations of this code and to adopt policies and procedures in
order to clarify the application of its provisions. Such interpretations, policies and procedures shall be in compliance
with the intent and purpose of this code. Such policies and
procedures shall not have the effect of waiving requirements
specifically provided for in this code.
[A] 104.2 Applications and permits. The building official
shall receive applications, review construction documents
and issue permits for the erection, and alteration, demolition
and moving of buildings and structures, inspect the premises
for which such permits have been issued and enforce compliance with the provisions of this code.
[A] 104.2.1 Determination of substantially improved
or substantially damaged existing buildings and structures in flood hazard areas. For applications for
reconstruction, rehabilitation, repair, alteration, addition
or other improvement of existing buildings or structures
located in flood hazard areas, the building official shall
determine if the proposed work constitutes substantial
improvement or repair of substantial damage. Where the
building official determines that the proposed work
constitutes substantial improvement or repair of substan-
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tial damage, and where required by this code, the
building official shall require the building to meet the
requirements of Section 1612 or Section R322 of the
International Residential Code, as applicable.
[A] 104.3 Notices and orders. The building official shall
issue necessary notices or orders to ensure compliance with
this code.
[A] 104.4 Inspections. The building official shall make the
required inspections, or the building official shall have the
authority to accept reports of inspection by approved agencies or individuals. Reports of such inspections shall be in
writing and be certified by a responsible officer of such
approved agency or by the responsible individual. The building official is authorized to engage such expert opinion as
deemed necessary to report on unusual technical issues that
arise, subject to the approval of the appointing authority.
[A] 104.5 Identification. The building official shall carry
proper identification when inspecting structures or premises
in the performance of duties under this code.
[A] 104.6 Right of entry. Where it is necessary to make an
inspection to enforce the provisions of this code, or where
the building official has reasonable cause to believe that
there exists in a structure or on a premises a condition that is
contrary to or in violation of this code that makes the structure or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the
building official is authorized to enter the structure or premises at reasonable times to inspect or to perform the duties
imposed by this code, provided that if such structure or
premises be occupied that credentials be presented to the
occupant and entry requested. If such structure or premises is
unoccupied, the building official shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having charge
or control of the structure or premises and request entry. If
entry is refused, the building official shall have recourse to
the remedies provided by law to secure entry.
liable for cost in any action, suit or proceeding that is
instituted in pursuance of the provisions of this code.
[A] 104.9 Approved materials and equipment. Materials,
equipment and devices approved by the building official
shall be constructed and installed in accordance with such
approval.
[A] 104.9.1 Used materials and equipment. Materials
that are reused shall comply with the requirements of this
code for new materials. Used equipment and devices shall
not be reused unless approved by the building official.
[A] 104.10 Modifications. Where there are practical difficulties involved in carrying out the provisions of this code,
the building official shall have the authority to grant modifications for individual cases, upon application of the owner or
the owner’s authorized agent, provided that the building official shall first find that special individual reason makes the
strict letter of this code impractical, the modification is in
compliance with the intent and purpose of this code and that
such modification does not lessen health, accessibility, life
and fire safety or structural requirements. The details of
action granting modifications shall be recorded and entered
in the files of the department of building safety.
[A] 104.10.1 Flood hazard areas. The building official
shall not grant modifications to any provision required in
flood hazard areas as established by Section 1612.3
unless a determination has been made that:
1.
2.
3.
[A] 104.7 Department records. The building official shall
keep official records of applications received, permits and
certificates issued, fees collected, reports of inspections, and
notices and orders issued. Such records shall be retained in
the official records for the period required for retention of
public records.
4.
[A] 104.8 Liability. The building official, member of the
board of appeals or employee charged with the enforcement
of this code, while acting for the jurisdiction in good faith
and without malice in the discharge of the duties required by
this code or other pertinent law or ordinance, shall not
thereby be civilly or criminally rendered liable personally
and is hereby relieved from personal liability for any damage
accruing to persons or property as a result of any act or by
reason of an act or omission in the discharge of official
duties.
[A] 104.8.1 Legal defense. Any suit or criminal
complaint instituted against an officer or employee
because of an act performed by that officer or employee
in the lawful discharge of duties and under the provisions
of this code shall be defended by legal representatives of
the jurisdiction until the final termination of the proceedings. The building official or any subordinate shall not be
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5.
A showing of good and sufficient cause that the
unique characteristics of the size, configuration or
topography of the site render the elevation standards of Section 1612 inappropriate.
A determination that failure to grant the variance
would result in exceptional hardship by rendering
the lot undevelopable.
A determination that the granting of a variance
will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public
expense, cause fraud on or victimization of the
public, or conflict with existing laws or
ordinances.
A determination that the variance is the minimum
necessary to afford relief, considering the flood
hazard.
Submission to the applicant of written notice specifying the difference between the design flood
elevation and the elevation to which the building
is to be built, stating that the cost of flood insurance will be commensurate with the increased risk
resulting from the reduced floor elevation, and
stating that construction below the design flood
elevation increases risks to life and property.
[A] 104.11 Alternative materials, design and methods of
construction and equipment. The provisions of this code
are not intended to prevent the installation of any material or
to prohibit any design or method of construction not specifically prescribed by this code, provided that any such
alternative has been approved. An alternative material,
design or method of construction shall be approved where
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the building official finds that the proposed alternative meets
all of the following:
1.
2.
The alternative material, design or method of
construction is satisfactory and complies with the
intent of the provisions of this code,
The material, method or work offered is, for the
purpose intended, not less than the equivalent of that
prescribed in this code as it pertains to the following:
2.1. Quality.
2.2. Strength.
2.3. Effectiveness.
2.4. Fire resistance.
2.5. Durability.
2.6. Safety.
Where the alternative material, design or method of
construction is not approved, the building official shall
respond in writing, stating the reasons why the alternative
was not approved.
[A] 104.11.1 Research reports. Supporting data, where
necessary to assist in the approval of materials or assemblies not specifically provided for in this code, shall
consist of valid research reports from approved sources.
[A] 104.11.2 Tests. Whenever there is insufficient
evidence of compliance with the provisions of this code,
or evidence that a material or method does not conform to
the requirements of this code, or in order to substantiate
claims for alternative materials or methods, the building
official shall have the authority to require tests as
evidence of compliance to be made without expense to
the jurisdiction. Test methods shall be as specified in this
code or by other recognized test standards. In the absence
of recognized and accepted test methods, the building
official shall approve the testing procedures. Tests shall
be performed by an approved agency. Reports of such
tests shall be retained by the building official for the
period required for retention of public records.
SECTION 105
PERMITS
[A] 105.1 Required. Any owner or owner’s authorized
agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move,
demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure,
or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or
replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system,
the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause
any such work to be performed, shall first make application
to the building official and obtain the required permit.
[A] 105.1.1 Annual permit. Instead of an individual
permit for each alteration to an already approved electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing installation, the building
official is authorized to issue an annual permit upon application therefor to any person, firm or corporation
regularly employing one or more qualified tradespersons
in the building, structure or on the premises owned or
operated by the applicant for the permit.
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[A] 105.1.2 Annual permit records. The person to
whom an annual permit is issued shall keep a detailed
record of alterations made under such annual permit. The
building official shall have access to such records at all
times or such records shall be filed with the building official as designated.
[A] 105.2 Work exempt from permit. Exemptions from
permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant
authorization for any work to be done in any manner in
violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or
ordinances of this jurisdiction. Permits shall not be required
for the following:
Building:
1. One-story detached accessory structures used as
tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar
uses, provided that the floor area is not greater
than 120 square feet (11 m2).
2. Fences not over 7 feet (2134 mm) high.
3. Oil derricks.
4. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm)
in height measured from the bottom of the footing
to the top of the wall, unless supporting a
surcharge or impounding Class I, II or IIIA
liquids.
5. Water tanks supported directly on grade if the
capacity is not greater than 5,000 gallons (18 925
L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width is
not greater than 2:1.
6. Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches
(762 mm) above adjacent grade, and not over any
basement or story below and are not part of an
accessible route.
7. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets,
counter tops and similar finish work.
8. Temporary motion picture, television and theater
stage sets and scenery.
9. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a
Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches
(610 mm) deep, are not greater than 5,000 gallons
(18 925 L) and are installed entirely above
ground.
10. Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or
agricultural purposes, not including service
systems.
11. Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings.
12. Window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies, supported by an exterior wall that do not
project more than 54 inches (1372 mm) from the
exterior wall and do not require additional
support.
13. Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks,
counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches
(1753 mm) in height.
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Electrical:
1. Repairs and maintenance: Minor repair work,
including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to
approved permanently installed receptacles.
2. Radio and television transmitting stations: The
provisions of this code shall not apply to electrical
equipment used for radio and television transmissions, but do apply to equipment and wiring for a
power supply and the installations of towers and
antennas.
3. Temporary testing systems: A permit shall not
be required for the installation of any temporary
system required for the testing or servicing of
electrical equipment or apparatus.
Gas:
1. Portable heating appliance.
2. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter
approval of equipment or make such equipment
unsafe.
Mechanical:
1. Portable heating appliance.
2. Portable ventilation equipment.
3. Portable cooling unit.
4. Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any
heating or cooling equipment regulated by this
code.
5. Replacement of any part that does not alter its
approval or make it unsafe.
6. Portable evaporative cooler.
7. Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10
pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (0.75 kW) or less.
Plumbing:
1. The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste
or vent pipe, provided, however, that if any
concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or
vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes
necessary to remove and replace the same with
new material, such work shall be considered as
new work and a permit shall be obtained and
inspection made as provided in this code.
2. The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks
in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal and
reinstallation of water closets, provided that such
repairs do not involve or require the replacement
or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.
[A] 105.2.1 Emergency repairs. Where equipment
replacements and repairs must be performed in an emergency situation, the permit application shall be submitted
within the next working business day to the building
official.
[A] 105.2.2 Public service agencies. A permit shall not
be required for the installation, alteration or repair of
generation, transmission, distribution or metering or other
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related equipment that is under the ownership and control
of public service agencies by established right.
[A] 105.3 Application for permit. To obtain a permit, the
applicant shall first file an application therefor in writing on
a form furnished by the department of building safety for
that purpose. Such application shall:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Identify and describe the work to be covered by the
permit for which application is made.
Describe the land on which the proposed work is to
be done by legal description, street address or similar
description that will readily identify and definitely
locate the proposed building or work.
Indicate the use and occupancy for which the
proposed work is intended.
Be accompanied by construction documents and
other information as required in Section 107.
State the valuation of the proposed work.
Be signed by the applicant, or the applicant’s authorized agent.
Give such other data and information as required by
the building official.
[A] 105.3.1 Action on application. The building official
shall examine or cause to be examined applications for
permits and amendments thereto within a reasonable time
after filing. If the application or the construction documents do not conform to the requirements of pertinent
laws, the building official shall reject such application in
writing, stating the reasons therefor. If the building official is satisfied that the proposed work conforms to the
requirements of this code and laws and ordinances applicable thereto, the building official shall issue a permit
therefor as soon as practicable.
[A] 105.3.2 Time limitation of application. An application for a permit for any proposed work shall be deemed
to have been abandoned 180 days after the date of filing,
unless such application has been pursued in good faith or
a permit has been issued; except that the building official
is authorized to grant one or more extensions of time for
additional periods not exceeding 90 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause
demonstrated.
[A] 105.4 Validity of permit. The issuance or granting of a
permit shall not be construed to be a permit for, or an
approval of, any violation of any of the provisions of this
code or of any other ordinance of the jurisdiction. Permits
presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code or other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall
not be valid. The issuance of a permit based on construction
documents and other data shall not prevent the building official from requiring the correction of errors in the
construction documents and other data. The building official
is authorized to prevent occupancy or use of a structure
where in violation of this code or of any other ordinances of
this jurisdiction.
[A] 105.5 Expiration. Every permit issued shall become
invalid unless the work on the site authorized by such permit
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is commenced within 180 days after its issuance, or if the
work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended or
abandoned for a period of 180 days after the time the work is
commenced. The building official is authorized to grant, in
writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods not more
than 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.
[A] 105.6 Suspension or revocation. The building official is
authorized to suspend or revoke a permit issued under the
provisions of this code wherever the permit is issued in error
or on the basis of incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete information, or in violation of any ordinance or regulation or any
of the provisions of this code.
[A] 105.7 Placement of permit. The building permit or
copy shall be kept on the site of the work until the completion of the project.
SECTION 106
FLOOR AND ROOF DESIGN LOADS
[A] 106.1 Live loads posted. In commercial or industrial
buildings, for each floor or portion thereof designed for live
loads exceeding 50 psf (2.40 kN/m2), such design live loads
shall be conspicuously posted by the owner or the owner’s
authorized agent in that part of each story in which they
apply, using durable signs. It shall be unlawful to remove or
deface such notices.
[A] 106.2 Issuance of certificate of occupancy. A certificate of occupancy required by Section 111 shall not be
issued until the floor load signs, required by Section 106.1,
have been installed.
[A] 106.3 Restrictions on loading. It shall be unlawful to
place, or cause or permit to be placed, on any floor or roof of
a building, structure or portion thereof, a load greater than is
permitted by this code.
SECTION 107
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
[A] 107.1 General. Submittal documents consisting of
construction documents, statement of special inspections,
geotechnical report and other data shall be submitted in two
or more sets, or in a digital format where allowed by the
building official, with each permit application. The construction documents shall be prepared by a registered design
professional where required by the statutes of the jurisdiction in which the project is to be constructed. Where special
conditions exist, the building official is authorized to require
additional construction documents to be prepared by a registered design professional.
Exception: The building official is authorized to waive
the submission of construction documents and other data
not required to be prepared by a registered design professional if it is found that the nature of the work applied for
is such that review of construction documents is not
necessary to obtain compliance with this code.
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[A] 107.2 Construction documents. Construction documents shall be in accordance with Sections 107.2.1 through
107.2.8.
[A] 107.2.1 Information on construction documents.
Construction documents shall be dimensioned and drawn
on suitable material. Electronic media documents are
permitted to be submitted where approved by the building
official. Construction documents shall be of sufficient
clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the
work proposed and show in detail that it will conform to
the provisions of this code and relevant laws, ordinances,
rules and regulations, as determined by the building
official.
[A] 107.2.2 Fire protection system shop drawings.
Shop drawings for the fire protection systems shall be
submitted to indicate conformance to this code and the
construction documents and shall be approved prior to the
start of system installation. Shop drawings shall contain
all information as required by the referenced installation
standards in Chapter 9.
[A] 107.2.3 Means of egress. The construction documents shall show in sufficient detail the location,
construction, size and character of all portions of the
means of egress including the path of the exit discharge to
the public way in compliance with the provisions of this
code. In other than occupancies in Groups R-2, R-3, and
I-1, the construction documents shall designate the
number of occupants to be accommodated on every floor,
and in all rooms and spaces.
[A] 107.2.4 Exterior wall envelope. Construction documents for all buildings shall describe the exterior wall
envelope in sufficient detail to determine compliance with
this code. The construction documents shall provide
details of the exterior wall envelope as required, including
flashing, intersections with dissimilar materials, corners,
end details, control joints, intersections at roof, eaves or
parapets, means of drainage, water-resistive barrier and
details around openings.
The construction documents shall include manufacturer’s installation instructions that provide supporting
documentation that the proposed penetration and opening
details described in the construction documents maintain
the weather resistance of the exterior wall envelope. The
supporting documentation shall fully describe the exterior
wall system that was tested, where applicable, as well as
the test procedure used.
[A] 107.2.5 Exterior balconies and elevated walking
surfaces. Where balconies or other elevated walking
surfaces have weather-exposed surfaces, and the structural framing is protected by an impervious moisture
barrier, the construction documents shall include details
for all elements of the impervious moisture barrier
system. The construction documents shall include manufacturer’s installation instructions.
[A] 107.2.6 Site plan. The construction documents
submitted with the application for permit shall be accompanied by a site plan showing to scale the size and
location of new construction and existing structures on
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the site, distances from lot lines, the established street
grades and the proposed finished grades and, as applicable, flood hazard areas, floodways, and design flood
elevations; and it shall be drawn in accordance with an
accurate boundary line survey. In the case of demolition,
the site plan shall show construction to be demolished and
the location and size of existing structures and construction that are to remain on the site or plot. The building
official is authorized to waive or modify the requirement
for a site plan where the application for permit is for
alteration or repair or where otherwise warranted.
permit application a registered design professional who
shall act as the registered design professional in responsible charge. If the circumstances require, the owner or the
owner’s authorized agent shall designate a substitute
registered design professional in responsible charge who
shall perform the duties required of the original registered
design professional in responsible charge. The building
official shall be notified in writing by the owner or the
owner’s authorized agent if the registered design professional in responsible charge is changed or is unable to
continue to perform the duties.
[A] 107.2.6.1 Design flood elevations. Where design
flood elevations are not specified, they shall be established in accordance with Section 1612.3.1.
The registered design professional in responsible
charge shall be responsible for reviewing and coordinating submittal documents prepared by others, including
phased and deferred submittal items, for compatibility
with the design of the building.
[A] 107.2.7 Structural information. The construction
documents shall provide the information specified in
Section 1603.
[A] 107.3.4.1 Deferred submittals. Deferral of any
submittal items shall have the prior approval of the
building official. The registered design professional in
responsible charge shall list the deferred submittals on
the construction documents for review by the building
official.
107.2.8 Relocatable buildings. Construction documents
for relocatable buildings shall comply with Section 3112.
[A] 107.3 Examination of documents. The building official
shall examine or cause to be examined the accompanying
submittal documents and shall ascertain by such examinations whether the construction indicated and described is in
accordance with the requirements of this code and other
pertinent laws or ordinances.
[A] 107.3.1 Approval of construction documents.
When the building official issues a permit, the construction documents shall be approved, in writing or by stamp,
as “Reviewed for Code Compliance.” One set of
construction documents so reviewed shall be retained by
the building official. The other set shall be returned to the
applicant, shall be kept at the site of work and shall be
open to inspection by the building official or a duly authorized representative.
[A] 107.3.2 Previous approvals. This code shall not
require changes in the construction documents, construction or designated occupancy of a structure for which a
lawful permit has been heretofore issued or otherwise
lawfully authorized, and the construction of which has
been pursued in good faith within 180 days after the
effective date of this code and has not been abandoned.
[A] 107.3.3 Phased approval. The building official is
authorized to issue a permit for the construction of foundations or any other part of a building or structure before
the construction documents for the whole building or
structure have been submitted, provided that adequate
information and detailed statements have been filed
complying with pertinent requirements of this code. The
holder of such permit for the foundation or other parts of
a building or structure shall proceed at the holder’s own
risk with the building operation and without assurance
that a permit for the entire structure will be granted.
[A] 107.3.4 Design professional in responsible charge.
Where it is required that documents be prepared by a
registered design professional, the building official shall
be authorized to require the owner or the owner’s authorized agent to engage and designate on the building
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
Documents for deferred submittal items shall be
submitted to the registered design professional in
responsible charge who shall review them and forward
them to the building official with a notation indicating
that the deferred submittal documents have been
reviewed and found to be in general conformance to
the design of the building. The deferred submittal
items shall not be installed until the deferred submittal
documents have been approved by the building
official.
[A] 107.4 Amended construction documents. Work shall
be installed in accordance with the approved construction
documents, and any changes made during construction that
are not in compliance with the approved construction documents shall be resubmitted for approval as an amended set of
construction documents.
[A] 107.5 Retention of construction documents. One set of
approved construction documents shall be retained by the
building official for a period of not less than 180 days from
date of completion of the permitted work, or as required by
state or local laws.
SECTION 108
TEMPORARY STRUCTURES AND USES
[A] 108.1 General. The building official is authorized to
issue a permit for temporary structures and temporary uses.
Such permits shall be limited as to time of service, but shall
not be permitted for more than 180 days. The building official is authorized to grant extensions for demonstrated cause.
[A] 108.2 Conformance. Temporary structures and uses
shall comply with the requirements in Section 3103.
[A] 108.3 Temporary power. The building official is authorized to give permission to temporarily supply and use power
in part of an electric installation before such installation has
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SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
been fully completed and the final certificate of completion
has been issued. The part covered by the temporary certificate shall comply with the requirements specified for
temporary lighting, heat or power in NFPA 70.
[A] 108.4 Termination of approval. The building official is
authorized to terminate such permit for a temporary structure
or use and to order the temporary structure or use to be
discontinued.
SECTION 109
FEES
[A] 109.1 Payment of fees. A permit shall not be valid until
the fees prescribed by law have been paid, nor shall an
amendment to a permit be released until the additional fee, if
any, has been paid.
[A] 109.2 Schedule of permit fees. Where a permit is
required, a fee for each permit shall be paid as required, in
accordance with the schedule as established by the applicable governing authority.
[A] 109.3 Permit valuations. The applicant for a permit
shall provide an estimated permit value at time of application. Permit valuations shall reflect the total value of work,
including materials and labor, for which the permit is being
issued, such as electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing equipment and permanent systems. If, in the opinion of the
building official, the valuation is underestimated on the
application, the permit shall be denied, unless the applicant
can show detailed estimates to meet the approval of the
building official. Final building permit valuation shall be set
by the building official.
[A] 109.4 Work commencing before permit issuance. Any
person who commences any work before obtaining the
necessary permits shall be subject to a fee established by the
building official that shall be in addition to the required
permit fees.
[A] 109.5 Related fees. The payment of the fee for the
construction, alteration, removal or demolition for work
done in connection to or concurrently with the work authorized by a building permit shall not relieve the applicant or
holder of the permit from the payment of other fees that are
prescribed by law.
[A] 109.6 Refunds. The building official is authorized to
establish a refund policy.
SECTION 110
INSPECTIONS
[A] 110.1 General. Construction or work for which a permit
is required shall be subject to inspection by the building official and such construction or work shall remain visible and
able to be accessed for inspection purposes until approved.
Approval as a result of an inspection shall not be construed
to be an approval of a violation of the provisions of this code
or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction. Inspections
presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction
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shall not be valid. It shall be the duty of the owner or the
owner’s authorized agent to cause the work to remain visible
and able to be accessed for inspection purposes. Neither the
building official nor the jurisdiction shall be liable for
expense entailed in the removal or replacement of any material required to allow inspection.
[A] 110.2 Preliminary inspection. Before issuing a permit,
the building official is authorized to examine or cause to be
examined buildings, structures and sites for which an application has been filed.
[A] 110.3 Required inspections. The building official, upon
notification, shall make the inspections set forth in Sections
110.3.1 through 110.3.12.
[A] 110.3.1 Footing and foundation inspection. Footing
and foundation inspections shall be made after excavations for footings are complete and any required
reinforcing steel is in place. For concrete foundations, any
required forms shall be in place prior to inspection. Materials for the foundation shall be on the job, except where
concrete is ready mixed in accordance with ASTM C94,
the concrete need not be on the job.
[A] 110.3.2 Concrete slab and under-floor inspection.
Concrete slab and under-floor inspections shall be made
after in-slab or under-floor reinforcing steel and building
service equipment, conduit, piping accessories and other
ancillary equipment items are in place, but before any
concrete is placed or floor sheathing installed, including
the subfloor.
[A] 110.3.3 Lowest floor elevation. In flood hazard
areas, upon placement of the lowest floor, including the
basement, and prior to further vertical construction, the
elevation certification required in Section 1612.4 or the
International Residential Code, as applicable, shall be
submitted to the building official.
[A] 110.3.4 Frame inspection. Framing inspections shall
be made after the roof deck or sheathing, all framing, fireblocking and bracing are in place and pipes, chimneys and
vents to be concealed are complete and the rough electrical, plumbing, heating wires, pipes and ducts are
approved.
[A] 110.3.5 Types IV-A, IV-B and IV-C connection
protection inspection. In buildings of Types IV-A, IV-B
and IV-C construction, where connection fire-resistance
ratings are provided by wood cover calculated to meet the
requirements of Section 2304.10.1, inspection of the
wood cover shall be made after the cover is installed, but
before any other coverings or finishes are installed.
[A] 110.3.6 Lath, gypsum board and gypsum panel
product inspection. Lath, gypsum board and gypsum
panel product inspections shall be made after lathing,
gypsum board and gypsum panel products, interior and
exterior, are in place, but before any plastering is applied
or gypsum board and gypsum panel product joints and
fasteners are taped and finished.
Exception: Gypsum board and gypsum panel products
that are not part of a fire-resistance-rated assembly or a
shear assembly.
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SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
[A] 110.3.7 Weather-exposed balcony and walking
surface waterproofing. Where balconies or other
elevated walking surfaces have weather-exposed
surfaces, and the structural framing is protected by an
impervious moisture barrier, all elements of the impervious moisture barrier system shall not be concealed until
inspected and approved.
Exception: Where special inspections are provided in
accordance with Section 1705.1.1, Item 3.
[A] 110.3.8 Fire- and smoke-resistant penetrations.
Protection of joints and penetrations in fire-resistancerated assemblies, smoke barriers and smoke partitions
shall not be concealed from view until inspected and
approved.
[A] 110.3.9 Energy efficiency inspections. Inspections
shall be made to determine compliance with Chapter 13
and shall include, but not be limited to, inspections for:
envelope insulation R- and U-values, fenestration U-value,
duct system R-value, and HVAC and water-heating equipment efficiency.
[A] 110.3.10 Other inspections. In addition to the
inspections specified in Sections 110.3.1 through 110.3.9,
the building official is authorized to make or require other
inspections of any construction work to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this code and other laws that
are enforced by the department of building safety.
[A] 110.3.11 Special inspections. For special inspections, see Chapter 17.
[A] 110.3.12 Final inspection. The final inspection shall
be made after all work required by the building permit is
completed.
[A] 110.3.12.1 Flood hazard documentation. If
located in a flood hazard area, documentation of the
elevation of the lowest floor as required in Section
1612.4 shall be submitted to the building official prior
to the final inspection.
[A] 110.4 Inspection agencies. The building official is
authorized to accept reports of approved inspection agencies, provided that such agencies satisfy the requirements as
to qualifications and reliability.
[A] 110.5 Inspection requests. It shall be the duty of the
holder of the building permit or their duly authorized agent
to notify the building official when work is ready for inspection. It shall be the duty of the permit holder to provide
access to and means for inspections of such work that are
required by this code.
[A] 110.6 Approval required. Work shall not be done
beyond the point indicated in each successive inspection
without first obtaining the approval of the building official.
The building official, upon notification, shall make the
requested inspections and shall either indicate the portion of
the construction that is satisfactory as completed, or notify
the permit holder or the permit holder’s agent wherein the
same fails to comply with this code. Any portions that do not
comply shall be corrected and such portion shall not be
covered or concealed until authorized by the building
official.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
SECTION 111
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
[A] 111.1 Change of occupancy. A building or structure
shall not be used or occupied in whole or in part, and a
change of occupancy of a building or structure or portion
thereof shall not be made, until the building official has
issued a certificate of occupancy therefor as provided herein.
Issuance of a certificate of occupancy shall not be construed
as an approval of a violation of the provisions of this code or
of other ordinances of the jurisdiction. Certificates presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of
this code or other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall not be
valid.
Exception: Certificates of occupancy are not required for
work exempt from permits in accordance with Section
105.2.
[A] 111.2 Certificate issued. After the building official
inspects the building or structure and does not find violations
of the provisions of this code or other laws that are enforced
by the department, the building official shall issue a certificate of occupancy that contains the following:
1. The permit number.
2. The address of the structure.
3. The name and address of the owner or the owner’s
authorized agent.
4. A description of that portion of the structure for
which the certificate is issued.
5. A statement that the described portion of the structure has been inspected for compliance with the
requirements of this code.
6. The name of the building official.
7. The edition of the code under which the permit was
issued.
8. The use and occupancy, in accordance with the
provisions of Chapter 3.
9. The type of construction as defined in Chapter 6.
10. The design occupant load.
11. Where an automatic sprinkler system is provided,
whether the sprinkler system is required.
12. Any special stipulations and conditions of the building permit.
[A] 111.3 Temporary occupancy. The building official is
authorized to issue a temporary certificate of occupancy
before the completion of the entire work covered by the
permit, provided that such portion or portions shall be occupied safely. The building official shall set a time period
during which the temporary certificate of occupancy is valid.
[A] 111.4 Revocation. The building official is authorized to
suspend or revoke a certificate of occupancy or completion
issued under the provisions of this code, in writing, wherever
the certificate is issued in error, or on the basis of incorrect
information supplied, or where it is determined that the
building or structure or portion thereof is in violation of the
provisions of this code or other ordinance of the jurisdiction.
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SECTION 112
SERVICE UTILITIES
SECTION 114
VIOLATIONS
[A] 112.1 Connection of service utilities. A person shall not
make connections from a utility, a source of energy, fuel, or
power, or a water system or sewer system to any building or
system that is regulated by this code for which a permit is
required, until approved by the building official.
[A] 114.1 Unlawful acts. It shall be unlawful for any person,
firm or corporation to erect, construct, alter, extend, repair,
move, remove, demolish or occupy any building, structure or
equipment regulated by this code, or cause same to be done,
in conflict with or in violation of any of the provisions of this
code.
[A] 112.2 Temporary connection. The building official
shall have the authority to authorize the temporary connection of the building or system to the utility, the source of
energy, fuel, or power, or the water system or sewer system
for the purpose of testing systems or for use under a temporary approval.
[A] 112.3 Authority to disconnect service utilities. The
building official shall have the authority to authorize disconnection of utility service to the building, structure or system
regulated by this code and the referenced codes and standards in case of emergency where necessary to eliminate an
immediate hazard to life or property or where such utility
connection has been made without the approval required by
Section 112.1 or 112.2. The building official shall notify the
serving utility, and wherever possible the owner or the
owner’s authorized agent and occupant of the building,
structure or service system of the decision to disconnect
prior to taking such action. If not notified prior to disconnecting, the owner or the owner’s authorized agent or
occupant of the building, structure or service system shall be
notified in writing, as soon as practical thereafter.
SECTION 113
MEANS OF APPEALS
[A] 113.1 General. In order to hear and decide appeals of
orders, decisions or determinations made by the building
official relative to the application and interpretation of this
code, there shall be and is hereby created a board of appeals.
The board of appeals shall be appointed by the applicable
governing authority and shall hold office at its pleasure. The
board shall adopt rules of procedure for conducting its business and shall render all decisions and findings in writing to
the appellant with a duplicate copy to the building official.
[A] 113.2 Limitations on authority. An application for
appeal shall be based on a claim that the true intent of this
code or the rules legally adopted thereunder have been incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of this code do not fully
apply or an equivalent or better form of construction is
proposed. The board shall not have authority to waive
requirements of this code or interpret the administration of
this code.
[A] 113.3 Qualifications. The board of appeals shall consist
of members who are qualified by experience and training to
pass on matters pertaining to building construction and are
not employees of the jurisdiction.
[A] 113.4 Administration. The building official shall take
immediate action in accordance with the decision of the
board.
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[A] 114.2 Notice of violation. The building official is authorized to serve a notice of violation or order on the person
responsible for the erection, construction, alteration, extension, repair, moving, removal, demolition or occupancy of a
building or structure in violation of the provisions of this
code, or in violation of a permit or certificate issued under
the provisions of this code. Such order shall direct the
discontinuance of the illegal action or condition and the
abatement of the violation.
[A] 114.3 Prosecution of violation. If the notice of violation
is not complied with promptly, the building official is authorized to request the legal counsel of the jurisdiction to
institute the appropriate proceeding at law or in equity to
restrain, correct or abate such violation, or to require the
removal or termination of the unlawful occupancy of the
building or structure in violation of the provisions of this
code or of the order or direction made pursuant thereto.
[A] 114.4 Violation penalties. Any person who violates a
provision of this code or fails to comply with any of the
requirements thereof or who erects, constructs, alters or
repairs a building or structure in violation of the approved
construction documents or directive of the building official,
or of a permit or certificate issued under the provisions of
this code, shall be subject to penalties as prescribed by law.
SECTION 115
STOP WORK ORDER
[A] 115.1 Authority. Where the building official finds any
work regulated by this code being performed in a manner
contrary to the provisions of this code or in a dangerous or
unsafe manner, the building official is authorized to issue a
stop work order.
[A] 115.2 Issuance. The stop work order shall be in writing
and shall be given to the owner of the property, the owner’s
authorized agent or the person performing the work. Upon
issuance of a stop work order, the cited work shall immediately cease. The stop work order shall state the reason for the
order and the conditions under which the cited work is
authorized to resume.
[A] 115.3 Emergencies. Where an emergency exists, the
building official shall not be required to give a written notice
prior to stopping the work.
[A] 115.4 Failure to comply. Any person who shall
continue any work after having been served with a stop work
order, except such work as that person is directed to perform
to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be subject to
fines established by the authority having jurisdiction.
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SECTION 116
UNSAFE STRUCTURES AND EQUIPMENT
[A] 116.1 Unsafe conditions. Structures or existing equipment that are or hereafter become unsafe, insanitary or
deficient because of inadequate means of egress facilities,
inadequate light and ventilation, or that constitute a fire
hazard, or are otherwise dangerous to human life or the
public welfare, or that involve illegal or improper occupancy
or inadequate maintenance, shall be deemed an unsafe
condition. Unsafe structures shall be taken down and
removed or made safe, as the building official deems necessary and as provided for in this section. A vacant structure
that is not secured against unauthorized entry shall be
deemed unsafe.
[A] 116.2 Record. The building official shall cause a report
to be filed on an unsafe condition. The report shall state the
occupancy of the structure and the nature of the unsafe
condition.
[A] 116.3 Notice. If an unsafe condition is found, the building official shall serve on the owner of the structure, or the
owner’s authorized agent, a written notice that describes the
condition deemed unsafe and specifies the required repairs
or improvements to be made to abate the unsafe condition, or
that requires the unsafe structure to be demolished within a
stipulated time. Such notice shall require the person thus
notified to declare immediately to the building official
acceptance or rejection of the terms of the order.
[A] 116.4 Method of service. Such notice shall be deemed
properly served where a copy thereof is served in accordance
with one of the following methods:
1.
2.
3.
A copy is delivered to the owner personally.
A copy is sent by certified or registered mail
addressed to the owner at the last known address with
the return receipt requested.
A copy is delivered in any other manner as
prescribed by local law.
If the certified or registered letter is returned showing that
the letter was not delivered, a copy thereof shall be posted in
a conspicuous place in or about the structure affected by
such notice. Service of such notice in the foregoing manner
on the owner’s authorized agent shall constitute service of
notice on the owner.
[A] 116.5 Restoration or abatement. Where the structure
or equipment determined to be unsafe by the building official
is restored to a safe condition, the owner, the owner’s authorized agent, operator or occupant of a structure, premises or
equipment deemed unsafe by the building official shall abate
or cause to be abated or corrected such unsafe conditions
either by repair, rehabilitation, demolition or other approved
corrective action. To the extent that repairs, alterations or
additions are made or a change of occupancy occurs during
the restoration of the structure, such repairs, alterations,
additions and change of occupancy shall comply with the
requirements of the International Existing Building Code.
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
CHAPTER 2
DEFINITIONS
User notes:
About this chapter: Codes, by their very nature, are technical documents. Every word, term and punctuation mark can add to or change
the meaning of a technical requirement. It is necessary to maintain a consensus on the specific meaning of each term contained in the
code. Chapter 2 performs this function by stating clearly what specific terms mean for the purposes of the code.
Code development reminder: Code change proposals to sections preceded by the designation [A] or [BS] will be considered by one of the
code development committees meeting during the 2022 (Group B) Code Development Cycle.
SECTION 201
GENERAL
201.1 Scope. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this code, have
the meanings shown in this chapter.
201.2 Interchangeability. Words used in the present tense
include the future; words stated in the masculine gender
include the feminine and neuter; the singular number
includes the plural and the plural, the singular.
201.3 Terms defined in other codes. Where terms are not
defined in this code and are defined in the International
Energy Conservation Code, International Fuel Gas Code,
International Fire Code, International Mechanical Code or
International Plumbing Code, such terms shall have the
meanings ascribed to them as in those codes.
201.4 Terms not defined. Where terms are not defined
through the methods authorized by this section, such terms
shall have ordinarily accepted meanings such as the context
implies.
SECTION 202
DEFINITIONS
[BG] 24-HOUR BASIS. The actual time that a person is an
occupant within a facility for the purpose of receiving care. It
shall not include a facility that is open for 24 hours and is
capable of providing care to someone visiting the facility
during any segment of the 24 hours.
[BS] ACCREDITATION BODY. An approved, third-party
organization that is independent of the grading and inspection
agencies, and the lumber mills, and that initially accredits and
subsequently monitors, on a continuing basis, the competency and performance of a grading or inspection agency
related to carrying out specific tasks.
[A] ADDITION. An extension or increase in floor area,
number of stories or height of a building or structure.
[BS] ADHERED MASONRY VENEER. Veneer secured
and supported through the adhesion of an approved bonding
material applied to an approved backing.
[BS] ADOBE CONSTRUCTION. Construction in which
the exterior load-bearing and nonload-bearing walls and
partitions are of unfired clay masonry units, and floors, roofs
and interior framing are wholly or partly of wood or other
approved materials.
[F] AEROSOL CONTAINER. A metal can or plastic
container up to a maximum size of 33.8 fluid ounces (1000
ml), or a glass bottle up to a maximum size of 4 fluid ounces
(118 ml), designed and intended to dispense an aerosol.
[F] AEROSOL PRODUCT. A combination of a container,
a propellant and a material that is dispensed. Aerosol products shall be classified by means of the calculation of their
chemical heats of combustion and shall be designated Level
1, Level 2 or Level 3.
Level 1 aerosol products. Those with a total chemical
heat of combustion that is less than or equal to 8,600 British thermal units per pound (Btu/lb) (20 kJ/g).
[BS] AAC MASONRY. Masonry made of autoclaved
aerated concrete (AAC) units, manufactured without internal
reinforcement and bonded together using thin- or thick-bed
mortar.
Level 2 aerosol products. Those with a total chemical
heat of combustion that is greater than 8,600 Btu/lb (20
kJ/g), but less than or equal to 13,000 Btu/lb (30 kJ/g).
[BE] ACCESSIBLE. A site, building, facility or portion
thereof that complies with Chapter 11.
Level 3 aerosol products. Those with a total chemical
heat of combustion that is greater than 13,000 Btu/lb (30
kJ/g).
[BE] ACCESSIBLE MEANS OF EGRESS. A continuous
and unobstructed way of egress travel from any accessible
point in a building or facility to a public way.
[BS] AGGREGATE. In roofing, crushed stone, crushed slag
or water-worn gravel used for surfacing for roof coverings.
[BE] ACCESSIBLE ROUTE. A continuous, unobstructed
path that complies with Chapter 11.
[BE] ACCESSIBLE UNIT. A dwelling unit or sleeping unit
that complies with this code and the provisions for Accessible
units in ICC A117.1.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
[BG] AGRICULTURAL BUILDING. A structure
designed and constructed to house farm implements, hay,
grain, poultry, livestock or other horticultural products. This
structure shall not be a place of human habitation or a place
of employment where agricultural products are processed,
treated or packaged, nor shall it be a place used by the public.
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DEFINITIONS
[BF] AIR-IMPERMEABLE INSULATION. An insulation
having an air permeance equal to or less than 0.02 l/s × m2 at
75 pa pressure differential tested in accordance with ASTM
E283 or ASTM E2178.
[F] ANNUNCIATOR. A unit containing one or more indicator lamps, alphanumeric displays or other equivalent means
in which each indication provides status information about a
circuit, condition or location.
[BG] AIR-INFLATED STRUCTURE. A structure that
uses air-pressurized membrane beams, arches or other
elements to enclose space. Occupants of such a structure do
not occupy the pressurized area used to support the structure.
[A] APPROVED. Acceptable to the building official.
[BG] AIR-SUPPORTED STRUCTURE. A structure
wherein the shape of the structure is attained by air pressure
and occupants of the structure are within the elevated pressure area. Air-supported structures are of two basic types:
[BE] AISLE. An unenclosed exit access component that
defines and provides a path of egress travel.
[BE] AISLE ACCESSWAY. That portion of an exit access
that leads to an aisle.
[F] ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCE. A fire
alarm system component such as a bell, horn, speaker, light
or text display that provides audible, tactile or visible outputs,
or any combination thereof.
[F] ALARM SIGNAL. A signal indicating an emergency
requiring immediate action, such as a signal indicative of fire.
[F] ALARM VERIFICATION FEATURE. A feature of
automatic fire detection and alarm systems to reduce
unwanted alarms wherein smoke detectors report alarm
conditions for a minimum period of time, or confirm alarm
conditions within a given time period, after being automatically reset, in order to be accepted as a valid alarm-initiation
signal.
[BS] ALLOWABLE STRESS DESIGN. A method of
proportioning structural members, such that elastically
computed stresses produced in the members by nominal
loads do not exceed specified allowable stresses (also called
“working stress design”).
[A] ALTERATION. Any construction or renovation to an
existing structure other than repair or addition.
[A] APPROVED AGENCY. An established and recognized
agency that is regularly engaged in conducting tests, furnishing inspection services or furnishing product certification
where such agency has been approved by the building
official.
[BS] APPROVED FABRICATOR. An established and
qualified person, firm or corporation approved by the building official pursuant to Chapter 17 of this code.
[A] APPROVED SOURCE. An independent person, firm or
corporation, approved by the building official, who is competent and experienced in the application of engineering
principles to materials, methods or systems analyses.
[BS] AREA (for masonry).
Gross cross-sectional. The area delineated by the out-toout specified dimensions of masonry in the plane under
consideration.
Net cross-sectional. The area of masonry units, grout and
mortar crossed by the plane under consideration based on
out-to-out specified dimensions.
[BG] AREA, BUILDING. The area included within
surrounding exterior walls, or exterior walls and fire walls,
exclusive of vent shafts and courts. Areas of the building not
provided with surrounding walls shall be included in the
building area if such areas are included within the horizontal
projection of the roof or floor above.
[BE] AREA OF REFUGE. An area where persons unable to
use stairways can remain temporarily to await instructions or
assistance during emergency evacuation.
[BE] AREA OF SPORT ACTIVITY. That portion of an
indoor or outdoor space where the play or practice of a sport
occurs.
[BE] ALTERNATING TREAD DEVICE. A device that
has a series of steps between 50 and 70 degrees (0.87 and 1.22
rad) from horizontal, usually attached to a center support rail
in an alternating manner so that the user does not have both
feet on the same level at the same time.
[BG] AREAWAY. A subsurface space adjacent to a building
open at the top or protected at the top by a grating or guard.
[BG] AMBULATORY CARE FACILITY. Buildings or
portions thereof used to provide medical, surgical, psychiatric, nursing or similar care on a less than 24-hour basis to
persons who are rendered incapable of self-preservation by
the services provided or staff has accepted responsibility for
care recipients already incapable.
[BG] ATRIUM. A vertical space that is closed at the top,
connecting two or more stories in Group I-2 and I-3 occupancies or three or more stories in all other occupancies.
[BG] ANCHOR BUILDING. An exterior perimeter building of a group other than H having direct access to a covered
or open mall building but having required means of egress
independent of the mall.
[BS] ANCHORED MASONRY VENEER. Veneer secured
with approved mechanical fasteners to an approved backing.
ASSEMBLY SEATING, MULTILEVEL. See “Multilevel
assembly seating.”
[BG] ATTIC. The space between the ceiling framing of the
top story and the underside of the roof.
[F] AUDIBLE ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCE.
A notification appliance that alerts by the sense of hearing.
[F] AUTOMATIC. As applied to fire protection devices, a
device or system providing an emergency function without
the necessity for human intervention and activated as a result
of a predetermined temperature rise, rate of temperature rise
or combustion products.
[BF] ANNULAR SPACE. The opening around the penetrating item.
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DEFINITIONS
[F] AUTOMATIC FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM.
An approved system of devices and equipment which automatically detects a fire and discharges an approved fireextinguishing agent onto or in the area of a fire.
[F] AUTOMATIC SMOKE DETECTION SYSTEM. A
fire alarm system that has initiation devices that utilize smoke
detectors for protection of an area such as a room or space
with detectors to provide early warning of fire.
[F] AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM. An automatic
sprinkler system, for fire protection purposes, is an integrated
system of underground and overhead piping designed in
accordance with fire protection engineering standards. The
system includes a suitable water supply. The portion of the
system above the ground is a network of specially sized or
hydraulically designed piping installed in a structure or area,
generally overhead, and to which automatic sprinklers are
connected in a systematic pattern. The system is usually activated by heat from a fire and discharges water over the fire
area.
[F] AUTOMATIC WATER MIST SYSTEM. A system
consisting of a water supply, a pressure source and a distribution piping system with attached nozzles, which, at or above
a minimum operating pressure defined by its listing,
discharges water in fine droplets meeting the requirements of
NFPA 750 for the purpose of the control, suppression or
extinguishment of a fire. Such systems include wet-pipe, drypipe and preaction types. The systems are designed as engineered, preengineered, local-application or total-flooding
systems.
[F] AVERAGE AMBIENT SOUND LEVEL. The root
mean square, A-weighted sound pressure level measured
over a 24-hour period, or the time any person is present,
whichever time period is less.
[BG] AWNING. An architectural projection that provides
weather protection, identity or decoration and is partially or
wholly supported by the building to which it is attached. An
awning is composed of a lightweight frame structure over
which a covering is attached.
[BF] BACKING. The wall or surface to which the veneer is
secured.
[BE] BALANCED DOOR. A door equipped with doublepivoted hardware so designed as to cause a semicounterbalanced swing action when opening.
[F] BALED COTTON. A natural seed fiber wrapped in and
secured with industry accepted materials, usually consisting
of burlap, woven polypropylene, polyethylene or cotton or
sheet polyethylene, and secured with steel, synthetic or wire
bands or wire; also includes linters (lint removed from the
cottonseed) and motes (residual materials from the ginning
process).
[F] BALED COTTON, DENSELY PACKED. Cotton
made into banded bales with a packing density of not less
than 22 pounds per cubic foot (360 kg/m3), and dimensions
complying with the following: a length of 55 inches (1397
mm), a width of 21 inches (533.4 mm) and a height of 27.6 to
35.4 inches (701 to 899 mm).
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
[BS] BALLAST. In roofing, ballast comes in the form of
large stones or paver systems or light-weight interlocking
paver systems and is used to provide uplift resistance for
roofing systems that are not adhered or mechanically attached
to the roof deck.
[F] BARRICADE. A structure that consists of a combination
of walls, floor and roof, which is designed to withstand the
rapid release of energy in an explosion and which is fully
confined, partially vented or fully vented; or other effective
method of shielding from explosive materials by a natural or
artificial barrier.
Artificial barricade. An artificial mound or revetment a
minimum thickness of 3 feet (914 mm).
Natural barricade. Natural features of the ground, such
as hills, or timber of sufficient density that the surrounding
exposures that require protection cannot be seen from the
magazine or building containing explosives when the trees
are bare of leaves.
[BS] BASE FLOOD. The flood having a 1-percent chance of
being equaled or exceeded in any given year.
[BS] BASE FLOOD ELEVATION. The elevation of the
base flood, including wave height, relative to the National
Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD), North American Vertical
Datum (NAVD) or other datum specified on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).
[BG] BASEMENT. A story that is not a story above grade
plane (see “Story above grade plane”). This definition of
“Basement” does not apply to the provisions of Section 1612
for flood loads.
[BS] BASEMENT (for flood loads). The portion of a building having its floor subgrade (below ground level) on all
sides. This definition of “Basement” is limited in application
to the provisions of Section 1612.
[BS] BEARING WALL STRUCTURE. A building or other
structure in which vertical loads from floors and roofs are
primarily supported by walls.
[BS] BED JOINT. The horizontal layer of mortar on which
a masonry unit is laid.
[BE] BLEACHERS. Tiered seating supported on a dedicated structural system and two or more rows high and is not
a building element (see “Grandstand”).
[BG] BOARDING HOUSE. A building arranged or used for
lodging for compensation, with or without meals, and not
occupied as a single-family unit.
[F] BOILING POINT. The temperature at which the vapor
pressure of a liquid equals the atmospheric pressure of 14.7
pounds per square inch (psia) (101 kPa) or 760 mm of
mercury. Where an accurate boiling point is unavailable for
the material in question, or for mixtures which do not have a
constant boiling point, for the purposes of this classification,
the 20-percent evaporated point of a distillation performed in
accordance with ASTM D86 shall be used as the boiling point
of the liquid.
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DEFINITIONS
[BS] BRACED WALL LINE. A straight line through the
building plan that represents the location of the lateral resistance provided by the wall bracing.
[BS] BRACED WALL PANEL. A full-height section of
wall constructed to resist in-plane shear loads through interaction of framing members, sheathing material and anchors.
The panel’s length meets the requirements of its particular
bracing method and contributes toward the total amount of
bracing required along its braced wall line.
[BE] BREAKOUT. For revolving doors, a process whereby
wings or door panels can be pushed open manually for means
of egress travel.
[BS] BRICK.
Calcium silicate (sand lime brick). A pressed and subsequently autoclaved unit that consists of sand and lime,
with or without the inclusion of other materials.
Clay or shale. A solid or hollow masonry unit of clay or
shale, usually formed into a rectangular prism, then
burned or fired in a kiln; brick is a ceramic product.
Concrete. A concrete masonry unit made from Portland
cement, water, and suitable aggregates, with or without the
inclusion of other materials.
[A] BUILDING. Any structure utilized or intended for
supporting or sheltering any occupancy.
BUILDING AREA. See “Area, building.”
[BG] BUILDING ELEMENT. A fundamental component
of building construction, specified in TABLE 601, which
may or may not be of fire-resistance-rated construction and is
constructed of materials based on the building type of
construction.
BUILDING HEIGHT. See “Height, building.”
[BG] BUILDING LINE. The line established by law,
beyond which a building shall not extend, except as specifically provided by law.
[A] BUILDING OFFICIAL. The officer or other designated
authority charged with the administration and enforcement of
this code, or a duly authorized representative.
[BS] BUILDING-INTEGRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC
(BIPV) PRODUCT. A building product that incorporates
photovoltaic modules and functions as a component of the
building envelope.
[BS] BUILDING-INTEGRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC
ROOF PANEL (BIPV ROOF PANEL). A photovoltaic
panel that functions as a component of the building envelope.

[BS] BUILT-UP ROOF COVERING. Two or more layers
of felt cemented together and surfaced with a cap sheet,
mineral aggregate, smooth coating or similar surfacing
material.
[BG] CANOPY. A permanent structure or architectural
projection of rigid construction over which a covering is
attached that provides weather protection, identity or decoration. A canopy is permitted to be structurally independent or
supported by attachment to a building on one or more sides.
2-4
[F] CAPACITOR ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM. A
stationary, rechargeable energy storage system consisting of
capacitors, chargers, controls and associated electrical equipment designed to provide electrical power to a building or
facility. The system is typically used to provide standby or
emergency power, an uninterruptable power supply, load
shedding, load sharing or similar capabilities.
[F] CARBON DIOXIDE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS.
A system supplying carbon dioxide (CO2) from a pressurized
vessel through fixed pipes and nozzles. The system includes
a manual- or automatic-actuating mechanism.
[F] CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM. A single- or multiple-station alarm intended to detect carbon monoxide gas and
alert occupants by a distinct audible signal. It incorporates a
sensor, control components and an alarm notification appliance in a single unit.
[F] CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR. A device with
an integral sensor to detect carbon monoxide gas and transmit
an alarm signal to a connected alarm control unit.
[BG] CARE SUITE. In Group I-2 occupancies, a group of
treatment rooms, care recipient sleeping rooms and the
support rooms or spaces and circulation space within the suite
where staff are in attendance for supervision of all care recipients within the suite, and the suite is in compliance with the
requirements of Section 407.4.4.
[BS] CAST STONE. A building stone manufactured from
Portland cement concrete precast and used as a trim, veneer
or facing on or in buildings or structures.
[F] CEILING LIMIT. The maximum concentration of an
airborne contaminant to which one may be exposed. The ceiling limits utilized are those published in DOL 29 CFR Part
1910.1000. The ceiling Recommended Exposure Limit
(REL-C) concentrations published by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Threshold
Limit Value—Ceiling (TLV-C) concentrations published by
the American Conference of Governmental Industrial
Hygienists (ACGIH), Ceiling Workplace Environmental
Exposure Level (WEEL-Ceiling) Guides published by the
American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), and other
approved, consistent measures are allowed as surrogates for
hazardous substances not listed in DOL 29 CFR Part
1910.1000.
[BF] CEILING RADIATION DAMPER. A listed device
installed in a ceiling membrane of a fire-resistance-rated
floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assembly to limit automatically
the radiative heat transfer through an air inlet/outlet opening.
Ceiling radiation dampers include air terminal units, ceiling
dampers and ceiling air diffusers. Ceiling radiation dampers
are classified for use in either static systems that will automatically shut down in the event of a fire, or in dynamic
systems that continue to operate during a fire. A dynamic
ceiling radiation damper is tested and rated for closure under
elevated temperature airflow.
[BG] CELL (Group I-3 occupancy). A room within a housing unit in a detention or correctional facility used to confine
inmates or prisoners.
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DEFINITIONS
[BS] CELL (masonry). A void space having a gross crosssectional area greater than 11/2 square inches (967 mm2).
[BG] CELL TIER. Levels of cells vertically stacked above
one another within a housing unit.
[BS] CEMENT PLASTER. A mixture of Portland or
blended cement, Portland cement or blended cement and
hydrated lime, masonry cement or plastic cement and aggregate and other approved materials as specified in this code.
[BF] CERAMIC FIBER BLANKET. A high-temperature
mineral wool insulation material made of alumina-silica
ceramic or calcium magnesium silicate soluble fibers and
weighing 4 to 10 pounds per cubic foot (pcf) (64 to 160
kg/m3).
[BE] CIRCULATION PATH. An exterior or interior way
of passage from one place to another for pedestrians.
[F] CLEAN AGENT. Electrically nonconducting, volatile
or gaseous fire extinguishant that does not leave a residue
upon vaporation.
[BF] CLIMATE ZONE. A geographical region that has
been assigned climatic criteria as specified in Chapters 3 [CE]
and 3 [RE] of the International Energy Conservation Code.
[BS] CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE. A certificate
stating that materials and products meet specified standards
or that work was done in compliance with approved construction documents.
[BG] CLINIC, OUTPATIENT. Buildings or portions
thereof used to provide medical care on less than a 24-hour
basis to persons who are not rendered incapable of self-preservation by the services provided.
[A] CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY. Either of the following
shall be considered as a change of occupancy where this code
requires a greater degree of safety, accessibility, structural
strength, fire protection, means of egress, ventilation or sanitation than is existing in the current building or structure:
[F] CLOSED SYSTEM. The use of a solid or liquid hazardous material involving a closed vessel or system that remains
closed during normal operations where vapors emitted by the
product are not liberated outside of the vessel or system and
the product is not exposed to the atmosphere during normal
operations; and all uses of compressed gases. Examples of
closed systems for solids and liquids include product
conveyed through a piping system into a closed vessel,
system or piece of equipment.
1.
2.

Medium-heat appliance type. An approved chimney for
removing the products of combustion from fuel-burning,
medium-heat appliances producing combustion gases not
exceeding 2,000°F (1093°C) measured at the appliance
flue outlet (see Section 2113.11.2).
Any change in the occupancy classification of a
building or structure.
Any change in the purpose of, or a change in the
level of activity within, a building or structure.
[M] CHIMNEY. A primarily vertical structure containing
one or more flues, for the purpose of carrying gaseous products of combustion and air from a fuel-burning appliance to
the outdoor atmosphere.
Factory-built chimney. A listed and labeled chimney
composed of factory-made components, assembled in the
field in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and
the conditions of the listing.
Masonry chimney. A field-constructed chimney
composed of solid masonry units, bricks, stones, or
concrete.
Metal chimney. A field-constructed chimney of metal.
[M] CHIMNEY TYPES.
High-heat appliance type. An approved chimney for
removing the products of combustion from fuel-burning,
high-heat appliances producing combustion gases in
excess of 2,000°F (1093°C) measured at the appliance flue
outlet (see Section 2113.11.3).
Low-heat appliance type. An approved chimney for
removing the products of combustion from fuel-burning,
low-heat appliances producing combustion gases not in
excess of 1,000°F (538°C) under normal operating conditions, but capable of producing combustion gases of
1,400°F (760°C) during intermittent forces firing for periods up to 1 hour. Temperatures shall be measured at the
appliance flue outlet.
Masonry type. A field-constructed chimney of solid
masonry units or stones.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
[BS] COASTAL A ZONE. Area within a special flood
hazard area, landward of a V zone or landward of an open
coast without mapped coastal high-hazard areas. In a coastal
A zone, the principal source of flooding must be astronomical
tides, storm surges, seiches or tsunamis, not riverine flooding.
During the base flood conditions, the potential for breaking
wave height shall be greater than or equal to 11/2 feet (457
mm). The inland limit of the coastal A zone is (a) the Limit of
Moderate Wave Action if delineated on a FIRM, or (b) designated by the authority having jurisdiction.
[BS] COASTAL HIGH-HAZARD AREA. Area within the
special flood hazard area extending from offshore to the
inland limit of a primary dune along an open coast and any
other area that is subject to high-velocity wave action from
storms or seismic sources, and shown on a Flood Insurance
Rate Map (FIRM) or other flood hazard map as velocity Zone
V, VO, VE or V1-30.
[BS] COLLAR JOINT. Vertical longitudinal space between
wythes of masonry or between masonry wythe and backup
construction that is permitted to be filled with mortar or
grout.
[BS] COLLECTOR. A horizontal diaphragm element
parallel and in line with the applied force that collects and
transfers diaphragm shear forces to the vertical elements of
the lateral force-resisting system or distributes forces within
the diaphragm, or both.
[BF] COMBINATION FIRE/SMOKE DAMPER. A listed
device installed in ducts and air transfer openings designed to
close automatically upon the detection of heat and resist the
passage of flame and smoke. The device is installed to oper-
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DEFINITIONS
ate automatically, controlled by a smoke detection system,
and where required, is capable of being positioned from a fire
command center.
[BS] COMBINED PILE RAFT. A geotechnical composite
construction that combines the bearing effect of both foundation elements, raft and piles, by taking into account
interactions between the foundation elements and the subsoil.
[F] COMBUSTIBLE DUST. Finely divided solid material
that is 420 microns or less in diameter and which, when
dispersed in air in the proper proportions, could be ignited by
a flame, spark or other source of ignition. Combustible dust
will pass through a US No. 40 standard sieve.
[F] COMBUSTIBLE FIBERS. Readily ignitable and freeburning materials in a fibrous or shredded form, such as
cocoa fiber, cloth, cotton, excelsior, hay, hemp, henequen,
istle, jute, kapok, oakum, rags, sisal, Spanish moss, straw,
tow, wastepaper, certain synthetic fibers or other like materials. This definition does not include densely packed baled
cotton.
ered to be compressed until the pressure in the
packaging exceeds 41 psia (282 kPa) at 68°F (20°C).
The states of a compressed gas are categorized as follows:
1. Nonliquefied compressed gases are gases, other than
those in solution, which are in a packaging under the
charged pressure and are entirely gaseous at a
temperature of 68°F (20°C).
2. Liquefied compressed gases are gases that, in a packaging under the charged pressure, are partially liquid
at a temperature of 68°F (20°C).
3. Compressed gases in solution are nonliquefied gases
that are dissolved in a solvent.
4. Compressed gas mixtures consist of a mixture of two
or more compressed gases contained in a packaging,
the hazard properties of which are represented by the
properties of the mixture as a whole.
[BS] CONCRETE.
[F] COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID. A liquid having a closed
cup flash point at or above 100°F (38°C). Combustible
liquids shall be subdivided as follows:
Carbonate aggregate. Concrete made with aggregates
consisting mainly of calcium or magnesium carbonate,
such as limestone or dolomite, and containing 40 percent
or less quartz, chert or flint.
The category of combustible liquids does not include
compressed gases or cryogenic fluids or liquids that do not
have a fire point when tested in accordance with ASTM
D92.
Cellular. A lightweight insulating concrete made by
mixing a preformed foam with Portland cement slurry and
having a dry unit weight of approximately 30 pcf (480
kg/m3).
Class II. Liquids having a closed cup flash point at or
above 100°F (38°C) and below 140°F (60°C).
Lightweight aggregate. Concrete made with aggregates
of expanded clay, shale, slag or slate or sintered fly ash or
any natural lightweight aggregate meeting ASTM C330
and possessing equivalent fire-resistance properties and
weighing 85 to 115 pcf (1360 to 1840 kg/m3).
Class IIIA. Liquids having a closed cup flash point at or
above 140°F (60°C) and below 200°F (93°C).
Class IIIB. Liquids having a closed cup flash point at or
above 200°F (93°C).
[F] COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE. A motor vehicle used to transport passengers or property where the motor
vehicle meets one of the following:
1.
2.
Has a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds
(4540 kg) or more.
Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers,
including the driver.
[BE] COMMON PATH OF EGRESS TRAVEL. That
portion of exit access travel distance measured from the most
remote point of each room, area or space to that point where
the occupants have separate and distinct access to two exits or
exit access doorways.
[BE] COMMON USE. Interior or exterior circulation paths,
rooms, spaces or elements that are not for public use and are
made available for the shared use of two or more people.
[F] COMPRESSED GAS. A material or mixture of materials that meets both of the following:
1.
2.
2-6
Is a gas at 68°F (20°C) or less at 14.7 pounds per
square inch atmosphere (psia) (101 kPa) of pressure.
Has a boiling point of 68°F (20°C) or less at 14.7 psia
(101 kPa) which is either liquefied, nonliquefied or
in solution, except those gases which have no other
health- or physical-hazard properties are not consid-
Perlite. A lightweight insulating concrete having a dry
unit weight of approximately 30 pcf (480 kg/m3) made
with perlite concrete aggregate. Perlite aggregate is
produced from a volcanic rock which, when heated,
expands to form a glass-like material of cellular structure.
Sand-lightweight. Concrete made with a combination of
expanded clay, shale, slag, slate, sintered fly ash, or any
natural lightweight aggregate meeting ASTM C330 and
possessing equivalent fire-resistance properties and natural sand. Its unit weight is generally between 105 and 120
pcf (1680 and 1920 kg/m3).
Siliceous aggregate. Concrete made with normal-weight
aggregates consisting mainly of silica or compounds other
than calcium or magnesium carbonate, which contains
more than 40-percent quartz, chert or flint.
Vermiculite. A light weight insulating concrete made
with vermiculite concrete aggregate which is laminated
micaceous material produced by expanding the ore at high
temperatures. When added to a Portland cement slurry the
resulting concrete has a dry unit weight of approximately
30 pcf (480 kg/m3).
[BG] CONGREGATE LIVING FACILITIES. A building
or part thereof that contains sleeping units where residents
share bathroom or kitchen facilities, or both.
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DEFINITIONS
[F] CONSTANTLY ATTENDED LOCATION. A designated location at a facility staffed by trained personnel on a
continuous basis where alarm or supervisory signals are
monitored and facilities are provided for notification of the
fire department or other emergency services.
[A] CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS. Written, graphic
and pictorial documents prepared or assembled for describing
the design, location and physical characteristics of the
elements of a project necessary for obtaining a building
permit.
[BG] CONSTRUCTION TYPES. See Section 602.
Type I. See Section 602.2.
Type II. See Section 602.2.
Type III. See Section 602.3.
Type IV. See Section 602.4.
Type V. See Section 602.5.
[BF] CONTINUOUS INSULATION (ci). Insulating material that is continuous across all structural members without
thermal bridges other than fasteners and service openings. It
is installed on the interior or exterior, or is integral to any
opaque surface of the building envelope.
[F] CONTROL AREA. Spaces within a building where
quantities of hazardous materials not exceeding the maximum allowable quantities per control area are stored,
dispensed, used or handled. See the definition of “Outdoor
control area” in the International Fire Code.
[BS] CONTROLLED LOW-STRENGTH MATERIAL.
A self-compacted, cementitious material used primarily as a
backfill in place of compacted fill.
[BS] CONVENTIONAL LIGHT-FRAME CONSTRUCTION. Construction whose primary structural elements are
formed by a system of repetitive wood-framing members. See
Section 2308 for conventional light-frame construction
provisions.
[BG] CORNICE. A projecting horizontal molded element
located at or near the top of an architectural feature.
[BE] CORRIDOR. An enclosed exit access component that
defines and provides a path of egress travel.
CORRIDOR, OPEN-ENDED. See “Open-ended corridor.”
[BF] CORRIDOR DAMPER. A listed device intended for
use where air ducts penetrate or terminate at horizontal openings in the ceilings of fire-resistance-rated corridors, where
the corridor ceiling is permitted to be constructed as required
for the corridor walls.
[BS] CORROSION RESISTANCE. The ability of a material to withstand deterioration of its surface or its properties
when exposed to its environment.
[F] CORROSIVE. A chemical that causes visible destruction of, or irreversible alterations in, living tissue by chemical
action at the point of contact. A chemical shall be considered
corrosive if, when tested on the intact skin of albino rabbits
by the method described in DOTn 49 CFR, Part 173.137,
such chemical destroys or changes irreversibly the structure
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
of the tissue at the point of contact following an exposure
period of 4 hours. This term does not refer to action on inanimate surfaces.
[BG] COURT. An open, uncovered space, unobstructed to
the sky, bounded on three or more sides by exterior building
walls or other enclosing devices.
[BG] COVERED MALL BUILDING. A single building
enclosing a number of tenants and occupants, such as retail
stores, drinking and dining establishments, entertainment and
amusement facilities, passenger transportation terminals,
offices and other similar uses wherein two or more tenants
have a main entrance into one or more malls. Anchor buildings shall not be considered as a part of the covered mall
building. The term “covered mall building” shall include
open mall buildings as defined below.
Mall. A roofed or covered common pedestrian area within
a covered mall building that serves as access for two or
more tenants and not to exceed three levels that are open
to each other. The term “mall” shall include open malls as
defined below.
Open mall. An unroofed common pedestrian way serving
a number of tenants not exceeding three levels. Circulation
at levels above grade shall be permitted to include open
exterior balconies leading to exits discharging at grade.
Open mall building. Several structures housing a number
of tenants, such as retail stores, drinking and dining establishments, entertainment and amusement facilities,
offices, and other similar uses, wherein two or more
tenants have a main entrance into one or more open malls.
Anchor buildings are not considered as a part of the open
mall building.
[BS] CRIPPLE WALL. A framed stud wall extending from
the top of the foundation to the underside of floor framing for
the lowest occupied floor level.
[F] CRITICAL CIRCUIT. A circuit that requires continuous operation to ensure safety of the structure and occupants.
[BS] CROSS-LAMINATED TIMBER. A prefabricated
engineered wood product consisting of not less than three
layers of solid-sawn lumber or structural composite lumber
where the adjacent layers are cross oriented and bonded with
structural adhesive to form a solid wood element.
[F] CRYOGENIC FLUID. A liquid having a boiling point
lower than -150°F (-101°C) at 14.7 pounds per square inch
atmosphere (psia) (an absolute pressure of 101 kPa).
[BG] CUSTODIAL CARE. Assistance with day-to-day
living tasks; such as assistance with cooking, taking medication, bathing, using toilet facilities and other tasks of daily
living. Custodial care includes persons receiving care who
have the ability to respond to emergency situations and evacuate at a slower rate and/or who have mental and psychiatric
complications.
[BS] DALLE GLASS. A decorative composite glazing
material made of individual pieces of glass that are embedded
in a cast matrix of concrete or epoxy.
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DEFINITIONS
[BS] DANGEROUS. Any building, structure or portion
thereof that meets any of the conditions described below shall
be deemed dangerous:
1.
2.
The building or structure has collapsed, has partially
collapsed, has moved off its foundation or lacks the
necessary support of the ground.
There exists a significant risk of collapse, detachment or dislodgment of any portion, member,
appurtenance or ornamentation of the building or
structure under permanent, routine, or frequent
loads; under actual loads already in effect; or under
snow, wind, rain, flood, earthquake, or other environmental loads when such loads are imminent.
[F] DAY BOX. A portable magazine designed to hold explosive materials constructed in accordance with the
requirements for a Type 3 magazine as defined and classified
in Chapter 56 of the International Fire Code.
[BS] DEAD LOAD. The weight of materials of construction
incorporated into the building, including but not limited to
walls, floors, roofs, ceilings, stairways, built-in partitions,
finishes, cladding and other similarly incorporated architectural and structural items, and the weight of fixed service
equipment, including cranes and material handling systems.
[BS] DECORATIVE GLASS. A carved, leaded or Dalle
glass or glazing material whose purpose is decorative or artistic, not functional; whose coloring, texture or other design
qualities or components cannot be removed without destroying the glazing material and whose surface, or assembly into
which it is incorporated, is divided into segments.
[F] DECORATIVE MATERIALS. All materials applied
over the building interior finish for decorative, acoustical or
other effect including, but not limited to, curtains, draperies,
fabrics and streamers; and all other materials utilized for
decorative effect including, but not limited to, bulletin
boards, artwork, posters, photographs, batting, cloth, cotton,
hay, stalks, straw, vines, leaves, trees, moss and similar items,
foam plastics and materials containing foam plastics. Decorative materials do not include wall coverings, ceiling
coverings, floor coverings, ordinary window shades, interior
finish and materials 0.025 inch (0.64 mm) or less in thickness
applied directly to and adhering tightly to a substrate.
[BS] DEEP FOUNDATION. A deep foundation is a foundation element that does not satisfy the definition of a shallow
foundation.
[BE] DEFEND-IN-PLACE. A method of emergency
response that engages building components and trained staff
to provide occupant safety during an emergency. Emergency
response involves remaining in place, relocating within the
building, or both, without evacuating the building.
[A] DEFERRED SUBMITTAL. Those portions of the
design that are not submitted at the time of the application and
that are to be submitted to the building official within a specified period.
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[F] DEFLAGRATION. An exothermic reaction, such as the
extremely rapid oxidation of a flammable dust or vapor in air,
in which the reaction progresses through the unburned material at a rate less than the velocity of sound. A deflagration
can have an explosive effect.
[BF] DELAYED-ACTION CLOSER. A self-closing
device that incorporates a delay prior to the initiation of closing. Delayed-action closers are mechanical devices with an
adjustable delay.
[F] DELUGE SYSTEM. A sprinkler system employing
open sprinklers attached to a piping system connected to a
water supply through a valve that is opened by the operation
of a detection system installed in the same areas as the sprinklers. When this valve opens, water flows into the piping
system and discharges from all sprinklers attached thereto.
[BS] DESIGN EARTHQUAKE GROUND MOTION.
The earthquake ground motion that buildings and structures
are specifically proportioned to resist in Section 1613.
[BS] DESIGN FLOOD. The flood associated with the
greater of the following two areas:
1.
2.
Area with a flood plain subject to a 1-percent or
greater chance of flooding in any year.
Area designated as a flood hazard area on a community’s flood hazard map, or otherwise legally
designated.
[BS] DESIGN FLOOD ELEVATION. The elevation of the
“design flood,” including wave height, relative to the datum
specified on the community’s legally designated flood hazard
map. In areas designated as Zone AO, the design flood elevation shall be the elevation of the highest existing grade of the
building’s perimeter plus the depth number (in feet) specified
on the flood hazard map. In areas designated as Zone AO
where a depth number is not specified on the map, the depth
number shall be taken as being equal to 2 feet (610 mm).
DESIGN PROFESSIONAL, REGISTERED. See “Registered design professional.”
DESIGN
PROFESSIONAL
IN
RESPONSIBLE
CHARGE, REGISTERED. See “Registered design professional in responsible charge.”
[BS] DESIGN STRENGTH. The product of the nominal
strength and a resistance factor (or strength reduction factor).
[BS] DESIGNATED SEISMIC SYSTEM. Those nonstructural components that require design in accordance with
Chapter 13 of ASCE 7 and for which the component importance factor, Ip, is greater than 1 in accordance with Section
13.1.3 of ASCE 7.
[F] DETACHED BUILDING. A separate single-story
building, without a basement or crawl space, used for the
storage or use of hazardous materials and located an
approved distance from all structures.
[BS] DETAILED PLAIN CONCRETE STRUCTURAL
WALL. See Section 1905.1.1.
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®

DAMPER. See “Ceiling radiation damper,” “Combination
fire/smoke damper,” “Corridor damper,” “Fire damper” and
“Smoke damper.”
DEFINITIONS
[BE] DETECTABLE WARNING. A standardized surface
feature built in or applied to walking surfaces or other
elements to warn visually impaired persons of hazards on a
circulation path.
[F] DETECTOR, HEAT. A fire detector that senses heat—
either abnormally high temperature or rate of rise, or both.
[F] DETONATION. An exothermic reaction characterized
by the presence of a shock wave in the material which establishes and maintains the reaction. The reaction zone
progresses through the material at a rate greater than the
velocity of sound. The principal heating mechanism is one of
shock compression. Detonations have an explosive effect.
[BG] DETOXIFICATION FACILITIES. Facilities that
provide treatment for substance abuse, serving care recipients
who are incapable of self-preservation or who are harmful to
themselves or others.
[BS] DIAPHRAGM. A horizontal or sloped system acting to
transmit lateral forces to vertical elements of the lateral forceresisting system. When the term “diaphragm” is used, it shall
include horizontal bracing systems.
[BS] DIMENSIONS. This definition applies only to Chapter
21.
Nominal. The specified dimension plus an allowance for
the joints with which the units are to be laid. Nominal
dimensions are usually stated in whole numbers. Thickness is given first, followed by height and then length.
[BS] DRILLED SHAFT. A cast-in-place deep foundation
element, also referred to as a caisson, drilled pier or bored
pile, constructed by drilling a hole (with or without permanent casing or drilling fluid) into soil or rock and filling it
with fluid concrete after the drilling equipment is removed.
[BS] DRY FLOODPROOFING. A combination of design
modifications that results in a building or structure, including
the attendant utilities and equipment and sanitary facilities,
being water tight with walls substantially impermeable to the
passage of water and with structural components having the
capacity to resist loads as identified in ASCE 7.
[F] DRY-CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHING AGENT. A
powder composed of small particles, usually of sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, urea-potassium-based
bicarbonate, potassium chloride or monoammonium phosphate, with added particulate material supplemented by
special treatment to provide resistance to packing, resistance
to moisture absorption (caking) and the proper flow
capabilities.
[A] DWELLING. A building that contains one or two dwelling units used, intended or designed to be used, rented,
leased, let or hired out to be occupied for living purposes.
[A] DWELLING UNIT. A single unit providing complete,
independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking
and sanitation.
Specified. Dimensions specified for the manufacture or
construction of a unit, joint or element.
[BG] DWELLING UNIT, EFFICIENCY. A dwelling unit
where all permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating
and cooking are contained in a single room.
[BE] DIRECT ACCESS. A path of travel from a space to an
immediately adjacent space through an opening in the
common wall between the two spaces.
DWELLING UNIT OR SLEEPING UNIT, MULTISTORY. See “Multistory unit.”
[F] DISPENSING. The pouring or transferring of any material from a container, tank or similar vessel, whereby vapors,
dusts, fumes, mists or gases are liberated to the atmosphere.
DOOR, BALANCED. See “Balanced door.”
DOOR, LOW-ENERGY POWER-OPERATED. See
“Low-energy power-operated door.”
DOOR, POWER-ASSISTED. See “Power-assisted door.”
DOOR, POWER-OPERATED. See “Power-operated
door.”
DOORWAY, EXIT ACCESS. See “Exit access doorway.”
[BG] DORMITORY. A space in a building where group
sleeping accommodations are provided in one room, or in a
series of closely associated rooms, for persons not members
of the same family group, under joint occupancy and single
management, as in college dormitories or fraternity houses.
[BF] DRAFTSTOP. A material, device or construction
installed to restrict the movement of air within open spaces of
concealed areas of building components such as crawl spaces,
floor/ceiling assemblies, roof/ceiling assemblies and attics.
[BE] EGRESS COURT. A court or yard which provides
access to a public way for one or more exits.
[BG] ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION.
One or more vehicle spaces served by an electric vehicle
charging system.
[BF]
ELECTRICAL
CIRCUIT
PROTECTIVE
SYSTEM. A specific construction of devices, materials, or
coatings installed as a fire-resistive barrier system applied to
electrical system components, such as cable trays, conduits
and other raceways, open run cables and conductors, cables,
and conductors.
[F] ELEVATOR GROUP. A grouping of elevators in a
building located adjacent or directly across from one another
that responds to common hall call buttons.
[F] EMERGENCY ALARM SYSTEM. A system to
provide indication and warning of emergency situations
involving hazardous materials.
[F] EMERGENCY CONTROL STATION. An approved
location on the premises where signals from emergency
equipment are received and which is staffed by trained
personnel.
DRAG STRUT. See “Collector.”
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
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2-9
DEFINITIONS
[BE] EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND RESCUE OPENING. An operable exterior window, door or other similar
device that provides for a means of escape and access for
rescue in the event of an emergency.
[F] EMERGENCY POWER SYSTEM. A source of automatic electric power of a required capacity and duration to
operate required life safety, fire alarm, detection and ventilation systems in the event of a failure of the primary power.
Emergency power systems are required for electrical loads
where interruption of the primary power could result in loss
of human life or serious injuries.
[A] EXISTING BUILDING. A building erected prior to the
date of adoption of the appropriate code, or one for which a
legal building permit has been issued.
[BS] EXISTING STRUCTURE. A structure erected prior
to the date of adoption of the appropriate code, or one for
which a legal building permit has been issued.
[BE] EXIT. That portion of a means of egress system
between the exit access and the exit discharge or public way.
Exit components include exterior exit doors at the level of exit
discharge, interior exit stairways and ramps, exit passageways, exterior exit stairways and ramps and horizontal exits.
[F] EMERGENCY VOICE/ALARM COMMUNICATIONS. Dedicated manual or automatic facilities for
originating and distributing voice instructions, as well as alert
and evacuation signals pertaining to a fire emergency, to the
occupants of a building.
EXIT, HORIZONTAL. See “Horizontal exit.”
[BF] EMITTANCE. The ratio of radiant heat flux emitted
by a specimen to that emitted by a blackbody at the same
temperature and under the same conditions.
[BE] EXIT ACCESS DOORWAY. A door or access point
along the path of egress travel from an occupied room, area
or space where the path of egress enters an intervening room,
corridor, exit access stairway or ramp.
[BE] EMPLOYEE WORK AREA. All or any portion of a
space used only by employees and only for work. Corridors,
toilet rooms, kitchenettes and break rooms are not employee
work areas.
[F] ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM, ELECTROCHEMICAL. An energy storage system that stores energy and
produces electricity using chemical reactions. It includes,
among others, battery ESS and capacitor ESS.
[BS] ENGINEERED WOOD RIM BOARD. A full-depth
structural composite lumber, wood structural panel, structural glued laminated timber or prefabricated wood I-joist
member designed to transfer horizontal (shear) and vertical
(compression) loads, provide attachment for diaphragm
sheathing, siding and exterior deck ledgers, and provide
lateral support at the ends of floor or roof joists or rafters.
ENTRANCE, PUBLIC. See “Public entrance.”
ENTRANCE, RESTRICTED. See “Restricted entrance.”
ENTRANCE, SERVICE. See “Service entrance.”
[BG] EQUIPMENT PLATFORM. An unoccupied,
elevated platform used exclusively for mechanical systems or
industrial process equipment, including the associated
elevated walkways, stairways, alternating tread devices and
ladders necessary to access the platform (see Section 505.3).
[BS] ESSENTIAL FACILITIES. Buildings and other
structures that are intended to remain operational in the event
of extreme environmental loading from flood, wind, snow or
earthquakes.
[F] EXHAUSTED ENCLOSURE. An appliance or piece of
equipment that consists of a top, a back and two sides providing a means of local exhaust for capturing gases, fumes,
vapors and mists. Such enclosures include laboratory hoods,
exhaust fume hoods and similar appliances and equipment
used to locally retain and exhaust the gases, fumes, vapors
and mists that could be released. Rooms or areas provided
with general ventilation, in themselves, are not exhausted
enclosures.
2-10
[BE] EXIT ACCESS. That portion of a means of egress
system that leads from any occupied portion of a building or
structure to an exit.
[BE] EXIT ACCESS RAMP. A ramp within the exit access
portion of the means of egress system.
[BE] EXIT ACCESS STAIRWAY. A stairway within the
exit access portion of the means of egress system.
[BE] EXIT DISCHARGE. That portion of a means of
egress system between the termination of an exit and a public
way.
[BE] EXIT DISCHARGE, LEVEL OF. The story at the
point at which an exit terminates and an exit discharge begins.
[BE] EXIT PASSAGEWAY. An exit component that is
separated from other interior spaces of a building or structure
by fire-resistance-rated construction and opening protectives,
and provides for a protected path of egress travel in a horizontal direction to an exit or to the exit discharge.
[BF] EXPANDED VINYL WALL COVERING. Wall
covering consisting of a woven textile backing, an expanded
vinyl base coat layer and a nonexpanded vinyl skin coat. The
expanded base coat layer is a homogeneous vinyl layer that
contains a blowing agent. During processing, the blowing
agent decomposes, causing this layer to expand by forming
closed cells. The total thickness of the wall covering is
approximately 0.055 inch to 0.070 inch (1.4 mm to 1.78 mm).
[F] EXPLOSION. An effect produced by the sudden violent
expansion of gases, which may be accompanied by a shock
wave or disruption, or both, of enclosing materials or structures. An explosion could result from any of the following:
1.
2.
3.
Chemical changes such as rapid oxidation, deflagration or detonation, decomposition of molecules and
runaway polymerization (usually detonations).
Physical changes such as pressure tank ruptures.
Atomic changes (nuclear fission or fusion).
[F] EXPLOSIVE. A chemical compound, mixture or device,
the primary or common purpose of which is to function by
explosion. The term includes, but is not limited to: dynamite,
black powder, pellet powder, initiating explosives, detonators, safety fuses, squibs, detonating cord, igniter cord, and
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
DEFINITIONS
igniters. The term “explosive” includes any material determined to be within the scope of USC Title 18: Chapter 40 and
also includes any material classified as an explosive other
than consumer fireworks, 1.4G by the hazardous materials
regulations of DOTn 49 CFR Parts 100-185.
Division 1.5. Very insensitive explosives. This division is
comprised of substances that have a mass explosion
hazard, but that are so insensitive there is very little probability of initiation or of transition from burning to
detonation under normal conditions of transport.
High explosive. Explosive material, such as dynamite,
which can be caused to detonate by means of a No. 8 test
blasting cap when unconfined.
Division 1.6. Extremely insensitive articles which do not
have a mass explosion hazard. This division is comprised
of articles that contain only extremely insensitive detonating substances and which demonstrate a negligible
probability of accidental initiation or propagation.
Low explosive. Explosive material that will burn or deflagrate when ignited. It is characterized by a rate of reaction
that is less than the speed of sound. Examples of low
explosives include, but are not limited to: black powder;
safety fuse; igniters; igniter cord; fuse lighters; fireworks;
and propellants, 1.3C.
[BE] EXTERIOR EXIT RAMP. An exit component that
serves to meet one or more means of egress design requirements, such as required number of exits or exit access travel
distance, and is open to yards, courts or public ways.
Mass-detonating explosives. Division 1.1, 1.2 and 1.5
explosives alone or in combination, or loaded into various
types of ammunition or containers, most of which can be
expected to explode virtually instantaneously when a
small portion is subjected to fire, severe concussion,
impact, the impulse of an initiating agent or the effect of a
considerable discharge of energy from without. Materials
that react in this manner represent a mass explosion
hazard. Such an explosive will normally cause severe
structural damage to adjacent objects. Explosive propagation could occur immediately to other items of
ammunition and explosives stored sufficiently close to and
not adequately protected from the initially exploding pile
with a time interval short enough so that two or more
quantities must be considered as one for quantity-distance
purposes.
[BE] EXTERIOR EXIT STAIRWAY. An exit component
that serves to meet one or more means of egress design
requirements, such as required number of exits or exit access
travel distance, and is open to yards, courts or public ways.
UN/DOTn Class 1 explosives. The former classification
system used by DOTn included the terms “high” and
“low” explosives as defined herein. The following terms
further define explosives under the current system applied
by DOTn for all explosive materials defined as hazard
Class 1 materials. Compatibility group letters are used in
concert with the division to specify further limitations on
each division noted (i.e., the letter G identifies the material
as a pyrotechnic substance or article containing a pyrotechnic substance and similar materials).
[BF] EXTERIOR WALL. A wall, bearing or nonbearing,
that is used as an enclosing wall for a building, other than a
fire wall, and that has a slope of 60 degrees (1.05 rad) or
greater with the horizontal plane.
Division 1.1. Explosives that have a mass explosion
hazard. A mass explosion is one which affects almost the
entire load instantaneously.
Division 1.2. Explosives that have a projection hazard but
not a mass explosion hazard.
Division 1.3. Explosives that have a fire hazard and either
a minor blast hazard or a minor projection hazard or both,
but not a mass explosion hazard.
Division 1.4. Explosives that pose a minor explosion
hazard. The explosive effects are largely confined to the
package and no projection of fragments of appreciable size
or range is to be expected. An external fire must not cause
virtually instantaneous explosion of almost the entire
contents of the package.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
[BF] EXTERIOR INSULATION AND FINISH
SYSTEMS (EIFS). EIFS are nonstructural, nonload-bearing, exterior wall cladding systems that consist of an
insulation board attached either adhesively or mechanically,
or both, to the substrate; an integrally reinforced base coat
and a textured protective finish coat.
[BF] EXTERIOR INSULATION AND FINISH
SYSTEMS (EIFS) WITH DRAINAGE. An EIFS that
incorporates a means of drainage applied over a water-resistive barrier.
[BF] EXTERIOR SURFACES. Weather-exposed surfaces.
[BF] EXTERIOR WALL COVERING. A material or
assembly of materials applied on the exterior side of exterior
walls for the purpose of providing a weather-resisting barrier,
insulation or for aesthetics, including but not limited to,
veneers, siding, exterior insulation and finish systems, architectural trim and embellishments such as cornices, soffits,
facias, gutters and leaders.
[BF] EXTERIOR WALL ENVELOPE. A system or
assembly of exterior wall components, including exterior
wall covering materials, that provides protection of the building structural members, including framing and sheathing
materials, and conditioned interior space, from the detrimental effects of the exterior environment.
[BF] F RATING. The time period that the through-penetration firestop system or perimeter fire containment system
limits the spread of fire through the penetration or void.
[BF] FABRIC PARTITION. A partition consisting of a
finished surface made of fabric, without a continuous rigid
backing, that is directly attached to a framing system in which
the vertical framing members are spaced greater than 4 feet
(1219 mm) on center.
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2-11
DEFINITIONS
[BS] FABRICATED ITEM. Structural, load-bearing or
lateral load-resisting members or assemblies consisting of
materials assembled prior to installation in a building or
structure, or subjected to operations such as heat treatment,
thermal cutting, cold working or reforming after manufacture
and prior to installation in a building or structure. Materials
produced in accordance with standards referenced by this
code, such as rolled structural steel shapes, steel reinforcing
bars, masonry units and wood structural panels, or in accordance with a referenced standard that provides requirements
for quality control done under the supervision of a third-party
quality control agency, are not “fabricated items.”
[F] FABRICATION AREA. An area within a semiconductor fabrication facility and related research and development
areas in which there are processes using hazardous production materials. Such areas are allowed to include ancillary
rooms or areas such as dressing rooms and offices that are
directly related to the fabrication area processes.
[A] FACILITY. All or any portion of buildings, structures,
site improvements, elements and pedestrian or vehicular
routes located on a site.
[BS] FACTORED LOAD. The product of a nominal load
and a load factor.
[BS] FENESTRATION. Products classified as either vertical fenestration or skylights and sloped glazing, installed in
such a manner as to preserve the weather-resistant barrier of
the wall or roof in which they are installed. Fenestration
includes products with glass or other transparent or translucent materials.
[BS] FENESTRATION, VERTICAL. Windows that are
fixed or movable, opaque doors, glazed doors, glazed block
and combination opaque and glazed doors installed in a wall
at less than 15 degrees from the vertical.
[BS] FIBERBOARD. A fibrous, homogeneous panel made
from lignocellulosic fibers (usually wood or cane) and having
a density of less than 31 pounds per cubic foot (pcf) (497
kg/m3) but more than 10 pcf (160 kg/m3).
[BS] FIBER-CEMENT (BACKER BOARD, SIDING,
SOFFIT, TRIM AND UNDERLAYMENT) PRODUCTS.
Manufactured thin section composites of hydraulic cementitious matrices and discrete nonasbestos fibers.
[BF] FIBER-REINFORCED POLYMER. A polymeric
composite material consisting of reinforcement fibers, such
as glass, impregnated with a fiber-binding polymer which is
then molded and hardened. Fiber-reinforced polymers are
permitted to contain cores laminated between fiber-reinforced polymer facings.
FIELD NAILING. See “Nailing, field.”
FIRE ALARM BOX, MANUAL. See “Manual fire alarm
box.”
[F] FIRE ALARM CONTROL UNIT. A system component that receives inputs from automatic and manual fire
alarm devices and may be capable of supplying power to
detection devices and transponders or off-premises transmit-
2-12
ters. The control unit may be capable of providing a transfer
of power to the notification appliances and transfer of condition to relays or devices.
[F] FIRE ALARM SIGNAL. A signal initiated by a fire
alarm-initiating device such as a manual fire alarm box,
automatic fire detector, waterflow switch or other device
whose activation is indicative of the presence of a fire or fire
signature.
[F] FIRE ALARM SYSTEM. A system or portion of a
combination system consisting of components and circuits
arranged to monitor and annunciate the status of fire alarm or
supervisory signal-initiating devices and to initiate the appropriate response to those signals.
[BF] FIRE AREA. The aggregate floor area enclosed and
bounded by fire walls, fire barriers, exterior walls or horizontal assemblies of a building. Areas of the building not
provided with surrounding walls shall be included in the fire
area if such areas are included within the horizontal projection of the roof or floor next above.
[BF] FIRE BARRIER. A fire-resistance-rated wall assembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in which
continuity is maintained.
[F] FIRE COMMAND CENTER. The principal attended or
unattended location where the status of detection, alarm
communications and control systems is displayed, and from
which the systems can be manually controlled.
[BF] FIRE DAMPER. A listed device installed in ducts and
air transfer openings designed to close automatically upon
detection of heat and resist the passage of flame. Fire dampers
are classified for use in either static systems that will automatically shut down in the event of a fire, or in dynamic
systems that continue to operate during a fire. A dynamic fire
damper is tested and rated for closure under elevated
temperature airflow.
[F] FIRE DETECTOR, AUTOMATIC. A device designed
to detect the presence of a fire signature and to initiate action.
[BF] FIRE DOOR. The door component of a fire door
assembly.
[BF] FIRE DOOR ASSEMBLY. Any combination of a fire
door, frame, hardware and other accessories that together
provide a specific degree of fire protection to the opening.
FIRE DOOR ASSEMBLY, FLOOR. See “Floor fire door
assembly.”
[BF] FIRE EXIT HARDWARE. Panic hardware that is
listed for use on fire door assemblies.
[F] FIRE LANE. A road or other passageway developed to
allow the passage of fire apparatus. A fire lane is not necessarily intended for vehicular traffic other than fire apparatus.
[BF] FIRE PARTITION. A vertical assembly of materials
designed to restrict the spread of fire in which openings are
protected.
[BF] FIRE PROTECTION RATING. The period of time
that an opening protective will maintain the ability to confine
a fire as determined by tests specified in Section 716. Ratings
are stated in hours or minutes.
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
DEFINITIONS
[F] FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM. Approved devices,
equipment and systems or combinations of systems used to
detect a fire, activate an alarm, extinguish or control a fire,
control or manage smoke and products of a fire or any combination thereof.
[BS] FIRE-RETARDANT-TREATED WOOD. Wood
products that, when impregnated with chemicals by a pressure process or other means during manufacture, exhibit
reduced surface-building characteristics and resist propagation of fire.
[BF] FIRE PROTECTIVE CURTAIN ASSEMBLY. An
assembly consisting of a fabric curtain, a bottom bar, guides,
a coil, and an operating and closing system.
FIRESTOP,
MEMBRANE-PENETRATION.
“Membrane-penetration firestop.”
[BF] FIRE RESISTANCE. That property of materials or
their assemblies that prevents or retards the passage of excessive heat, hot gases or flames under conditions of use.
FIRESTOP SYSTEM, THROUGH-PENETRATION.
See “Through-penetration firestop system.”
[F] FIRE SAFETY FUNCTIONS. Building and fire control
functions that are intended to increase the level of life safety
for occupants or to control the spread of harmful effects of
fire.
[BF] FIRE SEPARATION DISTANCE. The distance
measured from the building face to one of the following:
1.
2.
3.
The closest interior lot line.
To the centerline of a street, an alley or public way.
To an imaginary line between two buildings on the
lot.
The distance shall be measured at right angles from the
face of the wall.
[BF] 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.
[BF] FIRE WINDOW ASSEMBLY. A window
constructed and glazed to give protection against the passage
of fire.
[BF] FIREBLOCKING. Building materials, or materials
approved for use as fireblocking, installed to resist the free
passage of flame to other areas of the building through
concealed spaces.
[M] FIREPLACE. A hearth and fire chamber or similar
prepared place in which a fire may be made and which is built
in conjunction with a chimney.
[BS] FIREPLACE THROAT. The opening between the top
of the firebox and the smoke chamber.
[BF] FIRE-RATED GLAZING. Glazing with either a fire
protection rating or a fire-resistance rating.
[BF] 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.
[BF] FIRE-RESISTANT JOINT SYSTEM. An assemblage of specific materials or products that are designed,
tested and fire-resistance rated in accordance with either
ASTM E1966 or UL 2079 to resist for a prescribed period of
time the passage of fire through joints made in or between
fire-resistance-rated assemblies.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
See
FIRESTOP, PENETRATION. See “Penetration firestop.”
[F] FIREWORKS. Any composition or device for the
purpose of producing a visible or audible effect for entertainment purposes by combustion, deflagration or detonation
that meets the definition of 1.4G fireworks or 1.3G fireworks.
Fireworks, 1.3G. Large fireworks devices, which are
explosive materials, intended for use in fireworks displays
and designed to produce audible or visible effects by
combustion, deflagration or detonation. Such 1.3G fireworks include, but are not limited to, firecrackers
containing more than 130 milligrams (2 grains) of explosive composition, aerial shells containing more than 40
grams of pyrotechnic composition, and other display
pieces which exceed the limits for classification as 1.4G
fireworks. Such 1.3G fireworks are also described as fireworks, UN0335 by the DOTn.
Fireworks, 1.4G. Small fireworks devices containing
restricted amounts of pyrotechnic composition designed
primarily to produce visible or audible effects by combustion or deflagration that complies with the construction,
chemical composition and labeling regulations of the
DOTn for fireworks, UN0336, and the US Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as set forth in CPSC
16 CFR: Parts 1500 and 1507.
[BG] FIXED BASE OPERATOR (FBO). A commercial
business granted the right by the airport sponsor to operate on
an airport and provide aeronautical services, such as fueling,
hangaring, tie-down and parking, aircraft rental, aircraft
maintenance and flight instruction.
[BE] FIXED SEATING. Furniture or fixture designed and
installed for the use of sitting and secured in place including
bench-type seats and seats with or without backs or armrests.
[BF] FLAME SPREAD. The propagation of flame over a
surface.
[BF] FLAME SPREAD INDEX. A comparative measure,
expressed as a dimensionless number, derived from visual
measurements of the spread of flame versus time for a material tested in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723.
[F] FLAMMABLE GAS. A material that is a gas at 68°F
(20°C) or less at 14.7 pounds per square inch atmosphere
(psia) (101 kPa) of pressure [a material that has a boiling
point of 68°F (20°C) or less at 14.7 psia (101 kPa)], which
also meets one of the following:
1.
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Is ignitable at 14.7 psia (101 kPa) when in a mixture
of 13 percent or less by volume with air.
2-13
DEFINITIONS
2.
Has a flammable range at 14.7 psia (101 kPa) with
air of at least 12 percent, regardless of the lower
limit.
The limits specified shall be determined at 14.7 psi (101
kPa) of pressure and a temperature of 68°F (20°C) in accordance with ASTM E681.
[F] FLAMMABLE LIQUEFIED GAS. A liquefied
compressed gas which, under a charged pressure, is partially
liquid at a temperature of 68°F (20°C) and which is
flammable.
[F] FLAMMABLE LIQUID. A liquid having a closed cup
flash point below 100°F (38°C). Flammable liquids are
further categorized into a group known as Class I liquids. The
Class I category is subdivided as follows:
Class IA. Liquids having a flash point below 73°F (23°C)
and a boiling point below 100°F (38°C).
Class IB. Liquids having a flash point below 73°F (23°C)
and a boiling point at or above 100°F (38°C).
Class IC. Liquids having a flash point at or above 73°F
(23°C) and below 100°F (38°C). The category of flammable liquids does not include compressed gases or
cryogenic fluids, or liquids that do not have a fire point
when tested in accordance with ASTM D92.
[F] FLAMMABLE MATERIAL. A material capable of
being readily ignited from common sources of heat or at a
temperature of 600°F (316°C) or less.
[F] FLAMMABLE SOLID. A solid, other than a blasting
agent or explosive, that is capable of causing fire through friction, absorption or moisture, spontaneous chemical change,
or retained heat from manufacturing or processing, or which
has an ignition temperature below 212°F (100°C) or which
burns so vigorously and persistently when ignited as to create
a serious hazard. A chemical shall be considered a flammable
solid as determined in accordance with the test method of
CPSC 16 CFR; Part 1500.44, if it ignites and burns with a
self-sustained flame at a rate greater than 0.1 inch (2.5 mm)
per second along its major axis.
[F] FLAMMABLE VAPORS OR FUMES. The concentration of flammable constituents in air that exceeds 25 percent
of their lower flammable limit (LFL).
[F] FLASH POINT. The minimum temperature in degrees
Fahrenheit at which a liquid will give off sufficient vapors to
form an ignitable mixture with air near the surface or in the
container, but will not sustain combustion. The flash point of
a liquid shall be determined by appropriate test procedure and
apparatus as specified in ASTM D56, ASTM D93 or ASTM
D3278.
[BE] FLIGHT. A continuous run of rectangular treads,
winders or combination thereof from one landing to another.
FLOOD, DESIGN. See “Design flood.”
[BS] FLOOD DAMAGE-RESISTANT MATERIALS.
Any construction material capable of withstanding direct and
prolonged contact with floodwaters without sustaining any
damage that requires more than cosmetic repair.
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FLOOD ELEVATION, DESIGN. See “Design flood
elevation.”
[BS] FLOOD HAZARD AREA. The greater of the following two areas:
1.
2.
The area within a flood plain subject to a 1-percent or
greater chance of flooding in any year.
The area designated as a flood hazard area on a
community’s flood hazard map, or otherwise legally
designated.
FLOOD HAZARD AREAS, SPECIAL. See “Special flood
hazard area.”
[BS] FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM). An
official map of a community on which the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has delineated both the
special flood hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.
[BS] FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY. The official report
provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
containing the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), the Flood
Boundary and Floodway Map (FBFM), the water surface
elevation of the base flood and supporting technical data.
[BS] FLOOD or FLOODING. A general and temporary
condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry
land from:
1.
2.
The overflow of inland or tidal waters.
The unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of
surface waters from any source.
[BS] FLOODWAY. The channel of the river, creek or other
watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved
in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively
increasing the water surface elevation more than a designated
height.
[BE] FLOOR AREA, GROSS. The floor area within the
inside perimeter of the exterior walls of the building under
consideration, exclusive of vent shafts and courts, without
deduction for corridors, stairways, ramps, closets, the thickness of interior walls, columns or other features. The floor
area of a building, or portion thereof, not provided with
surrounding exterior walls shall be the usable area under the
horizontal projection of the roof or floor above. The gross
floor area shall not include shafts with no openings or interior
courts.
[BE] FLOOR AREA, NET. The actual occupied area not
including unoccupied accessory areas such as corridors,
stairways, ramps, toilet rooms, mechanical rooms and
closets.
[BF] FLOOR FIRE DOOR ASSEMBLY. A combination
of a fire door, a frame, hardware and other accessories
installed in a horizontal plane, which together provide a
specific degree of fire protection to a through-opening in a
fire-resistance-rated floor (see Section 712.1.13.1).
[BF] FOAM PLASTIC INSULATION. A plastic that is
intentionally expanded by the use of a foaming agent to
produce a reduced-density plastic containing voids consisting
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
DEFINITIONS
of open or closed cells distributed throughout the plastic for
thermal insulating or acoustical purposes and that has a
density less than 20 pounds per cubic foot (pcf) (320 kg/m3).
areas, bar tops, lobbies, dedicated rooms or spaces such as in
retail or restaurant establishments, sports books and tournament areas.
[F] FOAM-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM. A special
system discharging a foam made from concentrates, either
mechanically or chemically, over the area to be protected.
[BE] GAMING MACHINE TYPE. Categorization of
gaming machines per type of game played on them, including, but not limited to, slot machines, video poker and video
keno.
[BE] FOLDING AND TELESCOPIC SEATING. Tiered
seating having an overall shape and size that is capable of
being reduced for purposes of moving or storing and is not a
building element.
[BG] FOOD COURT. A public seating area located in the
mall that serves adjacent food preparation tenant spaces.
[BG] FOSTER CARE FACILITIES. Facilities that
provide care to more than five children, 21/2 years of age or
less.
[BS] FOUNDATION PIER. This definition applies only to
Chapter 21.
An isolated vertical foundation member whose horizontal
dimension measured at right angles to its thickness does not
exceed three times its thickness and whose height is equal to
or less than four times its thickness.
[BS] FRAME STRUCTURE. A building or other structure
in which vertical loads from floors and roofs are primarily
supported by columns.
[F] FUEL CELL POWER SYSTEM, STATIONARY. A
stationary energy-generation system that converts the chemical energy of a fuel and oxidant to electric energy (DC or AC
electricity) by an electrochemical process.
[BE] GAMING TABLE TYPE. Categorization of gaming
tables per the type of game played on them, including, but not
limited to, baccarat, bingo, blackjack/21, craps, pai gow,
poker, roulette.
[F] GAS CABINET. A fully enclosed, ventilated noncombustible enclosure used to provide an isolated environment
for compressed gas cylinders in storage or use. Doors and
access ports for exchanging cylinders and accessing pressureregulating controls are allowed to be included.
[F] GAS DETECTION SYSTEM. A system or portion of a
combination system that utilizes one or more stationary
sensors to detect the presence of a specified gas at a specified
concentration and initiate one or more responses required by
this code, such as notifying a responsible person, activating
an alarm signal, or activating or deactivating equipment. A
self-contained gas detection and alarm device is not classified
as a gas detection system.
[F] GAS ROOM. A separately ventilated, fully enclosed
room in which only compressed gases and associated equipment and supplies are stored or used.
Preengineered fuel cell power system. A stationary fuel
cell power system consisting of components and modules
that are produced in a factory and shipped to the job site
for assembly.
[F] GASEOUS HYDROGEN SYSTEM. An assembly of
piping, devices and apparatus designed to generate, store,
contain, distribute or transport a nontoxic, gaseous hydrogencontaining mixture having not less than 95-percent hydrogen
gas by volume and not more than 1-percent oxygen by
volume. Gaseous hydrogen systems consist of items such as
compressed gas containers, reactors and appurtenances,
including pressure regulators, pressure relief devices, manifolds, pumps, compressors and interconnecting piping and
tubing and controls.
Prepackaged fuel cell power system. A stationary fuel
cell power system that is factory assembled as a single,
complete unit and shipped as a complete unit for installation at the job site.
[BF] GLASS FIBERBOARD. Fibrous glass roof insulation
consisting of inorganic glass fibers formed into rigid boards
using a binder. The board has a top surface faced with asphalt
and kraft reinforced with glass fiber.
[BS] GABLE. The triangular portion of a wall beneath the
end of a dual-slope, pitched, or mono-slope roof or portion
thereof and above the top plates of the story or level of the
ceiling below.
[BS] GLASS MAT GYPSUM PANEL. A gypsum panel
consisting of a noncombustible core primarily of gypsum,
surfaced with glass mat partially or completely embedded in
the core.
[BE] GAMING. To deal, operate, carry on, conduct, maintain or expose for play any game played with cards, dice,
equipment or any mechanical, electromechanical or electronic device or machine for money, property, checks, credit
or any representative of value except where occurring at
private home or operated by a charitable or educational
organization.
[BS] GRADE (LUMBER). The classification of lumber in
regard to strength and utility in accordance with American
Softwood Lumber Standard DOC PS 20 and the grading rules
of an approved lumber rules-writing agency.
Field-fabricated fuel cell power system. A stationary
fuel cell power system that is assembled at the job site and
is not a preengineered or prepackaged factory-assembled
fuel cell power system.
[BE] GAMING AREA. Single or multiple areas of a building or facility where gaming machines or tables are present
and gaming occurs, including but not limited to, primary
casino gaming areas, VIP gaming areas, high-roller gaming
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
[BE] GRADE FLOOR EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND
RESCUE OPENING. An emergency escape and rescue
opening located such that the bottom of the clear opening is
not more than 44 inches (1118 mm) above or below the
finished ground level adjacent to the opening.
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DEFINITIONS
[BG] GRADE PLANE. A reference plane representing the
average of finished ground level adjoining the building at
exterior walls. Where the finished ground level slopes away
from the exterior walls, the reference plane shall be established by the lowest points within the area between the
building and the lot line or, where the lot line is more than 6
feet (1829 mm) from the building, between the building and
a point 6 feet (1829 mm) from the building.
[BG] HABITABLE SPACE. A space in a building for
living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Bathrooms, toilet rooms,
closets, halls, storage or utility spaces and similar areas are
not considered habitable spaces.
GRADE PLANE, STORY ABOVE. See “Story above
grade plane.”
[F] HANDLING. The deliberate transport by any means to a
point of storage or use.
[BE] GRANDSTAND. Tiered seating supported on a dedicated structural system and two or more rows high and is not
a building element (see “Bleachers”).
[BE] HANDRAIL. A horizontal or sloping rail intended for
grasping by the hand for guidance or support.
[BG] GREENHOUSE. A structure or thermally isolated
area of a building that maintains a specialized sunlit environment used for and essential to the cultivation, protection or
maintenance of plants.
[BG] GROSS LEASABLE AREA. The total floor area
designed for tenant occupancy and exclusive use. The area of
tenant occupancy is measured from the centerlines of joint
partitions to the outside of the tenant walls. All tenant areas,
including areas used for storage, shall be included in calculating gross leasable area.
[BG] GROUP HOME. A facility for social rehabilitation,
substance abuse or mental health problems that contains a
group housing arrangement that provides custodial care but
does not provide medical care.
[BE] GUARD. A building component or a system of building components located at or near the open sides of elevated
walking surfaces that minimizes the possibility of a fall from
the walking surface to a lower level.
[BG] GUESTROOM. A room used or intended to be used
by one or more guests for living or sleeping purposes.
[BS] GYPSUM BOARD. The generic name for a family of
sheet products consisting of a noncombustible core primarily
of gypsum with paper surfacing.
[BS] GYPSUM PANEL PRODUCT. The general name for
a family of sheet products consisting essentially of gypsum
complying with the standards specified in Table 2506.2 and
Table 2507.2, and Chapter 35. Gypsum board and glass mat
gypsum panels are examples of gypsum panel products.
[BS] GYPSUM PLASTER. A mixture of calcined gypsum
or calcined gypsum and lime and aggregate and other
approved materials as specified in this code.
[BS] GYPSUM SHEATHING. Gypsum panel products
specifically manufactured with enhanced water resistance for
use as a substrate for exterior surface materials.
[BS] GYPSUM VENEER PLASTER. Gypsum plaster
applied to an approved base in one or more coats normally
not exceeding 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) in total thickness.
[BS] GYPSUM WALLBOARD. A gypsum board used
primarily as an interior surfacing for building structures.
[F] HALOGENATED EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM. A
fire-extinguishing system using one or more atoms of an
element from the halogen chemical series: fluorine, chlorine,
bromine and iodine.
[BS] HARDBOARD. A fibrous-felted, homogeneous panel
made from lignocellulosic fibers consolidated under heat and
pressure in a hot press to a density not less than 31 pcf (497
kg/m3).
HARDWARE. See “Fire exit hardware” and “Panic
hardware.”
[F] HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. Those chemicals or
substances that are physical hazards or health hazards as
classified in Section 307 and the International Fire Code,
whether the materials are in usable or waste condition.
[F] HAZARDOUS PRODUCTION MATERIAL (HPM).
A solid, liquid or gas associated with semiconductor manufacturing that has a degree-of-hazard rating in health,
flammability or instability of Class 3 or 4 as ranked by NFPA
704 and which is used directly in research, laboratory or
production processes which have as their end product materials that are not hazardous.
[BS] HEAD JOINT. Vertical mortar joint placed between
masonry units within the wythe at the time the masonry units
are laid.
[F] HEALTH HAZARD. A classification of a chemical for
which there is statistically significant evidence that acute or
chronic health effects are capable of occurring in exposed
persons. The term “health hazard” includes chemicals that are
toxic or highly toxic, and corrosive.
HEAT DETECTOR. See “Detector, heat.”
[BG] HEIGHT, BUILDING. The vertical distance from
grade plane to the average height of the highest roof surface.
[BS] HELICAL PILE. Manufactured steel deep foundation
element consisting of a central shaft and one or more helical
bearing plates. A helical pile is installed by rotating it into the
ground. Each helical bearing plate is formed into a screw
thread with a uniform defined pitch.
[F] HELIPAD. A structural surface that is used for the landing, taking off, taxiing and parking of helicopters.
[F] HELIPORT. An area of land or water or a structural
surface that is used, or intended for use, for the landing and
taking off of helicopters, and any appurtenant areas that are
used, or intended for use, for heliport buildings or other heliport facilities.
[F] HELISTOP. The same as “heliport,” except that no fueling, defueling, maintenance, repairs or storage of helicopters
is permitted.
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
DEFINITIONS
[F] HIGHER EDUCATION LABORATORY. Laboratories in Group B occupancies used for educational purposes
above the 12th grade. Storage, use and handling of chemicals
in such laboratories shall be limited to purposes related to
testing, analysis, teaching, research or developmental activities on a nonproduction basis.
[F] HIGHLY TOXIC. A material which produces a lethal
dose or lethal concentration that falls within any of the
following categories:
1.
2.
3.
A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LD50) of 50
milligrams or less per kilogram of body weight when
administered orally to albino rats weighing between
200 and 300 grams each.
A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LD50) of
200 milligrams or less per kilogram of body weight
when administered by continuous contact for 24
hours (or less if death occurs within 24 hours) with
the bare skin of albino rabbits weighing between 2
and 3 kilograms each.
A chemical that has a median lethal concentration
(LC50) in air of 200 parts per million by volume or
less of gas or vapor, or 2 milligrams per liter or less
of mist, fume or dust, when administered by continuous inhalation for 1 hour (or less if death occurs
within 1 hour) to albino rats weighing between 200
and 300 grams each.
Mixtures of these materials with ordinary materials, such
as water, might not warrant classification as highly toxic.
While this system is basically simple in application, any
hazard evaluation that is required for the precise categorization of this type of material shall be performed by
experienced, technically competent persons.
[BF] HIGH-PRESSURE DECORATIVE EXTERIORGRADE COMPACT LAMINATE (HPL). Panels consisting of layers of cellulose fibrous material impregnated with
thermosetting resins and bonded together by a high-pressure
process to form a homogeneous nonporous core suitable for
exterior use.
[BF] HIGH-PRESSURE DECORATIVE EXTERIORGRADE COMPACT LAMINATE (HPL) SYSTEM. An
exterior wall covering fabricated using HPL in a specific
assembly including joints, seams, attachments, substrate,
framing and other details as appropriate to a particular design.
[BG] HIGH-RISE BUILDING. A building with an occupied floor located more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the
lowest level of fire department vehicle access.
[A] HISTORIC BUILDINGS. Any building or structure
that is one or more of the following:
1.
2.
Listed or certified as eligible for listing by the State
Historic Preservation Officer or the Keeper of the
National Register of Historic Places, in the National
Register of Historic Places.
Designated as historic under an applicable state or
local law.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
3.
Certified as a contributing resource within a National
Register, state designated or locally designated
historic district.
[BF] HORIZONTAL ASSEMBLY. A fire-resistance-rated
floor or roof assembly of materials designed to restrict the
spread of fire in which continuity is maintained.
[BE] HORIZONTAL EXIT. An exit component consisting
of fire-resistance-rated construction and opening protectives
intended to compartmentalize portions of a building thereby
creating refuge areas that afford safety from the fire and
smoke from the area of fire origin.
[BG] HOSPITALS AND PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS.
Facilities that provide care or treatment for the medical,
psychiatric, obstetrical, or surgical treatment of care recipients who are incapable of self-preservation.
[BG] HOUSING UNIT. A dormitory or a group of cells with
a common dayroom in Group I-3.
HPM. See “Hazardous Production Material.”
[F] HPM ROOM. A room used in conjunction with or serving a Group H-5 occupancy, where HPM is stored or used and
which is classified as a Group H-2, H-3 or H-4 occupancy.
[BS] HURRICANE-PRONE REGIONS. Areas vulnerable
to hurricanes defined as:
1.
2.
The US Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico coasts
where the basic design wind speed, V, for Risk Category II buildings is greater than 115 mph (51.4 m/s);
Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands and
American Samoa.
[F] HYDROGEN FUEL GAS ROOM. A room or space
that is intended exclusively to house a gaseous hydrogen
system.
[BS] ICE-SENSITIVE STRUCTURE. A structure for
which the effect of an atmospheric ice load governs the
design of a structure or portion thereof. This includes, but is
not limited to, lattice structures, guyed masts, overhead lines,
light suspension and cable-stayed bridges, aerial cable
systems (e.g., for ski lifts or logging operations), amusement
rides, open catwalks and platforms, flagpoles and signs.
[F] IMMEDIATELY DANGEROUS TO LIFE AND
HEALTH (IDLH). The concentration of airborne contaminants which poses a threat of death, immediate or delayed
permanent adverse health effects, or effects that could
prevent escape from such an environment. This contaminant
concentration level is established by the National Institute of
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) based on both
toxicity and flammability. It generally is expressed in parts
per million by volume (ppmv/v) or milligrams per cubic
meter (mg/m3). If adequate data do not exist for precise establishment of IDLH concentrations, an independent certified
industrial hygienist, industrial toxicologist, appropriate regulatory agency or other source approved by the building
official shall make such determination.
[BS] IMPACT LOAD. The load resulting from moving
machinery, elevators, craneways, vehicles and other similar
forces and kinetic loads, pressure and possible surcharge
from fixed or moving loads.
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2-17
DEFINITIONS
[BS] IMPACT PROTECTIVE SYSTEM. Construction
that has been shown by testing to withstand the impact of test
missiles and that is applied, attached or locked over exterior
glazing.
[BG] INCAPABLE OF SELF-PRESERVATION. Persons
who, because of age, physical limitations, mental limitations,
chemical dependency or medical treatment, cannot respond
as an individual to an emergency situation.
[F] INCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS. Materials that, when
mixed, have the potential to react in a manner that generates
heat, fumes, gases or byproducts which are hazardous to life
or property.
[BS] INDIVIDUAL TRUSS MEMBER. A truss chord or
truss web.
[F] INERT GAS. A gas that is capable of reacting with other
materials only under abnormal conditions such as high
temperatures, pressures and similar extrinsic physical forces.
Within the context of the code, inert gases do not exhibit
either physical or health hazard properties as defined (other
than acting as a simple asphyxiant) or hazard properties other
than those of a compressed gas. Some of the more common
inert gases include argon, helium, krypton, neon, nitrogen
and xenon.
[F] INITIATING DEVICE. A system component that originates transmission of a change-of-state condition, such as in
a smoke detector, manual fire alarm box or supervisory
switch.
[BF] INSULATING SHEATHING. A rigid panel or board
insulation material having a thermal resistance of not less
than R-2 of the core material with properties suitable for use
on walls, floors, roofs or foundations.
[BE] INTENDED TO BE OCCUPIED AS A RESIDENCE. This refers to a dwelling unit or sleeping unit that
can or will be used all or part of the time as the occupant’s
place of abode.
[BE] INTERIOR EXIT RAMP. An exit component that
serves to meet one or more means of egress design requirements, such as required number of exits or exit access travel
distance, and provides for a protected path of egress travel to
the exit discharge or public way.
[BE] INTERIOR EXIT STAIRWAY. An exit component
that serves to meet one or more means of egress design
requirements, such as required number of exits or exit access
travel distance, and provides for a protected path of egress
travel to the exit discharge or public way.
[BF] INTERIOR FINISH. Interior finish includes interior
wall and ceiling finish and interior floor finish.
[BF] INTERIOR FLOOR FINISH. The exposed floor
surfaces of buildings including coverings applied over a
finished floor or stair, including risers.
[BF] INTERIOR FLOOR-WALL BASE. Interior floor
finish trim used to provide a functional or decorative border
at the intersection of walls and floors.
[BF] INTERIOR SURFACES. Surfaces other than weather
exposed surfaces.
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[BF] INTERIOR WALL AND CEILING FINISH. The
exposed interior surfaces of buildings, including but not
limited to: fixed or movable walls and partitions; toilet room
privacy partitions; columns; ceilings; and interior wainscoting, paneling or other finish applied structurally or for
decoration, acoustical correction, surface insulation, structural fire resistance or similar purposes, but not including
trim.
[BS] INTERLAYMENT. A layer of felt or nonbituminous
saturated felt not less than 18 inches (457 mm) wide, shingled
between each course of a wood-shake roof covering.
[BS] INTERMODAL SHIPPING CONTAINER. A sixsided steel unit originally constructed as a general cargo
container used for the transport of goods and materials.
[BF] INTUMESCENT FIRE-RESISTANT COATINGS.
Thin film liquid mixture applied to substrates by brush, roller,
spray or trowel which expands into a protective foamed layer
to provide fire-resistant protection of the substrates when
exposed to flame or intense heat.
[BS] JOINT. The opening in or between adjacent assemblies
that is created due to building tolerances, or is designed to
allow independent movement of the building in any plane
caused by thermal, seismic, wind or any other loading.
[A] JURISDICTION. The governmental unit that has
adopted this code.
[BF] L RATING. The air leakage rating of a through penetration firestop system or a fire-resistant joint system when
tested in accordance with UL 1479 or UL 2079, respectively.
[A] LABEL. An identification applied on a product by the
manufacturer that contains the name of the manufacturer, the
function and performance characteristics of the product or
material and the name and identification of an approved
agency, and that indicates that the representative sample of
the product or material has been tested and evaluated by an
approved agency (see Section 1703.5, “Manufacturer’s
designation” and “Mark”).
[A] LABELED. Equipment, materials or products to which
has been affixed a label, seal, symbol or other identifying
mark of a nationally recognized testing laboratory, approved
agency or other organization concerned with product evaluation that maintains periodic inspection of the production of
the above-labeled items and whose labeling indicates either
that the equipment, material or product meets identified standards or has been tested and found suitable for a specified
purpose.
[F] LABORATORY SUITE. A fire-rated, enclosed laboratory area providing one or more laboratory spaces within a
Group B educational occupancy that includes ancillary uses
such as offices, bathrooms and corridors that are contiguous
with the laboratory area, and are constructed in accordance
with Section 428.
LEVEL OF EXIT DISCHARGE. See “Exit discharge,
level of.”
[F] LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS. Systems, devices and
equipment that enhance or facilitate evacuation, smoke
control, compartmentation and isolation.
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
DEFINITIONS
[BS] LIGHT-FRAME CONSTRUCTION. Construction
whose vertical and horizontal structural elements are primarily formed by a system of repetitive wood or cold-formed
steel framing members.
[BF] LIGHT-TRANSMITTING PLASTIC ROOF
PANELS. Structural plastic panels other than skylights that
are fastened to structural members, or panels or sheathing and
that are used as light-transmitting media in the plane of the
roof.
[BF] LIGHT-TRANSMITTING PLASTIC WALL
PANELS. Plastic materials that are fastened to structural
members, or to structural panels or sheathing, and that are
used as light-transmitting media in exterior walls.
[BS] LIMIT OF MODERATE WAVE ACTION. Line
shown on FIRMs to indicate the inland limit of the 11/2-foot
(457 mm) breaking wave height during the base flood.
[BS] LIMIT STATE. A condition beyond which a structure
or member becomes unfit for service and is judged to be no
longer useful for its intended function (serviceability limit
state) or to be unsafe (strength limit state).
[F] LIQUID. A material that has a melting point that is equal
to or less than 68°F (20°C) and a boiling point that is greater
than 68°F (20°C) at 14.7 pounds per square inch absolute
(psia) (101 kPa). When not otherwise identified, the term
“liquid” includes both flammable and combustible liquids.
[F] LIQUID STORAGE ROOM. A room classified as a
Group H-3 occupancy used for the storage of flammable or
combustible liquids in a closed condition.
[F] LIQUID USE, DISPENSING AND MIXING ROOM.
A room in which Class I, II and IIIA flammable or combustible liquids are used, dispensed or mixed in open containers.
[A] LISTED. Equipment, materials, products or services
included in a list published by an organization acceptable to
the building official and concerned with evaluation of products or services that maintains periodic inspection of
production of listed equipment or materials or periodic evaluation of services and whose listing states either that the
equipment, material, product or service meets identified standards or has been tested and found suitable for a specified
purpose.
[BS] LIVE LOAD. A load produced by the use and occupancy of the building or other structure that does not include
construction or environmental loads such as wind load, snow
load, rain load, earthquake load, flood load or dead load.
[BS] LIVE LOAD, ROOF. A load on a roof produced:
1.
During maintenance by workers, equipment and
materials; or
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
2.
During the life of the structure by movable objects
such as planters or other similar small decorative
appurtenances that are not occupancy related.
[BG] LIVE/WORK UNIT. A dwelling unit or sleeping unit
in which a significant portion of the space includes a nonresidential use that is operated by the tenant.
[BS] LOAD AND RESISTANCE FACTOR DESIGN
(LRFD). A method of proportioning structural members and
their connections using load and resistance factors such that
no applicable limit state is reached when the structure is
subjected to appropriate load combinations. The term
“LRFD” is used in the design of steel and wood structures.
[BS] LOAD EFFECTS. Forces and deformations produced
in structural members by the applied loads.
[BS] LOAD FACTOR. A factor that accounts for deviations
of the actual load from the nominal load, for uncertainties in
the analysis that transforms the load into a load effect, and for
the probability that more than one extreme load will occur
simultaneously.
[BS] LOADS. Forces or other actions that result from the
weight of building materials, occupants and their possessions,
environmental effects, differential movement and restrained
dimensional changes. Permanent loads are those loads in
which variations over time are rare or of small magnitude,
such as dead loads. All other loads are variable loads (see
“Nominal loads”).
[BG] LODGING HOUSE. A one-family dwelling where
one or more occupants are primarily permanent in nature and
rent is paid for guest rooms.
[A] LOT. A portion or parcel of land considered as a unit.
[A] LOT LINE. A line dividing one lot from another, or from
a street or any public place.
[BE] LOW-ENERGY POWER-OPERATED DOOR. A
swinging, sliding or folding door that opens automatically
upon an action by a pedestrian such as pressing a push plate
or waving a hand in front of a sensor. The door closes automatically, and operates with decreased forces and decreased
speeds (see “Power-assisted door” and “Power-operated
door”).
[F] LOWER FLAMMABLE LIMIT (LFL). The minimum
concentration of vapor in air at which propagation of flame
will occur in the presence of an ignition source. The LFL is
sometimes referred to as “LEL” or “lower explosive limit.”
[BS] LOWEST FLOOR. The lowest floor of the lowest
enclosed area, including basement, but excluding any unfinished or flood-resistant enclosure, usable solely for vehicle
parking, building access or limited storage provided that such
enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation
of Section 1612.
[BS] MAIN WINDFORCE-RESISTING SYSTEM. An
assemblage of structural elements assigned to provide
support and stability for the overall structure. The system
generally receives wind loading from more than one surface
MALL BUILDING, COVERED and MALL BUILDING,
OPEN. See “Covered mall building.”
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[BF] LIGHT-DIFFUSING SYSTEM. Construction
consisting in whole or in part of lenses, panels, grids or
baffles made with light-transmitting plastics positioned
below independently mounted electrical light sources,
skylights or light-transmitting plastic roof panels. Lenses,
panels, grids and baffles that are part of an electrical fixture
shall not be considered as a light-diffusing system.
DEFINITIONS
[F] MANUAL FIRE ALARM BOX. A manually operated
device used to initiate an alarm signal.
[A] MANUFACTURER’S DESIGNATION. An identification applied on a product by the manufacturer indicating
that a product or material complies with a specified standard
or set of rules (see “Label” and “Mark”).
[A] MARK. An identification applied on a product by the
manufacturer indicating the name of the manufacturer and the
function of a product or material (see “Label” and “Manufacturer’s designation”).
[BE] MEANS OF EGRESS. A continuous and unobstructed
path of vertical and horizontal egress travel from any occupied portion of a building or structure to a public way. A
means of egress consists of three separate and distinct parts:
the exit access, the exit and the exit discharge.
[BF] MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT SCREEN. A rooftop
structure, not covered by a roof, used to aesthetically conceal
plumbing, electrical or mechanical equipment from view.
[BG] MARQUEE. A canopy that has a top surface which is
sloped less than 25 degrees from the horizontal and is located
less than 10 feet (3048 mm) from operable openings above or
adjacent to the level of the marquee.
[BG] MECHANICAL-ACCESS ENCLOSED PARKING
GARAGE. An enclosed parking garage that employs parking machines, lifts, elevators or other mechanical devices for
vehicle moving from and to street level and in which public
occupancy in the garage is prohibited in all areas except the
vehicle access bay.
[BS] MASONRY. A built-up construction or combination of
building units or materials of clay, shale, concrete, glass,
gypsum, stone or other approved units bonded together with
or without mortar or grout or other accepted methods of
joining.
[BG] MECHANICAL-ACCESS OPEN PARKING
GARAGES. Open parking garages employing parking
machines, lifts, elevators or other mechanical devices for
vehicles moving from and to street level and in which public
occupancy is prohibited above the street level.
Glass unit masonry. Masonry composed of glass units
bonded by mortar.
[BG] MEDICAL CARE. Care involving medical or surgical
procedures, nursing or for psychiatric purposes.
Plain masonry. Masonry in which the tensile resistance of
the masonry is taken into consideration and the effects of
stresses in reinforcement are neglected.
[BF] MEMBRANE PENETRATION. A breach in one side
of a floor-ceiling, roof-ceiling or wall assembly to accommodate an item installed into or passing through the breach.
Reinforced masonry. Masonry construction in which
reinforcement acting in conjunction with the masonry is
used to resist forces.
[BG] MEMBRANE-COVERED CABLE STRUCTURE.
A nonpressurized structure in which a mast and cable system
provides support and tension to the membrane weather
barrier and the membrane imparts stability to the structure.
Solid masonry. Masonry consisting of solid masonry
units laid contiguously with the joints between the units
filled with mortar.
Unreinforced (plain) masonry. Masonry in which the
tensile resistance of masonry is taken into consideration
and the resistance of the reinforcing steel, if present, is
neglected.
[BS] MASONRY UNIT. Brick, tile, stone, glass block or
concrete block conforming to the requirements specified in
Section 2103.
Hollow. A masonry unit whose net cross-sectional area in
any plane parallel to the load-bearing surface is less than
75 percent of its gross cross-sectional area measured in
the same plane.
Solid. A masonry unit whose net cross-sectional area in
every plane parallel to the load-bearing surface is 75
percent or more of its gross cross-sectional area measured
in the same plane.
[BG] MASS TIMBER. Structural elements of Type IV
construction primarily of solid, built-up, panelized or engineered wood products that meet minimum cross-section
dimensions of Type IV construction.
[BF] MASTIC FIRE-RESISTANT COATINGS. Liquid
mixture applied to a substrate by brush, roller, spray or trowel
that provides fire-resistant protection of a substrate when
exposed to flame or intense heat.
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[BG] MEMBRANE-COVERED FRAME STRUCTURE.
A nonpressurized building wherein the structure is composed
of a rigid framework to support a tensioned membrane which
provides the weather barrier.
[BF] MEMBRANE-PENETRATION FIRESTOP. A
material, device or construction installed to resist for a
prescribed time period the passage of flame and heat through
openings in a protective membrane in order to accommodate
cables, cable trays, conduit, tubing, pipes or similar items.
[BF]
MEMBRANE-PENETRATION
FIRESTOP
SYSTEM. An assemblage consisting of a fire-resistancerated floor-ceiling, roof-ceiling or wall assembly, one or
more penetrating items installed into or passing through the
breach in one side of the assembly and the materials or
devices, or both, installed to resist the spread of fire into the
assembly for a prescribed period of time.
[BE] MERCHANDISE PAD. A merchandise pad is an area
for display of merchandise surrounded by aisles, permanent
fixtures or walls. Merchandise pads contain elements such as
nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters and
partitions as indicated in Section 105.2 from which customers
browse or shop.
[BF] METAL COMPOSITE MATERIAL (MCM). A
factory-manufactured panel consisting of metal skins bonded
to both faces of a solid plastic core.
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DEFINITIONS
[BF] METAL COMPOSITE MATERIAL (MCM)
SYSTEM. An exterior wall covering fabricated using MCM
in a specific assembly including joints, seams, attachments,
substrate, framing and other details as appropriate to a particular design.
[BS] METAL ROOF PANEL. An interlocking metal sheet
having a minimum installed weather exposure of 3 square
feet (0.279 m2) per sheet.
[BE] MULTISTORY UNIT. A dwelling unit or sleeping
unit with habitable space located on more than one story.
[BF] NAILABLE SUBSTRATE. A product or material
such as framing, sheathing or furring, composed of wood,
wood-based materials or other materials providing equivalent
fastener withdrawal resistance.
[BS] NAILING, BOUNDARY. A special nailing pattern
required by design at the boundaries of diaphragms.
[BS] METAL ROOF SHINGLE. An interlocking metal
sheet having an installed weather exposure less than 3 square
feet (0.279 m2) per sheet.
[BS] NAILING, EDGE. A special nailing pattern required
by design at the edges of each panel within the assembly of a
diaphragm or shear wall.
[BG] MEZZANINE. An intermediate level or levels
between the floor and ceiling of any story and in accordance
with Section 505.
[BS] NAILING, FIELD. Nailing required between the
sheathing panels and framing members at locations other than
boundary nailing and edge nailing.
[BS] MICROPILE. A micropile is a bored, grouted-in-place
deep foundation element that develops its load-carrying
capacity by means of a bond zone in soil, bedrock or a combination of soil and bedrock.
[BS] NATURALLY DURABLE WOOD. The heartwood
of the following species except for the occasional piece with
corner sapwood, provided 90 percent or more of the width of
each side on which it occurs is heartwood.
[BF] MINERAL BOARD. A rigid felted thermal insulation
board consisting of either felted mineral fiber or cellular
beads of expanded aggregate formed into flat rectangular
units.
Decay resistant. Redwood, cedar, black locust and black
walnut.
[BF] MINERAL FIBER. Insulation composed principally
of fibers manufactured from rock, slag or glass, with or without binders.
[BF] MINERAL WOOL. Synthetic vitreous fiber insulation
made by melting predominately igneous rock or furnace slag,
and other inorganic materials, and then physically forming
the melt into fibers.
[BS] MODIFIED BITUMEN ROOF COVERING. One or
more layers of polymer-modified asphalt sheets. The sheet
materials shall be fully adhered or mechanically attached to
the substrate or held in place with an approved ballast layer.
[BS] MORTAR. A mixture consisting of cementitious materials, fine aggregates, water, with or without admixtures, that
is used to construct unit masonry assemblies.
[BS] MORTAR, SURFACE-BONDING. A mixture to
bond concrete masonry units that contains hydraulic cement,
glass fiber reinforcement with or without inorganic fillers or
organic modifiers and water.
[BE] MULTILEVEL ASSEMBLY SEATING. Seating
that is arranged in distinct levels where each level is
composed of either multiple rows, or a single row of box seats
accessed from a separate level.
[F] MULTIPLE-STATION ALARM DEVICE. Two or
more single-station alarm devices that can be interconnected
such that actuation of one causes all integral or separate audible alarms to operate. A multiple-station alarm device can
consist of one single-station alarm device having connections
to other detectors or to a manual fire alarm box.
[F] MULTIPLE-STATION SMOKE ALARM. Two or
more single-station alarm devices that are capable of interconnection such that actuation of one causes the appropriate
alarm signal to operate in all interconnected alarms.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
Termite resistant. Redwood, Alaska yellow cedar, Eastern red cedar and Western red cedar.
[BS] NOMINAL LOADS. The magnitudes of the loads
specified in Chapter 16 (dead, live, soil, wind, snow, rain,
flood and earthquake).
[BS] NOMINAL SIZE (LUMBER). The commercial size
designation of width and depth, in standard sawn lumber and
glued-laminated lumber grades; somewhat larger than the
standard net size of dressed lumber, in accordance with
DOCPS 20 for sawn lumber and with the ANSI/AWC NDS
for glued-laminated lumber.
[BG] NONCOMBUSTIBLE MEMBRANE STRUCTURE. A membrane structure in which the membrane and all
component parts of the structure are noncombustible.
[BF] NONCOMBUSTIBLE PROTECTION (FOR MASS
TIMBER). Noncombustible material, in accordance with
Section 703.6, designed to increase the fire-resistance rating
and delay the combustion of mass timber.
[BS] NONSTRUCTURAL CONCRETE. Any element
made of plain or reinforced concrete that is not part of a structural system required to transfer either gravity or lateral loads
to the ground.
[F] NORMAL TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE
(NTP). A temperature of 70°F (21°C) and a pressure of 1
atmosphere [14.7 psia (101 kPa)].
[BE] NOSING. The leading edge of treads of stairs and of
landings at the top of stairway flights.
NOTIFICATION ZONE. See “Zone, notification.”
[F] NUISANCE ALARM. An alarm caused by mechanical
failure, malfunction, improper installation or lack of proper
maintenance, or an alarm activated by a cause that cannot be
determined.
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DEFINITIONS
[BG] NURSING HOMES. Facilities that provide care,
including both intermediate care facilities and skilled nursing
facilities where any of the persons are incapable of selfpreservation.
Class II. Those formulations that burn very rapidly and
that pose a moderate reactivity hazard.
[BE] OCCUPANT LOAD. The number of persons for
which the means of egress of a building or portion thereof is
designed.
Class IV. Those formulations that burn in the same
manner as ordinary combustibles and that pose a minimal
reactivity hazard.
[BG] OCCUPIABLE SPACE. A room or enclosed space
designed for human occupancy in which individuals congregate for amusement, educational or similar purposes or in
which occupants are engaged at labor, and which is equipped
with means of egress and light and ventilation facilities meeting the requirements of this code.
Class V. Those formulations that burn with less intensity
than ordinary combustibles or do not sustain combustion
and that pose no reactivity hazard.
[BG] OPEN PARKING GARAGE. A structure or portion
of a structure with the openings as described in Section
406.5.2 on two or more sides that is used for the parking or
storage of private motor vehicles as described in Section
406.5.3.
[F] OPEN SYSTEM. The use of a solid or liquid hazardous
material involving a vessel or system that is continuously
open to the atmosphere during normal operations and where
vapors are liberated, or the product is exposed to the atmosphere during normal operations. Examples of open systems
for solids and liquids include dispensing from or into open
beakers or containers, dip tank and plating tank operations.
[BE] OPEN-AIR ASSEMBLY SEATING. Seating served
by means of egress that is not subject to smoke accumulation
within or under a structure and is open to the atmosphere.
[BE] OPEN-ENDED CORRIDOR. An interior corridor
that is open on each end and connects to an exterior stairway
or ramp at each end with no intervening doors or separation
from the corridor.
[BF] OPENING PROTECTIVE. A fire door assembly, fire
shutter assembly, fire window assembly or glass-block
assembly in a fire-resistance-rated wall or partition.
[F] OPERATING BUILDING. A building occupied in
conjunction with the manufacture, transportation or use of
explosive materials. Operating buildings are separated from
one another with the use of intraplant or intraline distances.
[BS] ORDINARY PRECAST STRUCTURAL WALL.
See Section 1905.1.1.
[BS] ORDINARY REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURAL WALL. See Section 1905.1.1.
[BS] ORDINARY STRUCTURAL PLAIN CONCRETE
WALL. See Section 1905.1.1.
[F] ORGANIC PEROXIDE. An organic compound that
contains the bivalent -O-O- structure and which may be
considered to be a structural derivative of hydrogen peroxide
where one or both of the hydrogen atoms have been replaced
by an organic radical. Organic peroxides can pose an explosion hazard (detonation or deflagration) or they can be shock
sensitive. They can also decompose into various unstable
compounds over an extended period of time.
Class I. Those formulations that are capable of deflagration but not detonation.
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Class III. Those formulations that burn rapidly and that
pose a moderate reactivity hazard.
Unclassified detonable. Organic peroxides that are capable of detonation. These peroxides pose an extremely high
explosion hazard through rapid explosive decomposition.
[BS] ORTHOGONAL. To be in two horizontal directions,
at 90 degrees (1.57 rad) to each other.
[BS] OTHER STRUCTURES. This definition applies only
to Chapters 16 through 23.
Structures, other than buildings, for which loads are specified in Chapter 16.
OUTPATIENT CLINIC. See “Clinic, outpatient.”
[A] OWNER. Any person, agent, operator, entity, firm or
corporation having any legal or equitable interest in the property; or recorded in the official records of the state, county or
municipality as holding an interest or title to the property; or
otherwise having possession or control of the property,
including the guardian of the estate of any such person, and
the executor or administrator of the estate of such person if
ordered to take possession of real property by a court.
[F] OXIDIZER. A material that readily yields oxygen or
other oxidizing gas, or that readily reacts to promote or initiate combustion of combustible materials and, if heated or
contaminated, can result in vigorous self-sustained
decomposition.
Class 4. An oxidizer that can undergo an explosive reaction due to contamination or exposure to thermal or
physical shock and that causes a severe increase in the
burning rate of combustible materials with which it comes
into contact. Additionally, the oxidizer causes a severe
increase in the burning rate and can cause spontaneous
ignition of combustibles.
Class 3. An oxidizer that causes a severe increase in the
burning rate of combustible materials with which it comes
in contact.
Class 2. An oxidizer that will cause a moderate increase in
the burning rate of combustible materials with which it
comes in contact.
Class 1. An oxidizer that does not moderately increase the
burning rate of combustible materials.
[F] OXIDIZING GAS. A gas that can support and accelerate
combustion of other materials more than air does.
[BS] PANEL (PART OF A STRUCTURE). The section of
a floor, wall or roof comprised between the supporting frame
of two adjacent rows of columns and girders or column bands
of floor or roof construction.
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DEFINITIONS
[BS] PARTICLEBOARD. A generic term for a panel
primarily composed of cellulosic materials (usually wood),
generally in the form of discrete pieces or particles, as distinguished from fibers. The cellulosic material is combined with
synthetic resin or other suitable bonding system by a process
in which the interparticle bond is created by the bonding
system under heat and pressure.
[BF] PENETRATION FIRESTOP. A through-penetration
firestop or a membrane-penetration firestop.
[BG] PENTHOUSE. An enclosed, unoccupied rooftop
structure used for sheltering mechanical and electrical equipment, tanks, elevators and related machinery, stairways, and
vertical shaft openings.
[BS] PERFORMANCE CATEGORY. A designation of
wood structural panels as related to the panel performance
used in Chapter 23.
[BF] PERIMETER FIRE CONTAINMENT SYSTEM.
An assemblage of specific materials or products that is
designed to resist for a prescribed period of time the passage
of fire through voids created at the intersection of exterior
curtain wall assemblies and fire-resistance-rated floor or
floor/ceiling assemblies.
[BS] PERMANENT INDIVIDUAL TRUSS MEMBER
DIAGONAL BRACING (PITMDB). Structural member or
assembly intended to permanently stabilize the PITMRs.
[BS] PERMANENT INDIVIDUAL TRUSS MEMBER
RESTRAINT (PITMR). Restraint that is used to prevent
local buckling of an individual truss chord or web member
because of the axial forces in the individual truss member.
[A] PERMIT. An official document or certificate issued by
the building official that authorizes performance of a specified activity.
[A] PERSON. An individual, heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, and also includes a firm, partnership or
corporation, its or their successors or assigns, or the agent of
any of the aforesaid.
[BG] PERSONAL CARE SERVICE. The care of persons
who do not require medical care. Personal care involves
responsibility for the safety of the persons while inside the
building
[BE] PHOTOLUMINESCENT. Having the property of
emitting light that continues for a length of time after excitation by visible or invisible light has been removed.
[BS] PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE. A complete, environmentally protected unit consisting of solar cells, optics and
other components, exclusive of tracker, designed to generate
DC power when exposed to sunlight.
[BS] PHOTOVOLTAIC PANEL. A collection of modules
mechanically fastened together, wired and designed to
provide a field-installable unit.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
[BS] PHOTOVOLTAIC PANEL SYSTEM. A system that
incorporates discrete photovoltaic panels, that converts solar
radiation into electricity, including rack support systems.
[BS] PHOTOVOLTAIC SHINGLES. A roof covering
resembling shingles that incorporates photovoltaic modules.
[F] PHYSICAL HAZARD. A chemical for which there is
evidence that it is a combustible liquid, cryogenic fluid,
explosive, flammable (solid, liquid or gas), organic peroxide
(solid or liquid), oxidizer (solid or liquid), oxidizing gas,
pyrophoric (solid, liquid or gas), unstable (reactive) material
(solid, liquid or gas) or water-reactive material (solid or
liquid).
[F] PHYSIOLOGICAL WARNING THRESHOLD
LEVEL. A concentration of airborne contaminants, normally
expressed in parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per cubic
meter (mg/m3), that represents the concentration at which
persons can sense the presence of the contaminant due to
odor, irritation or other quick-acting physiological response.
When used in conjunction with the permissible exposure
limit (PEL) the physiological warning threshold levels are
those consistent with the classification system used to establish the PEL. See the definition of “Permissible exposure
limit (PEL)” in the International Fire Code.
PLACE OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP. See “Religious
worship, place of.”
[BF] PLASTIC COMPOSITE. A generic designation that
refers to wood/plastic composites, plastic lumber and similar
materials.
[BF] PLASTIC GLAZING. Plastic materials that are glazed
or set in a frame or sash or are otherwise supported.
[BF] PLASTIC LUMBER. A manufactured product made
primarily of plastic materials (filled or unfilled) which is
generally rectangular in cross section.
[BG] PLATFORM. A raised area within a building used for
worship, the presentation of music, plays or other entertainment; the head table for special guests; the raised area for
lecturers and speakers; boxing and wrestling rings; theater-inthe-round stages; and similar purposes wherein, other than
horizontal sliding curtains, there are no overhead hanging
curtains, drops, scenery or stage effects other than lighting
and sound. A temporary platform is one installed for not more
than 30 days.
[BG] PLAY STRUCTURE. A structure composed of one or
more components, where the user enters a play environment.
[BF] POLYPROPYLENE SIDING. A shaped material,
made principally from polypropylene homopolymer, or
copolymer, which in some cases contains fillers or reinforcements, that is used to clad exterior walls of buildings.
[BS] PORCELAIN TILE. Ceramic tile having an absorption of 0.5 percent or less in accordance with Table 10 of
ANSI A137.1, or Tables 4 or 5 of ANSI A137.3.
[BS] POSITIVE ROOF DRAINAGE. A design that
accounts for deflections from all design loads and has sufficient additional slope to ensure that drainage of the roof
occurs within 48 hours of precipitation.
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[BE] PANIC HARDWARE. A door-latching assembly
incorporating a device that releases the latch upon the application of a force in the direction of egress travel. See “Fire
exit hardware.”
DEFINITIONS
[BE] POWER-ASSISTED DOOR. Swinging door which
opens by reduced pushing or pulling force on the door-operating hardware. The door closes automatically after the
pushing or pulling force is released and functions with
decreased forces. See “Low-energy power-operated door”
and “Power-operated door.”
[BE] POWER-OPERATED DOOR. Swinging, sliding, or
folding door which opens automatically when approached by
a pedestrian or opens automatically upon an action by a
pedestrian. The door closes automatically and includes provisions such as presence sensors to prevent entrapment. See
“Low energy power-operated door” and “Power-assisted
door.”
[BE] PUBLIC-USE AREAS. Interior or exterior rooms or
spaces that are made available to the general public.
[BG] PUZZLE ROOM. A puzzle room is a type of special
amusement area in which occupants are encouraged to solve
a challenge to escape from a room or series of rooms.
[F] PYROPHORIC. A chemical with an auto-ignition
temperature in air, at or below a temperature of 130°F
(54.4°C).
[F] PYROTECHNIC COMPOSITION. A chemical
mixture that produces visible light displays or sounds through
a self-propagating, heat-releasing chemical reaction which is
initiated by ignition.
[BS] PREFABRICATED WOOD I-JOIST. Structural
member manufactured using sawn or structural composite
lumber flanges and wood structural panel webs bonded
together with exterior exposure adhesives, which forms an
“I” cross-sectional shape.
[BF] RADIANT BARRIER. A material having a low-emittance surface of 0.1 or less installed in building assemblies.
[BS] PRESERVATIVE-TREATED WOOD. Wood products that, when impregnated with chemicals by a pressure
process or other means during manufacture, exhibit reduced
susceptibility to damage by fungi, insects or marine borers.
RAMP, EXIT ACCESS. See “Exit access ramp.”
[BS] PRESTRESSED MASONRY. Masonry in which
internal stresses have been introduced to counteract potential
tensile stresses in masonry resulting from applied loads.
[BG] RAMP-ACCESS OPEN PARKING GARAGES.
Open parking garages employing a series of continuously
rising floors or a series of interconnecting ramps between
floors permitting the movement of vehicles under their own
power from and to the street level.
[BG] PRIMARY STRUCTURAL FRAME. The primary
structural frame shall include all of the following structural
members:
1.
2.
3.
4.
The columns.
Structural members having direct connections to
the columns, including girders, beams, trusses and
spandrels.
Members of the floor construction and roof
construction having direct connections to the
columns.
Members that are essential to the vertical stability
of the primary structural frame under gravity
loading.
[BG] PRIVATE GARAGE. A building or portion of a
building in which motor vehicles used by the owner or
tenants of the building or buildings on the premises are stored
or kept, without provisions for repairing or servicing such
vehicles for profit.
[BG] PROSCENIUM WALL. The wall that separates the
stage from the auditorium or assembly seating area.
PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS. See “Hospitals and psychiatric hospitals.”
[BE] PUBLIC ENTRANCE. An entrance that is not a
service entrance or a restricted entrance.
[A] PUBLIC WAY. A street, alley or other parcel of land
open to the outside air leading to a street, that has been
deeded, dedicated or otherwise permanently appropriated to
the public for public use and which has a clear width and
height of not less than 10 feet (3048 mm).
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[BE] RAMP. A walking surface that has a running slope
steeper than one unit vertical in 20 units horizontal (5-percent
slope).
RAMP, EXTERIOR EXIT. See “Exterior exit ramp.”
RAMP, INTERIOR EXIT. See “Interior exit ramp.”
[A] RECORD DRAWINGS. Drawings (“as builts”) that
document the location of all devices, appliances, wiring
sequences, wiring methods and connections of the components of a fire alarm system as installed.
[BF] REFLECTIVE PLASTIC CORE INSULATION.
An insulation material packaged in rolls, that is less than 1/2
inch (12.7 mm) thick, with not less than one exterior lowemittance surface (0.1 or less) and a core material containing
voids or cells.
[A] REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL. An individual who is registered or licensed to practice their
respective design profession as defined by the statutory
requirements of the professional registration laws of the state
or jurisdiction in which the project is to be constructed.
[A] REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL IN
RESPONSIBLE CHARGE. A registered design professional engaged by the owner or the owner’s authorized agent
to review and coordinate certain aspects of the project, as
determined by the building official, for compatibility with the
design of the building or structure, including submittal documents prepared by others, deferred submittal documents and
phased submittal documents.
[BG] RELIGIOUS WORSHIP, PLACE OF. A building or
portion thereof intended for the performance of religious
services.
[A] RELOCATABLE BUILDING. A partially or
completely assembled building constructed and designed to
be reused multiple times and transported to different building
sites.
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DEFINITIONS
[A] REPAIR. The reconstruction, replacement or renewal of
any part of an existing building for the purpose of its maintenance or to correct damage.
ROOF DRAINAGE, POSITIVE. See “Positive roof
drainage.”
[BG] REPAIR GARAGE. A building, structure or portion
thereof used for servicing or repairing motor vehicles.
[BS] ROOF RECOVER. The process of installing an additional roof covering over a prepared existing roof covering
without removing the existing roof covering.
[BS] REROOFING. The process of recovering or replacing
an existing roof covering. See “Roof recover” and “Roof
replacement.”
[BS] ROOF REPAIR. Reconstruction or renewal of any part
of an existing roof for the purposes of correcting damage or
restoring pre-damage condition.
[BG] RESIDENTIAL AIRCRAFT HANGAR. An accessory building less than 2,000 square feet (186 m2) and 20 feet
(6096 mm) in building height constructed on a one- or twofamily property where aircraft are stored. Such use will be
considered as a residential accessory use incidental to the
dwelling.
[BS] ROOF REPLACEMENT. The process of removing
the existing roof covering, repairing any damaged substrate
and installing a new roof covering.
[BS] RESISTANCE FACTOR. A factor that accounts for
deviations of the actual strength from the nominal strength
and the manner and consequences of failure (also called
“strength reduction factor”).
[BE] RESTRICTED ENTRANCE. An entrance that is
made available for common use on a controlled basis, but not
public use, and that is not a service entrance.
[BG] ROOF VENTILATION. The natural or mechanical
process of supplying conditioned or unconditioned air to, or
removing such air from, attics, cathedral ceilings or other
enclosed spaces over which a roof assembly is installed.
[BG] ROOFTOP STRUCTURE. A structure erected on top
of the roof deck or on top of any part of a building.
[BS] RUNNING BOND. The placement of masonry units
such that head joints in successive courses are horizontally
offset at least one-quarter the unit length.
[BG] RETRACTABLE AWNING. A retractable awning is
a cover with a frame that retracts against a building or other
structure to which it is entirely supported.
[BG] SALLYPORT. A security vestibule with two or more
doors or gates where the intended purpose is to prevent
continuous and unobstructed passage by allowing the release
of only one door or gate at a time.
[BS] RISK CATEGORY. A categorization of buildings and
other structures for determination of flood, wind, snow, ice
and earthquake loads based on the risk associated with unacceptable performance.
[BE] SCISSOR STAIRWAY. Two interlocking stairways
providing two separate paths of egress located within one exit
enclosure.
[BS] RISK-TARGETED MAXIMUM CONSIDERED
EARTHQUAKE
(MCER)
GROUND
MOTION
RESPONSE ACCELERATIONS. The most severe earthquake effects considered by this code, determined for the
orientation that results in the largest maximum response to
horizontal ground motions and with adjustment for targeted
risk.
[BS] ROOF ASSEMBLY (For application to Chapter 15
only). A system designed to provide weather protection and
resistance to design loads. The system consists of a roof
covering and roof deck or a single component serving as both
the roof covering and the roof deck. A roof assembly can
include an underlayment, a thermal barrier, insulation or a
vapor retarder.
[BS] ROOF COATING. A fluid-applied, adhered coating
used for roof maintenance or roof repair, or as a component
of a roof covering system or roof assembly.
[BS] ROOF COVERING. The covering applied to the roof
deck for weather resistance, fire classification or appearance.
ROOF COVERING SYSTEM. See “Roof assembly.”
[BS] ROOF DECK. The flat or sloped surface constructed
on top of the exterior walls of a building or other supports for
the purpose of enclosing the story below, or sheltering an
area, to protect it from the elements, not including its supporting members or vertical supports.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
[BS] SCUPPER. An opening in a wall or parapet that allows
water to drain from a roof.
[BG] SECONDARY STRUCTURAL MEMBERS. The
following structural members shall be considered secondary
members and not part of the primary structural frame:
1.
2.
3.
Structural members not having direct connections to
the columns.
Members of the floor construction and roof construction not having direct connections to the columns.
Bracing members that are not designated as part of a
primary structural frame or bearing wall.
[BS] SEISMIC DESIGN CATEGORY. A classification
assigned to a structure based on its risk category and the
severity of the design earthquake ground motion at the site.
[BS] SEISMIC FORCE-RESISTING SYSTEM. That part
of the structural system that has been considered in the design
to provide the required resistance to the prescribed seismic
forces.
[BF] SELF-CLOSING. As applied to a fire door or other
opening protective, means equipped with an device that will
ensure closing after having been opened.
[BE] SELF-LUMINOUS. Illuminated by a self-contained
power source, other than batteries, and operated independently of external power sources.
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DEFINITIONS
SELF-PRESERVATION, INCAPABLE OF. See “Incapable of self-preservation.”
[BG] SELF-SERVICE STORAGE FACILITY. Real
property designed and used for the purpose of renting or leasing individual storage spaces to customers for the purpose of
storing and removing personal property on a self-service
basis.
[F] SERVICE CORRIDOR. A fully enclosed passage used
for transporting HPM and purposes other than required
means of egress.
[BE] SERVICE ENTRANCE. An entrance intended
primarily for delivery of goods or services.
[BF] SHAFT. An enclosed space extending through one or
more stories of a building, connecting vertical openings in
successive floors, or floors and roof.
[BF] SHAFT ENCLOSURE. The walls or construction
forming the boundaries of a shaft.
[BS] SHALLOW FOUNDATION. A shallow foundation is
an individual or strip footing, a mat foundation, a slab-ongrade foundation or a similar foundation element.
[BS] SHEAR WALL. This definition applies only to Chapter 23.
[BG] SITE-FABRICATED STRETCH SYSTEM. A
system, fabricated on site and intended for acoustical, tackable or aesthetic purposes, that is composed of three
elements:
1.
2.
3.
A frame (constructed of plastic, wood, metal or other
material) used to hold fabric in place.
A core material (infill, with the correct properties for
the application).
An outside layer, composed of a textile, fabric or
vinyl, that is stretched taut and held in place by
tension or mechanical fasteners via the frame.
[BS] SKYLIGHT, UNIT. A factory-assembled, glazed
fenestration unit, containing one panel of glazing material
that allows for natural lighting through an opening in the roof
assembly while preserving the weather-resistant barrier of the
roof.
[BS] SKYLIGHTS AND SLOPED GLAZING. Glass or
other transparent or translucent glazing material installed at a
slope of 15 degrees (0.26 rad) or more from vertical. Unit
skylights, tubular daylighting devices, glazing materials,
solariums, sunrooms, roofs and sloped walls are included in
this definition.
Shear wall, perforated. A wood structural panel
sheathed wall with openings, that has not been specifically
designed and detailed for force transfer around openings.
[A] SLEEPING UNIT. A single unit that provides rooms or
spaces for one or more persons, includes permanent provisions for sleeping and can include provisions for living,
eating and either sanitation or kitchen facilities but not both.
Such rooms and spaces that are also part of a dwelling unit are
not sleeping units.
Shear wall segment, perforated. A section of shear wall
with full-height sheathing that meets the height-to-width
ratio limits of Section 4.3.4 of AWC SDPWS.
[F] SMOKE ALARM. A single- or multiple-station alarm
responsive to smoke. See “Multiple-station smoke alarm”
and “Single-station smoke alarm.”
[BS] SHINGLE FASHION. A method of installing roof or
wall coverings, water-resistive barriers, flashing or other
building components such that upper layers of material are
placed overlapping lower layers of material to provide for
drainage via gravity and moisture control.
[BF] SMOKE BARRIER. A continuous membrane, either
vertical or horizontal, such as a wall, floor or ceiling assembly, that is designed and constructed to restrict the movement
of smoke.
A wall designed to resist lateral forces parallel to the
plane of a wall.
[BS] SINGLE-PLY MEMBRANE. A roofing membrane
that is field applied using one layer of membrane material
(either homogeneous or composite) rather than multiple
layers.
[F] SINGLE-STATION SMOKE ALARM. An assembly
incorporating the detector, the control equipment and the
alarm-sounding device in one unit, operated from a power
supply either in the unit or obtained at the point of
installation.
[BG] SITE. A parcel of land bounded by a lot line or a designated portion of a public right-of-way.
[BS] SITE CLASS. A classification assigned to a site based
on the types of soils present and their engineering properties
as defined in Section 1613.2.2.
[BS] SITE COEFFICIENTS. The values of Fa and Fv indicated in Table 1613.2.3(1) and Table 1613.2.3(2),
respectively.
2-26
[BG] SMOKE COMPARTMENT. A space within a building separated from other interior areas of the building by
smoke barriers, including interior walls and horizontal
assemblies.
[BF] SMOKE DAMPER. A listed device installed in ducts
and air transfer openings designed to resist the passage of
smoke. The device is installed to operate automatically,
controlled by a smoke detection system, and where required,
is capable of being positioned from a fire command center.
[F] SMOKE DETECTOR. A listed device that senses visible or invisible particles of combustion.
[BF] SMOKE PARTITION. A wall assembly that extends
from the top of the foundation or floor below to the underside
of the floor or roof sheathing, deck or slab above or to the
underside of the ceiling above where the ceiling membrane is
constructed to limit the transfer of smoke.
[BF] SMOKE-DEVELOPED INDEX. A comparative
measure, expressed as a dimensionless number, derived from
measurements of smoke obscuration versus time for a material tested in accordance with ASTM E84.
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
DEFINITIONS
[BF] SMOKEPROOF ENCLOSURE. An exit stairway or
ramp designed and constructed so that the movement of the
products of combustion produced by a fire occurring in any
part of the building into the enclosure is limited.
[BE] SMOKE-PROTECTED ASSEMBLY SEATING.
Seating served by means of egress that is not subject to smoke
accumulation within or under a structure for a specified
design time by means of passive design or by mechanical
ventilation.
[BG] SOFT CONTAINED PLAY EQUIPMENT
STRUCTURE. A play structure containing one or more
components where the user enters a play environment that
utilizes pliable materials.
[F] SOLID. A material that has a melting point, decomposes
or sublimes at a temperature greater than 68°F (20°C).
[BG] SPECIAL AMUSEMENT AREA. A special amusement area is any temporary or permanent building or portion
thereof that is occupied for amusement, entertainment or
educational purposes and is arranged in a manner that:
1.
2.
3.
Makes the means of egress path not readily apparent
due to visual or audio distractions.
Intentionally confounds identification of the means
of egress path.
Otherwise makes the means of egress path not readily available because of the nature of the attraction or
mode of conveyance through the building or
structure.
[BG] SPECIAL EVENT STRUCTURE. Any groundsupported structure, platform, stage, stage scaffolding or
rigging, canopy, tower or similar structure supporting entertainment-related equipment or signage.
[BS] SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREA. The land area
subject to flood hazards and shown on a Flood Insurance
Rate Map or other flood hazard map as Zone A, AE, A1-30,
A99, AR, AO, AH, V, VO, VE or V1-30.
[BF] SPLICE. The result of a factory and/or field method of
joining or connecting two or more lengths of a fire-resistant
joint system into a continuous entity.
SPORT ACTIVITY, AREA OF. See “Area of sport
activity.”
[F] SPRAY ROOM. A room designed to accommodate
spraying operations.
[BF] SPRAY-APPLIED FOAM PLASTIC. Single- and
multiple-component, spray-applied foam plastic insulation
used in nonstructural applications that are installed at locations wherein the material is applied in a liquid or frothed
state, permitted to free rise and cure in situ.
[BF] SPRAYED FIRE-RESISTANT MATERIALS.
Cementitious or fibrous materials that are sprayed to provide
fire-resistant protection of the substrates.
[BG] STAGE. A space within a building utilized for entertainment or presentations, which includes overhead hanging
curtains, drops, scenery or stage effects other than lighting
and sound.
[BE] STAIR. A change in elevation, consisting of one or
more risers.
[BE] STAIRWAY. One or more flights of stairs, either exterior or interior, with the necessary landings and platforms
connecting them, to form a continuous and uninterrupted
passage from one level to another.
STAIRWAY, EXIT ACCESS. See “Exit access stairway.”
STAIRWAY, EXTERIOR EXIT. See “Exterior exit
stairway.”
STAIRWAY, INTERIOR EXIT. See “Interior exit
stairway.”
STAIRWAY, SCISSOR. See “Scissor stairway.”
[BS] SPECIAL INSPECTION. Inspection of construction
requiring the expertise of an approved special inspector in
order to ensure compliance with this code and the approved
construction documents.
[BE] STAIRWAY, SPIRAL. A stairway having a closed
circular form in its plan view with uniform section-shaped
treads attached to and radiating from a minimum-diameter
supporting column.
Continuous special inspection. Special inspection by the
special inspector who is present continuously when and
where the work to be inspected is being performed.
[F] STANDBY POWER SYSTEM. A source of automatic
electric power of a required capacity and duration to operate
required building, hazardous materials or ventilation systems
in the event of a failure of the primary power. Standby power
systems are required for electrical loads where interruption of
the primary power could create hazards or hamper rescue or
fire-fighting operations.
Periodic special inspection. Special inspection by the
special inspector who is intermittently present where the
work to be inspected has been or is being performed.

Whenever the quantity f´m is under the radical sign, the square
root of numerical value only is intended and the result has
units of pounds per square inch (psi) (MPa).
[BS] SPECIAL INSPECTOR. A qualified person
employed or retained by an approved agency and approved
by the building official as having the competence necessary
to inspect a particular type of construction requiring special
inspection.
[BS] SPECIFIED COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF
MASONRY, f´m. Minimum compressive strength, expressed
as force per unit of net cross-sectional area, required of the
masonry used in construction by the approved construction
documents, and upon which the project design is based.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
[F] STANDPIPE, TYPES OF. Standpipe types are as
follows:
Automatic dry. A dry standpipe system, normally filled
with pressurized air, that is arranged through the use of a
device, such as dry pipe valve, to admit water into the
system piping automatically upon the opening of a hose
valve. The water supply for an automatic dry standpipe
system shall be capable of supplying the system demand.
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DEFINITIONS
Automatic wet. A wet standpipe system that has a water
supply that is capable of supplying the system demand
automatically.
Manual dry. A dry standpipe system that does not have a
permanent water supply attached to the system. Manual
dry standpipe systems require water from a fire department pumper to be pumped into the system through the
fire department connection in order to meet the system
demand.
Manual wet. A wet standpipe system connected to a water
supply for the purpose of maintaining water within the
system but does not have a water supply capable of delivering the system demand attached to the system. Manualwet standpipe systems require water from a fire department pumper (or the like) to be pumped into the system in
order to meet the system demand.
Semiautomatic dry. A dry standpipe system that is
arranged through the use of a device, such as a deluge
valve, to admit water into the system piping upon activation of a remote control device located at a hose
connection. A remote control activation device shall be
provided at each hose connection. The water supply for a
semiautomatic dry standpipe system shall be capable of
supplying the system demand.
[F] STANDPIPE SYSTEM, CLASSES OF. Standpipe
classes are as follows:
Class I system. A system providing 21/2-inch (64 mm)
hose connections to supply water for use by fire departments and those trained in handling heavy fire streams.
Class II system. A system providing 11/2-inch (38 mm)
hose stations to supply water for use primarily by the
building occupants or by the fire department during initial
response.
Class III system. A system providing 11/2-inch (38 mm)
hose stations to supply water for use by building occupants
and 21/2-inch (64 mm) hose connections to supply a larger
volume of water for use by fire departments and those
trained in handling heavy fire streams.
[BS] STEEL CONSTRUCTION, COLD-FORMED. That
type of construction made up entirely or in part of steel structural members cold formed to shape from sheet or strip steel
such as roof deck, floor and wall panels, studs, floor joists,
roof joists and other structural elements.
[BS] STEEL ELEMENT, STRUCTURAL. Any steel
structural member of a building or structure consisting of
rolled shapes, pipe, hollow structural sections, plates, bars,
sheets, rods or steel castings other than cold-formed steel or
steel joist members.
[BS] STEEL JOIST. Any steel structural member of a
building or structure made of hot-rolled or cold-formed solid
or open-web sections, or riveted or welded bars, strip or sheet
steel members, or slotted and expanded, or otherwise
deformed rolled sections.
[BF] STEEP SLOPE. A roof slope 2 units vertical in 12
units horizontal (17-percent slope) or greater.
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[BS] STONE MASONRY. Masonry composed of field,
quarried or cast stone units bonded by mortar.
[F] STORAGE, HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. The keeping, retention or leaving of hazardous materials in closed
containers, tanks, cylinders, or similar vessels; or vessels
supplying operations through closed connections to the
vessel.
[BS] STORAGE RACKS, STEEL. Cold-formed or hotrolled steel structural members which are formed into steel
storage racks, including pallet storage racks, movable-shelf
racks, rack-supported systems, automated storage and
retrieval systems (stacker racks), push-back racks, palletflow racks, case-flow racks, pick modules and rack-supported
platforms. Other types of racks, such as drive-in or drivethrough racks, cantilever racks, portable racks or racks made
of materials other than steel, are not considered storage racks
for the purpose of this code.
[BS] STORAGE RACKS, STEEL CANTILEVERED. A
framework or assemblage composed of cold-formed or hotrolled steel structural members, primarily in the form of vertical columns, extended bases, horizontal arms projecting from
the faces of the columns, and longitudinal (down-aisle) bracing between columns. There may be shelf beams between the
arms, depending on the products being stored; this definition
does not include other types of racks such as pallet storage
racks, drive-in racks, drive-through racks, or racks made of
materials other than steel.
[BG] STORM SHELTER. A building, structure or portions
thereof, constructed in accordance with ICC 500 and designated for use during a severe wind storm event, such as a
hurricane or tornado.
Community storm shelter. A storm shelter not defined as
a “Residential storm shelter.”
Residential storm shelter. A storm shelter serving occupants of dwelling units and having an occupant load not
exceeding 16 persons.
[BG] STORY. That portion of a building included between
the upper surface of a floor and the upper surface of the floor
or roof next above (see “Basement,” “Building height,”
“Grade plane” and “Mezzanine”). A story is measured as the
vertical distance from top to top of two successive tiers of
beams or finished floor surfaces and, for the topmost story,
from the top of the floor finish to the top of the ceiling joists
or, where there is not a ceiling, to the top of the roof rafters.
[BG] STORY ABOVE GRADE PLANE. Any story having
its finished floor surface entirely above grade plane, or in
which the finished surface of the floor next above is:
1.
2.
More than 6 feet (1829 mm) above grade plane; or
More than 12 feet (3658 mm) above the finished
ground level at any point.
[BS] STRENGTH. This term is defined two ways, the first
for use in Chapter 16 and the second for use in Chapter 21.
For Chapter 16:
Nominal strength. The capacity of a structure or
member to resist the effects of loads, as determined by
computations using specified material strengths and
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
DEFINITIONS
dimensions and equations derived from accepted principles of structural mechanics or by field tests or
laboratory tests of scaled models, allowing for modeling effects and differences between laboratory and
field conditions.
Required strength. Strength of a member, cross
section or connection required to resist factored loads
or related internal moments and forces in such combinations as stipulated by these provisions.
Strength design. A method of proportioning structural
members such that the computed forces produced in
the members by factored loads do not exceed the
member design strength [also called “load and resistance factor design” (LRFD)]. The term “strength
design” is used in the design of concrete and masonry
structural elements.
For Chapter 21:
Design strength. Nominal strength multiplied by a
strength reduction factor.
Nominal strength. Strength of a member or cross
section calculated in accordance with these provisions
before application of any strength-reduction factors.
Required strength. Strength of a member or cross
section required to resist factored loads.
[BS] STRUCTURAL COMPOSITE LUMBER. Structural
member manufactured using wood elements bonded together
with exterior adhesives. Examples of structural composite
lumber are:
[BS] STRUCTURAL GLUED-LAMINATED TIMBER.
An engineered, stress-rated product of a timber laminating
plant, composed of assemblies of specially selected and
prepared wood laminations in which the grain of all laminations is approximately parallel longitudinally and the
laminations are bonded with adhesives.
[BS] STRUCTURAL OBSERVATION. The visual observation of the structural system by a registered design
professional for general conformance to the approved
construction documents.
[A] STRUCTURE. That which is built or constructed.
[BS] SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. Damage of any origin
sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the
structure to its before-damaged condition would equal or
exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure before
the damage occurred.
[BS] SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT. Any repair,
reconstruction, rehabilitation, alteration, addition or other
improvement of a building or structure, the cost of which
equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the improvement or repair is started. If the
structure has sustained substantial damage, any repairs are
considered substantial improvement regardless of the actual
repair work performed. The term does not, however, include
either:
1.
2.
violations identified by the building official and that
are the minimum necessary to assure safe living
conditions.
Any alteration of a historic structure provided that
the alteration will not preclude the structure’s continued designation as a historic structure.
[BG] SUNROOM. A one-story structure attached to a building with a glazing area in excess of 40 percent of the gross
area of the structure’s exterior walls and roof.
[F] SUPERVISING STATION. A facility that receives
signals and at which personnel are in attendance at all times
to respond to these signals.
[F] SUPERVISORY SERVICE. The service required to
monitor performance of guard tours and the operative condition of fixed suppression systems or other systems for the
protection of life and property.
[F] SUPERVISORY SIGNAL. A signal indicating the need
of action in connection with the supervision of guard tours,
the fire suppression systems or equipment or the maintenance
features of related systems.
[F] SUPERVISORY SIGNAL-INITIATING DEVICE.
An initiation device, such as a valve supervisory switch,
water-level indicator or low-air pressure switch on a dry-pipe
sprinkler system, whose change of state signals an off-normal
condition and its restoration to normal of a fire protection or
life safety system, or a need for action in connection with
guard tours, fire suppression systems or equipment or maintenance features of related systems.
[BS] SUSCEPTIBLE BAY. A roof or portion thereof with
either of the following:
1.
2.
A slope less than 1/4-inch per foot (0.0208 rad).
On which water is impounded, in whole or in part,
and the secondary drainage system is functional but
the primary drainage system is blocked.
A roof surface with a slope of 1/4-inch per foot (0.0208
rad) or greater towards points of free drainage is not a
susceptible bay.
[BG] SWIMMING POOL. Any structure intended for
swimming, recreational bathing or wading that contains
water over 24 inches (610 mm) deep. This includes inground, above-ground and on-ground pools; hot tubs; spas
and fixed-in-place wading pools.
[BF] T RATING. The time period that the penetration
firestop system, including the penetrating item, limits the
maximum temperature rise to 325°F (163°C) above its initial
temperature through the penetration on the nonfire side when
tested in accordance with ASTM E814 or UL 1479.
[BG] TECHNICAL PRODUCTION AREA. Open
elevated areas or spaces intended for entertainment technicians to walk on and occupy for servicing and operating
entertainment technology systems and equipment. Galleries,
including fly and lighting galleries, gridirons, catwalks, and
similar areas are designed for these purposes.
Any project for improvement of a building required
to correct existing health, sanitary or safety code
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
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DEFINITIONS
[BG] TENSILE MEMBRANE STRUCTURE. A
membrane structure having a shape that is determined by
tension in the membrane and the geometry of the support
structure. Typically, the structure consists of both flexible
elements (e.g., membrane and cables), nonflexible elements
(e.g., struts, masts, beams and arches) and the anchorage
(e.g., supports and foundations). This includes framesupported tensile membrane structures.
[F] TENT. A structure, enclosure, umbrella structure or shelter, with or without sidewalls or drops, constructed of fabric
or pliable material supported in any manner except by air or
the contents it protects (see “Umbrella structure”).
[BF] TERMINATED STOPS. Factory feature of a door
frame where the stops of the door frame are terminated not
more than 6 inches (152 mm) from the bottom of the door
frame. Terminated stops are also known as “hospital stops” or
“sanitary stops.”
2.
3.
when administered orally to albino rats weighing
between 200 and 300 grams each.
A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LD50) of
more than 200 milligrams per kilogram, but not more
than 1,000 milligrams per kilogram of body weight
when administered by continuous contact for 24
hours (or less if death occurs within 24 hours) with
the bare skin of albino rabbits weighing between 2
and 3 kilograms each.
A chemical that has a median lethal concentration
(LC50) in air of more than 200 parts per million, but
not more than 2,000 parts per million by volume of
gas or vapor, or more than 2 milligrams per liter but
not more than 20 milligrams per liter of mist, fume or
dust, when administered by continuous inhalation for
1 hour (or less if death occurs within 1 hour) to
albino rats weighing between 200 and 300 grams
each.
[BG] THERMAL ISOLATION. A separation of conditioned spaces, between a sunroom and a dwelling unit,
consisting of existing or new walls, doors or windows.
[BG] TRANSIENT. Occupancy of a dwelling unit or sleeping unit for not more than 30 days.
[BF] THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL. A plastic material
that is capable of being repeatedly softened by increase of
temperature and hardened by decrease of temperature.
[BG] TRANSIENT AIRCRAFT. Aircraft based at another
location and that is at the transient location for not more than
90 days.
[BF] THERMOSETTING MATERIAL. A plastic material
that is capable of being changed into a substantially
nonreformable product when cured.
TREATED WOOD. See “Fire-retardant-treated wood”
and “Preservative-treated wood.”
[BF] THROUGH PENETRATION. A breach in both sides
of a floor, floor-ceiling or wall assembly to accommodate an
item passing through the breaches.
[BF]
THROUGH-PENETRATION
FIRESTOP
SYSTEM. An assemblage consisting of a fire-resistancerated floor, floor-ceiling, or wall assembly, one or more penetrating items passing through the breaches in both sides of the
assembly and the materials or devices, or both, installed to
resist the spread of fire through the assembly for a prescribed
period of time.
[BS] TIE, WALL. Metal connector that connects wythes of
masonry walls together.
[BS] TIE-DOWN (HOLD-DOWN). A device used to resist
uplift of the chords of shear walls.
[BS] TILE, STRUCTURAL CLAY. A hollow masonry
unit composed of burned clay, shale, fire clay or mixture
thereof, and having parallel cells.
[F] TIRES, BULK STORAGE OF. Storage of tires where
the area available for storage exceeds 20,000 cubic feet (566
m3).
[A] TOWNHOUSE. A single-family dwelling unit
constructed in a group of three or more attached units in
which each unit extends from the foundation to roof and with
open space on at least two sides.
[F] TOXIC. A chemical falling within any of the following
categories:
1.
2-30
A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LD50) of
more than 50 milligrams per kilogram, but not more
than 500 milligrams per kilogram of body weight
[BF] TRIM. Picture molds, chair rails, baseboards, handrails, door and window frames and similar decorative or
protective materials used in fixed applications.
[F] TROUBLE SIGNAL. A signal initiated by the fire
alarm system or device indicative of a fault in a monitored
circuit or component.
[BS] TSUNAMI DESIGN GEODATABASE. The ASCE
database (version 2016-1.0) of Tsunami Design Zone maps
and associated design data for the states of Alaska, California,
Hawaii, Oregon and Washington.
[BS] TSUNAMI DESIGN ZONE. An area identified on the
Tsunami Design Zone map between the shoreline and the
inundation limit, within which certain structures designated
in Chapter 16 are designed for or protected from inundation.
[BS] TUBULAR DAYLIGHTING DEVICE (TDD). A
non-operable fenestration unit primarily designed to transmit
daylight from a roof surface to an interior ceiling via a tubular
conduit. The basic unit consists of an exterior glazed weathering surface, a light-transmitting tube with a reflective
interior surface, and an interior-sealing device such as a translucent ceiling panel. The unit can be factory assembled, or
field-assembled from a manufactured kit.
[BE] TYPE A UNIT. A dwelling unit or sleeping unit
designed and constructed for accessibility in accordance with
this code and the provisions for Type A units in ICC A117.1.
[BE] TYPE B UNIT. A dwelling unit or sleeping unit
designed and constructed for accessibility in accordance with
this code and the provisions for Type B units in ICC A117.1,
consistent with the design and construction requirements of
the federal Fair Housing Act.
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
DEFINITIONS
[F] UMBRELLA STRUCTURE. A structure, enclosure or
shelter with or without sidewalls or drops, constructed of
fabric or pliable material supported by a central pole or poles
(see “Tent”).
[BS] UNDERLAYMENT. One or more layers of a material
that is applied to a steep-slope roof covering deck under the
roof covering and resists liquid water that penetrates the roof
covering.
[BS] UNDERPINNING. The alteration of an existing foundation to transfer loads to a lower elevation using new piers,
piles or other permanent structural support elements installed
below the existing foundation.
UNIT SKYLIGHT. See “Skylight, unit.”
[BF] VAPOR RETARDER CLASS. A measure of a material or assembly’s ability to limit the amount of moisture that
passes through that material or assembly. Vapor retarder class
shall be defined using the desiccant method with Procedure A
of ASTM E96 as follows:
Class I: 0.1 perm or less.
Class II: 0.1 < perm ≤ 1.0 perm.
Class III: 1.0 < perm ≤ 10 perm.
[BS] VEGETATIVE ROOF. An assembly of interacting
components designed to waterproof a building’s top surface
that includes, by design, vegetation and related landscape
elements.
[BS] VEHICLE BARRIER. A component or a system of
components, near open sides or walls of garage floors or
ramps that act as a restraint for vehicles.
[F] UNSTABLE (REACTIVE) MATERIAL. A material,
other than an explosive, which in the pure state or as commercially produced, will vigorously polymerize, decompose,
condense or become self-reactive and undergo other violent
chemical changes, including explosion, when exposed to
heat, friction or shock, or in the absence of an inhibitor, or in
the presence of contaminants, or in contact with incompatible
materials. Unstable (reactive) materials are subdivided as
follows:
[BG] VEHICULAR GATE. A gate that is intended for use
at a vehicular entrance or exit to a facility, building or portion
thereof, and that is not intended for use by pedestrian traffic.
Class 1. Materials that in themselves are normally stable
but which can become unstable at elevated temperatures
and pressure.
[M] VENTILATION. The natural or mechanical process of
supplying conditioned or unconditioned air to, or removing
such air from, any space.
Class 2. Materials that in themselves are normally unstable and readily undergo violent chemical change but do
not detonate. This class includes materials that can
undergo chemical change with rapid release of energy at
normal temperatures and pressures, and that can undergo
violent chemical change at elevated temperatures and
pressures.
[BF] VINYL SIDING. A shaped material, made principally
from rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC), that is used as an exterior wall covering.
Class 3. Materials that in themselves are capable of detonation or of explosive decomposition or explosive
reaction but which require a strong initiating source or
which must be heated under confinement before initiation.
This class includes materials that are sensitive to thermal
or mechanical shock at elevated temperatures and
pressures.
Class 4. Materials that in themselves are readily capable of
detonation or explosive decomposition or explosive reaction at normal temperatures and pressures. This class
includes materials that are sensitive to mechanical or
localized thermal shock at normal temperatures and
pressures.
[F] USE (MATERIAL). Placing a material into action,
including solids, liquids and gases.
[BG] VAPOR DIFFUSION PORT. An assembly
constructed or installed within a roof assembly at an opening
in the roof deck to convey water vapor from an unvented attic
to the outside atmosphere.
[BF] VAPOR PERMEABLE. The property of having a
moisture vapor permeance rating of 5 perms (2.9 × 10-10
kg/Pa × s × m2) or greater, when tested in accordance with
Procedure A or Procedure B of ASTM E96. A vapor permeable material permits the passage of moisture vapor.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
[BF] VENEER. A facing attached to a wall for the purpose
of providing ornamentation, protection or insulation, but not
counted as adding strength to the wall.
[F] VISIBLE ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCE.
A notification appliance that alerts by the sense of sight.
[BG] WALKWAY, PEDESTRIAN. A walkway used
exclusively as a pedestrian trafficway.
[BS] WALL. This definition applies only to Chapter 21.
A vertical element with a horizontal length-to-thickness
ratio greater than three, used to enclose space.
Cavity wall. A wall built of masonry units or of concrete,
or a combination of these materials, arranged to provide an
airspace within the wall, and in which the inner and outer
parts of the wall are tied together with metal ties.
Dry-stacked, surface-bonded wall. A wall built of
concrete masonry units where the units are stacked dry,
without mortar on the bed or head joints, and where both
sides of the wall are coated with a surface-bonding mortar.
Parapet wall. The part of any wall entirely above the roof
line.
[BS] WALL, LOAD-BEARING. Any wall meeting either
of the following classifications:
1.
2.
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Any metal or wood stud wall that supports more than
100 pounds per linear foot (1459 N/m) of vertical
load in addition to its own weight.
Any masonry, concrete or mass timber wall that
supports more than 200 pounds per linear foot (2919
N/m) of vertical load in addition to its own weight.
2-31
DEFINITIONS
[BS] WALL, NONLOAD-BEARING. Any wall that is not
a load-bearing wall.
[F] WATER-REACTIVE MATERIAL. A material that
explodes; violently reacts; produces flammable, toxic or other
hazardous gases; or evolves enough heat to cause autoignition or ignition of combustibles upon exposure to water or
moisture. Water-reactive materials are subdivided as follows:
Class 3. Materials that react explosively with water without requiring heat or confinement.
Class 2. Materials that react violently with water or have
the ability to boil water. Materials that produce flammable,
toxic or other hazardous gases or evolve enough heat to
cause autoignition or ignition of combustibles upon exposure to water or moisture.
Class 1. Materials that react with water with some release
of energy, but not violently.
[BF] WATER-RESISTIVE BARRIER. A material behind
an exterior wall covering that is intended to resist liquid water
that has penetrated behind the exterior covering from further
intruding into the exterior wall assembly.
[BF] WEATHER-EXPOSED SURFACES. Surfaces of
walls, ceilings, floors, roofs, soffits and similar surfaces
exposed to the weather except the following:
1.
2.
3.
Ceilings and roof soffits enclosed by walls, fascia,
bulkheads or beams that extend not less than 12
inches (305 mm) below such ceiling or roof soffits.
Walls or portions of walls beneath an unenclosed
roof area, where located a horizontal distance from
an open exterior opening equal to not less than twice
the height of the opening.
Ceiling and roof soffits located a minimum horizontal distance of 10 feet (3048 mm) from the outer
edges of the ceiling or roof soffits.
1609.3.(1). For Risk Category IV buildings and structures and
Risk Category III health care facilities, the windborne debris
region shall be based on Figure 1609.3(2).
[BE] WINDER. A tread with nonparallel edges.
WINDFORCE-RESISTING SYSTEM, MAIN. See “Main
windforce-resisting system.”
[BS] WIRE BACKING. Horizontal strands of tautened wire
attached to surfaces of vertical supports which, when covered
with the building paper, provide a backing for cement plaster.
[F] WIRELESS PROTECTION SYSTEM. A system or a
part of a system that can transmit and receive signals without
the aid of wire.
[BS] WOOD SHEAR PANEL. A wood floor, roof or wall
component sheathed to act as a shear wall or diaphragm.
[BS] WOOD STRUCTURAL PANEL. A panel manufactured from veneers, wood strands or wafers or a combination
of veneer and wood strands or wafers bonded together with
waterproof synthetic resins or other suitable bonding
systems. Examples of wood structural panels are:
[BS] WOOD/PLASTIC COMPOSITE. A composite material made primarily from wood or cellulose-based materials
and plastic.
[F] WORKSTATION. A defined space or an independent
principal piece of equipment using HPM within a fabrication
area where a specific function, laboratory procedure or
research activity occurs. Approved or listed hazardous materials storage cabinets, flammable liquid storage cabinets or
gas cabinets serving a workstation are included as part of the
workstation. A workstation is allowed to contain ventilation
equipment, fire protection devices, detection devices, electrical devices and other processing and scientific equipment.
[BS] WYTHE. Each continuous, vertical section of a wall,
one masonry unit in thickness.
[F] WET-CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM. A
solution of water and potassium-carbonate-based chemical,
potassium-acetate-based chemical or a combination thereof,
forming an extinguishing agent.
[BG] YARD. An open space, other than a court, unobstructed from the ground to the sky, except where specifically
provided by this code, on the lot on which a building is
situated.
[BE] WHEELCHAIR SPACE. A space for a single wheelchair and its occupant.
[F] ZONE. A defined area within the protected premises. A
zone can define an area from which a signal can be received,
an area to which a signal can be sent or an area in which a
form of control can be executed.
[BS] WIND SPEED, V. Basic design wind speeds.
[BS] WIND SPEED, Vasd. Allowable stress design wind
speeds.
[BS] WINDBORNE DEBRIS REGION. Areas within
hurricane-prone regions located:
1.
2.
[F] ZONE, NOTIFICATION. An area within a building or
facility covered by notification appliances which are activated simultaneously.
Within 1 mile (1.61 km) of the mean high-water line
where an Exposure D condition exists upwind at the
waterline and the basic design wind speed, V, is 130
mph (58 m/s) or greater; or
In areas where the basic design wind speed is 140
mph (63 m/s) or greater.
For Risk Category II buildings and structures and Risk
Category III buildings and structures, except health care facilities, the windborne debris region shall be based on Figure
2-32
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
CHAPTER 3
OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
User note:
About this chapter: Chapter 3 provides the criteria by which buildings and structures are classified into use groups and occupancies.
Through the balance of the code, occupancy classification is fundamental in the setting of features of construction; occupant safety requirements, especially building limitations; means of egress; fire protection systems; and interior finishes.
SECTION 301
SCOPE
9. Storage (see Section 311): Groups S-1 and S-2.
10. Utility and Miscellaneous (see Section 312): Group U.
301.1 General. The provisions of this chapter shall control
the classification of all buildings and structures as to occupancy and use. Different classifications of occupancy and
use represent varying levels of hazard and risk to building
occupants and adjacent properties.
SECTION 302
OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION
AND USE DESIGNATION
302.1 Occupancy classification. Occupancy classification
is the formal designation of the primary purpose of the building, structure or portion thereof. Structures shall be classified
into one or more of the occupancy groups specified in this
section based on the nature of the hazards and risks to building occupants generally associated with the intended purpose
of the building or structure. An area, room or space that is
intended to be occupied at different times for different
purposes shall comply with all applicable requirements associated with such potential multipurpose. Structures
containing multiple occupancy groups shall comply with
Section 508. Where a structure is proposed for a purpose that
is not specified in this section, such structure shall be classified in the occupancy it most nearly resembles based on the
fire safety and relative hazard. Occupied roofs shall be classified in the group that the occupancy most nearly resembles,
according to the fire safety and relative hazard, and shall
comply with Section 503.1.4 .
1. Assembly (see Section 303): Groups A-1, A-2, A-3,
A-4 and A-5.
2. Business (see Section 304): Group B.
3. Educational (see Section 305): Group E.
4. Factory and Industrial (see Section 306): Groups F-1
and F-2.
5. High Hazard (see Section 307): Groups H-1, H-2, H3, H-4 and H-5.
6. Institutional (see Section 308): Groups I-1, I-2, I-3
and I-4.
7. Mercantile (see Section 309): Group M.
8. Residential (see Section 310): Groups R-1, R-2, R-3
and R-4.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
302.2 Use designation. Occupancy groups contain subordinate uses having similar hazards and risks to building
occupants. Uses include, but are not limited to, those functional designations specified within the occupancy group
descriptions in Section 302.1. Certain uses require specific
limitations and controls in accordance with the provisions of
Chapter 4 and elsewhere in this code.
SECTION 303
ASSEMBLY GROUP A
303.1 Assembly Group A. Assembly Group A occupancy
includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or
a portion thereof, for the gathering of persons for purposes
such as civic, social or religious functions; recreation, food
or drink consumption or awaiting transportation.
303.1.1 Small buildings and tenant spaces. A building
or tenant space used for assembly purposes with an occupant load of less than 50 persons shall be classified as a
Group B occupancy.
303.1.2 Small assembly spaces. The following rooms
and spaces shall not be classified as Assembly
occupancies:
1.
2.
A room or space used for assembly purposes with
an occupant load of less than 50 persons and
accessory to another occupancy shall be classified
as a Group B occupancy or as part of that
occupancy.
A room or space used for assembly purposes that
is less than 750 square feet (70 m2) in area and
accessory to another occupancy shall be classified
as a Group B occupancy or as part of that
occupancy.
303.1.3 Associated with Group E occupancies. A room
or space used for assembly purposes that is associated
with a Group E occupancy is not considered a separate
occupancy.
303.1.4 Accessory to places of religious worship.
Accessory religious educational rooms and religious
auditoriums with occupant loads of less than 100 per
room or space are not considered separate occupancies.
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3-1
OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
303.1.5 Special amusement areas. Special amusement
areas shall comply with Section 411.
303.2 Assembly Group A-1. Group A-1 occupancy includes
assembly uses, usually with fixed seating, intended for the
production and viewing of the performing arts or motion
pictures including, but not limited to:
Motion picture theaters
Symphony and concert halls
Television and radio studios admitting an audience
Theaters
303.3 Assembly Group A-2. Group A-2 occupancy includes
assembly uses intended for food and/or drink consumption
including, but not limited to:
Banquet halls
Casinos (gaming areas)
Nightclubs
Restaurants, cafeterias and similar dining facilities
(including associated commercial kitchens)
Taverns and bars
303.4 Assembly Group A-3. Group A-3 occupancy includes
assembly uses intended for worship, recreation or amusement and other assembly uses not classified elsewhere in
Group A including, but not limited to:
Amusement arcades
Art galleries
Bowling alleys
Community halls
Courtrooms
Dance halls (not including food or drink consumption)
Exhibition halls
Funeral parlors
Greenhouses for the conservation and exhibition of plants
that provide public access
Gymnasiums (without spectator seating)
Indoor swimming pools (without spectator seating)
Indoor tennis courts (without spectator seating)
Lecture halls
Libraries
Museums
Places of religious worship
Pool and billiard parlors
Waiting areas in transportation terminals
303.5 Assembly Group A-4. Group A-4 occupancy includes
assembly uses intended for viewing of indoor sporting
events and activities with spectator seating including, but not
limited to:
Arenas
Skating rinks
Swimming pools
Tennis courts
3-2
303.6 Assembly Group A-5. Group A-5 occupancy includes
assembly uses intended for participation in or viewing
outdoor activities including, but not limited to:
Amusement park structures
Bleachers
Grandstands
Stadiums
SECTION 304
BUSINESS GROUP B
304.1 Business Group B. Business Group B occupancy
includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or
a portion thereof, for office, professional or service-type
transactions, including storage of records and accounts.
Business occupancies shall include, but not be limited to, the
following:
Airport traffic control towers
Ambulatory care facilities
Animal hospitals, kennels and pounds
Banks
Barber and beauty shops
Car wash
Civic administration
Clinic, outpatient
Dry cleaning and laundries: pick-up and delivery stations
and self-service
Educational occupancies for students above the 12th
grade including higher education laboratories
Electronic data processing
Food processing establishments and commercial kitchens
not associated with restaurants, cafeterias and similar dining facilities not more than 2,500 square feet
(232 m2) in area
Laboratories: testing and research
Motor vehicle showrooms
Post offices
Print shops
Professional services (architects, attorneys, dentists,
physicians, engineers, etc.)
Radio and television stations
Telephone exchanges
Training and skill development not in a school or
academic program (this shall include, but not be
limited to, tutoring centers, martial arts studios,
gymnastics and similar uses regardless of the ages
served, and where not classified as a Group A
occupancy)
304.2 Airport traffic control towers. Airport traffic control
towers shall comply with Section 412.2.
304.3 Ambulatory care facilities. Ambulatory care facilities shall comply with Section 422.
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
304.4 Higher education laboratories. Higher education
laboratories shall comply with Section 428.
SECTION 305
EDUCATIONAL GROUP E
305.1 Educational Group E. Educational Group E occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or
structure, or a portion thereof, by six or more persons at any
one time for educational purposes through the 12th grade.
305.1.1 Accessory to places of religious worship. Religious educational rooms and religious auditoriums, which
are accessory to places of religious worship in accordance
with Section 303.1.4 and have occupant loads of less than
100 per room or space, shall be classified as Group A-3
occupancies.
305.2 Group E, day care facilities. This group includes
buildings and structures or portions thereof occupied by
more than five children older than 21/2 years of age who
receive educational, supervision or personal care services
for fewer than 24 hours per day.
305.2.1 Within places of religious worship. Rooms and
spaces within places of religious worship providing such
day care during religious functions shall be classified as
part of the primary occupancy.
305.2.2 Five or fewer children. A facility having five or
fewer children receiving such day care shall be classified
as part of the primary occupancy.
305.2.3 Five or fewer children in a dwelling unit. A
facility such as the above within a dwelling unit and
having five or fewer children receiving such day care
shall be classified as a Group R-3 occupancy or shall
comply with the International Residential Code.
305.3 Storm shelters in Group E occupancies. Storm shelters shall be provided for Group E occupancies where
required by Section 423.5.
SECTION 306
FACTORY GROUP F
306.1 Factory Industrial Group F. Factory Industrial
Group F occupancy includes, among others, the use of a
building or structure, or a portion thereof, for assembling,
disassembling, fabricating, finishing, manufacturing, packaging, repair or processing operations that are not classified
as a Group H hazardous or Group S storage occupancy.
306.2 Moderate-hazard factory industrial, Group F-1.
Factory industrial uses that are not classified as Factory
Industrial F-2 Low Hazard shall be classified as F-1 Moderate Hazard and shall include, but not be limited to, the
following:
Aircraft (manufacturing, not to include repair)
Appliances
Athletic equipment
Automobiles and other motor vehicles
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
Bakeries
Beverages: over 16-percent alcohol content
Bicycles
Boats
Brooms or brushes
Business machines
Cameras and photo equipment
Canvas or similar fabric
Carpets and rugs (includes cleaning)
Clothing
Construction and agricultural machinery
Disinfectants
Dry cleaning and dyeing
Electric generation plants
Electronics
Energy storage systems (ESS) in dedicated use buildings
Engines (including rebuilding)
Food processing establishments and commercial kitchens
not associated with restaurants, cafeterias and similar
dining facilities more than 2,500 square feet (232 m2)
in area
Furniture
Hemp products
Jute products
Laundries
Leather products
Machinery
Metals
Millwork (sash and door)
Motion pictures and television filming (without
spectators)
Musical instruments
Optical goods
Paper mills or products
Photographic film
Plastic products
Printing or publishing
Recreational vehicles
Refuse incineration
Shoes
Soaps and detergents
Textiles
Tobacco
Trailers
Upholstering
Water/sewer treatment facilities
Wood; distillation
Woodworking (cabinet)
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3-3
OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
306.2.1 Aircraft manufacturing facilities. Aircraft
manufacturing facilities shall comply with Section 412.6.
306.3 Low-hazard factory industrial, Group F-2. Factory
industrial uses that involve the fabrication or manufacturing
of noncombustible materials that during finishing, packing
or processing do not involve a significant fire hazard shall be
classified as F-2 occupancies and shall include, but not be
limited to, the following:
Beverages: up to and including 16-percent alcohol
content
Brick and masonry
Ceramic products
Foundries
Glass products
Gypsum
Ice
Metal products (fabrication and assembly)
SECTION 307
HIGH-HAZARD GROUP H
[F] 307.1 High-hazard Group H. High-hazard Group H
occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or
structure, or a portion thereof, that involves the manufacturing, processing, generation or storage of materials that
constitute a physical or health hazard in quantities in excess
of those allowed in control areas complying with Section
414, based on the maximum allowable quantity limits for
control areas set forth in Tables 307.1(1) and 307.1(2).
Hazardous occupancies are classified in Groups H-1, H-2,
H-3, H-4 and H-5 and shall be in accordance with this
section, the requirements of Section 415 and the International Fire Code. Hazardous materials stored, or used on top
of roofs or canopies, shall be classified as outdoor storage or
use and shall comply with the International Fire Code.
[F] 307.1.1 Uses other than Group H. An occupancy
that stores, uses or handles hazardous materials as
described in one or more of the following items shall not
be classified as Group H, but shall be classified as the
occupancy that it most nearly resembles.
1. Buildings and structures occupied for the application of flammable finishes, provided that such
buildings or areas conform to the requirements of
Section 416 and the International Fire Code.
2. Wholesale and retail sales and storage of flammable and combustible liquids in mercantile
occupancies conforming to the International Fire
Code.
3. Closed piping system containing flammable or
combustible liquids or gases utilized for the operation of machinery or equipment.
3-4
4. Cleaning establishments that utilize combustible
liquid solvents having a flash point of 140°F
(60°C) or higher in closed systems employing
equipment listed by an approved testing agency,
provided that this occupancy is separated from all
other areas of the building by 1-hour fire barriers
constructed in accordance with Section 707 or 1hour horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both.
5. Cleaning establishments that utilize a liquid
solvent having a flash point at or above 200°F
(93°C).
6. Liquor stores and distributors without bulk
storage.
7. Refrigeration systems.
8. The storage or utilization of materials for agricultural purposes on the premises.
9. Stationary storage battery systems installed in
accordance with the International Fire Code.
10. Corrosive personal or household products in their
original packaging used in retail display.
11. Commonly used corrosive building materials.
12. Buildings and structures occupied for aerosol
product storage, aerosol cooking spray products
or plastic aerosol 3 products shall be classified as
Group S-1, provided that such buildings conform
to the requirements of the International Fire
Code.
13. Display and storage of nonflammable solid and
nonflammable or noncombustible liquid hazardous materials in quantities not exceeding the
maximum allowable quantity per control area in
Group M or S occupancies complying with
Section 414.2.5.
14. The storage of black powder, smokeless propellant and small arms primers in Groups M and R-3
and special industrial explosive devices in Groups
B, F, M and S, provided such storage conforms to
the quantity limits and requirements prescribed in
the International Fire Code.
15. Stationary fuel cell power systems installed in
accordance with the International Fire Code.
16. Capacitor energy storage systems in accordance
with the International Fire Code.
17. Group B higher education laboratory occupancies
complying with Section 428 and Chapter 38 of the
International Fire Code.
18. Distilling or brewing of beverages conforming to
the requirements of the International Fire Code.
19. The storage of beer, distilled spirits and wines in
barrels and casks conforming to the requirements
of the International Fire Code.
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
TABLE 307.1(1)
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER CONTROL AREA OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS POSING A PHYSICAL HAZARDa, j, m, n, p
MATERIAL
CLASS
GROUP WHEN
THE MAXIMUM
ALLOWABLE
QUANTITY IS
EXCEEDED
Combustible
dust
NA
H-2
Combustible
fiberq
Combustible
liquidc, i
Loose
Baled
o
H-3
II
H-2 or H-3
IIIA
H-2 or H-3
STORAGEb
USE-CLOSED SYSTEMSb
USE-OPEN SYSTEMSb
Solid
pounds
(cubic feet)
Liquid
gallons
(pounds)
Gas (cubic
feet at NTP)
Solid
pounds
(cubic feet)
Liquid
gallons
(pounds)
Gas (cubic
feet at NTP)
Solid
pounds
(cubic feet)
Liquid
gallons
(pounds)
See
Note q
NA
NA
See
Note q
NA
NA
See
Note q
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
(100)
(1,000)
(100)
(1,000)
120d, e
NA
330d, e
(200)
120d
NA
NA
e, f
NA
30d
330d
NA
80d
3,300f
NA
Cryogenic
flammable
NA
H-2
NA
45d
NA
NA
45d
NA
NA
10d
Cryogenic
inert
NA
NA
NA
NA
NL
NA
NA
NL
NA
NA
Cryogenic
oxidizing
NA
H-3
NA
45d
NA
NA
45d
NA
NA
10d
Division
1.1
H-1
1e, g
(1)e, g
0.25g
(0.25)g
0.25g
(0.25)g
Division
1.2
H-1
1e, g
(1)e, g
0.25g
(0.25)g
0.25g
(0.25)g
Division
1.3
H-1 or H-2
5e, g
(5)e, g
1g
(1)g
1g
(1)g
Division
1.4
H-3
50e, g
(50)e, g
50g
(50)g
NA
NA
Division
1.4G
H-3
125e, l
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Division
1.5
H-1
1e, g
(1)e, g
0.25g
(0.25)g
0.25g
(0.25)g
Division
1.6
H-1
1e, g
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
H-2
NA
NA
NA
H-2 or H-3
NA
Flammable
gas
Flammable
liquidc
Gaseous
Liquefied
IA
IB and IC
NA
1,000d,e
NA
d,e
(150)
30d, e
120
13,200
NA
f
IIIB
Explosives
13,200
(20)
d, e
NA
NA
NA
NA
1,000d,e
NA
(150)
d,e
30d
120
NA
d
NA
NA
NA
10d
30d
Flammable
liquid,
combination
(IA, IB, IC)
NA
H-2 or H-3
NA
120d, e, h
NA
NA
120d, h
NA
NA
30d, h
Flammable
solid
NA
H-3
125d, e
NA
NA
125d
NA
NA
25d
NA
Inert gas
Organic
peroxide
Gaseous
NA
NA
NA
NL
NA
NA
NL
NA
NA
Liquefied
NA
NA
NA
NL
NA
NA
NL
NA
NA
UD
H-1
1e, g
(1)e, g
0.25g
(0.25)g
0.25g
(0.25)g
I
H-2
d, e
5
d, e
II
H-3
50d, e
125
d, e
(5)
(50)d, e
(125)
d, e
d
1
NA
(1)
50d
125
d
d
d
1
(50)d
(125)
d
NA
(1)d
10d
(10)d
d
25
(25)d
III
H-3
IV
NA
NL
NL
NL
NL
NL
NL
V
NA
NL
NL
NL
NL
NL
NL
(continued)
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
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OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
TABLE 307.1(1)—continued
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER CONTROL AREA OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS POSING A PHYSICAL HAZARDa, j, m, n, p
MATERIAL
Oxidizer
CLASS
Solid
pounds
(cubic feet)
Liquid
gallons
(pounds)
4
H-1
1g
(1)e, g
3k
H-2 or H-3
10d, e
(10)d, e
2
H-3
1
NA
Gaseous
Oxidizing
gas
Liquefied
Pyrophoric
NA
4
Unstable
(reactive)
NA
(4,000)e, f
NA
1,500
(4)e, g
50e, g
H-1
1
e, g
e, g
e, g
5
d, e
H-3
1
(150)
(1)
d, e
Liquid
gallons
(pounds)
0.25g
(0.25)g
2d
(2)d
NA
10
d, e
d
250
(250)
4,000f
(4,000)f
d,e
4e, g
d, e
Solid
pounds
(cubic feet)
d
H-2
2
1
4,000e, f
(250)
d, e
Gas (cubic
feet at NTP)
NA
H-1 or H-2
2
250
d, e
USE-CLOSED SYSTEMSb
H-3
3
3
Water
reactive
STORAGEb
GROUP WHEN
THE MAXIMUM
ALLOWABLE
QUANTITY IS
EXCEEDED
NA
1g
0.25
d
(0.25)
Solid
pounds
(cubic feet)
Liquid
gallons
(pounds)
0.25g
(0.25)g
2d
(2)d
d
50
(50)d
1,000f
(1,000)f
d
NA
NA
NA
10e, g
g
e, g
2
0
g
0.25
(0.25)g
(1)d
1
50d, e
(50)d, e
750d, e
50d
(50)d
750d, e
10d
(10)d
NA
NL
NL
NL
NL
NL
NL
NL
NL
H-2
d, e
5
d, e
H-3
50
NA
NL
5
(5)
(50)
d, e
NA
NL
(5)
d
d
50
(50)
NL
NL
d
1
d
50
d
10
d, e
0
(5)
d, e
(1)
NA
1,500
d,e
(1)g
g
Gas (cubic
feet at NTP)
d,e
NA
(150)
USE-OPEN SYSTEMSb
1
NA
d
d
(1)d
10
(10)d
NL
NL
3
For SI: 1 cubic foot = 0.028 m , 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1 gallon = 3.785 L.
NL = Not Limited; NA = Not Applicable; UD = Unclassified Detonable.
a. For use of control areas, see Section 414.2.
b. The aggregate quantity in use and storage shall not exceed the quantity specified for storage.
c. The quantities of alcoholic beverages in retail and wholesale sales occupancies shall not be limited provided the liquids are packaged in individual containers not exceeding 1.3 gallons. In retail and wholesale sales occupancies, the quantities of medicines, foodstuffs or consumer products, and cosmetics
containing not more than 50 percent by volume of water-miscible liquids with the remainder of the solutions not being flammable, shall not be limited,
provided that such materials are packaged in individual containers not exceeding 1.3 gallons.
d. Maximum allowable quantities shall be increased 100 percent in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1. Where Note e also applies, the increase for both notes shall be applied accumulatively.
e. Maximum allowable quantities shall be increased 100 percent when stored in approved storage cabinets, day boxes, gas cabinets, gas rooms or exhausted
enclosures or in listed safety cans in accordance with Section 5003.9.10 of the International Fire Code. Where Note d also applies, the increase for both
notes shall be applied accumulatively.
f. Quantities shall not be limited in a building equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
g. Allowed only in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
h. Containing not more than the maximum allowable quantity per control area of Class IA, IB or IC flammable liquids.
i. The maximum allowable quantity shall not apply to fuel oil storage complying with Section 605.4.2 of the International Fire Code.
j. Quantities in parentheses indicate quantity units in parentheses at the head of each column.
k. A maximum quantity of 220 pounds of solid or 22 gallons of liquid Class 3 oxidizers is allowed when such materials are necessary for maintenance
purposes, operation or sanitation of equipment when the storage containers and the manner of storage are approved.
l. Net weight of the pyrotechnic composition of the fireworks. Where the net weight of the pyrotechnic composition of the fireworks is not known, 25
percent of the gross weight of the fireworks, including packaging, shall be used.
m. For gallons of liquids, divide the amount in pounds by 10 in accordance with Section 5003.1.2 of the International Fire Code.
n. For storage and display quantities in Group M and storage quantities in Group S occupancies complying with Section 414.2.5, see Tables 414.2.5(1) and
414.2.5(2).
o. Densely packed baled cotton that complies with the packing requirements of ISO 8115 shall not be included in this material class.
p. The following shall not be included in determining the maximum allowable quantities:
1. Liquid or gaseous fuel in fuel tanks on vehicles.
2. Liquid or gaseous fuel in fuel tanks on motorized equipment operated in accordance with the International Fire Code.
3. Gaseous fuels in piping systems and fixed appliances regulated by the International Fuel Gas Code.
4. Liquid fuels in piping systems and fixed appliances regulated by the International Mechanical Code.
5. Alcohol-based hand rubs classified as Class I or II liquids in dispensers that are installed in accordance with Sections 5705.5 and 5705.5.1 of the
International Fire Code. The location of the alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) dispensers shall be provided in the construction documents.
q. Where manufactured, generated or used in such a manner that the concentration and conditions create a fire or explosion hazard based on information
prepared in accordance with Section 414.1.3.
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OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
TABLE 307.1(2)
[F] TABLE 307.1(2)
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER CONTROL AREA OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS POSING A HEALTH HAZARDa, c, f, h, i
STORAGEb
MATERIAL
Solid poundsd, e
Liquid gallons
(pounds)d, e
USE-CLOSED SYSTEMSb
Gas cubic feet
at NTP
(pounds)d
Solid poundsd
Liquid gallons
(pounds)d
Gaseous 810e
Corrosives
5,000
500
Highly Toxic
10
(10)
Liquefied
(150)
500
(500)
Solid poundsd
Liquid gallons
(pounds)d
1,000
100
3
(3)
125
(125)
Gaseous 810e
5,000
500
10
(10)
Gaseous 20g
Liquefied (4)g
Gaseous 810e
Toxic
Gas cubic feet
at NTP
(pounds)d
USE-OPEN SYSTEMSb
Gaseous 20g
Liquefied (4)g
Gaseous 810e
500
Liquefied
(150)e
Liquefied
(150)
(500)
Liquefied
(150)e
For SI: 1 cubic foot = 0.028 m3, 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1 gallon = 3.785 L.
a. For use of control areas, see Section 414.2.
b. The aggregate quantity in use and storage shall not exceed the quantity specified for storage.
c. In retail and wholesale sales occupancies, the quantities of medicines, foodstuffs or consumer products, and cosmetics containing not more than 50 percent
by volume of water-miscible liquids and with the remainder of the solutions not being flammable, shall not be limited, provided that such materials are
packaged in individual containers not exceeding 1.3 gallons.
d. Maximum allowable quantities shall be increased 100 percent in buildings equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance
with Section 903.3.1.1. Where Note e also applies, the increase for both notes shall be applied accumulatively.
e. Maximum allowable quantities shall be increased 100 percent where stored in approved storage cabinets, gas cabinets or exhausted enclosures as specified
in the International Fire Code. Where Note d also applies, the increase for both notes shall be applied accumulatively.
f. For storage and display quantities in Group M and storage quantities in Group S occupancies complying with Section 414.2.5, see Tables 414.2.5(1) and
414.2.5(2).
g. Allowed only where stored in approved exhausted gas cabinets or exhausted enclosures as specified in the International Fire Code.
h. Quantities in parentheses indicate quantity units in parentheses at the head of each column.
i. For gallons of liquids, divide the amount in pounds by 10 in accordance with Section 5003.1.2 of the International Fire Code.
2.
[F] 307.2 Hazardous materials. Hazardous materials in
any quantity shall conform to the requirements of this code,
including Section 414 , and the International Fire Code.
[F] 307.3 High-hazard Group H-1. Buildings and structures containing materials that pose a detonation hazard shall
be classified as Group H-1. Such materials shall include, but
not be limited to, the following:
Detonable pyrophoric materials
Explosives:
Division 1.1
Division 1.2
Division 1.3
Division 1.4
Division 1.5
Division 1.6
Organic peroxides, unclassified detonable
Oxidizers, Class 4
Unstable (reactive) materials, Class 3 detonable and
Class 4
[F] 307.3.1 Occupancies containing explosives not
classified as H-1. The following occupancies containing
explosive materials shall be classified as follows:
1.
Division 1.3 explosive materials that are used and
maintained in a form where either confinement or
configuration will not elevate the hazard from a
mass fire to mass explosion hazard shall be
allowed in H-2 occupancies.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
Articles, including articles packaged for shipment,
that are not regulated as a Division 1.4 explosive
under Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives regulations, or unpackaged articles
used in process operations that do not propagate a
detonation or deflagration between articles shall
be allowed in H-3 occupancies.
[F] 307.4 High-hazard Group H-2. Buildings and structures containing materials that pose a deflagration hazard or
a hazard from accelerated burning shall be classified as
Group H-2. Such materials shall include, but not be limited
to, the following:
Class I, II or IIIA flammable or combustible liquids that
are used or stored in normally open containers or
systems, or in closed containers or systems pressurized at more than 15 pounds per square inch gauge
(103.4 kPa).
Combustible dusts where manufactured, generated or
used in such a manner that the concentration and
conditions create a fire or explosion hazard based on
information prepared in accordance with Section
414.1.3.
Cryogenic fluids, flammable.
Flammable gases.
Organic peroxides, Class I.
Oxidizers, Class 3, that are used or stored in normally
open containers or systems, or in closed containers or
systems pressurized at more than 15 pounds per
square inch gauge (103 kPa).
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OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
Pyrophoric liquids, solids and gases, nondetonable.
Unstable (reactive) materials, Class 3, nondetonable.
Water-reactive materials, Class 3.
[F] 307.5 High-hazard Group H-3. Buildings and structures containing materials that readily support combustion or
that pose a physical hazard shall be classified as Group H-3.
Such materials shall include, but not be limited to, the
following:
Class I, II or IIIA flammable or combustible liquids that
are used or stored in normally closed containers or
systems pressurized at 15 pounds per square inch
gauge (103.4 kPa) or less
Combustible fibers, other than densely packed baled
cotton, where manufactured, generated or used in
such a manner that the concentration and conditions
create a fire or explosion hazard based on information prepared in accordance with Section 414.1.3
Consumer fireworks, 1.4G (Class C, Common)
Cryogenic fluids, oxidizing
Flammable solids
Organic peroxides, Class II and III
Oxidizers, Class 2
Oxidizers, Class 3, that are used or stored in normally
closed containers or systems pressurized at 15
pounds per square inch gauge (103 kPa) or less
Oxidizing gases
Unstable (reactive) materials, Class 2
Water-reactive materials, Class 2
[F] 307.6 High-hazard Group H-4. Buildings and structures containing materials that are health hazards shall be
classified as Group H-4. Such materials shall include, but not
be limited to, the following:
Corrosives
Highly toxic materials
Toxic materials
[F] 307.7 High-hazard Group H-5. Semiconductor fabrication facilities and comparable research and development
areas in which hazardous production materials (HPM) are
used and the aggregate quantity of materials is in excess of
those specified in Table 307.1(1) and [F] Table 307.1(2)
shall be classified as Group H-5. Such facilities and areas
shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Section
415.11.
[F] 307.8 Multiple hazards. Buildings and structures
containing a material or materials representing hazards that
are classified in one or more of Groups H-1, H-2, H-3 and H4 shall conform to the code requirements for each of the
occupancies so classified.
SECTION 308
INSTITUTIONAL GROUP I
308.1 Institutional Group I. Institutional Group I occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or
3-8
structure, or a portion thereof, in which care or supervision is
provided to persons who are or are incapable of self-preservation without physical assistance or in which persons are
detained for penal or correctional purposes or in which the
liberty of the occupants is restricted. Institutional occupancies shall be classified as Group I-1, I-2, I-3 or I-4.
308.2 Institutional Group I-1. Institutional Group I-1 occupancy shall include buildings, structures or portions thereof
for more than 16 persons, excluding staff, who reside on a
24-hour basis in a supervised environment and receive
custodial care. Buildings of Group I-1 shall be classified as
one of the occupancy conditions specified in Section 308.2.1
or 308.2.2 and shall comply with Section 420. This group
shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
Alcohol and drug centers
Assisted living facilities
Congregate care facilities
Group homes
Halfway houses
Residential board and care facilities
Social rehabilitation facilities
308.2.1 Condition 1. This occupancy condition shall
include buildings in which all persons receiving custodial
care who, without any assistance, are capable of responding to an emergency situation to complete building
evacuation.
308.2.2 Condition 2. This occupancy condition shall
include buildings in which there are any persons receiving custodial care who require limited verbal or physical
assistance while responding to an emergency situation to
complete building evacuation.
308.2.3 Six to 16 persons receiving custodial care. A
facility housing not fewer than six and not more than 16
persons receiving custodial care shall be classified as
Group R-4.
308.2.4 Five or fewer persons receiving custodial care.
A facility with five or fewer persons receiving custodial
care shall be classified as Group R-3 or shall comply with
the International Residential Code provided an automatic
sprinkler system is installed in accordance with Section
903.3.1.3 or Section P2904 of the International Residential Code.
308.3 Institutional Group I-2. Institutional Group I-2 occupancy shall include buildings and structures used for medical
care on a 24-hour basis for more than five persons who are
incapable of self-preservation. This group shall include, but
not be limited to, the following:
Foster care facilities
Detoxification facilities
Hospitals
Nursing homes
Psychiatric hospitals
308.3.1 Occupancy conditions. Buildings of Group I-2
shall be classified as one of the occupancy conditions
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
specified in Section 308.3.1.1 or 308.3.1.2 and shall
comply with Section 407.
308.3.1.1 Condition 1. This occupancy condition shall
include facilities that provide nursing and medical care
but do not provide emergency care, surgery, obstetrics
or in-patient stabilization units for psychiatric or
detoxification, including but not limited to nursing
homes and foster care facilities.
308.3.1.2 Condition 2. This occupancy condition shall
include facilities that provide nursing and medical care
and could provide emergency care, surgery, obstetrics
or in-patient stabilization units for psychiatric or
detoxification, including but not limited to hospitals.
308.3.2 Five or fewer persons receiving medical care. A
facility with five or fewer persons receiving medical care
shall be classified as Group R-3 or shall comply with the
International Residential Code provided an automatic
sprinkler system is installed in accordance with Section
903.3.1.3 or Section P2904 of the International Residential Code.
308.4 Institutional Group I-3. Institutional Group I-3 occupancy shall include buildings and structures that are
inhabited by more than five persons who are under restraint
or security. A Group I-3 facility is occupied by persons who
are generally incapable of self-preservation due to security
measures not under the occupants’ control. This group shall
include, but not be limited to, the following:
Correctional centers
Detention centers
Jails
Prerelease centers
Prisons
Reformatories
308.4.5 Condition 5. This occupancy condition shall
include buildings in which free movement is restricted
from an occupied space. Staff-controlled manual release
is provided to permit movement from sleeping units,
activity spaces and other occupied areas within the smoke
compartment to other smoke compartments.
308.5 Institutional Group I-4, day care facilities. Institutional Group I-4 occupancy shall include buildings and
structures occupied by more than five persons of any age
who receive custodial care for fewer than 24 hours per day
by persons other than parents or guardians; relatives by
blood, marriage or adoption; and in a place other than the
home of the person cared for. This group shall include, but
not be limited to, the following:
Adult day care
Child day care
308.5.1 Classification as Group E. A child day care
facility that provides care for more than five but not more
than 100 children 21/2 years or less of age, where the
rooms in which the children are cared for are located on a
level of exit discharge serving such rooms and each of
these child care rooms has an exit door directly to the
exterior, shall be classified as Group E.
308.5.2 Within a place of religious worship. Rooms and
spaces within places of religious worship providing such
care during religious functions shall be classified as part
of the primary occupancy.
Buildings of Group I-3 shall be classified as one of the
occupancy conditions specified in Sections 308.4.1 through
308.4.5 and shall comply with Section 408.
308.4.1 Condition 1. This occupancy condition shall
include buildings in which free movement is allowed
from sleeping areas, and other spaces where access or
occupancy is permitted, to the exterior via means of
egress without restraint. A Condition 1 facility is permitted to be constructed as Group R.
308.4.2 Condition 2. This occupancy condition shall
include buildings in which free movement is allowed
from sleeping areas and any other occupied smoke
compartment to one or more other smoke compartments.
Egress to the exterior is impeded by locked exits.
308.4.3 Condition 3. This occupancy condition shall
include buildings in which free movement is allowed
within individual smoke compartments, such as within a
residential unit composed of individual sleeping units and
group activity spaces, where egress is impeded by
remote-controlled release of means of egress from such a
smoke compartment to another smoke compartment.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
308.4.4 Condition 4. This occupancy condition shall
include buildings in which free movement is restricted
from an occupied space. Remote-controlled release is
provided to permit movement from sleeping units, activity spaces and other occupied areas within the smoke
compartment to other smoke compartments.
308.5.3 Five or fewer persons receiving care. A facility
having five or fewer persons receiving custodial care
shall be classified as part of the primary occupancy.
308.5.4 Five or fewer persons receiving care in a
dwelling unit. A facility such as the above within a
dwelling unit and having five or fewer persons receiving
custodial care shall be classified as a Group R-3 occupancy or shall comply with the International Residential
Code.
SECTION 309
MERCANTILE GROUP M
309.1 Mercantile Group M. Mercantile Group M occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or
structure or a portion thereof for the display and sale of
merchandise, and involves stocks of goods, wares or
merchandise incidental to such purposes and where the
public has access. Mercantile occupancies shall include, but
not be limited to, the following:
Department stores
Drug stores
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OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
Markets
Greenhouses for display and sale of plants that provide
public access.
Motor fuel-dispensing facilities
Retail or wholesale stores
Sales rooms
309.2 Quantity of hazardous materials. The aggregate
quantity of nonflammable solid and nonflammable or
noncombustible liquid hazardous materials stored or
displayed in a single control area of a Group M occupancy
shall not exceed the quantities in Table 414.2.5(1).
309.3 Motor fuel-dispensing facilities. Motor fuel-dispensing facilities shall comply with Section 406.7.
SECTION 310
RESIDENTIAL GROUP R
310.1 Residential Group R. Residential Group R includes,
among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion
thereof, for sleeping purposes when not classified as an Institutional Group I or when not regulated by the International
Residential Code. Group R occupancies not constructed in
accordance with the International Residential Code as
permitted by Sections 310.4.1 and 310.4.2 shall comply with
Section 420.
310.2 Residential Group R-1. Residential Group R-1 occupancies containing sleeping units where the occupants are
primarily transient in nature, including:
Boarding houses (transient) with more than 10 occupants
Congregate living facilities (transient) with more than 10
occupants
Hotels (transient)
Motels (transient)
310.3 Residential Group R-2. Residential Group R-2 occupancies containing sleeping units or more than two dwelling
units where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature,
including:
Apartment houses
Congregate living facilities (nontransient) with more than
16 occupants
Boarding houses (nontransient)
Convents
Dormitories
Fraternities and sororities
Monasteries
Hotels (nontransient)
Live/work units
Motels (nontransient)
Vacation timeshare properties
310.4 Residential Group R-3. Residential Group R-3 occupancies where the occupants are primarily permanent in
3-10
nature and not classified as Group R-1, R-2, R-4 or I,
including:
Buildings that do not contain more than two dwelling
units
Care facilities that provide accommodations for five or
fewer persons receiving care
Congregate living facilities (nontransient) with 16 or
fewer occupants
Boarding houses (nontransient)
Convents
Dormitories
Fraternities and sororities
Monasteries
Congregate living facilities (transient) with 10 or fewer
occupants
Boarding houses (transient)
Lodging houses (transient) with five or fewer guest
rooms and 10 or fewer occupants
310.4.1 Care facilities within a dwelling. Care facilities
for five or fewer persons receiving care that are within a
single-family dwelling are permitted to comply with the
International Residential Code provided an automatic
sprinkler system is installed in accordance with Section
903.3.1.3 or Section P2904 of the International Residential Code.
310.4.2 Lodging houses. Owner-occupied lodging
houses with five or fewer guest rooms and 10 or fewer
total occupants shall be permitted to be constructed in
accordance with the International Residential Code,
provided that an automatic sprinkler system is installed in
accordance with Section 903.3.1.3 or Section P2904 of
the International Residential Code.
310.5 Residential Group R-4. Residential Group R-4 occupancy shall include buildings, structures or portions thereof
for more than five but not more than 16 persons, excluding
staff, who reside on a 24-hour basis in a supervised residential environment and receive custodial care. Buildings of
Group R-4 shall be classified as one of the occupancy conditions specified in Section 310.5.1 or 310.5.2. This group
shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
Alcohol and drug centers
Assisted living facilities
Congregate care facilities
Group homes
Halfway houses
Residential board and care facilities
Social rehabilitation facilities
Group R-4 occupancies shall meet the requirements for
construction as defined for Group R-3, except as otherwise
provided for in this code.
310.5.1 Condition 1. This occupancy condition shall
include buildings in which all persons receiving custodial
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
care, without any assistance, are capable of responding to
an emergency situation to complete building evacuation.
310.5.2 Condition 2. This occupancy condition shall
include buildings in which there are any persons receiving custodial care who require limited verbal or physical
assistance while responding to an emergency situation to
complete building evacuation.
SECTION 311
STORAGE GROUP S
Resilient flooring
Self-service storage facility (mini-storage)
Silks
Soaps
Sugar
Tires, bulk storage of
Tobacco, cigars, cigarettes and snuff
Upholstery and mattresses
Wax candles
311.1 Storage Group S. Storage Group S occupancy
includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or
a portion thereof, for storage that is not classified as a
hazardous occupancy.
311.2.1 Aircraft hangers. Aircraft hangars used for storage or repair shall comply with Section 412.3.
311.1.1 Accessory storage spaces. A room or space used
for storage purposes that is accessory to another occupancy shall be classified as part of that occupancy.
311.3 Low-hazard storage, Group S-2. Storage Group S-2
occupancies include, among others, buildings used for the
storage of noncombustible materials such as products on
wood pallets or in paper cartons with or without single thickness divisions; or in paper wrappings. Such products are
permitted to have a negligible amount of plastic trim, such as
knobs, handles or film wrapping. Group S-2 storage uses
shall include, but not be limited to, storage of the following:
311.1.2 Combustible storage. High-piled stock or rack
storage, or attic, under-floor and concealed spaces used
for storage of combustible materials, shall be in accordance with Section 413.
311.2 Moderate-hazard storage, Group S-1. Storage
Group S-1 occupancies are buildings occupied for storage
uses that are not classified as Group S-2, including, but not
limited to, storage of the following:
Aerosol products, Levels 2 and 3
Aircraft hangar (storage and repair)
Bags: cloth, burlap and paper
Bamboos and rattan
Baskets
Belting: canvas and leather
Beverages over 16-percent alcohol content
Books and paper in rolls or packs
Boots and shoes
Buttons, including cloth covered, pearl or bone
Cardboard and cardboard boxes
Clothing, woolen wearing apparel
Cordage
Dry boat storage (indoor)
Furniture
Furs
Glues, mucilage, pastes and size
Grains
Horns and combs, other than celluloid
Leather
Linoleum
Lumber
Motor vehicle repair garages complying with the maximum allowable quantities of hazardous materials
specified in Table 307.1(1) (see Section 406.8)
Photo engravings
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
311.2.2 Motor vehicle repair garages Motor vehicle
repair garages shall comply with Section 406.8.
Asbestos
Beverages up to and including 16-percent alcohol
Cement in bags
Chalk and crayons
Dairy products in nonwaxed coated paper containers
Dry cell batteries
Electrical coils
Electrical motors
Empty cans
Food products
Foods in noncombustible containers
Fresh fruits and vegetables in nonplastic trays or
containers
Frozen foods
Glass
Glass bottles, empty or filled with noncombustible liquids
Gypsum board
Inert pigments
Ivory
Meats
Metal cabinets
Metal desks with plastic tops and trim
Metal parts
Metals
Mirrors
Oil-filled and other types of distribution transformers
Public parking garages, open or enclosed
Porcelain and pottery
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OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
Stoves
Talc and soapstones
Washers and dryers
311.3.1 Public parking garages. Public parking garages
shall comply with Section 406.4 and the additional
requirements of Section 406.5 for open parking garages
or Section 406.6 for enclosed parking garages.
SECTION 312
UTILITY AND MISCELLANEOUS GROUP U
312.1 General. Buildings and structures of an accessory
character and miscellaneous structures not classified in any
specific occupancy shall be constructed, equipped and maintained to conform to the requirements of this code
commensurate with the fire and life hazard incidental to their
occupancy. Group U shall include, but not be limited to, the
following:
Agricultural buildings
Aircraft hangars, accessory to a one- or two-family residence (see Section 412.4)
Barns
Carports
Communication equipment structures with a gross floor
area of less than 1,500 square feet (139 m2)
Fences more than 7 feet (2134 mm) in height
Grain silos, accessory to a residential occupancy
Livestock shelters
Private garages
Retaining walls
Sheds
Stables
Tanks
Towers
312.1.1 Greenhouses. Greenhouses not classified as
another occupancy shall be classified as Use Group U.
312.2 Private garages and carports. Private garages and
carports shall comply with Section 406.3.
312.3 Residential aircraft hangars. Aircraft hangars accessory to a one- or two-family residence shall comply with
Section 412.4.
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
CHAPTER 4
SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS
BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
User note:
About this chapter: Chapter 4 provides detailed criteria for special uses and occupancies. The unique characteristics of a live/work unit as
opposed to a 30-story high-rise building call for specific standards for each. Twenty-seven sections address covered and open mall buildings, atriums, hospitals, stages, buildings where hazardous materials are used and stored, jails and prisons, ambulatory care facilities and
storm shelters, among other special occupancy issues.
SECTION 401
SCOPE
surrounded on all sides by a permanent open space of not
less than 60 feet (18 288 mm).
401.1 Detailed occupancy and use requirements. In addition to the occupancy and construction requirements in this
code, the provisions of this chapter apply to the occupancies
and use described herein.
Exception: The permanent open space of 60 feet (18 288
mm) shall be permitted to be reduced to not less than 40
feet (12 192 mm), provided that the following requirements are met:
1.
SECTION 402
COVERED MALL AND OPEN MALL BUILDINGS
402.1 Applicability. The provisions of this section shall
apply to buildings or structures defined herein as covered or
open mall buildings not exceeding three floor levels at any
point nor more than three stories above grade plane. Except
as specifically required by this section, covered and open
mall buildings shall meet applicable provisions of this code.
2.
3.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
4.
Foyers and lobbies of Group B, R-1 and R-2 occupancies are not required to comply with this
section.
Buildings need not comply with the provisions of
this section where they totally comply with other
applicable provisions of this code.
402.1.1 Open mall building perimeter line. For the
purpose of this code, a perimeter line shall be established.
The perimeter line shall encircle all buildings and structures that comprise the open mall building and shall
encompass any open-air interior walkways, open-air
courtyards or similar open-air spaces. The perimeter line
shall define the extent of the open mall building. Anchor
buildings and parking structures shall be outside of the
perimeter line and are not considered as part of the open
mall building.
402.2 Open space. A covered mall building and attached
anchor buildings and parking garages shall be surrounded on
all sides by a permanent open space or not less than 60 feet
(18 288 mm). An open mall building and anchor buildings
and parking garages adjoining the perimeter line shall be
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
The reduced open space shall not be allowed for
more than 75 percent of the perimeter of the
covered or open mall building and anchor
buildings.
The exterior wall facing the reduced open space
shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than
3 hours.
Openings in the exterior wall facing the reduced
open space shall have opening protectives with a
fire protection rating of not less than 3 hours.
Group E, H, I or R occupancies are not located
within the covered or open mall building or
anchor buildings.
402.3 Lease plan. Each owner of a covered mall building or
of an open mall building shall provide both the building and
fire departments with a lease plan showing the location of
each occupancy and its exits after the certificate of occupancy has been issued. Modifications or changes in
occupancy or use from that shown on the lease plan shall not
be made without prior approval of the building official.
402.4 Construction. The construction of covered and open
mall buildings, anchor buildings and parking garages associated with a mall building shall comply with Sections 402.4.1
through 402.4.3.
402.4.1 Area and types of construction. The building
area and type of construction of covered mall or open
mall buildings, anchor buildings and parking garages
shall comply with this section.
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402.4.1.1 Covered and open mall buildings. The
building area of any covered mall or open mall building shall not be limited provided that the covered mall
4-1
SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
or open mall building does not exceed three floor
levels at any point nor three stories above grade plane,
and is of Type I, II, III or IV construction.
Parking garages, which are separated from covered
mall buildings, open mall buildings or anchor buildings, shall comply with the provisions of Table 705.5.
402.4.1.2 Anchor buildings. The building area and
building height of any anchor building shall be based
on the type of construction as required by Section 503
as modified by Sections 504 and 506.
Pedestrian walkways and tunnels that connect
garages to mall buildings or anchor buildings shall be
constructed in accordance with Section 3104.
Exception: The building area of any anchor building shall not be limited provided that the anchor
building is not more than three stories above grade
plane, and is of Type I, II, III or IV construction.
402.4.1.3 Parking garage. The building area and
building height of any parking garage shall be based
on the type of construction as required by Sections
406.5 and 406.6, respectively.
402.4.2 Fire-resistance-rated separation. Fire-resistance-rated separation is not required between tenant
spaces and the mall. Fire-resistance-rated separation is
not required between a food court and adjacent tenant
spaces or the mall.
402.4.2.1 Tenant separations. Each tenant space shall
be separated from other tenant spaces by a fire partition complying with Section 708. A tenant separation
wall is not required between any tenant space and the
mall.
402.4.2.2 Anchor building separation. An anchor
building shall be separated from the covered or open
mall building by fire walls complying with Section
706.
402.4.3 Open mall construction. Floor assemblies in,
and roof assemblies over, the open mall of an open mall
building shall be open to the atmosphere for not less than
20 feet (9096 mm), measured perpendicular from the face
of the tenant spaces on the lowest level, from edge of
balcony to edge of balcony on upper floors and from edge
of roof line to edge of roof line. The openings within, or
the unroofed area of, an open mall shall extend from the
lowest/grade level of the open mall through the entire
roof assembly. Balconies on upper levels of the mall shall
not project into the required width of the opening.
402.4.3.1 Pedestrian walkways. Pedestrian walkways
connecting balconies in an open mall shall be located
not less than 20 feet (9096 mm) from any other pedestrian walkway.
[F] 402.5 Automatic sprinkler system. Covered and open
mall buildings and buildings connected shall be equipped
throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance
with Section 903.3.1.1, which shall comply with all of the
following:
1.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
Anchor buildings of not more than three
stories above grade plane that have an
occupancy classification the same as that
permitted for tenants of the mall building
shall be separated by 2-hour fire-resistance-rated fire barriers complying with
Section 707.
The exterior walls of anchor buildings
separated from an open mall building by
an open mall shall comply with Table
705.5.
402.4.2.2.1 Openings between anchor building
and mall. Except for the separation between Group
R-1 sleeping units and the mall, openings between
anchor buildings of Type IA, IB, IIA or IIB
construction and the mall need not be protected.
402.4.2.3 Parking garages. An attached garage for the
storage of passenger vehicles having a capacity of not
more than nine persons and open parking garages
shall be considered as a separate building where it is
separated from the covered or open mall building or
anchor building by not less than 2-hour fire barriers
constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both.
4-2
2.
3.
4.
5.
The automatic sprinkler system shall be complete
and operative throughout occupied space in the mall
building prior to occupancy of any of the tenant
spaces. Unoccupied tenant spaces shall be similarly
protected unless provided with approved alternative
protection.
Sprinkler protection for the mall of a covered mall
building shall be independent from that provided for
tenant spaces or anchor buildings.
Sprinkler protection for the tenant spaces of an open
mall building shall be independent from that
provided for anchor buildings.
Sprinkler protection shall be provided beneath exterior circulation balconies located adjacent to an open
mall.
Where tenant spaces are supplied by the same
system, they shall be independently controlled.
Exception: An automatic sprinkler system shall
not be required in spaces or areas of open parking garages separated from the covered or open
mall building in accordance with Section
402.4.2.3 and constructed in accordance with
Section 406.5.
402.6 Interior finishes and features. Interior finishes
within the mall and installations within the mall shall comply
with Sections 402.6.1 through 402.6.4.
402.6.1 Interior finish Interior wall and ceiling finishes
within the mall of a covered mall building and within the
exits of covered or open mall buildings shall have a mini-
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
ASTM D1929, and a flame spread index not greater
than 75 and smoke-developed index not greater than
450 when tested in the manner intended for use in
accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723 or meet the
acceptance criteria of Section 803.1.1.1 when tested in
accordance with NFPA 286.
mum flame spread index and smoke-developed index of
Class B in accordance with Chapter 8. Interior floor
finishes shall meet the requirements of Section 804.
402.6.2 Kiosks. Kiosks and similar structures (temporary
or permanent) located within the mall of a covered mall
building or within the perimeter line of an open mall
building shall meet the following requirements:
2.
3.
4.
Combustible kiosks or other structures shall not be
located within a covered or open mall unless
constructed of any of the following materials:
1.1. Fire-retardant-treated wood complying
with Section 2303.2.
1.2. Foam plastics having a maximum heat
release rate not greater than 100 kW (105
Btu/h) when tested in accordance with the
exhibit booth protocol in UL 1975 or when
tested in accordance with NFPA 289 using
the 20 kW ignition source.
1.3. Aluminum composite material (ACM)
meeting the requirements of Class A interior finish in accordance with Chapter 8
when tested as an assembly in the maximum thickness intended.
Kiosks or similar structures located within the
mall shall be provided with approved automatic
sprinkler system and detection devices.
The horizontal separation between kiosks or
groupings thereof and other structures within the
mall shall be not less than 20 feet (6096 mm).
Each kiosk or similar structure or groupings
thereof shall have an area not greater than 300
square feet (28 m2).
402.6.3 Play structures. Play structures located within a
mall building or within the perimeter line of an open mall
building shall comply with Section 424. The horizontal
separation between play structures, kiosks and similar
structures within the mall shall be not less than 20 feet
(6096 mm).
402.6.4 Plastic signs. Plastic signs affixed to the storefront of any tenant space facing a mall or open mall shall
be limited as specified in Sections 402.6.4.1 through
402.6.4.5.
402.6.4.1 Area. Plastic signs shall be not more than 20
percent of the wall area facing the mall.
402.6.4.2 Height and width. Plastic signs shall be not
greater than 36 inches (914 mm) in height, except that
where the sign is vertical, the height shall be not
greater than 96 inches (2438 mm) and the width shall
be not greater than 36 inches (914 mm).
402.6.4.3 Location. Plastic signs shall be located not
less than 18 inches (457 mm) from adjacent tenants.
402.6.4.4 Plastics other than foam plastics. Plastics
other than foam plastics used in signs shall be lighttransmitting plastics complying with Section 2606.4 or
shall have a self-ignition temperature of 650°F
(343°C) or greater when tested in accordance with
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
402.6.4.4.1 Encasement. Edges and backs of plastic
signs in the mall shall be fully encased in metal.
402.6.4.5 Foam plastics. Foam plastics used in signs
shall have flame-retardant characteristics such that the
sign has a maximum heat-release rate of 150 kilowatts
when tested in accordance with UL 1975 or when
tested in accordance with NFPA 289 using the 20 kW
ignition source, and the foam plastics shall have the
physical characteristics specified in this section. Foam
plastics used in signs installed in accordance with
Section 402.6.4 shall not be required to comply with
the flame spread and smoke-developed indices specified in Section 2603.3.
402.6.4.5.1 Density. The density of foam plastics
used in signs shall be not less than 20 pounds per
cubic foot (pcf) (320 kg/ m3).
402.6.4.5.2 Thickness. The thickness of foam plastic signs shall not be greater than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm).
[F] 402.7 Emergency systems. Covered and open mall
buildings, anchor buildings and associated parking garages
shall be provided with emergency systems complying with
Sections 402.7.1 through 402.7.5.
[F] 402.7.1 Standpipe system. Covered and open mall
buildings shall be equipped throughout with a standpipe
system as required by Section 905.3.3.
[F] 402.7.2 Smoke control. Atriums connecting three or
more stories in a covered mall building shall be provided
with a smoke control system in accordance with Section
909.
[F] 402.7.3 Emergency power. Covered mall buildings
greater than 50,000 square feet (4645 m2) in area and
open mall buildings greater than 50,000 square feet (4645
m2) within the established perimeter line shall be
provided with emergency power that is capable of operating the emergency voice/alarm communication system in
accordance with Section 2702.
[F] 402.7.4 Emergency voice/alarm communication
system. Where the total floor area is greater than 50,000
square feet (4645 m2) within either a covered mall building or within the perimeter line of an open mall building,
an emergency voice/alarm communication system shall be
provided.
The fire department shall have access to any emergency voice/alarm communication systems serving a mall,
required or otherwise. The systems shall be provided in
accordance with Section 907.5.2.2.
[F] 402.7.5 Fire department access to equipment.
Rooms or areas containing controls for air-conditioning
systems or fire protection systems shall be identified for
use by the fire department.
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1.
SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
402.8 Means of egress. Covered mall buildings, open mall
buildings and each tenant space within a mall building shall
be provided with means of egress as required by this section
and this code. Where there is a conflict between the requirements of this code and the requirements of Sections 402.8.1
through 402.8.8, the requirements of Sections 402.8.1
through 402.8.8 shall apply.
402.8.1 Mall width. For the purpose of providing
required egress, malls are permitted to be considered as
corridors but need not comply with the requirements of
Section 1005.1 of this code where the width of the mall is
as specified in this section.
402.8.1.1 Minimum width. The aggregate clear
egress width of the mall in either a covered or open
mall building shall be not less than 20 feet (6096 mm).
The mall width shall be sufficient to accommodate the
occupant load served. Any portion of the minimum
required aggregate egress width shall be not less than
10 feet (3048 mm) measured to a height of 8 feet
(2438 mm) between any projection of a tenant space
bordering the mall and the nearest kiosk, vending
machine, bench, display opening, food court or other
obstruction to means of egress travel.
402.8.2 Determination of occupant load. The occupant
load permitted in any individual tenant space in a covered
or open mall building shall be determined as required by
this code. Means of egress requirements for individual
tenant spaces shall be based on the occupant load thus
determined.
402.8.2.1 Occupant formula. In determining required
means of egress of the mall, the number of occupants
for whom means of egress are to be provided shall be
based on gross leasable area of the covered or open
mall building (excluding anchor buildings) and the
occupant load factor as determined by Equation 4-1.
OLF = (0.00007)(GLA) + 25
(Equation 4-1)
where:
OLF
GLA
= The occupant load factor (square feet per
person).
= The gross leasable area (square feet).
Exception: Tenant spaces attached to a covered or
open mall building but with a means of egress
system that is totally independent of the open mall of
an open mall building or of a covered mall building
shall not be considered as gross leasable area for
determining the required means of egress for the
mall building.
402.8.2.2 OLF range. The occupant load factor
(OLF) is not required to be less than 30 and shall not
exceed 50.
402.8.2.3 Anchor buildings. The occupant load of
anchor buildings opening into the mall shall not be
included in computing the total number of occupants
for the mall.
402.8.2.4 Food courts. The occupant load of a food
court shall be determined in accordance with Section
4-4
1004. For the purposes of determining the means of
egress requirements for the mall, the food court occupant load shall be added to the occupant load of the
covered or open mall building as calculated in Section
402.8.2.1.
402.8.3 Number of means of egress. Wherever the
distance of travel to the mall from any location within a
tenant space used by persons other than employees is
greater than 75 feet (22 860 mm) or the tenant space has
an occupant load of 50 or more, not fewer than two
means of egress shall be provided.
402.8.4 Arrangements of means of egress. Assembly
occupancies with an occupant load of 500 or more
located within a covered mall building shall be so located
such that their entrance will be immediately adjacent to a
principal entrance to the mall and shall have not less than
one-half of their required means of egress opening
directly to the exterior of the covered mall building.
Assembly occupancies located within the perimeter line
of an open mall building shall be permitted to have their
main exit open to the open mall.
402.8.4.1 Anchor building means of egress.
Required means of egress for anchor buildings shall be
provided independently from the mall means of egress
system. The occupant load of anchor buildings opening into the mall shall not be included in determining
means of egress requirements for the mall. The path of
egress travel of malls shall not exit through anchor
buildings. Malls terminating at an anchor building
where other means of egress has not been provided
shall be considered as a dead-end mall.
402.8.5 Distance to exits. Within each individual tenant
space in a covered or open mall building, the distance of
travel from any point to an exit or entrance to the mall
shall be not greater than 200 feet (60 960 mm).
The distance of travel from any point within a mall of a
covered mall building to an exit shall be not greater than
200 feet (60 960 mm). The maximum distance of travel
from any point within an open mall to the perimeter line
of the open mall building shall be not greater than 200
feet (60 960 mm).
402.8.6 Access to exits. Where more than one exit is
required, they shall be so arranged that it is possible to
travel in either direction from any point in a mall of a
covered mall building to separate exits or from any point
in an open mall of an open mall building to two separate
locations on the perimeter line, provided that neither location is an exterior wall of an anchor building or parking
garage. The width of an exit passageway or corridor from
a mall shall be not less than 66 inches (1676 mm).
Exception: Access to exits is permitted by way of a
dead-end mall that does not exceed a length equal to
twice the width of the mall measured at the narrowest
location within the dead-end portion of the mall.
402.8.6.1 Exit passageways. Where exit passageways
provide a secondary means of egress from a tenant
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
402.8.7 Service areas fronting on exit passageways.
Mechanical rooms, electrical rooms, building service
areas and service elevators are permitted to open directly
into exit passageways, provided that the exit passageway
is separated from such rooms with not less than 1-hour
fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707
or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both. The fire protection rating of openings in the fire barriers shall be not less than 1 hour.
403.2 Construction. The construction of high-rise buildings
shall comply with the provisions of Sections 403.2.1 through
403.2.3.
403.2.1 Reduction in fire-resistance rating. The fireresistance rating reductions specified in Sections
403.2.1.1 and 403.2.1.2 shall be allowed in buildings that
have sprinkler control valves equipped with supervisory
initiating devices and water-flow initiating devices for
each floor.
403.2.1.1 Type of construction. The following reductions in the minimum fire-resistance rating of the
building elements in TABLE 601 shall be permitted as
follows:
402.8.8 Security grilles and doors. Horizontal sliding or
vertical security grilles or doors that are a part of a
required means of egress shall conform to the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
Doors and grilles shall remain in the full open
position during the period of occupancy by the
general public.
Doors or grilles shall not be brought to the closed
position when there are 10 or more persons occupying spaces served by a single exit or 50 or more
persons occupying spaces served by more than
one exit.
The doors or grilles shall be openable from within
without the use of any special knowledge or effort
where the space is occupied.
Where two or more exits are required, not more
than one-half of the exits shall be permitted to
include either a horizontal sliding or vertical rolling grille or door.
Exception: The required fire-resistance
rating of columns supporting floors shall
not be reduced.
2.
3.
SECTION 403
HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS
Exceptions: The provisions of Sections 403.2 through
403.6 shall not apply to the following buildings and
structures:
2.
3.
4.
5.
Airport traffic control towers in accordance with
Section 412.2.
Open parking garages in accordance with Section
406.5.
The portion of a building containing a Group A-5
occupancy in accordance with Section 303.6.
Special industrial occupancies in accordance with
Section 503.1.1.
Buildings containing any one of the following:
5.1. A Group H-1 occupancy.
5.2. A Group H-2 occupancy in accordance
with Section 415.8, 415.9.2, 415.9.3 or
426.1.
5.3. A Group H-3 occupancy in accordance
with Section 415.8.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
In other than Group F-1, H-2, H-3, H-5, M and
S-1 occupancies, the fire-resistance rating of
the building elements in Type IB construction
shall be permitted to be reduced to the fireresistance ratings in Type IIA.
The building height and building area limitations of a building containing building
elements with reduced fire-resistance ratings
shall be permitted to be the same as the building without such reductions.
403.2.1.2 Shaft enclosures. For buildings not greater
than 420 feet (128 m) in building height, the required
fire-resistance rating of the fire barriers enclosing
vertical shafts, other than interior exit stairway and
elevator hoistway enclosures, is permitted to be
reduced to 1 hour where automatic sprinklers are
installed within the shafts at the top and at alternate
floor levels.
403.1 Applicability. High-rise buildings shall comply with
Sections 403.2 through 403.6.
1.
For buildings not greater than 420 feet (128 m)
in building height, the fire-resistance rating of
the building elements in Type IA construction
shall be permitted to be reduced to the minimum fire-resistance ratings for the building
elements in Type IB.
[BS] 403.2.2 Structural integrity of interior exit stairways and elevator hoistway enclosures. For high-rise
buildings of Risk Category III or IV in accordance with
Section 1604.5, and for all buildings that are more than
420 feet (128 m) in building height, enclosures for interior exit stairways and elevator hoistway enclosures shall
comply with Sections 403.2.2.1 through 403.2.2.4.
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[BS] 403.2.2.1 Wall assembly materials—soft body
impact. The panels making up the enclosures for interior exit stairways and elevator hoistway enclosures
shall meet or exceed Soft Body Impact Classification
Level 2 as measured by the test method described in
ASTM C1629/C1629M.
[BS] 403.2.2.2 Wall assembly materials—hard body
impact. The panels making up the enclosures for inte-
4-5

space, the exit passageways shall be constructed in
accordance with Section 1024.
SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
rior exit stairways and elevator hoistway enclosures
that are not exposed to the interior of the enclosures for
interior exit stairways or elevator hoistway enclosure
shall be in accordance with one of the following:
1.
2.
3.
The wall assembly shall incorporate not fewer
than two layers of impact-resistant panels, each
of which meets or exceeds Hard Body Impact
Classification Level 2 as measured by the test
method described in ASTM C1629/C1629M.
The wall assembly shall incorporate not fewer
than one layer of impact-resistant panels that
meet or exceed Hard Body Impact Classification Level 3 as measured by the test method
described in ASTM C1629/C1629M.
The wall assembly incorporates multiple layers
of any material, tested in tandem, that meets or
exceeds Hard Body Impact Classification
Level 3 as measured by the test method
described in ASTM C1629/C1629M.
[BS] 403.2.2.3 Concrete and masonry walls.
Concrete or masonry walls shall be deemed to satisfy
the requirements of Sections 403.2.2.1 and 403.2.2.2.
[BS] 403.2.2.4 Other wall assemblies. Any other wall
assembly that provides impact resistance equivalent to
that required by Sections 403.2.2.1 and 403.2.2.2 for
Hard Body Impact Classification Level 3, as measured
by the test method described in ASTM
C1629/C1629M, shall be permitted.
403.2.3 Sprayed fire-resistant materials (SFRM). The
bond strength of the SFRM installed throughout the
building shall be in accordance with Table 403.2.3.
TABLE 403.2.3
MINIMUM BOND STRENGTH
HEIGHT OF BUILDINGa
Up to 420 feet
Greater than 420 feet
SFRM MINIMUM BOND STRENGTH
430 psf
1,000 psf
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound per square foot (psf) = 0.0479 kW/m2.
a. Above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.
[F] 403.3 Automatic sprinkler system. Buildings and structures shall be equipped throughout with an automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and a
secondary water supply where required by Section 403.3.3.
Exception: An automatic sprinkler system shall not be
required in spaces or areas of telecommunications equipment buildings used exclusively for telecommunications
equipment, associated electrical power distribution equipment, batteries and standby engines, provided that those
spaces or areas are equipped throughout with an automatic fire detection system in accordance with Section
907.2 and are separated from the remainder of the building by not less than 1-hour fire barriers constructed in
accordance with Section 707 or not less than 2-hour horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section
711, or both.
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4-6
[F] 403.3.1 Number of sprinkler risers and system
design. Each sprinkler system zone in buildings that are
more than 420 feet (128 m) in building height shall be
supplied by not fewer than two risers. Each riser shall
supply sprinklers on alternate floors. If more than two
risers are provided for a zone, sprinklers on adjacent
floors shall not be supplied from the same riser.
[F] 403.3.1.1 Riser location. Sprinkler risers shall be
placed in interior exit stairways and ramps that are
remotely located in accordance with Section 1007.1.
[F] 403.3.2 Water supply to required fire pumps. In all
buildings that are more than 420 feet (128 m) in building
height and buildings of Type IVA and IVB construction
that are more than 120 feet (36 576 mm) in building
height, required fire pumps shall be supplied by connections to not fewer than two water mains located in
different streets. Separate supply piping shall be provided
between each connection to the water main and the
pumps. Each connection and the supply piping between
the connection and the pumps shall be sized to supply the
flow and pressure required for the pumps to operate.
Exception: Two connections to the same main shall be
permitted provided that the main is valved such that an
interruption can be isolated so that the water supply
will continue without interruption through not fewer
than one of the connections.
[F] 403.3.3 Secondary water supply. An automatic
secondary on-site water supply having a capacity not less
than the hydraulically calculated sprinkler demand,
including the hose stream requirement, shall be provided
for high-rise buildings assigned to Seismic Design Category C, D, E or F as determined by Section 1613. An
additional fire pump shall not be required for the secondary water supply unless needed to provide the minimum
design intake pressure at the suction side of the fire pump
supplying the automatic sprinkler system. The secondary
water supply shall have a duration of not less than 30
minutes as determined by the occupancy hazard classification in accordance with NFPA 13.
[F] 403.3.4 Fire pump room. Fire pumps shall be located
in rooms protected in accordance with Section 913.2.1.
[F] 403.4 Emergency systems. The detection, alarm and
emergency systems of high-rise buildings shall comply with
Sections 403.4.1 through 403.4.8.
[F] 403.4.1 Smoke detection. Smoke detection shall be
provided in accordance with Section 907.2.13.1.
[F] 403.4.2 Fire alarm system. A fire alarm system shall
be provided in accordance with Section 907.2.13.
[F] 403.4.3 Standpipe system. A high-rise building shall
be equipped with a standpipe system as required by
Section 905.3.
[F] 403.4.4 Emergency voice/alarm communication
system. An emergency voice/alarm communication
system shall be provided in accordance with Section
907.5.2.2.
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
separated from areas of the building other than the
room the generator is located in by one of the following methods:
[F] 403.4.5 Emergency communication coverage. Inbuilding, two-way emergency responder communication
coverage shall be provided in accordance with Section
510 of the International Fire Code.
1.
[F] 403.4.6 Fire command. A fire command center
complying with Section 911 shall be provided in a location approved by the fire code official.
[F] 403.4.7 Smoke removal. To facilitate smoke removal
in post-fire salvage and overhaul operations, buildings
and structures shall be equipped with natural or mechanical ventilation for removal of products of combustion in
accordance with one of the following:
1.
2.
Easily identifiable, manually operable windows or
panels shall be distributed around the perimeter of
each floor at not more than 50-foot (15 240 mm)
intervals. The area of operable windows or panels
shall be not less than 40 square feet (3.7 m2) per
50 linear feet (15 240 mm) of perimeter.
Exceptions:
3.
1. In Group R-1 occupancies, each sleeping
unit or suite having an exterior wall shall
be permitted to be provided with 2 square
feet (0.19 m2) of venting area in lieu of
the area specified in Item 1.
2.
3.
[F] 403.4.8.3 Standby power loads. The following
are classified as standby power loads:
1.
2.
3.
2. Windows shall be permitted to be fixed
provided that glazing can be cleared by
fire fighters.
Mechanical air-handling equipment providing one
exhaust air change every 15 minutes for the area
involved. Return and exhaust air shall be moved
directly to the outside without recirculation to
other portions of the building.
Any other approved design that will produce
equivalent results.
Exception: In Group I-2, Condition 2, manual start
and transfer features for the critical branch of the
emergency power are not required to be provided at
the fire command center.
[F] 403.4.8.2 Fuel line piping protection. Fuel lines
supplying a generator set inside a building shall be
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
Ventilation and automatic fire detection equipment for smokeproof enclosures.
Elevators..
Where elevators are provided in a high-rise
building for accessible means of egress, fire
service access or occupant self-evacuation, the
standby power system shall also comply with
Sections 1009.4, 3007 or 3008, as applicable.
[F] 403.4.8.4 Emergency power loads. The following
are classified as emergency power loads:
1.
[F] 403.4.8 Standby and emergency power. A standby
power system complying with Section 2702 and Section
3003 shall be provided for the standby power loads specified in Section 403.4.8.3. An emergency power system
complying with Section 2702 shall be provided for the
emergency power loads specified in Section 403.4.8.4.
[F] 403.4.8.1 Equipment room. If the standby or
emergency power system includes a generator set
inside a building, the system shall be located in a separate room enclosed with 2-hour fire barriers
constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both. System supervision with manual
start and transfer features shall be provided at the fire
command center.
A fire-resistant pipe-protection system that has
been tested in accordance with UL 1489. The
system shall be installed as tested and in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation
instructions, and shall have a rating of not less
than 2 hours. Where the building is protected
throughout with an automatic sprinkler system
installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1,
the required rating shall be reduced to 1 hour.
An assembly that has a fire-resistance rating of
not less than 2 hours. Where the building is
protected throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2, the required
fire-resistance rating shall be reduced to 1
hour.
Other approved methods.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Exit signs and means of egress illumination
required by Chapter 10.
Elevator car lighting.
Emergency
voice/alarm
communications
systems.
Automatic fire detection systems.
Fire alarm systems.
Electrically powered fire pumps.
Power and lighting for the fire command center
required by Section 403.4.6.
403.5 Means of egress and evacuation. The means of
egress in high-rise buildings shall comply with Sections
403.5.1 through 403.5.5.
403.5.1 Remoteness of interior exit stairways. Required
interior exit stairways shall be separated by a distance not
less than 30 feet (9144 mm) or not less than one-fourth of
the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of
the building or area to be served, whichever is less. The
distance shall be measured in a straight line between the
nearest points of the enclosure surrounding the interior
exit stairways. In buildings with three or more interior
exit stairways, not fewer than two of the interior exit
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
stairways shall comply with this section. Interlocking or
scissor stairways shall be counted as one interior exit
stairway.
403.5.2 Additional interior exit stairway. For buildings
other than Group R-2 and their ancillary spaces that are
more than 420 feet (128 m) in building height, one additional interior exit stairway meeting the requirements of
Sections 1011 and 1023 shall be provided in addition to
the minimum number of exits required by Section 1006.3.
The total capacity of any combination of remaining interior exit stairways with one interior exit stairway
removed shall be not less than the total capacity required
by Section 1005.1. Scissor stairways shall not be considered the additional interior exit stairway required by this
section.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
An additional interior exit stairway shall not be
required to be installed in buildings having
elevators used for occupant self-evacuation in
accordance with Section 3008.
An additional interior exit stairway shall not be
required for other portions of the building
where the highest occupiable floor level in
those areas is less than 420 feet (128 m) in
building height.
403.5.3 Stairway door operation. Stairway doors other
than the exit discharge doors shall be permitted to be
locked from the stairway side. Stairway doors that are
locked from the stairway side shall be capable of being
unlocked simultaneously without unlatching upon a
signal from the fire command center.
403.5.3.1 Stairway communication system. A telephone or other two-way communications system
connected to an approved constantly attended station
shall be provided at not less than every fifth floor in
each stairway where the doors to the stairway are
locked.
403.5.4 Smokeproof enclosures. Every required interior
exit stairway serving floors more than 75 feet (22 860
mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle
access shall be a smokeproof enclosure in accordance
with Sections 909.20 and 1023.12.

403.5.5 Luminous egress path markings. Luminous
egress path markings shall be provided in accordance
with Section 1025.
403.6 Elevators. Elevator installation and operation in highrise buildings shall comply with Chapter 30 and Sections
403.6.1 and 403.6.2.
403.6.2 Occupant evacuation elevators. Where installed
in accordance with Section 3008, passenger elevators for
general public use shall be permitted to be used for occupant self-evacuation.
SECTION 404
ATRIUMS
404.1 General. The provisions of Sections 404.1 through
404.11 shall apply to buildings containing atriums. Atriums
are not permitted in buildings or structures classified as
Group H.
Exception: Vertical openings that comply with Sections
712.1.1 through 712.1.3, and Sections 712.1.9 through
712.1.14.
404.2 Use. The floor of the atrium shall not be used for other
than low fire hazard uses and only approved materials and
decorations in accordance with the International Fire Code
shall be used in the atrium space.
Exception: The atrium floor area is permitted to be used
for any approved use where the individual space is
provided with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
[F] 404.3 Automatic sprinkler protection. An approved
automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout the
entire building.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
[F] 404.4 Fire alarm system. A fire alarm system shall be
provided in accordance with Section 907.2.14.
404.5 Smoke control. A smoke control system shall be
installed in accordance with Section 909.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
403.6.1 Fire service access elevator. In buildings with an
occupied floor more than 120 feet (36 576 mm) above the
lowest level of fire department vehicle access, not fewer
than two fire service access elevators, or all elevators,
whichever is less, shall be provided in accordance with
Section 3007. Each fire service access elevator shall have
a capacity of not less than 3,500 pounds (1588 kg) and
shall comply with Section 3002.4.
4-8
That area of a building adjacent to or above the
atrium need not be sprinklered provided that
portion of the building is separated from the
atrium portion by not less than 2-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance
with Section 711, or both.
Where the ceiling of the atrium is more than 55
feet (16 764 mm) above the floor, sprinkler
protection at the ceiling of the atrium is not
required.
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In other than Group I-2, and Group I-1, Condition
2, smoke control is not required for atriums that
connect only two stories.
A smoke control system is not required for atriums connecting more than two stories when all of
the following are met:
2.1. Only the two lowest stories shall be
permitted to be open to the atrium.
2.2. All stories above the lowest two stories
shall be separated from the atrium in
accordance with the provisions for a shaft
in Section 713.4.
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
Exceptions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
A fire barrier is not required where a glass wall
forming a smoke partition is provided. The glass
wall shall comply with all of the following:
1.1. Automatic sprinklers are provided along
both sides of the separation wall and
doors, or on the room side only if there is
not a walkway on the atrium side. The
sprinklers shall be located between 4
inches and 12 inches (102 mm and 305
mm) away from the glass and at intervals
along the glass not greater than 6 feet
(1829 mm). The sprinkler system shall be
designed so that the entire surface of the
glass is wet upon activation of the sprinkler system without obstruction;
1.2. The glass wall shall be installed in a
gasketed frame in a manner that the framing system deflects without breaking
(loading) the glass before the sprinkler
system operates; and
1.3. Where glass doors are provided in the
glass wall, they shall be either self-closing
or automatic-closing.
A fire barrier is not required where a glass-block
wall assembly complying with Section 2110 and
having a 3/4-hour fire protection rating is
provided.
A fire barrier is not required between the atrium
and the adjoining spaces of up to three floors of
the atrium provided that such spaces are
accounted for in the design of the smoke control
system.
A fire barrier is not required between the atrium
and the adjoining spaces where the atrium is not
required to be provided with a smoke control
system.
A horizontal assembly is not required between the
atrium and openings for escalators complying
with Section 712.1.3.
A horizontal assembly is not required between the
atrium and openings for exit access stairways and
ramps complying with Item 4 of Section 1019.3.
404.9 Exit access travel distance. Exit access travel
distance for areas open to an atrium shall comply with the
requirements of Section 1017.
404.10 Exit stairways in an atrium. Where an atrium
contains an interior exit stairway all the following shall be
met:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The entry to the exit stairway is the edge of the closest riser of the exit stairway.
The entry of the exit stairway shall have access from
a minimum of two directions.
The distance between the entry to an exit stairway in
an atrium and the entrance to a minimum of one exit
stairway enclosed in accordance with Section 1023.2
shall comply with the separation required by Section
1007.1.1.
Exit access travel distance shall be measured to the
closest riser of the exit stairway.
Not more than 50 percent of the exit stairways shall
be located in the same atrium.
404.11 Interior exit stairway discharge. Discharge of interior exit stairways through an atrium shall be in accordance
with Section 1028.
SECTION 405
UNDERGROUND BUILDINGS
405.1 General. The provisions of Sections 405.2 through
405.9 apply to building spaces having a floor level used for
human occupancy more than 30 feet (9144 mm) below the
finished floor of the lowest level of exit discharge.
Exceptions: The provisions of Section 405 are not applicable to the following buildings or portions of buildings:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
One- and two-family dwellings, sprinklered in
accordance with Section 903.3.1.3.
Parking garages provided with automatic sprinkler systems in compliance with Section 405.3.
Fixed guideway transit systems.
Grandstands, bleachers, stadiums, arenas and
similar facilities.
Where the lowest story is the only story that
would qualify the building as an underground
building and has an area not greater than 1,500
square feet (139 m2) and has an occupant load less
than 10.
Pumping stations and other similar mechanical
spaces intended only for limited periodic use by
service or maintenance personnel.
[F] 404.7 Standby power. Equipment required to provide
smoke control shall be provided with standby power in
accordance with Section 909.11.
405.2 Construction requirements. The underground
portion of the building shall be of Type I construction.
404.8 Interior finish. The interior finish of walls and ceilings of the atrium shall be not less than Class B. Sprinkler
protection shall not result in a reduction in class.
[F] 405.3 Automatic sprinkler system. The highest level of
exit discharge serving the underground portions of the building and all levels below shall be equipped with an automatic
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404.6 Enclosure of atriums. Atrium spaces shall be separated from adjacent spaces by a 1-hour fire barrier
constructed in accordance with Section 707 or a horizontal
assembly constructed in accordance with Section 711, or
both.
SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section
903.3.1.1. Water-flow switches and control valves shall be
supervised in accordance with Section 903.4.
405.4 Compartmentation. Compartmentation shall be in
accordance with Sections 405.4.1 through 405.4.3.
405.4.1 Number of compartments. A building having a
floor level more than 60 feet (18 288 mm) below the
finished floor of the lowest level of exit discharge shall be
divided into not fewer than two compartments of approximately equal size. Such compartmentation shall extend
through the highest level of exit discharge serving the
underground portions of the building and all levels below.
Exception: The lowest story need not be compartmented where the area is not greater than 1,500 square
feet (139 m2) and has an occupant load of less than 10.
405.4.2 Smoke barrier penetration. The compartments
shall be separated from each other by a smoke barrier in
accordance with Section 709. Penetrations between the
two compartments shall be limited to plumbing and electrical piping and conduit that are firestopped in
accordance with Section 714. Doorways shall be
protected by fire door assemblies that comply with
Section 716, automatic-closing by smoke detection in
accordance with Section 716.2.6.6 and installed in accordance with NFPA 105 and Section 716.2.2.1. Where
provided, each compartment shall have an air supply and
an exhaust system independent of the other
compartments.
405.4.3 Elevators. Where elevators are provided, each
compartment shall have direct access to an elevator.
Where an elevator serves more than one compartment, an
enclosed elevator lobby shall be provided and shall be
separated from each compartment by a smoke barrier in
accordance with Section 709. Doorways in the smoke
barrier shall be protected by fire door assemblies that
comply with Section 716, shall comply with the smoke
and draft control assembly requirements of Section
716.2.2.1 with the UL 1784 test conducted without an
artificial bottom seal, and shall be automatic-closing by
smoke detection in accordance with Section 716.2.6.6.
405.5 Smoke control system. A smoke control system shall
be provided in accordance with Sections 405.5.1 and
405.5.2.
405.5.1 Control system. A smoke control system is
required to control the migration of products of combustion in accordance with Section 909 and the provisions of
this section. Smoke control shall restrict movement of
smoke to the general area of fire origin and maintain
means of egress in a usable condition.
405.5.2 Compartment smoke control system. Where
compartmentation is required, each compartment shall
have an independent smoke control system. The system
shall be automatically activated and capable of manual
operation in accordance with Sections 907.2.18 and
907.2.19.
[F] 405.6 Fire alarm systems. A fire alarm system shall be
provided where required by Sections 907.2.18 and 907.2.19.
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405.7 Means of egress. Means of egress shall be in accordance with Sections 405.7.1 and 405.7.2.
405.7.1 Number of exits. Each floor level shall be
provided with not fewer than two exits. Where compartmentation is required by Section 405.4, each
compartment shall have not fewer than one exit and not
fewer than one exit access doorway into the adjoining
compartment.
405.7.2 Smokeproof enclosure. Every required stairway
serving floor levels more than 30 feet (9144 mm) below
the finished floor of its level of exit discharge shall
comply with the requirements for a smokeproof enclosure
as provided in Section 1023.12.
[F] 405.8 Standby and emergency power. A standby
power system complying with Section 2702 shall be
provided for the standby power loads specified in Section
405.8.1. An emergency power system complying with
Section 2702 shall be provided for the emergency power
loads specified in Section 405.8.2.
[F] 405.8.1 Standby power loads. The following are
classified as standby power loads:
1.
2.
3.
Smoke control system.
Ventilation and automatic fire detection equipment for smokeproof enclosures.
Elevators, as required in Section 3003.
[F] 405.8.2 Emergency power loads. The following are
classified as emergency power loads:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Emergency voice/alarm communications systems.
Fire alarm systems.
Automatic fire detection systems.
Elevator car lighting.
Means of egress and exit sign illumination as
required by Chapter 10.
Fire pumps.
[F] 405.9 Standpipe system. The underground building
shall be equipped throughout with a standpipe system in
accordance with Section 905.
SECTION 406
MOTOR-VEHICLE-RELATED OCCUPANCIES
406.1 General. All motor-vehicle-related occupancies shall
comply with Section 406.2. Private garages and carports
shall also comply with Section 406.3. Open public parking
garages shall also comply with Sections 406.4 and 406.5.
Enclosed public parking garages shall also comply with
Sections 406.4 and 406.6. Motor fuel-dispensing facilities
shall also comply with Section 406.7. Repair garages shall
also comply with Section 406.8.
406.2 Design. Private garages and carports, open and
enclosed public parking garages, motor fuel-dispensing
facilities and repair garages shall comply with Sections
406.2.1 through 406.2.9.
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
406.2.1 Automatic garage door openers and vehicular
gates. Automatic garage door openers shall be listed and
labeled in accordance with UL 325. Where provided,
automatic vehicular gates shall comply with Section
3110.
406.2.9.1 through 406.2.9.3 and the International
Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Code and
NFPA 70.
406.2.9.1 Elevation of ignition sources. Equipment
and appliances having an ignition source and located
in hazardous locations and public garages, private
garages, repair garages, automotive motor fueldispensing facilities and parking garages shall be
elevated such that the source of ignition is not less than
18 inches (457 mm) above the floor surface on which
the equipment or appliance rests. For the purpose of
this section, rooms or spaces that are not part of the
living space of a dwelling unit and that communicate
directly with a private garage through openings shall
be considered to be part of the private garage.
406.2.2 Clear height. The clear height of each floor level
in vehicle and pedestrian traffic areas shall be not less
than 7 feet (2134 mm). Canopies under which fuels are
dispensed shall have a clear height in accordance with
Section 406.7.2.
Exception: A lower clear height is permitted for a
parking tier in mechanical-access open parking
garages where approved by the building official.
406.2.3 Accessible parking spaces. Where parking is
provided, accessible parking spaces, access aisles and
vehicular routes serving accessible parking shall be
provided in accordance with Section 1106.
Exception: Elevation of the ignition source is not
required for appliances that are listed as flammable
vapor ignition resistant.
406.2.4 Floor surfaces. Floor surfaces shall be of
concrete or similar approved noncombustible and nonabsorbent materials. The area of floor used for the parking
of automobiles or other vehicles shall be sloped to facilitate the movement of liquids to a drain or toward the main
vehicle entry doorway. The surface of vehicle fueling
pads in motor fuel-dispensing facilities shall be in accordance with Section 406.7.1.
406.2.9.1.1 Parking garages. Connection of a parking garage with any room in which there is a fuelfired appliance shall be by means of a vestibule
providing a two-doorway separation, except that a
single door is permitted where the sources of ignition in the appliance are elevated in accordance with
Section 406.2.9.
Exception: This section shall not apply to appliance installations complying with Section
406.2.9.2 or 406.2.9.3.
Exceptions:
1.

2.
Asphalt parking surfaces shall be permitted at
ground level for public parking garages and
private carports.
Slip-resistant, nonabsorbent, interior floor
finishes having a critical radiant flux not more
than 0.45 W/cm2, as determined by ASTM
E648 or NFPA 253, shall be permitted in
repair garages.
406.2.9.2 Public garages. Appliances located in
public garages, motor fuel-dispensing facilities, repair
garages or other areas frequented by motor vehicles
shall be installed not less than 8 feet (2438 mm) above
the floor. Where motor vehicles are capable of passing
under an appliance, the appliance shall be installed at
the clearances required by the appliance manufacturer
and not less than 1 foot (305 mm) higher than the tallest vehicle garage door opening.
406.2.5 Sleeping rooms. Openings between a motor
vehicle-related occupancy and a room used for sleeping
purposes shall not be permitted.
Exception: The requirements of this section shall
not apply where the appliances are protected from
motor vehicle impact and installed in accordance
with Section 406.2.9.1 and NFPA 30A.
406.2.6 Fuel dispensing. The dispensing of fuel shall
only be permitted in motor fuel-dispensing facilities in
accordance with Section 406.7.
406.2.7 Electric vehicle charging stations and systems.
Where provided, electric vehicle charging systems shall
be installed in accordance with NFPA 70. Electric vehicle
charging system equipment shall be listed and labeled in
accordance with UL 2202. Electric vehicle supply equipment shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL
2594. Accessibility to electric vehicle charging stations
shall be provided in accordance with Section 1108.
406.2.9.3 Private garages. Appliances located in
private garages and carports shall be installed with a
minimum clearance of 6 feet (1829 mm) above the
floor.
406.2.8 Mixed occupancies and uses. Mixed uses shall
be allowed in the same building as public parking garages
and repair garages in accordance with Section 508.1.
Mixed uses in the same building as an open parking
garage are subject to Sections 402.4.2.3, 406.5.11, 508.1,
510.3, 510.4 and 510.7.
406.3 Private garages and carports. Private garages and
carports shall comply with Sections 406.2 and 406.3, or they
shall comply with Sections 406.2 and 406.4.
406.2.9 Equipment and appliances. Equipment and
appliances shall be installed in accordance with Sections
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
Exception: The requirements of this section shall
not apply where the appliances are protected from
motor vehicle impact and are installed in accordance
with Section 406.2.9.1.
406.3.1 Classification. Private garages and carports shall
be classified as Group U occupancies. Each private
garage shall be not greater than 1,000 square feet (93 m2)
in area. Multiple private garages are permitted in a build-
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
ing where each private garage is separated from the other
private garages by 1-hour fire barriers in accordance
with Section 707, or 1-hour horizontal assemblies in
accordance with Section 711, or both.
406.3.2 Separation. For other than private garages adjacent to dwelling units, the separation of private garages
from other occupancies shall comply with Section 508.
Separation of private garages from dwelling units shall
comply with Sections 406.3.2.1 and 406.3.2.2.
406.3.2.1 Dwelling unit separation. The private
garage shall be separated from the dwelling unit and
its attic area by means of gypsum board, not less than
1
/2 inch (12.7 mm) in thickness, applied to the garage
side. Garages beneath habitable rooms shall be separated from all habitable rooms above by not less than a
5
/8-inch (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum board or equivalent and 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) gypsum board applied to
structures supporting the separation from habitable
rooms above the garage. Door openings between a
private garage and the dwelling unit shall be equipped
with either solid wood doors or solid or honeycomb
core steel doors not less than 13/8 inches (34.9 mm) in
thickness, or doors in compliance with Section
716.2.2.1 with a fire protection rating of not less than
20 minutes. Doors shall be self-closing and selflatching.
406.3.2.2 Ducts. Ducts in a private garage and ducts
penetrating the walls or ceilings separating the dwelling unit from the garage, including its attic area, shall
be constructed of sheet steel of not less than 0.019 inch
(0.48 mm) in thickness and shall not have openings
into the garage.
406.3.3 Carports. Carports shall be open on not fewer
than two sides. Carports open on fewer than two sides
shall be considered to be a garage and shall comply with
the requirements for private garages.
406.3.3.1 Carport separation. A separation is not
required between a Group R-3 and U carport, provided
that the carport is entirely open on two or more sides
and there are not enclosed areas above.
406.4 Public parking garages. Parking garages, other than
private garages, shall be classified as public parking garages
and shall comply with the provisions of Sections 406.2 and
406.4 and shall be classified as either an open parking
garage or an enclosed parking garage. Open parking
garages shall also comply with Section 406.5. Enclosed
parking garages shall also comply with Section 406.6. See
Section 510 for special provisions for parking garages.
comply with the loading requirements of Section
1607.10.
Exception: Vehicle barriers are not required in vehicle storage compartments in a mechanical access
parking garage.
406.4.3 Ramps. Vehicle ramps shall not be considered as
required exits unless pedestrian facilities are provided.
Vehicle ramps that are utilized for vertical circulation as
well as for parking shall not exceed a slope of 1 unit vertical in 15 units horizontal (6.67-percent slope).
406.5 Open parking garages. Open parking garages shall
comply with Sections 406.2, 406.4 and 406.5.
406.5.1 Construction. Open parking garages shall be of
Type I, II or IV construction. Open parking garages shall
meet the design requirements of Chapter 16. For vehicle
barriers, see Section 406.4.2.
406.5.2 Openings. For natural ventilation purposes, the
exterior side of the structure shall have uniformly distributed openings on two or more sides. The area of such
openings in exterior walls on a tier shall be not less than
20 percent of the total perimeter wall area of each tier.
The aggregate length of the openings considered to be
providing natural ventilation shall be not less than 40
percent of the perimeter of the tier. Interior walls shall be
not less than 20 percent open with uniformly distributed
openings.
Exception: Openings are not required to be distributed
over 40 percent of the building perimeter where the
required openings are uniformly distributed over two
opposing sides of the building.
406.5.2.1 Openings below grade. Where openings
below grade provide required natural ventilation, the
outside horizontal clear space shall be one and onehalf times the depth of the opening. The width of the
horizontal clear space shall be maintained from grade
down to the bottom of the lowest required opening.
406.5.3 Mixed occupancies and uses. Mixed uses shall
be allowed in the same building as an open parking
garage subject to the provisions of Sections 402.4.2.3,
406.5.11, 508.1, 510.3, 510.4 and 510.7.
406.5.4 Area and height. Area and height of open parking garages shall be limited as set forth in Chapter 5 for
Group S-2 occupancies and as further provided for in
Section 508.1.
406.4.1 Guards. Guards shall be provided in accordance
with Section 1015. Guards serving as vehicle barriers
shall comply with Sections 406.4.2 and 1015.
406.5.4.1 Single use. Where the open parking garage
is used exclusively for the parking or storage of private
motor vehicles, and the building is without other uses,
the area and height shall be permitted to comply with
Table 406.5.4, along with increases allowed by
Section 406.5.5.
406.4.2 Vehicle barriers. Vehicle barriers not less than 2
feet 9 inches (835 mm) in height shall be placed where
the vertical distance from the floor of a drive lane or parking space to the ground or surface directly below is
greater than 1 foot (305 mm). Vehicle barriers shall
Exception: The grade-level tier is permitted to
contain an office, waiting and toilet rooms having a
total combined area of not more than 1,000 square
feet (93 m2). Such area need not be separated from
the open parking garage.
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
tiers shall be within 200 feet (60 960 mm) horizontally
from such openings or other natural ventilation openings
as defined in Section 406.5.2. These openings shall be
permitted to be provided in courts with a minimum
dimension of 20 feet (6096 mm) for the full width of the
openings.
In open parking garages having a spiral or sloping
floor, the horizontal projection of the structure at any
cross section shall not exceed the allowable area per
parking tier. In the case of an open parking garage
having a continuous spiral floor, each 9 feet 6 inches
(2896 mm) of height, or portion thereof, shall be
considered under these provisions to be a tier.
406.5.6 Fire separation distance. Exterior walls and
openings in exterior walls shall comply with Table 601
and Table 705.5. The distance to an adjacent lot line shall
be determined in accordance with Section 705 and Table
705.5.
406.5.5 Area and height increases. The allowable area
and height of open parking garages shall be increased in
accordance with the provisions of this section. Garages
with sides open on three-fourths of the building’s perimeter are permitted to be increased by 25 percent in area and
one tier in height. Garages with sides open around the
entire building’s perimeter are permitted to be increased
by 50 percent in area and one tier in height. For a side to
be considered open under these provisions, the total area
of openings along the side shall be not less than 50
percent of the interior area of the side at each tier and
such openings shall be equally distributed along the
length of the tier. For purposes of calculating the interior
area of the side, the height shall not exceed 7 feet (2134
mm).
406.5.7 Means of egress. Where persons other than parking attendants are permitted, open parking garages shall
meet the means of egress requirements of Chapter 10.
Where persons other than parking attendants are not
permitted, there shall be not fewer than two exit stairways. Each exit stairway shall be not less than 36 inches
(914 mm) in width. Lifts shall be permitted to be installed
for use of employees only, provided that they are
completely enclosed by noncombustible materials.
[F] 406.5.8 Standpipe system. An open parking garage
shall be equipped with a standpipe system as required by
Section 905.3.
Allowable tier areas in Table 406.5.4 shall be
increased for open parking garages constructed to heights
less than the table maximum. The gross tier area of the
garage shall not exceed that permitted for the higher
structure. Not fewer than three sides of each such larger
tier shall have continuous horizontal openings not less
than 30 inches (762 mm) in clear height extending for not
less than 80 percent of the length of the sides. All parts of
such larger tier shall be not more than 200 feet (60 960
mm) horizontally from such an opening. In addition, each
such opening shall face a street or yard with access to a
street with a width of not less than 30 feet (9144 mm) for
the full length of the opening, and standpipes shall be
provided in each such tier.
Open parking garages of Type II construction, with all
sides open, shall be unlimited in allowable area where the
building height does not exceed 75 feet (22 860 mm). For
a side to be considered open, the total area of openings
along the side shall be not less than 50 percent of the interior area of the side at each tier and such openings shall be
equally distributed along the length of the tier. For
purposes of calculating the interior area of the side, the
height shall not exceed 7 feet (2134 mm). All portions of
406.5.9 Enclosure of vertical openings. Enclosure shall
not be required for vertical openings except as specified
in Section 406.5.7.
406.5.10 Ventilation. Ventilation, other than the percentage of openings specified in Section 406.5.2, shall not be
required.
406.5.11 Prohibitions. The following uses and alterations are not permitted:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Vehicle repair work.
Parking of buses, trucks and similar vehicles.
Partial or complete closing of required openings in
exterior walls by tarpaulins or any other means.
Dispensing of fuel.
406.6 Enclosed parking garages. Enclosed parking garages
shall comply with Sections 406.2, 406.4 and 406.6.
406.6.1 Heights and areas. Enclosed vehicle parking
garages and portions thereof that do not meet the definition of open parking garages shall be limited to the
allowable heights and areas specified in Sections 504 and
TABLE 406.5.4
OPEN PARKING GARAGES AREA AND HEIGHT
HEIGHT (in tiers)
Mechanical access
AREA PER TIER
(square feet)
Ramp access
No
Yes
IA
Unlimited
Unlimited
Unlimited
Unlimited
IB
Unlimited
12 tiers
12 tiers
18 tiers
IIA
50,000
10 tiers
10 tiers
15 tiers
TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION
Automatic sprinkler system
IIB
50,000
8 tiers
8 tiers
12 tiers
IV
50,000
4 tiers
4 tiers
4 tiers
For SI: 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2.
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
506 as modified by Section 507. Roof parking is
permitted.
406.6.2 Ventilation. A mechanical ventilation system
and exhaust system shall be provided in accordance with
Chapters 4 and 5 of the International Mechanical Code.
Exception: Mechanical ventilation shall not be
required for enclosed parking garages that are accessory to one- and two-family dwellings.
Section 2304.11 or construction providing 1-hour fire
resistance. Combustible materials used in or on a canopy
shall comply with one of the following:
1.
2.
[F] 406.6.3 Automatic sprinkler system. An enclosed
parking garage shall be equipped with an automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.10.
406.6.4 Mechanical-access enclosed parking garages.
Mechanical-access enclosed parking garages shall be in
accordance with Sections 406.6.4.1 through 406.6.4.4.
406.6.4.1 Separation. Mechanical-access enclosed
parking garages shall be separated from other occupancies and accessory uses by not less than 2-hour fire
barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or
by not less than 2-hour horizontal assemblies
constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both.
3.
406.6.4.2 Smoke removal. A mechanical smoke
removal system, installed in accordance with Section
910.4, shall be provided for all areas containing a
mechanical-access enclosed parking garage.
406.6.4.3 Fire control equipment room. Fire control
equipment, consisting of the fire alarm control unit,
mechanical ventilation controls and an emergency
shutdown switch, shall be provided in a room located
where the equipment is able to be accessed by the fire
service from a secured exterior door of the building.
The room shall be not less than 50 square feet (4.65
m2) in area and shall be in a location that is approved
by the fire code official.
406.6.4.3.1 Emergency shutdown switch. The
mechanical parking system shall be provided with a
manually activated emergency shutdown switch for
use by emergency personnel. The switch shall be
clearly identified and shall be in a location approved
by the fire code official.
406.6.4.4 Fire department access doors. Access
doors shall be provided in accordance with Section
3206.7 of the International Fire Code.
406.7 Motor fuel-dispensing facilities. Motor fuel-dispensing facilities shall comply with the International Fire Code
and Sections 406.2 and 406.7.
406.7.1 Vehicle fueling pad. The vehicle shall be fueled
on noncoated concrete or other approved paving material
having a resistance not exceeding 1 megohm as determined by the methodology in CEN EN 1081.
406.7.2 Canopies. Canopies under which fuels are
dispensed shall have a clear, unobstructed height of not
less than 13 feet 6 inches (4115 mm) to the lowest
projecting element in the vehicle drive-through area.
Canopies and their supports over pumps shall be of
noncombustible materials, fire-retardant-treated wood
complying with Chapter 23, heavy timber complying with
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Shielded from the pumps by a noncombustible
element of the canopy, or heavy timber complying
with Section 2304.11.
Plastics covered by aluminum facing having a
thickness of not less than 0.010 inch (0.30 mm) or
corrosion-resistant steel having a base metal thickness of not less than 0.016 inch (0.41 mm). The
plastic shall have a flame spread index of 25 or
less and a smoke-developed index of 450 or less
when tested in the form intended for use in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723 and a selfignition temperature of 650°F (343°C) or greater
when tested in accordance with ASTM D1929.
Panels constructed of light-transmitting plastic
materials shall be permitted to be installed in canopies erected over motor vehicle fuel-dispensing
station fuel dispensers, provided that the panels are
located not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) from any
building on the same lot and face yards or streets
not less than 40 feet (12 192 mm) in width on the
other sides. The aggregate areas of plastics shall be
not greater than 1,000 square feet (93 m2). The
maximum area of any individual panel shall be not
greater than 100 square feet (9.3 m2).
406.7.2.1 Canopies used to support gaseous hydrogen systems. Canopies that are used to shelter
dispensing operations where flammable compressed
gases are located on the roof of the canopy shall be in
accordance with the following:
1.
2.
3.
The canopy shall meet or exceed Type I
construction requirements.
Operations located under canopies shall be
limited to refueling only.
The canopy shall be constructed in a manner
that prevents the accumulation of hydrogen
gas.
406.8 Repair garages. Repair garages shall be constructed
in accordance with the International Fire Code and Sections
406.2 and 406.8. This occupancy shall not include motor
fuel-dispensing facilities, as regulated in Section 406.7.
406.8.1 Ventilation. Repair garages shall be mechanically ventilated in accordance with the International
Mechanical Code. The ventilation system shall be
controlled at the entrance to the garage.
[F] 406.8.2 Gas detection system. Repair garages used
for repair of vehicles fueled by nonodorized gases including but not limited to hydrogen and nonodorized LNG,
shall be provided with a gas detection system that
complies with Section 916. The gas detection system shall
be designed to detect leakage of nonodorized gaseous
fuel. Where lubrication or chassis service pits are
provided in garages used for repairing nonodorized LNGfueled vehicles, gas sensors shall be provided in such pits.
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
[F] 406.8.2.1 System activation. Activation of a gas
detection alarm shall result in all of the following:
1.
2.
3.
Initiation of distinct audible and visual alarm
signals in the repair garage, where the ventilation system is interlocked with gas detection.
Deactivation of all heating systems located in
the repair garage.
Activation of the mechanical ventilation
system, where the system is interlocked with
gas detection.
407.2.3 Psychiatric treatment areas. Areas wherein
psychiatric care recipients who are incapable of self-preservation are housed, or group meeting or multipurpose
therapeutic spaces other than incidental uses in accordance with Section 509, under continuous supervision by
facility staff, shall be permitted to be open to the corridor,
where the following criteria are met:
1.
2.
[F] 406.8.2.2 Failure of the gas detection system.
Failure of the gas detection system shall automatically
deactivate the heating system, activate the mechanical
ventilation system where the system is interlocked
with the gas detection system, and cause a trouble
signal to sound at an approved location.
3.
4.
5.
[F] 406.8.3 Automatic sprinkler system. A repair
garage shall be equipped with an automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with Section 903.2.9.1.
SECTION 407
GROUP I-2
407.1 General. Occupancies in Group I-2 shall comply with
the provisions of Sections 407.1 through 407.11 and other
applicable provisions of this code.
407.2 Corridors continuity and separation. Corridors in
occupancies in Group I-2 shall be continuous to the exits and
shall be separated from other areas in accordance with
Section 407.3 except spaces conforming to Sections 407.2.1
through 407.2.6.
6.
407.2.4 Gift shops. Gift shops and associated storage that
are less than 500 square feet (455 m2) in area shall be
permitted to be open to the corridor where such spaces
are constructed as required for corridors.
407.2.5 Nursing home housing units. In Group I-2,
Condition 1 occupancies, in areas where nursing home
residents are housed, shared living spaces, group meeting
or multipurpose therapeutic spaces shall be permitted to
be open to the corridor, where all of the following criteria
are met:
1.
407.2.1 Waiting and similar areas. Waiting areas,
public-use areas or group meeting spaces constructed as
required for corridors shall be permitted to be open to a
corridor, only where all of the following criteria are met:
1.
2.
3.
4.
The spaces are not occupied as care recipient’s
sleeping rooms, treatment rooms, incidental uses
in accordance with Section 509, or hazardous
uses.
The open space is protected by an automatic fire
detection system installed in accordance with
Section 907.
The corridors onto which the spaces open, in the
same smoke compartment, are protected by an
automatic fire detection system installed in accordance with Section 907, or the smoke
compartment in which the spaces are located is
equipped throughout with quick-response sprinklers in accordance with Section 903.3.2.
The space is arranged so as not to obstruct access
to the required exits.
407.2.2 Care providers’ stations. Spaces for care
providers’, supervisory staff, doctors’ and nurses’ charting, communications and related clerical areas shall be
permitted to be open to the corridor, where such spaces
are constructed as required for corridors.
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Each area does not exceed 1,500 square feet (140
m2).
The area is located to permit supervision by the
facility staff.
The area is arranged so as not to obstruct any
access to the required exits.
The area is equipped with an automatic fire detection system installed in accordance with Section
907.2.
Not more than one such space is permitted in any
one smoke compartment.
The walls and ceilings of the space are constructed
as required for corridors.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The walls and ceilings of the space are constructed
as required for corridors.
The spaces are not occupied as resident sleeping
rooms, treatment rooms, incidental uses in accordance with Section 509, or hazardous uses.
The open space is protected by an automatic fire
detection system installed in accordance with
Section 907.
The corridors onto which the spaces open, in the
same smoke compartment, are protected by an
automatic fire detection system installed in accordance with Section 907, or the smoke
compartment in which the spaces are located is
equipped throughout with quick-response sprinklers in accordance with Section 903.3.2.
The space is arranged so as not to obstruct access
to the required exits.
407.2.6 Nursing home cooking facilities. In Group I-2,
Condition 1 occupancies, rooms or spaces that contain a
cooking facility with domestic cooking appliances shall
be permitted to be open to the corridor where all of the
following criteria are met:
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1.
The number of care recipients housed in the smoke
compartment shall not be greater than 30.
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
2.
3.

4.
5.
6.

The number of care recipients served by the cooking facility shall not be greater than 30.
Not more than one cooking facility area shall be
permitted in a smoke compartment.
The corridor shall be a clearly identified space
delineated by construction or floor pattern, material or color.
The space containing the domestic cooking facility shall be arranged so as not to obstruct access to
the required exit.
The cooking appliance shall comply with Section
407.2.7.
latching. Roller latches are not permitted. Other doors
shall conform to Section 716.
407.3.1.1 Door construction. Doors in corridors not
required to have a fire protection rating shall comply
with the following:
1.
2.
407.2.7 Domestic cooking appliances. In Group I-2
occupancies, installation of cooking appliances used in
domestic cooking facilities shall comply with all of the
following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The types of cooking appliances permitted shall
be limited to ovens, cooktops, ranges, warmers
and microwaves.
Domestic cooking hoods installed and constructed
in accordance with Section 505 of the International Mechanical Code shall be provided over
cooktops and ranges.
Cooktops and ranges shall be protected in accordance with Section 904.14.
A shut-off for the fuel and electrical power supply
to the cooking equipment shall be provided in a
location to which only staff has access.
A timer shall be provided that automatically deactivates the cooking appliances within a period of
not more than 120 minutes.
A portable fire extinguisher shall be provided.
Installation shall be in accordance with Section
906, and the extinguisher shall be located within a
30-foot (9144 mm) distance of travel from each
domestic cooking appliance.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
Cooktops and ranges located within smoke
compartments with no patient sleeping or
patient care areas are not required to comply
with this section.
Cooktops and ranges used for care recipient
training or nutritional counseling are not
required to comply with Item 3 of this section.
407.3 Corridor wall construction. Corridor walls shall be
constructed as smoke partitions in accordance with Section
710.
407.3.1 Corridor doors. Corridor doors, other than those
in a wall required to be rated by Section 509.4 or for the
enclosure of a vertical opening or an exit, shall not have a
required fire protection rating and shall not be required to
be equipped with self-closing or automatic-closing
devices, but shall provide an effective barrier to limit the
transfer of smoke and shall be equipped with positive
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3.
Solid doors shall have close-fitting operational
tolerances, head and jamb stops.
Dutch-style doors shall have an astragal, rabbet
or bevel at the meeting edges of the upper and
lower door sections. Both the upper and lower
door sections shall have latching hardware.
Dutch-style doors shall have hardware that
connects the upper and lower sections to function as a single leaf.
To provide makeup air for exhaust systems in
accordance with Section 1020.7, Exception 1,
doors are permitted to have louvers or to have a
clearance between the bottom of the door and
the floor surface that is 2/3 inch (19.1 mm)
maximum.
407.4 Means of egress. Group I-2 occupancies shall be
provided with means of egress complying with Chapter 10
and Sections 407.4.1 through 407.4.4. The fire safety and
evacuation plans provided in accordance with Section
1002.2 shall identify the building components necessary to
support a defend-in-place emergency response in accordance
with Sections 403 and 404 of the International Fire Code.
407.4.1 Direct access to a corridor. Habitable rooms in
Group I-2 occupancies shall have an exit access door
leading directly to a corridor.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
Rooms with exit doors opening directly to the
outside at ground level.
Rooms arranged as care suites complying with
Section 407.4.4.
407.4.1.1 Locking devices. Locking devices that
restrict access to a care recipient’s room from the
corridor and that are operable only by staff from the
corridor side shall not restrict the means of egress from
the care recipient’s room.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
This section shall not apply to rooms in
psychiatric treatment and similar care
areas.
Locking arrangements in accordance with
Section 1010.2.14.
407.4.2 Distance of travel. The distance of travel between
any point in a Group I-2 occupancy sleeping room, not
located in a care suite, and an exit access door in that room
shall be not greater than 50 feet (15 240 mm).
407.4.3 Projections in nursing home corridors. In
Group I-2, Condition 1 occupancies, where the corridor
width is not less than 96 inches (2440 mm), projections
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
3.
shall be permitted for furniture where all of the following
criteria are met:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The furniture is attached to the floor or to the wall.
The furniture does not reduce the clear width of
the corridor to less than 72 inches (1830 mm)
except where other encroachments are permitted
in accordance with Section 1005.7.
The furniture is positioned on only one side of the
corridor.
Each arrangement of furniture is 50 square feet
(4.6 m2) maximum in area.
Furniture arrangements are separated by 10 feet
(3048 mm) minimum.
Placement of furniture is considered as part of the
fire and safety plans in accordance with Section
1002.2.
407.4.4.5.1 Area. Care suites containing sleeping
rooms shall be not greater than 7,500 square feet
(696 m2) in area.
Exception: Care suites containing sleeping
rooms shall be permitted to be not greater than
10,000 square feet (929 m2) in area where an
automatic smoke detection system is provided
throughout the care suite and installed in accordance with NFPA 72.
407.4.4.5.2 Exit access. Any sleeping room, or any
care suite that contains sleeping rooms, of more than
1,000 square feet (93 m2) shall have not fewer than
two exit access doors from the care suite located in
accordance with Section 1007.
407.4.4 Group I-2 care suites. Care suites in Group I-2
shall comply with Sections 407.4.4.1 through 407.4.4.4
and either Section 407.4.4.5 or 407.4.4.6.
407.4.4.6 Care suites not containing sleeping rooms.
Areas not containing sleeping rooms, but only treatment areas and the associated rooms, spaces or
circulation space, shall be permitted to be grouped into
care suites and shall conform to the limitations in
Sections 407.4.4.6.1 and 407.4.4.6.2.
407.4.4.1 Exit access through care suites. Exit access
from all other portions of a building not classified as a
care suite shall not pass through a care suite.
407.4.4.6.1 Area. Care suites of rooms, other than
sleeping rooms, shall have an area not greater than
12,500 square feet (1161 m2).
407.4.4.2 Separation. Care suites shall be separated
from other portions of the building, including other
care suites, by a smoke partition complying with
Section 710.

Exception: Care suites not containing sleeping
rooms shall be permitted to be not greater than
15,000 square feet (1394 m2) in area where an
automatic smoke detection system is provided
throughout the care suite in accordance with
Section 907.
407.4.4.3 Access to corridor. Every care suite shall
have a door leading directly to an exit access corridor
or horizontal exit. Movement from habitable rooms
within a care suite shall not require more than 100 feet
(30 480 mm) of travel within the care suite to a door
leading to the exit access corridor or horizontal exit.
Where a care suite is required to have more than one
exit access door by Section 407.4.4.5.2 or 407.4.4.6.2,
the additional door shall lead directly to an exit access
corridor, exit or an adjacent suite.
407.4.4.4 Doors within care suites. Doors in care
suites serving habitable rooms shall be permitted to
comply with one of the following:
1.
2.
3.
Manually operated horizontal sliding doors
permitted in accordance with Exception 9 to
Section 1010.1.2.
Power-operated doors permitted in accordance
with Section 1010.1.2, Exception 7.
Means of egress doors complying with Section
1010.
407.4.4.5 Care suites containing sleeping room
areas. Sleeping rooms shall be permitted to be
grouped into care suites where one of the following
criteria is met:
1.
2.
407.4.4.6.2 Exit access. Care suites, other than
sleeping rooms, with an area of more than 2,500
square feet (232 m2) shall have not fewer than two
exit access doors from the care suite located in
accordance with Section 1007.
407.5 Smoke barriers. Smoke barriers shall be provided to
subdivide every story used by persons receiving care, treatment or sleeping into not fewer than two smoke
compartments. Smoke barriers shall be provided to subdivide other stories with an occupant load of 50 or more
persons, into not fewer than two smoke compartments. The
smoke barrier shall be in accordance with Section 709.
407.5.1 Smoke compartment size. Stories shall be
divided into smoke compartments with an area of not
more than 22,500 square feet (2092 m2) in Group I-2
occupancies.
The care suite is not used as an exit access for
more than eight care recipient beds.
The arrangement of the care suite allows for
direct and constant visual supervision into the
sleeping rooms by care providers.
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An automatic smoke detection system is
provided in the sleeping rooms and installed in
accordance with NFPA 72.
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Exceptions:
1.
A smoke compartment in Group I-2, Condition
2 is permitted to have an area of not more than
40,000 square feet (3716 m2) provided that all
patient sleeping rooms within that smoke
compartment are configured for single patient
occupancy and any suite within the smoke
compartment complies with Section 407.4.4.
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
2.
A smoke compartment in Group I-2, Condition
2 without patient sleeping rooms is permitted
to have an area of not more than 40,000 square
feet (3716 m2).
407.5.2 Exit access travel distance. The distance of travel
from any point in a smoke compartment to a smoke barrier
door shall be not greater than 200 feet (60 960 mm).
407.5.3 Refuge area. Refuge areas shall be provided
within each smoke compartment. The size of the refuge
area shall accommodate the occupants and care recipients
from the adjoining smoke compartment. Where a smoke
compartment is adjoined by two or more smoke compartments, the minimum area of the refuge area shall
accommodate the largest occupant load of the adjoining
compartments. The size of the refuge area shall provide
the following:
1.
2.
Not less than 30 net square feet (2.8 m2) for each
care recipient confined to bed or stretcher.
Not less than 6 square feet (0.56 m2) for each
ambulatory care recipient not confined to bed or
stretcher and for other occupants.
Areas or spaces permitted to be included in the calculation of refuge area are corridors, sleeping areas,
treatment rooms, lounge or dining areas and other lowhazard areas.
407.5.4 Independent egress. A means of egress shall be
provided from each smoke compartment created by smoke
barriers without having to return through the smoke
compartment from which means of egress originated.
Smoke compartments that do not contain an exit shall be
provided with direct access to not less than two adjacent
smoke compartments.
407.5.5 Horizontal assemblies. Horizontal assemblies
supporting smoke barriers required by this section shall
be designed to resist the movement of smoke. Elevator
lobbies shall be in accordance with Section 3006.2.
407.6 Automatic-closing doors. Automatic-closing doors
with hold-open devices shall comply with Sections 709.5
and 716.2.
407.6.1 Activation of automatic-closing doors. Automatic-closing doors on hold-open devices in accordance
with Section 716.2.6.6 shall also close upon activation of
a fire alarm system, an automatic sprinkler system, or
both. The automatic release of the hold-open device on
one door shall release all such doors within the same
smoke compartment.
[F] 407.7 Automatic sprinkler system. Smoke compartments containing sleeping rooms shall be equipped
throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Sections 903.3.1.1 and 903.3.2.
[F] 407.8 Fire alarm system. A fire alarm system shall be
provided in accordance with Section 907.2.6.
[F] 407.9 Automatic fire detection. Corridors in Group I-2,
Condition 1 occupancies and spaces permitted to be open to
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the corridors by Section 407.2 shall be equipped with an
automatic fire detection system.
Group I-2, Condition 2 occupancies shall be equipped
with smoke detection as required in Section 407.2.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
Corridor smoke detection is not required where
sleeping rooms are provided with smoke detectors
that comply with UL 268. Such detectors shall
provide a visual display on the corridor side of
each sleeping room and an audible and visual
alarm at the care provider’s station attending each
unit.
Corridor smoke detection is not required where
sleeping room doors are equipped with automatic
door-closing devices with integral smoke detectors on the unit sides installed in accordance with
their listing, provided that the integral detectors
perform the required alerting function.
407.10 Secured yards. Grounds are permitted to be fenced
and gates therein are permitted to be equipped with locks,
provided that safe dispersal areas having 30 net square feet
(2.8 m2) for bed and stretcher care recipients and 6 net square
feet (0.56 m2) for ambulatory care recipients and other occupants are located between the building and the fence. Such
provided safe dispersal areas shall be located not less than 50
feet (15 240 mm) from the building they serve.
[F] 407.11 Electrical systems. In Group I-2 occupancies,
the essential electrical system for electrical components,
equipment and systems shall be designed and constructed in
accordance with the provisions of Chapter 27 and NFPA 99.
SECTION 408
GROUP I-3
408.1 General. Occupancies in Group I-3 shall comply with
the provisions of Sections 408.1 through 408.11 and other
applicable provisions of this code (see Section 308.5).
408.2 Other occupancies. Buildings or portions of buildings
in Group I-3 occupancies where security operations necessitate the locking of required means of egress shall be
permitted to be classified as a different occupancy. Occupancies classified as other than Group I-3 shall meet the
applicable requirements of this code for that occupancy
where provisions are made for the release of occupants at all
times.
Means of egress from detention and correctional occupancies that traverse other use areas shall, as a minimum,
conform to requirements for detention and correctional
occupancies.
Exception: It is permissible to exit through a horizontal
exit into other contiguous occupancies that do not
conform to detention and correctional occupancy egress
provisions but that do comply with requirements set forth
in the appropriate occupancy, as long as the occupancy is
not a Group H use.
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408.3 Means of egress. Except as modified or as provided
for in this section, the means of egress provisions of Chapter
10 shall apply.
6.
408.3.1 Door width. Doors to resident sleeping units
shall have a clear width of not less than 28 inches (711
mm).
408.3.2 Sliding doors. Where doors in a means of egress
are of the horizontal-sliding type, the force to slide the
door to its fully open position shall be not greater than 50
pounds (220 N) with a perpendicular force against the
door of 50 pounds (220 N).
408.3.3 Guard tower doors. A hatch or trap door not less
than 16 square feet (610 m2) in area through the floor and
having dimensions of not less than 2 feet (610 mm) in any
direction shall be permitted to be used as a portion of the
means of egress from guard towers.
408.3.4 Spiral stairways. Spiral stairways that conform
to the requirements of Section 1011.10 are permitted for
access to and between staff locations.
408.3.5 Ship’s ladders. Ship’s ladders shall be permitted
for egress from control rooms or elevated facility observation rooms in accordance with Section 1011.15.
408.4 Locks. Egress doors are permitted to be locked in
accordance with the applicable use condition. Doors from a
refuge area to the outside are permitted to be locked with a
key in lieu of locking methods described in Section 408.4.1.
The keys to unlock the exterior doors shall be available at all
times and the locks shall be operable from both sides of the
door.
408.4.1 Remote release. Remote release of locks on
doors in a means of egress shall be provided with reliable
means of operation, remote from the resident living areas,
to release locks on all required doors. In Occupancy
Condition 3 or 4, the arrangement, accessibility and security of the release mechanisms required for egress shall be
such that with the minimum available staff at any time,
the lock mechanisms are capable of being released within
2 minutes.
Exception: Provisions for remote locking and unlocking of occupied rooms in Occupancy Condition 4 are
not required provided that not more than 10 locks are
necessary to be unlocked in order to move occupants
from one smoke compartment to a refuge area within 3
minutes. The opening of necessary locks shall be
accomplished with not more than two separate keys.
408.3.6 Exit discharge. Exits are permitted to discharge
into a fenced or walled courtyard. Enclosed yards or
courts shall be of a size to accommodate all occupants, be
located not less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) from the building and have an area of not less than 15 square feet (1.4
m2) per person.
408.3.7 Sallyports. A sallyport shall be permitted in a
means of egress where there are provisions for continuous
and unobstructed passage through the sallyport during an
emergency egress condition.
408.3.8 Interior exit stairway and ramp construction.
One interior exit stairway or ramp in each building shall
be permitted to have glazing installed in doors and interior walls at each landing level providing access to the
interior exit stairway or ramp, provided that the following
conditions are met:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The interior exit stairway or ramp shall not serve
more than four floor levels.
Exit doors shall be not less than 3/4-hour fire door
assemblies complying with Section 716.
The total area of glazing at each floor level shall
not exceed 5,000 square inches (3.2 m2) and individual panels of glazing shall not exceed 1,296
square inches (0.84 m2).
The glazing shall be protected on both sides by an
automatic sprinkler system. The sprinkler system
shall be designed to wet completely the entire
surface of any glazing affected by fire when
actuated.
The glazing shall be in a gasketed frame and
installed in such a manner that the framing system
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will deflect without breaking (loading) the glass
before the sprinkler system operates.
Obstructions, such as curtain rods, drapery
traverse rods, curtains, drapes or similar materials
shall not be installed between the automatic sprinklers and the glazing.
[F] 408.4.2 Power-operated doors and locks. Poweroperated sliding doors or power-operated locks for
swinging doors shall be operable by a manual release
mechanism at the door. Emergency power shall be
provided for the doors and locks in accordance with
Section 2702.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
Emergency power is not required in facilities
with 10 or fewer locks complying with the
exception to Section 408.4.1.
Emergency power is not required where remote
mechanical operating releases are provided.
408.4.3 Redundant operation. Remote release, mechanically operated sliding doors or remote release,
mechanically operated locks shall be provided with a
mechanically operated release mechanism at each door,
or shall be provided with a redundant remote release
control.
408.4.4 Relock capability. Doors remotely unlocked
under emergency conditions shall not automatically
relock when closed unless specific action is taken at the
remote location to enable doors to relock.
408.5 Protection of vertical openings. Any vertical opening
shall be protected by a shaft enclosure in accordance with
Section 713, or shall be in accordance with Section 408.5.1.
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
408.5.1 Floor openings. Openings in floors within a
housing unit are permitted without a shaft enclosure,
provided that all of the following conditions are met:
1.
2.
3.
4.
The entire normally occupied areas so interconnected are open and unobstructed so as to enable
observation of the areas by supervisory personnel.
Means of egress capacity is sufficient for all occupants from all interconnected cell tiers and areas.
The height difference between the floor levels of
the highest and lowest cell tiers shall not exceed
23 feet (7010 mm).
Egress from any portion of the cell tier to an exit
or exit access door shall not require travel on more
than one additional floor level within the housing
unit.
408.5.2 Shaft openings in communicating floor levels.
Where a floor opening is permitted between communicating floor levels of a housing unit in accordance with
Section 408.5.1, plumbing chases serving vertically
staked individual cells contained with the housing unit
shall be permitted without a shaft enclosure.
408.7 Security glazing. In occupancies in Group I-3,
windows and doors in 1-hour fire barriers constructed in
accordance with Section 707, fire partitions constructed in
accordance with Section 708 and smoke barriers constructed
in accordance with Section 709 shall be permitted to have
security glazing installed provided that the following conditions are met.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Individual panels of glazing shall not exceed 1,296
square inches (0.84 m2).
The glazing shall be protected on both sides by an
automatic sprinkler system. The sprinkler system
shall be designed to, when actuated, wet completely
the entire surface of any glazing affected by fire.
The glazing shall be in a gasketed frame and installed
in such a manner that the framing system will deflect
without breaking (loading) the glass before the sprinkler system operates.
Obstructions, such as curtain rods, drapery traverse
rods, curtains, drapes or similar materials shall not be
installed between the automatic sprinklers and the
glazing.
408.6 Smoke barrier. Occupancies in Group I-3 shall have
smoke barriers complying with Sections 408.6 and 709 to
divide every story occupied by residents for sleeping, or any
other story having an occupant load of 50 or more persons,
into not fewer than two smoke compartments.
408.8 Subdivision of resident housing areas. Sleeping
areas and any contiguous day room, group activity space or
other common spaces where residents are housed shall be
separated from other spaces in accordance with Sections
408.8.1 through 408.8.4.
Exception: Spaces having a direct exit to one of the
following, provided that the locking arrangement of the
doors involved complies with the requirements for doors
at the smoke barrier for the use condition involved:
408.8.1 Occupancy Conditions 3 and 4. Each sleeping
area in Occupancy Conditions 3 and 4 shall be separated
from the adjacent common spaces by a smoke-tight partition where the distance of travel from the sleeping area
through the common space to the corridor exceeds 50
feet (15 240 mm).
1.
2.
3.
A public way.
A building separated from the resident housing
area by a 2-hour fire-resistance-rated assembly or
50 feet (15 240 mm) of open space.
A secured yard or court having a holding space 50
feet (15 240 mm) from the housing area that
provides 6 square feet (0.56 m2) or more of refuge
area per occupant, including residents, staff and
visitors.
408.6.1 Smoke compartments. The number of residents
in any smoke compartment shall be not more than 200.
The distance of travel to a door in a smoke barrier from
any room door required as exit access shall be not greater
than 150 feet (45 720 mm). The distance of travel to a
door in a smoke barrier from any point in a room shall be
not greater than 200 feet (60 960 mm).
408.6.2 Refuge area. Not less than 6 net square feet (0.56
m2) per occupant shall be provided on each side of each
smoke barrier for the total number of occupants in adjoining smoke compartments. This space shall be readily
available wherever the occupants are moved across the
smoke barrier in a fire emergency.
408.6.3 Independent egress. A means of egress shall be
provided from each smoke compartment created by smoke
barriers without having to return through the smoke
compartment from which means of egress originates.
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408.8.2 Occupancy Condition 5. Each sleeping area in
Occupancy Condition 5 shall be separated from adjacent
sleeping areas, corridors and common spaces by a
smoke-tight partition. Additionally, common spaces shall
be separated from the corridor by a smoke-tight partition.
408.8.3 Openings in room face. The aggregate area of
openings in a solid sleeping room face in Occupancy
Conditions 2, 3, 4 and 5 shall not exceed 120 square
inches (0.77 m2). The aggregate area shall include all
openings including door undercuts, food passes and
grilles. Openings shall be not more than 36 inches (914
mm) above the floor. In Occupancy Condition 5, the
openings shall be closeable from the room side.
408.8.4 Smoke-tight doors. Doors in openings in partitions required to be smoke tight by Section 408.8 shall be
substantial doors, of construction that will resist the
passage of smoke. Latches and door closures are not
required on cell doors.
408.9 Windowless buildings. For the purposes of this
section, a windowless building or portion of a building is one
with nonopenable windows, windows not readily breakable
or without windows. Windowless buildings shall be
provided with an engineered smoke control system to
provide a tenable environment for exiting from the smoke
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compartment in the area of fire origin in accordance with
Section 909 for each windowless smoke compartment.
to provide sufficient air when other systems are not in
operation.
[F] 408.10 Fire alarm system. A fire alarm system shall be
provided in accordance with Section 907.2.6.3.
409.3.2 Exhaust air. Projection rooms are permitted to
be exhausted through the lamp exhaust system. The lamp
exhaust system shall be positively interconnected with the
lamp so that the lamp will not operate unless there is the
required airflow. Exhaust air ducts shall terminate at the
exterior of the building in such a location that the exhaust
air cannot be readily recirculated into any air supply
system. The projection room ventilation system is permitted to also serve appurtenant rooms, such as the generator
and rewind rooms.
[F] 408.11 Automatic sprinkler system. Group I-3 occupancies shall be equipped throughout with an automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.6.
SECTION 409
MOTION PICTURE PROJECTION ROOMS
409.1 General. The provisions of Sections 409.1 through
409.5 shall apply to rooms in which ribbon-type cellulose
acetate or other safety film is utilized in conjunction with
electric arc, xenon or other light-source projection equipment that develops hazardous gases, dust or radiation. Where
cellulose nitrate film is utilized or stored, such rooms shall
comply with NFPA 40.
409.1.1 Projection room required. Every motion picture
machine projecting film as mentioned within the scope of
this section shall be enclosed in a projection room.
Appurtenant electrical equipment, such as rheostats,
transformers and generators, shall be within the projection room or in an adjacent room of equivalent
construction.
409.2 Construction of projection rooms. Every projection
room shall be of permanent construction consistent with the
construction requirements for the type of building in which
the projection room is located. Openings are not required to
be protected.
The room shall have a floor area of not less than 80
square feet (7.44 m2) for a single machine and not less than
40 square feet (3.7 m2) for each additional machine. Each
motion picture projector, floodlight, spotlight or similar
piece of equipment shall have a clear working space of not
less than 30 inches by 30 inches (762 mm by 762 mm) on
each side and at the rear thereof, but only one such space
shall be required between two adjacent projectors. The
projection room and the rooms appurtenant thereto shall
have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet 6 inches (2286
mm). The aggregate of openings for projection equipment
shall not exceed 25 percent of the area of the wall between
the projection room and the auditorium. Openings shall be
provided with glass or other approved material, so as to
close completely the opening.
409.3.3 Projection machines. Each projection machine
shall be provided with an exhaust duct that will draw air
from each lamp and exhaust it directly to the outside of
the building. The lamp exhaust is permitted to serve to
exhaust air from the projection room to provide room air
circulation. Such ducts shall be of rigid materials, except
for a flexible connector approved for the purpose. The
projection lamp or projection room exhaust system, or
both, is permitted to be combined but shall not be interconnected with any other exhaust or return system, or
both, within the building.
409.4 Lighting control. Provisions shall be made for control
of the auditorium lighting and the means of egress lighting
systems of theaters from inside the projection room and from
not less than one other convenient point in the building.
409.5 Miscellaneous equipment. Each projection room
shall be provided with rewind and film storage facilities.
SECTION 410
STAGES, PLATFORMS AND
TECHNICAL PRODUCTION AREAS
410.1 Applicability. The provisions of Sections 410.1
through 410.7 shall apply to all parts of buildings and structures that contain stages or platforms and similar
appurtenances as herein defined.
410.2 Stages. Stage construction shall comply with Sections
410.2.1 through 410.2.7.
410.2.1 Stage construction. Stages shall be constructed
of materials as required for floors for the type of construction of the building in which such stages are located.
409.3 Projection room and equipment ventilation. Ventilation shall be provided in accordance with the International
Mechanical Code.
409.3.1 Supply air. Each projection room shall be
provided with adequate air supply inlets so arranged as to
provide well-distributed air throughout the room. Air inlet
ducts shall provide an amount of air equivalent to the
amount of air being exhausted by projection equipment.
Air is permitted to be taken from the outside; from adjacent spaces within the building, provided that the volume
and infiltration rate are sufficient; or from the building
air-conditioning system, provided that it is so arranged as
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Exception: Stages need not be constructed of the same
materials as required for the type of construction
provided that the construction complies with one of the
following:
1.
2.
Stages of Type IIB or IV construction with a
nominal 2-inch (51 mm) wood deck, provided
that the stage is separated from other areas in
accordance with Section 410.2.4.
In buildings of Type IIA, IIIA and VA
construction, a fire-resistance-rated floor is not
required, provided that the space below the
stage is equipped with an automatic sprinkler
system or fire-extinguishing system in accordance with Section 903 or 904.
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
3.
In all types of construction, the finished floor
shall be constructed of wood or approved
noncombustible materials. Openings through
stage floors shall be equipped with tight-fitting,
solid wood trap doors with approved safety
locks.
410.2.1.1 Stage height and area. Stage areas shall be
measured to include the entire performance area and
adjacent backstage and support areas not separated
from the performance area by fire-resistance-rated
construction. Stage height shall be measured from the
lowest point on the stage floor to the highest point of
the roof or floor deck above the stage.
410.2.2 Technical production areas: galleries, gridirons and catwalks. Beams designed only for the
attachment of portable or fixed theater equipment, gridirons, galleries and catwalks shall be constructed of
approved materials consistent with the requirements for
the type of construction of the building; and a fire-resistance rating shall not be required. These areas shall not be
considered to be floors, stories, mezzanines or levels in
applying this code.
Exception: Floors of fly galleries and catwalks shall
be constructed of any approved material.
410.2.3 Exterior stage doors. Where protection of openings is required, exterior exit doors shall be protected with
fire door assemblies that comply with Section 716. Exterior openings that are located on the stage for means of
egress or loading and unloading purposes, and that are
likely to be open during occupancy of the theater, shall be
constructed with vestibules to prevent air drafts into the
auditorium.
410.2.4 Proscenium wall. Where the stage height is
greater than 50 feet (15 240 mm), all portions of the stage
shall be completely separated from the seating area by a
proscenium wall with not less than a 2-hour fire-resistance rating extending continuously from the foundation
to the roof.
410.2.5 Proscenium curtain. Where a proscenium wall
is required to have a fire-resistance rating, the stage
opening shall be provided with a fire curtain complying
with NFPA 80, horizontal sliding doors complying with
Section 716 having a fire protection rating of not less
than 1 hour, or an approved water curtain complying with
Section 903.3.1.1 or, in facilities not utilizing the provisions of smoke-protected assembly seating in accordance
with Section 1030.6.2, a smoke control system complying
with Section 909 or natural ventilation designed to maintain the smoke level not less than 6 feet (1829 mm) above
the floor of the means of egress.
410.2.6 Scenery. Combustible materials used in sets and
scenery shall meet the fire propagation performance criteria of Test Method 1 or Test Method 2, as appropriate, of
NFPA 701, in accordance with Section 806 and the International Fire Code. Foam plastics and materials
containing foam plastics shall comply with Section 2603
and the International Fire Code.
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410.2.7 Stage ventilation. Emergency ventilation shall
be provided for stages larger than 1,000 square feet (93
m2) in floor area, or with a stage height greater than 50
feet (15 240 mm). Such ventilation shall comply with
Section 410.2.7.1 or 410.2.7.2.
410.2.7.1 Roof vents. Two or more vents constructed
to open automatically by approved heat-activated
devices and with an aggregate clear opening area of
not less than 5 percent of the area of the stage shall be
located near the center and above the highest part of
the stage area. Supplemental means shall be provided
for manual operation of the ventilator. Curbs shall be
provided as required for skylights in Section 2610.2.
Vents shall be labeled.
[F] 410.2.7.2 Smoke control. Smoke control in accordance with Section 909 shall be provided to maintain
the smoke layer interface not less than 6 feet (1829
mm) above the highest level of the assembly seating or
above the top of the proscenium opening where a
proscenium wall is provided in compliance with
Section 410.2.4.
410.3 Platform construction. Permanent platforms shall be
constructed of materials as required for the type of construction of the building in which the permanent platform is
located. Permanent platforms are permitted to be constructed
of fire-retardant-treated wood for Types I, II and IV
construction where the platforms are not more than 30 inches
(762 mm) above the main floor, and not more than one-third
of the room floor area and not more than 3,000 square feet
(279 m2) in area. Where the space beneath the permanent
platform is used for storage or any purpose other than equipment, wiring or plumbing, the floor assembly shall be not
less than 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction. Where
the space beneath the permanent platform is used only for
equipment, wiring or plumbing, the underside of the permanent platform need not be protected.
410.3.1 Temporary platforms. Platforms installed for a
period of not more than 30 days are permitted to be
constructed of any materials permitted by this code. The
space between the floor and the platform above shall only
be used for plumbing and electrical wiring to platform
equipment.
410.4 Dressing and appurtenant rooms. Dressing and
appurtenant rooms shall comply with Sections 410.4.1 and
410.4.2.
410.4.1 Separation from stage. The stage shall be separated from dressing rooms, scene docks, property rooms,
workshops, storerooms and compartments appurtenant to
the stage and other parts of the building by fire barriers
constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal
assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711,
or both. The fire-resistance rating shall be not less than 2
hours for stage heights greater than 50 feet (15 240 mm)
and not less than 1 hour for stage heights of 50 feet (15
240 mm) or less.
410.4.2 Separation from each other. Dressing rooms,
scene docks, property rooms, workshops, storerooms and
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rooms, performer lounges, shops and storerooms accessory
to such stages.
Exceptions:
1.
410.5 Means of egress. Except as modified or as provided
for in this section, the provisions of Chapter 10 shall apply.
410.5.1 Arrangement. Where two or more exits or exit
access doorways from the stage are required in accordance with Section 1006.2, not fewer than one exit or exit
access doorway shall be provided on each side of a stage.
2.
410.5.2 Stairway and ramp enclosure. Exit access stairways and ramps serving a stage or platform are not
required to be enclosed. Exit access stairways and ramps
serving technical production areas are not required to be
enclosed.
410.5.3.1 Number of means of egress. Not fewer than
one means of egress shall be provided from technical
production areas.
410.5.3.2 Exit access travel distance. The exit access
travel distance shall be not greater than 300 feet (91
440 mm) for buildings without a sprinkler system and
400 feet (122 mm) for buildings equipped throughout
with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1.
410.5.3.3 Two means of egress. Where two means of
egress are required, the common path of travel shall be
not greater than 100 feet (30 480 mm).
Exception: A means of escape to a roof in place of
a second means of egress is permitted.
410.5.3.4 Path of egress travel. The following exit
access components are permitted where serving technical production areas:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Stairways.
Ramps.
Spiral stairways.
Catwalks.
Alternating tread devices.
Permanent ladders.
410.5.3.5 Width. The path of egress travel within and
from technical support areas shall be not less than 22
inches (559 mm).
[F] 410.6 Automatic sprinkler system. Stages shall be
equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance
with Section 903.3.1.1. Sprinklers shall be installed under
the roof and gridiron and under all catwalks and galleries
over the stage. Sprinklers shall be installed in dressing
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3.
[F] 410.7 Standpipes. Standpipe systems shall be provided
in accordance with Section 905.
SECTION 411
SPECIAL AMUSEMENT AREAS
411.1 General. Special amusement areas having an occupant load of 50 or more shall comply with the requirements
for the appropriate Group A occupancy and Sections 411.1
through 411.7. Special amusement areas having an occupant
load of less than 50 shall comply with the requirements for a
Group B occupancy and Sections 411.1 through 411.7.
Exception: Special amusement areas that are without
walls or a roof and constructed to prevent the accumulation of smoke need not comply with this section.
[F] 411.2 Automatic sprinkler system. Buildings containing special amusement areas shall be equipped throughout
with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1. Where the special amusement area is
temporary, the sprinkler water supply shall be of an
approved temporary means.
Exception: Automatic sprinklers are not required where
the total floor area of a temporary special amusement
area is less than 1,000 square feet (93 m2) and the exit
access travel distance from any point in the special
amusement area to an exit is less than 50 feet (15 240
mm).
411.3 Fire alarm system. Buildings containing special
amusement areas shall be equipped with an automatic smoke
detection system in accordance with Section 907.2.13.
[F] 411.4 Emergency voice/alarm communications
system. An emergency voice/alarm communications system
shall be provided in accordance with Section 907.2.12.
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
410.5.3 Technical production areas. Technical production areas shall be provided with means of egress and
means of escape in accordance with Sections 410.5.3.1
through 410.5.3.5.
Sprinklers are not required under stage areas less
than 4 feet (1219 mm) in clear height that are
utilized exclusively for storage of tables and
chairs, provided that the concealed space is separated from the adjacent spaces by Type X gypsum
board not less than 5/8-inch (15.9 mm) in
thickness.
Sprinklers are not required for stages 1,000 square
feet (93 m2) or less in area and 50 feet (15 240
mm) or less in height where curtains, scenery or
other combustible hangings are not retractable
vertically. Combustible hangings shall be limited
to a single main curtain, borders, legs and a single
backdrop.
Sprinklers are not required within portable orchestra enclosures on stages.

compartments appurtenant to the stage shall be separated
from each other by not less than 1-hour fire barriers
constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal
assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711,
or both.
SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
TABLE 412.2.1.1
HEIGHT LIMITATIONS FOR
AIRPORT TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWERS
411.5 Puzzle room exiting. Puzzle room exiting shall
comply with one of the following:
1.
2.
3.
Exiting in accordance with Chapter 10.
An alternative design approved by the building
official.
Exits shall be open and readily available upon activation by the automatic fire alarm system, automatic
sprinkler system, and a manual control at a
constantly attended location.
411.6 Exit marking. Exit signs shall be installed at the
required exit or exit access doorways serving special amusement areas in accordance with this section and Section 1013.
Approved directional exit markings shall be provided. Where
mirrors, mazes or other designs are utilized that disguise the
path of egress travel such that they are not apparent,
approved and listed low-level exit signs that comply with
Section 1013.5, and directional path markings listed in
accordance with UL 1994, shall be provided and located not
more than 8 inches (203 mm) above the walking surface and
on or near the path of egress travel. Such markings shall
become visible in an emergency. The directional exit marking shall be activated by the automatic smoke detection
system and the automatic sprinkler system in accordance
with Section 907.2.12.
411.6.1 Photoluminescent exit signs. Where photoluminescent exit signs are installed, activating light source and
viewing distance shall be in accordance with the listing
and markings of the signs.
411.7 Interior finish. The interior finish in special amusement areas shall be Class A in accordance with Section
803.1.
TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION
IA
Unlimited
IB
240
IIA
100
IIB
85
IIIA
65
2
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m .
a. Height to be measured from grade plane to cab floor.
[BS] 412.2.1.2 Structural integrity of interior exit
stairways and elevator hoistway enclosures. Enclosures for interior exit stairways and elevator hoistway
enclosures shall comply with Section 403.2.2 in airport
traffic control towers where the control cab is located
more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the lowest level
of fire department vehicle access.
412.2.1.3 Sprayed fire-resistant materials (SFRM).
The bond strength of the SFRM installed in airport
traffic control towers shall be in accordance with
Section 403.2.3 where the control cab is located more
than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the lowest level of fire
department vehicle access.
412.2.2 Means of egress and evacuation. The means of
egress in airport traffic control towers shall comply with
Sections 412.2.2.1 through 412.2.2.3.
412.2.2.1 Stairways. Stairways in airport traffic
control towers shall be in accordance with Section
1011. Exit stairways shall be smokeproof enclosures
complying with one of the alternatives provided in
Section 909.20.
SECTION 412
AIRCRAFT-RELATED OCCUPANCIES
412.1 General. Aircraft-related occupancies shall comply
with Sections 412.1 through 412.7 and the International Fire
Code.
412.2 Airport traffic control towers. The provisions of
Sections 412.2.1 through 412.2.6 shall apply to airport traffic
control towers occupied only for the following uses:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Airport traffic control cab.
Electrical and mechanical equipment rooms.
Airport terminal radar and electronics rooms.
Office spaces incidental to the tower operation.
Lounges for employees, including sanitary facilities.
HEIGHTa (feet)
Exception: Stairways in airport traffic control
towers are not required to comply with Section
1011.12.
412.2.2.2 Exit access. From observation levels, airport
traffic control towers shall be permitted to have a
single means of exit access for a distance of travel not
greater than 100 feet (30 480 mm). Exit access stairways from the observation level need not be enclosed.
412.2.2.3 Number of exits. Not less than one exit
stairway shall be permitted for airport traffic control
towers of any height provided that the occupant load
per floor is not greater than 15 and the area per floor
does not exceed 1,500 square feet (140 m2).
412.2.1 Construction. The construction of airport traffic
control towers shall comply with the provisions of
Sections 412.2.1.1 through 412.2.1.3.
412.2.2.3.1 Interior finish. Where an airport traffic
control tower is provided with only one exit stairway, interior wall and ceiling finishes shall be either
Class A or Class B.
412.2.1.1 Type of construction. Airport traffic control
towers shall be constructed to comply with the height
limitations of Table 412.2.1.1.
412.2.2.3.2 Exit separation. Where an airport traffic control tower is equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
Section 903.3.1.1 and two exits are required, the exit
separation distance required by Section 1007 shall
be not less than one-fourth of the length of the maximum overall dimension of the area served.
[F] 412.2.5 Protection of elevator wiring and cables.
Wiring and cables serving elevators in airport traffic
control towers shall be protected in accordance with
Section 3007.8.1.
[F] 412.2.3 Emergency systems. The detection, alarm
and emergency systems of airport traffic control towers
shall comply with Sections 412.2.3.1 through 412.2.3.3.
412.2.5.1 Elevators for occupant evacuation. Where
provided in addition to an exit stairway, occupant
evacuation elevators shall be in accordance with
Section 3008.
[F] 412.2.3.1 Automatic smoke detection systems.
Airport traffic control towers shall be provided with an
automatic smoke detection system installed in accordance with Section 907.2.22.
[F] 412.2.3.2 Fire command center. A fire command
center shall be provided in airport traffic control
towers where the control cab is located more than 75
feet (22 860 mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access. The fire command center shall
comply with Section 911.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
3.
The fire command center shall be located
in the airport control tower or an adjacent
contiguous building where building functions are interdependent.
The room shall be not less than 150 square
feet (14 m2) in area with a minimum
dimension of 10 feet (3048 mm).
The following features shall not be
required in an airport traffic control tower
fire command center.
3.1. Emergency voice/alarm control
unit.
3.2. Public address system.
3.3. Status indicators and controls for
the air distributions centers.
3.4. Generator supervision devices,
manual start and transfer features.
3.5. Elevator emergency or standby
power switches where emergency
or standby power is provided.
412.2.6 Accessibility. Airport traffic control towers shall
be accessible except as specified in Section 1104.4.
412.3 Aircraft hangars. Aircraft hangars shall be in accordance with Sections 412.3.1 through 412.3.6.
412.3.1 Exterior walls. Exterior walls located less than
30 feet (9144 mm) from lot lines or a public way shall
have a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 hours.
412.3.2 Basements. Where hangars have basements,
floors over basements shall be of Type IA construction
and shall be made tight against seepage of water, oil or
vapors. There shall not be openings or communication
between basements and the hangar. Access to basements
shall be from outside only.
412.3.3 Floor surface. Floors shall be graded and drained
to prevent water or fuel from remaining on the floor.
Floor drains shall discharge through an oil separator to
the sewer or to an outside vented sump.
Exception: Aircraft hangars with individual lease
spaces not exceeding 2,000 square feet (186 m2) each
in which servicing, repairing or washing is not
conducted and fuel is not dispensed shall have floors
that are graded toward the door, but shall not require a
separator.
412.3.4 Heating equipment. Heating equipment shall be
placed in another room separated by 2-hour fire barriers
constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal
assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711,
or both. Entrance shall be from the outside or by means of
a vestibule providing a two-doorway separation.
Exceptions:
1.
[F] 412.2.3.3 Smoke removal. Smoke removal in
airport traffic control towers shall be provided in
accordance with Section 403.4.7.
[F] 412.2.4 Automatic sprinkler system. Where an
occupied floor is located more than 35 feet (10 668 mm)
above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access,
airport traffic control towers shall be equipped with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
903.3.1.1.
[F] 412.2.4.1 Fire pump room. Fire pumps shall be
located in rooms that are separated from all other areas
of the building by 2-hour fire barriers constructed in
accordance with Section 707 or 2-hour horizontal
assemblies constructed in accordance with Section
711, or both.
Exception: Separation is not required for fire pumps
physically separated in accordance with NFPA 20.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
2.
Unit heaters and vented infrared radiant heating equipment suspended not less than 10 feet
(3048 mm) above the upper surface of wings or
engine enclosures of the highest aircraft that
are permitted to be housed in the hangar need
not be located in a separate room provided that
they are mounted not less than 8 feet (2438
mm) above the floor in shops, offices and other
sections of the hangar communicating with
storage or service areas.
Entrance to the separated room shall be permitted by a single interior door provided that the
sources of ignition in the appliances are not
less than 18 inches (457 mm) above the floor.
412.3.5 Finishing. The process of “doping,” involving
use of a volatile flammable solvent, or of painting, shall
be carried on in a separate detached building equipped
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
walls constructed in accordance with Section 706. In
determining the maximum single fire area as set forth
in Table 412.3.6, ancillary uses that are separated from
aircraft servicing areas by a fire barrier of not less than
1 hour, constructed in accordance with Section 707,
shall not be included in the area.
with automatic fire-extinguishing equipment in accordance with Section 903.
[F] 412.3.6 Fire suppression. Aircraft hangars shall be
provided with a fire suppression system designed in
accordance with NFPA 409, based on the classification
for the hangar given in Table 412.3.6.
412.4 Residential aircraft hangars. Residential aircraft
hangars shall comply with Sections 412.4.1 through 412.4.5.
Exception: Where a fixed base operator has separate
repair facilities on site, Group II hangars operated by a
fixed base operator used for storage of transient
aircraft only shall have a fire suppression system, but
the system is exempt from foam requirements.
412.4.1 Fire separation. A hangar shall not be attached
to a dwelling unless separated by a fire barrier having a
fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour. Such separation shall be continuous from the foundation to the
underside of the roof and unpierced except for doors leading to the dwelling unit. Doors into the dwelling unit shall
be equipped with self-closing devices and conform to the
requirements of Section 716 with a noncombustible
raised sill not less than 4 inches (102 mm) in height.
Openings from a hangar directly into a room used for
sleeping purposes shall not be permitted.
[F] 412.3.6.1 Hazardous operations. Any Group III
aircraft hangar according to Table 412.3.6 that
contains hazardous operations including, but not
limited to, the following shall be provided with a
Group I or II fire suppression system in accordance
with NFPA 409 as applicable:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Doping.
Hot work including, but not limited to, welding, torch cutting and torch soldering.
Fuel transfer.
Fuel tank repair or maintenance not including
defueled tanks in accordance with NFPA 409,
inerted tanks or tanks that have never been
fueled.
Spray finishing operations.
Total fuel capacity of all aircraft within the
unsprinklered single fire area in excess of
1,600 gallons (6057 L).
Total fuel capacity of all aircraft within the
maximum single fire area in excess of 7,500
gallons (28 390 L) for a hangar with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1.
412.4.2 Egress. A hangar shall provide two means of
egress. One of the doors into the dwelling shall be considered as meeting only one of the two means of egress.
[F] 412.4.3 Smoke alarms. Smoke alarms shall be
provided within the hangar in accordance with Section
907.2.22.
412.4.4 Independent systems. Electrical, mechanical
and plumbing drain, waste and vent (DWV) systems
installed within the hangar shall be independent of the
systems installed within the dwelling. Building sewer
lines shall be permitted to be connected outside the
structures.
Exception: Smoke detector wiring and feed for electrical subpanels in the hangar.
412.4.5 Height and area limits. Residential aircraft
hangars shall be not greater than 2,000 square feet (186
m2) in area and 20 feet (6096 mm) in building height.
[F] 412.3.6.2 Separation of maximum single fire
areas. Maximum single fire areas established in
accordance with hangar classification and construction
type in Table 412.3.6 shall be separated by 2-hour fire
[F] 412.5 Aircraft paint hangars. Aircraft painting operations shall be conducted in an aircraft paint hangar that
complies with the provisions of Sections 412.5.1 through
[F] TABLE 412.3.6
HANGAR FIRE SUPPRESSION REQUIREMENTSa, b, c
MAXIMUM
SINGLE FIRE AREA
(square feet)
≥ 40,001
TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION
IA
IB
IIA
IIB
IIIA
IIIB
IV
VA
VB
Group I
Group I
Group I
Group I
Group I
Group I
Group I
Group I
Group I
40,000
Group II
Group II
Group II
Group II
Group II
Group II
Group II
Group II
Group II
30,000
Group III
Group II
Group II
Group II
Group II
Group II
Group II
Group II
Group II
20,000
Group III
Group III
Group II
Group II
Group II
Group II
Group II
Group II
Group II
15,000
Group III
Group III
Group III
Group II
Group III
Group II
Group III
Group II
Group II
12,000
Group III
Group III
Group III
Group III
Group III
Group III
Group III
Group II
Group II
8,000
Group III
Group III
Group III
Group III
Group III
Group III
Group III
Group III
Group II
5,000
Group III
Group III
Group III
Group III
Group III
Group III
Group III
Group III
Group III
2
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m .
a. Aircraft hangars with a door height greater than 28 feet shall be provided with fire suppression for a Group I hangar regardless of maximum fire area.
b. Groups shall be as classified in accordance with NFPA 409.
c. Membrane structures complying with Section 3102 shall be classified as a Group IV hangar.
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
412.6 Aircraft manufacturing facilities. In buildings used
for the manufacturing of aircraft, exit access travel distances
indicated in Section 1017.1 shall be increased in accordance
with the following:
412.5.8. Buildings and structures, or parts thereof, used for
the application of flammable finishes shall comply with the
applicable provisions of Section 416.
[F] 412.5.1 Occupancy classification. Aircraft paint
hangars shall be classified in accordance with the provisions of Section 307.1. Aircraft paint hangars shall
comply with the applicable requirements of this code and
the International Fire Code for such occupancy.
1.
2.
The building shall be of Type I or II construction.
Exit access travel distance shall not exceed the
distances given in Table 412.6.
412.6.1 Ancillary areas. Rooms, areas and spaces ancillary to the primary manufacturing area shall be permitted
to egress through such area having a minimum height as
indicated in Table 412.6. Exit access travel distance
within the ancillary room, area or space shall not exceed
that indicated in Table 1017.2 based on the occupancy
classification of that ancillary area. Total exit access
travel distance shall not exceed that indicated in Table
412.6.
412.5.2 Construction. Aircraft paint hangars shall be of
Type I or II construction.
[F] 412.5.3 Spray equipment cleaning operations.
Spray equipment cleaning operations shall be conducted
in a liquid use, dispensing and mixing room.
[F] 412.5.4 Operations. Only those flammable liquids
necessary for painting operations shall be permitted in
quantities less than the maximum allowable quantities per
control area in Table 307.1(1). Spray equipment cleaning
operations exceeding the maximum allowable quantities
per control area in Table 307.1(1) shall be conducted in a
liquid use, dispensing and mixing room.
[F] 412.7 Heliports and helistops. Heliports and helistops
shall be permitted to be erected on buildings or other locations where they are constructed in accordance with Sections
412.7.1 through 412.7.5.
[F] 412.7.1 Size. The landing area for helicopters less
than 3,500 pounds (1588 kg) shall be not less than 20 feet
(6096 mm) in length and width. The landing area shall be
surrounded on all sides by a clear area having an average
width at roof level of 15 feet (4572 mm), and all widths
shall be not less than 5 feet (1524 mm).
[F] 412.5.5 Storage. Storage of flammable or combustible liquids exceeding the maximum allowable quantities
per control area in Table 307.1(1) shall be in a liquid
storage room.
[F] 412.5.6 Fire suppression. Aircraft paint hangars shall
be provided with fire suppression as required by NFPA
409.
[F] 412.7.2 Design. Helicopter landing areas and the
supports thereof on the roof of a building shall be
noncombustible construction. Landing areas shall be
designed to confine any flammable liquid spillage to the
landing area itself and provisions shall be made to drain
such spillage away from any exit or stairway serving the
helicopter landing area or from a structure housing such
exit or stairway. For structural design requirements, see
Section 1607.6.
[F] 412.5.7 Ventilation. Aircraft paint hangars shall be
provided with ventilation as required in the International
Mechanical Code.
[F] 412.5.8 Electrical. Electrical equipment and devices
within the aircraft paint hangar shall comply with NFPA
70.
[F] 412.5.8.1 Class I, Division I hazardous locations.
The area within 10 feet (3048 mm) horizontally from
aircraft surfaces and from the floor to 10 feet (3048
mm) above the aircraft surface shall be classified as a
Class I, Division I location.
412.7.3 Means of egress. The means of egress from heliports and helistops shall comply with the provisions of
Chapter 10. Landing areas located on buildings or structures shall have two or more exits or access to exits. For
landing areas less than 60 feet (18 288 mm) in length or
less than 2,000 square feet (186 m2) in area, the second
means of egress is permitted to be a fire escape, alternating tread device or ladder leading to the floor below.
[F] 412.5.8.2 Class I, Division 2 hazardous locations. The area horizontally from aircraft surfaces
between 10 feet (3048 mm) and 30 feet (9144 mm) and
from the floor to 30 feet (9144 mm) above the aircraft
surface shall be classified as a Class I, Division 2
location.
[F] 412.7.4 Rooftop heliports and helistops. Rooftop
heliports and helistops shall comply with NFPA 418.
TABLE 412.6
AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURING EXIT ACCESS TRAVEL DISTANCE
HEIGHT (feet)b
MANUFACTURING AREA (square feet)a
≥ 150,000
≥ 200,000
≥ 250,000
≥ 500,000
≥ 750,000
≥ 1,000,000
≥ 25
400
450
500
500
500
500
≥ 50
400
500
600
700
700
700
≥ 75
400
500
700
850
1,000
1,000
≥ 100
400
500
750
1,000
1,250
1,500
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
a. Contiguous floor area of the aircraft manufacturing facility having the indicated height.
b. Minimum height from finished floor to bottom of ceiling or roof slab or deck.
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
[F] 412.7.5 Standpipe system. In buildings equipped
with a standpipe system, the standpipe shall extend to the
roof level in accordance with Section 905.3.6.
SECTION 413
COMBUSTIBLE STORAGE
413.1 General. High-piled stock or rack storage in any occupancy group shall comply with the International Fire Code.
413.2 Attic, under-floor and concealed spaces. Attic,
under-floor and concealed spaces used for storage of
combustible materials shall be protected on the storage side
as required for 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction.
Openings shall be protected by assemblies that are self-closing and are of noncombustible construction or solid wood
core not less than 13/4 inches (45 mm) in thickness.
Exception: Neither fire-resistance-rated construction nor
opening protectives are required in any of the following
locations:
1.
2.
Areas protected by approved automatic sprinkler
systems.
Group R-3 and U occupancies.
SECTION 414
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
[F] 414.1 General. The provisions of Sections 414.1
through 414.6 shall apply to buildings and structures occupied for the manufacturing, processing, dispensing, use or
storage of hazardous materials.
[F] 414.1.1 Other provisions. Buildings and structures
with an occupancy in Group H shall comply with this
section and the applicable provisions of Section 415 and
the International Fire Code.
[F] 414.1.2 Materials. The safe design of hazardous
material occupancies is material dependent. Individual
material requirements are found in Sections 307 and 415,
the International Mechanical Code and the International
Fire Code.
[F] 414.1.2.1 Aerosol products, aerosol cooking
spray products and plastic aerosol 3 products.
Level 2 and 3 aerosol products, aerosol cooking spray
products and plastic aerosol 3 products shall be stored
and displayed in accordance with the International
Fire Code. See Section 311.2 and the International
Fire Code for occupancy group requirements.
[F] 414.1.3 Information required. A report shall be
submitted to the building official identifying the maximum expected quantities of hazardous materials to be
stored, used in a closed system and used in an open
system, and subdivided to separately address hazardous
material classification categories based on Tables
307.1(1) and 307.1(2). The methods of protection from
such hazards, including but not limited to control areas,
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fire protection systems and Group H occupancies shall be
indicated in the report and on the construction documents.
The opinion and report shall be prepared by a qualified
person, firm or corporation approved by the building official and provided without charge to the enforcing agency.
For buildings and structures with an occupancy in
Group H, separate floor plans shall be submitted identifying the locations of anticipated contents and processes so
as to reflect the nature of each occupied portion of every
building and structure.
[F] 414.2 Control areas. Control areas shall comply with
Sections 414.2.1 through 414.2.5 and the International Fire
Code.
Exception: Higher education laboratories in accordance
with Section 428 and Chapter 38 of the International Fire
Code.
[F] 414.2.1 Construction requirements. Control areas
shall be separated from each other by fire barriers
constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal
assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711,
or both.
[F] 414.2.2 Percentage of maximum allowable quantities. The percentage of maximum allowable quantities of
hazardous materials per control area permitted at each
floor level within a building shall be in accordance with
Table 414.2.2.
[F] 414.2.3 Number. The maximum number of control
areas within a building shall be in accordance with Table
414.2.2. For the purposes of determining the number of
control areas within a building, each portion of a building
separated by one or more fire walls complying with
Section 706 shall be considered a separate building.
[F] 414.2.4 Fire-resistance rating requirements. The
required fire-resistance rating for fire barriers shall be in
accordance with Table 414.2.2. The floor assembly of the
control area and the construction supporting the floor of
the control area shall have a fire-resistance rating of not
less than 2 hours.
Exception: The floor assembly of the control area and
the construction supporting the floor of the control
area are allowed to be 1-hour fire-resistance-rated in
buildings of Types IIA, IIIA, IV and VA construction,
provided that both of the following conditions exist:
1.
2.
The building is equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1.
The building is three or fewer stories above
grade plane.
[F] 414.2.5 Hazardous material in Group M display
and storage areas and in Group S storage areas.
Hazardous materials located in Group M and Group S
occupancies shall be in accordance with Sections
414.2.5.1 through 414.2.5.3.
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
[F] TABLE 414.2.2
DESIGN AND NUMBER OF CONTROL AREAS
PERCENTAGE OF THE MAXIMUM
ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER
CONTROL AREAa
STORY
Above grade plane
Below grade plane
NUMBER OF CONTROL
AREAS PER STORY
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING FOR
FIRE BARRIERS IN HOURSb
Higher than 9
5
1
2
7−9
5
2
2
6
12.5
2
2
5
12.5
2
2
4
12.5
2
2
3
50
2
1
2
75
3
1
1
100
4
1
1
75
3
1
2
50
2
1
Lower than 2
Not Allowed
Not Allowed
Not Allowed
a. Percentages shall be of the maximum allowable quantity per control area shown in Tables 307.1(1) and 307.1(2), with all increases allowed in the notes to
those tables.
b. Separation shall include fire barriers and horizontal assemblies as necessary to provide separation from other portions of the building.
[F] 414.2.5.1 Nonflammable solids and nonflammable and noncombustible liquids. The aggregate
quantity of nonflammable solid and nonflammable or
noncombustible liquid hazardous materials permitted
within a single control area of a Group M display and
storage area, a Group S storage area or an outdoor
control area is permitted to exceed the maximum
allowable quantities per control area specified in
Tables 307.1(1) and 307.1(2) without classifying the
building or use as a Group H occupancy, provided that
the materials are displayed and stored in accordance
with the International Fire Code and quantities do not
exceed the maximum allowable specified in Table
414.2.5(1).
[F] 414.2.5.2 Flammable and combustible liquids.
In Group M occupancy wholesale and retail sales uses,
indoor storage of flammable and combustible liquids
shall not exceed the maximum allowable quantities per
control area as indicated in Table 414.2.5(2), provided
that the materials are displayed and stored in accordance with the International Fire Code.
[F] 414.2.5.3 Aerosol products, aerosol cooking
spray products or plastic aerosol 3 products. The
maximum quantity of aerosol products, aerosol cooking spray products or plastic aerosol 3 products in
Group M occupancy retail display areas, storage areas
adjacent to retail display areas and retail storage areas
shall be in accordance with the International Fire
Code.
[F] 414.3 Ventilation. Rooms, areas or spaces in which
explosive, corrosive, combustible, flammable or highly toxic
dusts, mists, fumes, vapors or gases are or have the potential
to be emitted due to the processing, use, handling or storage
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
of materials shall be mechanically ventilated where required
by this code, the International Fire Code or the International
Mechanical Code.
Emissions generated at workstations shall be confined to
the area in which they are generated as specified in the International Fire Code and the International Mechanical Code.
[F] 414.4 Hazardous material systems. Systems involving
hazardous materials shall be suitable for the intended application. Controls shall be designed to prevent materials from
entering or leaving process or reaction systems at other than
the intended time, rate or path. Automatic controls, where
provided, shall be designed to be fail safe.
[F] 414.5 Inside storage, dispensing and use. The inside
storage, dispensing and use of hazardous materials shall be
in accordance with Sections 414.5.1 through 414.5.3 of this
code and the International Fire Code.
[F] 414.5.1 Explosion control. Explosion control shall be
provided in accordance with the International Fire Code
as required by Table 414.5.1 where quantities of hazardous materials specified in that table exceed the maximum
allowable quantities in Table 307.1(1) or where a structure, room or space is occupied for purposes involving
explosion hazards as required by Section 415 or the International Fire Code.
[F] 414.5.2 Emergency or standby power. Where
required by the International Fire Code or this code,
mechanical ventilation, treatment systems, temperature
control, alarm, detection or other electrically operated
systems shall be provided with emergency or standby
power in accordance with Section 2702. For storage and
use areas for highly toxic or toxic materials, see Sections
6004.2.2.8 and 6004.3.4.2 of the International Fire Code.
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
[F] TABLE 414.2.5(1)
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER INDOOR AND OUTDOOR CONTROL AREA IN
GROUP M AND S OCCUPANCIES OF NONFLAMMABLE SOLIDS AND NONFLAMMABLE AND NONCOMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDSd, e, f
CONDITION
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER CONTROL AREA
Materiala
Class
Solids (pounds)
Liquids (gallons)
A. Health-hazard materials—nonflammable and noncombustible solids and liquids
1. Corrosivesb, c
2. Highly toxics
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
9,750
20b, c
975
2b, c
3. Toxicsb, c
Not Applicable
1,000k
100
4
3
Not Allowed
1,350g
Not Allowed
115
2
1
2,250h
18,000i, j
225
1,800i, j
4
3
Not Allowed
550
Not Allowed
55
2
1
1,150
Not Limited
115
Not Limited
3b, c
2b, c
550
1,150
55
115
1
Not Limited
Not Limited
B. Physical-hazard materials—nonflammable and noncombustible solids and liquids
1. Oxidizersb, c
2. Unstable (reactives)b, c
3. Water reactives
For SI: 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1 gallon = 3.785 L.
a. Hazard categories are as specified in the International Fire Code.
b. Maximum allowable quantities shall be increased 100 percent in buildings that are sprinklered in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. Where Note c also
applies, the increase for both notes shall be applied accumulatively.
c. Maximum allowable quantities shall be increased 100 percent where stored in approved storage cabinets, in accordance with the International Fire Code.
Where Note b also applies, the increase for both notes shall be applied accumulatively.
d. See Table 414.2.2 for design and number of control areas.
e. Allowable quantities for other hazardous material categories shall be in accordance with Section 307.
f. Maximum quantities shall be increased 100 percent in outdoor control areas.
g. Maximum amounts shall be increased to 2,250 pounds where individual packages are in the original sealed containers from the manufacturer or packager
and do not exceed 10 pounds each.
h. Maximum amounts shall be increased to 4,500 pounds where individual packages are in the original sealed containers from the manufacturer or packager
and do not exceed 10 pounds each.
i. The permitted quantities shall not be limited in a building equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
j. Quantities are unlimited in an outdoor control area.
k. Maximum allowable quantities of consumer products shall be increased to 10,000 pounds where individual packages are in the original, sealed containers
from the manufacturer and the toxic classification is exclusively based on the LC threshold and no other hazardous materials classifications apply.
[F] TABLE 414.2.5(2)
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY OF FLAMMABLE AND
COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS IN WHOLESALE AND RETAIL SALES OCCUPANCIES PER CONTROL AREAa
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER CONTROL AREA (gallons)
TYPE OF LIQUID
Class IA
Class IB, IC, II and IIIA
Class IIIB
Sprinklered in accordance with
Note b densities and arrangements
Sprinklered in accordance with Tables 5704.3.6.3(4) through
5704.3.6.3(8) and 5704.3.7.5.1 of the International Fire Code
Nonsprinklered
60
60
30
c
c
15,000
Unlimited
7,500
Unlimited
1,600
13,200
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2, 1 gallon = 3.785 L, 1 gallon per minute per square foot = 40.75 L/min/m2.
a. Control areas shall be separated from each other by not less than a 1-hour fire barrier wall.
b. To be considered as sprinklered, a building shall be equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system with a design providing minimum
densities as follows:
1. For uncartoned commodities on shelves 6 feet or less in height where the ceiling height does not exceed 18 feet, quantities are those permitted with a
minimum sprinkler design density of Ordinary Hazard Group 2.
2. For cartoned, palletized or racked commodities where storage is 4 feet 6 inches or less in height and where the ceiling height does not exceed 18 feet, quantities are those permitted with a minimum sprinkler design density of 0.21 gallon per minute per square foot over the most remote 1,500-square-foot area.
c. Where wholesale and retail sales or storage areas exceed 50,000 square feet in area, the maximum allowable quantities are allowed to be increased by 2
percent for each 1,000 square feet of area in excess of 50,000 square feet, up to not more than 100 percent of the table amounts. A control area separation is
not required. The cumulative amounts, including amounts attained by having an additional control area, shall not exceed 30,000 gallons.
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
[F] TABLE 414.5.1
EXPLOSION CONTROL REQUIREMENTSa, h
EXPLOSION CONTROL METHODS
MATERIAL
CLASS
Barricade
construction
Explosion (deflagration) venting or
explosion (deflagration) prevention systemsb
Combustible dustsc
—
Not Required
Required
Cryogenic flammables
—
Not Required
Required
Division 1.1
Required
Not Required
Division 1.2
Required
Not Required
Division 1.3
Not Required
Required
Division 1.4
Not Required
Required
Division 1.5
Required
Not Required
Division 1.6
Required
Not Required
Gaseous
Not Required
Required
Liquefied
Not Required
Required
d
IA
Not Required
Required
IBe
Not Required
Required
U
Required
Not Permitted
I
Required
Not Permitted
HAZARD CATEGORY
Explosives
Flammable gas
Flammable liquid
Organic peroxides
Oxidizer liquids and solids
4
Required
Not Permitted
Pyrophoric gas
—
Not Required
Required
4
Required
Not Permitted
3 Detonable
Required
Not Permitted
Unstable (reactive)
3 Nondetonable
Not Required
Required
3
Not Required
Required
2g
Not Required
Required
Acetylene generator rooms
—
Not Required
Required
Electrochemical energy storage systemi
—
Not Required
Required
Water-reactive liquids and solids
SPECIAL USES
i
Energy storage system
—
Not Required
Required
Grain processing
—
Not Required
Required
Liquefied petroleum gas-distribution facilities
Where explosion hazards existf
—
Not Required
Required
Detonation
Required
Not Permitted
Deflagration
Not Required
Required
a. See Section 414.1.3.
b. See the International Fire Code.
c. Combustible dusts where manufactured, generated or used in such a manner that the concentration and conditions create a fire or explosion hazard based on
information prepared in accordance with Section 104.8.2 of the International Fire Code. See definition of "Combustible dust" in Chapter 2.
d. Storage or use.
e. In open use or dispensing.
f. Rooms containing dispensing and use of hazardous materials where an explosive environment can occur because of the characteristics or nature of the
hazardous materials or as a result of the dispensing or use process.
g. A method of explosion control shall be provided where Class 2 water-reactive materials can form potentially explosive mixtures.
h. Explosion venting is not required for Group H-5 fabrication areas complying with Section 415.11.1 and the International Fire Code.
i. Where explosion control is required in Section 1207 of the International Fire Code.
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
1.
2.
3.
4.
Storage of Class IB and IC flammable and
combustible liquids in closed containers not
exceeding 6.5 gallons (25 L) capacity.
Storage of Class 1 and 2 oxidizers.
Storage of Class II, III, IV and V organic
peroxides.
Storage of asphyxiant, irritant and radioactive
gases.
[F] 414.5.2.2 Fail-safe engineered systems. Standby
power for mechanical ventilation, treatment systems
and temperature control systems shall not be required
where an approved fail-safe engineered system is
installed.
[F] 414.5.3 Spill control, drainage and containment.
Rooms, buildings or areas occupied for the storage of
solid and liquid hazardous materials shall be provided
with a means to control spillage and to contain or drain
off spillage and fire protection water discharged in the
storage area where required in the International Fire
Code. The methods of spill control shall be in accordance
with the International Fire Code.
[F] 414.6 Outdoor storage, dispensing and use. The
outdoor storage, dispensing and use of hazardous materials
shall be in accordance with the International Fire Code.
[F] 414.6.1 Weather protection. Where weather protection is provided for sheltering outdoor hazardous
material storage or use areas, such areas shall be considered outdoor storage or use where the weather protection
structure complies with Sections 414.6.1.1 through
414.6.1.3.
[F] 414.6.1.1 Walls. Walls shall not obstruct more
than one side of the structure.
Exception: Walls shall be permitted to obstruct
portions of multiple sides of the structure, provided
that the obstructed area is not greater than 25 percent
of the structure’s perimeter.
[F] 414.6.1.2 Separation distance. The distance from
the structure to buildings, lot lines, public ways or
means of egress to a public way shall be not less than
the distance required for an outside hazardous material storage or use area without weather protection.
[F] 414.6.1.3 Noncombustible construction. The
overhead structure shall be of approved noncombustible construction with a maximum area of 1,500 square
feet (140 m2).
Exception: The maximum area is permitted to be
increased as provided by Section 506.
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SECTION 415
GROUPS H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4 AND H-5
[F] 415.1 General. The provisions of Sections 415.1
through 415.11 shall apply to the storage and use of hazardous materials in excess of the maximum allowable quantities
per control area listed in Section 307.1.
[F] 415.2 Compliance. Buildings and structures with an
occupancy in Group H shall comply with the applicable
provisions of Section 414 and the International Fire Code.
[F] 415.3 Automatic fire detection systems. Group H occupancies shall be provided with an automatic fire detection
system in accordance with Section 907.2.
[F] 415.4 Automatic sprinkler system. Group H occupancies shall be equipped throughout with an automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.5.
[F] 415.5 Emergency alarms. Emergency alarms for the
detection and notification of an emergency condition in
Group H occupancies shall be provided as set forth herein.
[F] 415.5.1 Storage. An approved manual emergency
alarm system shall be provided in buildings, rooms or
areas used for storage of hazardous materials. Emergency
alarm-initiating devices shall be installed outside of each
interior exit or exit access door of storage buildings,
rooms or areas. Activation of an emergency alarm-initiating device shall sound a local alarm to alert occupants of
an emergency situation involving hazardous materials.
[F] 415.5.2 Dispensing, use and handling. Where
hazardous materials having a hazard ranking of 3 or 4 in
accordance with NFPA 704 are transported through corridors, interior exit stairways or ramps, or exit
passageways, there shall be an emergency telephone
system, a local manual alarm station or an approved
alarm-initiating device at not more than 150-foot (45 720
mm) intervals and at each exit and exit access doorway
throughout the transport route. The signal shall be relayed
to an approved central, proprietary or remote station
service or constantly attended on-site location and shall
initiate a local audible alarm.
[F] 415.5.3 Supervision. Emergency alarm systems
required by Section 415.5.1 or 415.5.2 shall be electrically supervised and monitored by an approved central,
proprietary or remote station service or shall initiate an
audible and visual signal at a constantly attended on-site
location.
[F] 415.5.4 Emergency alarm systems. Emergency
alarm systems required by Section 415.5.1 or 415.5.2
shall be provided with emergency or standby power in
accordance with Section 2702.2.
[F] 415.6 Fire separation distance. Group H occupancies
shall be located on property in accordance with the other
provisions of this chapter. In Groups H-2 and H-3, not less
than 25 percent of the perimeter wall of the occupancy shall
be an exterior wall.
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
[F] 414.5.2.1 Exempt applications. Emergency or
standby power is not required for the mechanical ventilation systems provided for any of the following:
SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
[F] 415.6.1 Rooms for flammable or combustible liquid
use, dispensing or mixing in open systems. Rooms for
flammable or combustible liquid use, dispensing or
mixing in open systems having a floor area of not more
than 500 square feet (46.5 m2) need not be located on the
outer perimeter of the building where they are in accordance with the International Fire Code and NFPA 30.
[F] 415.6.2 Liquid storage rooms and rooms for flammable or combustible liquid use in closed systems.
Liquid storage rooms and rooms for flammable or
combustible liquid use in closed systems, having a floor
area of not more than 1,000 square feet (93 m2) need not
be located on the outer perimeter where they are in accordance with the International Fire Code and NFPA 30.
[F] 415.6.3 Spray paint booths. Spray paint booths that
comply with the International Fire Code need not be
located on the outer perimeter.
[F] 415.6.4 Group H occupancy minimum fire separation distance. Regardless of any other provisions,
buildings containing Group H occupancies shall be set
back to the minimum fire separation distance as set forth
in Sections 415.6.4.1 through 415.6.4.4. Distances shall
be measured from the walls enclosing the occupancy to
lot lines, including those on a public way. Distances to
assumed lot lines established for the purpose of determining exterior wall and opening protection are not to be
used to establish the minimum fire separation distance
for buildings on sites where explosives are manufactured
or used where separation is provided in accordance with
the quantity distance tables specified for explosive materials in the International Fire Code.
[F] 415.6.4.1 Group H-1. Group H-1 occupancies
shall be set back not less than 75 feet (22 860 mm) and
not less than required by the International Fire Code.
Exception: Fireworks manufacturing buildings
separated in accordance with NFPA 1124.
[F] 415.6.4.2 Group H-2. Group H-2 occupancies
shall be set back not less than 30 feet (9144 mm)
where the area of the occupancy is greater than 1,000
square feet (93 m2) and it is not required to be located
in a detached building.
[F] 415.6.4.3 Groups H-2 and H-3. Group H-2 and
H-3 occupancies shall be set back not less than 50 feet
(15 240 mm) where a detached building is required
(see Table 415.6.5).
[F] 415.6.4.4 Explosive materials. Group H-2 and H3 occupancies containing materials with explosive
characteristics shall be separated as required by the
International Fire Code. Where separations are not
specified, the distances required shall be determined
by a technical report issued in accordance with Section
414.1.3.
[F] 415.6.5 Detached buildings for Group H-1, H-2 or
H-3 occupancy. The storage or use of hazardous materials in excess of those amounts specified in Table 415.6.5
shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of
Sections 415.7 and 415.8.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
[F] 415.6.5.1 Wall and opening protection. Where a
detached building is required by Table 415.6.5, wall
and opening protection based on fire separation
distance is not required.
[F] 415.7 Special provisions for Group H-1 occupancies.
Group H-1 occupancies shall be in detached buildings not
used for other purposes. Roofs shall be of lightweight
construction with suitable thermal insulation to prevent
sensitive material from reaching its decomposition temperature. Group H-1 occupancies containing materials that are in
themselves both physical and health hazards in quantities
exceeding the maximum allowable quantities per control
area in Table 307.1(2) shall comply with requirements for
both Group H-1 and H-4 occupancies.
[F] 415.7.1 Floors in storage rooms. Floors in storage
areas for organic peroxides, pyrophoric materials and
unstable (reactive) materials shall be of liquid-tight,
noncombustible construction.
[F] 415.8 Special provisions for Group H-2 and H-3 occupancies. Group H-2 and H-3 occupancies containing
quantities of hazardous materials in excess of those set forth
in Table 415.6.5 shall be in detached buildings used for
manufacturing, processing, dispensing, use or storage of
hazardous materials. Materials specified for Group H-1
occupancies in Section 307.3 are permitted to be located
within Group H-2 or H-3 detached buildings provided that
the amount of materials per control area do not exceed the
maximum allowed quantity specified in Table 307.1(1).
[F] 415.8.1 Multiple hazards. Group H-2 or H-3 occupancies containing materials that are in themselves both
physical and health hazards in quantities exceeding the
maximum allowable quantities per control area in Table
307.1(2) shall comply with requirements for Group H-2,
H-3 or H-4 occupancies as applicable.
[F] 415.8.2 Separation of incompatible materials.
Hazardous materials other than those specified in Table
415.6.5 shall be allowed in manufacturing, processing,
dispensing, use or storage areas when separated from
incompatible materials in accordance with the provisions
of the International Fire Code.
[F] 415.8.3 Water reactives. Group H-2 and H-3 occupancies containing water-reactive materials shall be
resistant to water penetration. Piping for conveying
liquids shall not be over or through areas containing water
reactives, unless isolated by approved liquid-tight
construction.
Exception: Fire protection piping shall be permitted
over or through areas containing water reactives without isolating it with liquid-tight construction.
[F] 415.8.4 Floors in storage rooms. Floors in storage
areas for organic peroxides, oxidizers, pyrophoric materials, unstable (reactive) materials and water-reactive solids
and liquids shall be of liquid-tight, noncombustible
construction.
[F] 415.8.5 Waterproof room. Rooms or areas used for
the storage of water-reactive solids and liquids shall be
constructed in a manner that resists the penetration of
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
water through the use of waterproof materials. Piping
carrying water for other than approved automatic sprinkler systems shall not be within such rooms or areas.
[F] 415.9 Group H-2. Occupancies in Group H-2 shall be
constructed in accordance with Sections 415.9.1 through
415.9.3 and the International Fire Code.
[F] 415.9.1 Flammable and combustible liquids. The
storage, handling, processing and transporting of flammable and combustible liquids in Group H-2 and H-3
occupancies shall be in accordance with Sections
415.9.1.1 through 415.9.1.9, the International Mechanical Code and the International Fire Code.
[F] 415.9.1.1 Mixed occupancies. Where the storage
tank area is located in a building of two or more occupancies and the quantity of liquid exceeds the
maximum allowable quantity for one control area, the
use shall be completely separated from adjacent occupancies in accordance with the requirements of Section
508.4.
one story above grade plane, the height limitation of
Section 504 shall not apply for Group H.
[F] 415.9.1.2 Tank protection. Storage tanks shall be
noncombustible and protected from physical damage.
Fire barriers or horizontal assemblies or both around
the storage tanks shall be permitted as the method of
protection from physical damage.
[F] 415.9.1.3 Tanks. Storage tanks shall be approved
tanks conforming to the requirements of the International Fire Code.
[F] 415.9.1.4 Leakage containment. A liquid-tight
containment area compatible with the stored liquid
shall be provided. The method of spill control, drainage control and secondary containment shall be in
accordance with the International Fire Code.
Exception: Rooms where only double-wall storage
tanks conforming to Section 415.9.1.3 are used to
store Class I, II and IIIA flammable and combustible
liquids shall not be required to have a leakage
containment area.
[F] 415.9.1.1.1 Height exception. Where storage
tanks are located within a building not more than
[F] TABLE 415.6.5
DETACHED BUILDING REQUIRED
A DETACHED BUILDING IS REQUIRED WHERE THE QUANTITY OF MATERIAL EXCEEDS THAT SPECIFIED HEREIN
Material
Explosives
Oxidizers
Unstable (reactives) detonable
Oxidizer, liquids and solids
Organic peroxides
Unstable (reactives) nondetonable
Water reactives
Pyrophoric gasesd
Class
Solids and Liquids (tons)a, b
Division 1.1
Division 1.2
Division 1.3
Division 1.4
Division 1.4c
Division 1.5
Division 1.6
Class 4
Class 3 or 4
Class 3
Class 2
Detonable
Class I
Class II
Class III
Class 3
Class 2
Class 3
Class 2
Not Applicable
Maximum Allowable Quantity
Maximum Allowable Quantity
Maximum Allowable Quantity
Maximum Allowable Quantity
1
Maximum Allowable Quantity
Maximum Allowable Quantity
Maximum Allowable Quantity
Maximum Allowable Quantity
1,200
2,000
Maximum Allowable Quantity
Maximum Allowable Quantity
25
50
1
25
1
25
Not Applicable
Gases (cubic feet)a, b
Not Applicable
Maximum Allowable Quantity
Maximum Allowable Quantity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
2,000
10,000
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
2,000
For SI: 1 ton = 906 kg, 1 cubic foot = 0.02832 m3, 1 pound = 0.454 kg.
a. For materials that are detonable, the distance to other buildings or lot lines shall be in accordance with Section 415.6 of this code or Chapter 56 of the International Fire Code based on trinitrotoluene (TNT) equivalence of the material, whichever is greater.
b. “Maximum Allowable Quantity” means the maximum allowable quantity per control area set forth in Table 307.1(1).
c. Limited to Division 1.4 materials and articles, including articles packaged for shipment, that are not regulated as an explosive under Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF) regulations or unpackaged articles used in process operations that do not propagate a detonation or deflagration
between articles, provided that the net explosive weight of individual articles does not exceed 1 pound.
d. Detached buildings are not required, for gases in gas rooms that support H-5 fabrication facilities where the gas room is separated from other areas by a fire
barrier with a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours and the gas is located in a gas cabinet that is internally sprinklered, equipped with continuous
leak detection, automatic shutdown and is not manifolded upstream of pressure controls. Additionally, the gas supply is limited to cylinders that do not
exceed 125 pounds (57 kg) water capacity in accordance with 49 CFR 173.192 for Hazard Zone A toxic gases.
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
[F] 415.9.1.5 Leakage alarm. An approved automatic
alarm shall be provided to indicate a leak in a storage
tank and room. The alarm shall sound an audible
signal, 15 dBa above the ambient sound level, at every
point of entry into the room in which the leaking storage tank is located. An approved sign shall be posted
on every entry door to the tank storage room indicating
the potential hazard of the interior room environment,
or the sign shall state, "WARNING, WHEN ALARM
SOUNDS, THE ENVIRONMENT WITHIN THE
ROOM MAY BE HAZARDOUS." The leakage alarm
shall be supervised in accordance with Chapter 9 to
transmit a trouble signal.
[F] 415.9.1.6 Tank vent. Storage tank vents for Class
I, II or IIIA liquids shall terminate to the outdoor air in
accordance with the International Fire Code.
[F] 415.10.4 Separation of highly toxic solids and
liquids. Highly toxic solids and liquids not stored in
approved hazardous materials storage cabinets shall be
isolated from other hazardous materials storage by not
less than 1-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance
with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in
accordance with Section 711, or both.
[F] 415.11 Group H-5. In addition to the requirements set
forth elsewhere in this code, Group H-5 shall comply with
the provisions of Sections 415.11.1 through 415.11.12 and
the International Fire Code.
[F] 415.11.1 Fabrication areas. Fabrication areas shall
comply with Sections 415.11.1.1 through 415.11.1.8.
[F] 415.9.1.7 Room ventilation. Storage tank areas
storing Class I, II or IIIA liquids shall be provided with
mechanical ventilation. The mechanical ventilation
system shall be in accordance with the International
Mechanical Code and the International Fire Code.
[F] 415.9.1.8 Explosion venting. Where Class I
liquids are being stored, explosion venting shall be
provided in accordance with the International Fire
Code.
[F] 415.9.1.9 Tank openings other than vents. Tank
openings other than vents from tanks inside buildings
shall be designed to ensure that liquids or vapor
concentrations are not released inside the building.
[F] 415.9.2 Liquefied petroleum gas facilities. The
construction and installation of liquefied petroleum gas
facilities shall be in accordance with the requirements of
this code, the International Fire Code, the International
Fuel Gas Code, the International Mechanical Code and
NFPA 58.
[F] 415.9.3 Dry cleaning plants. The construction and
installation of dry cleaning plants shall be in accordance
with the requirements of this code, the International
Mechanical Code, the International Plumbing Code and
NFPA 32. Dry cleaning solvents and systems shall be
classified in accordance with the International Fire Code.
[F] 415.10 Groups H-3 and H-4. Groups H-3 and H-4 shall
be constructed in accordance with the applicable provisions
of this code and the International Fire Code.
[F] 415.10.1 Flammable and combustible liquids. The
storage, handling, processing and transporting of flammable and combustible liquids in Group H-3 occupancies
shall be in accordance with Section 415.9.1.
[F] 415.10.2 Gas rooms. Where gas rooms are provided,
such rooms shall be separated from other areas by not less
than 1-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in
accordance with Section 711, or both.
[F] 415.10.3 Floors in storage rooms. Floors in storage
areas for corrosive liquids and highly toxic or toxic materials shall be of liquid-tight, noncombustible construction.
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[F] 415.11.1.1 Hazardous materials. Hazardous
materials and hazardous production materials (HPM)
shall comply with Sections 415.11.1.1.1 and
415.11.1.1.2.
[F] 415.11.1.1.1 Aggregate quantities. The aggregate quantities of hazardous materials stored and
used in a single fabrication area shall not exceed the
quantities set forth in Table 415.11.1.1.1.
Exception: The quantity limitations for any
hazard category in Table 415.11.1.1.1 shall not
apply where the fabrication area contains quantities of hazardous materials not exceeding the
maximum allowable quantities per control area
established by Tables 307.1(1) and 307.1(2).
[F] 415.11.1.1.2 Hazardous production materials.
The maximum quantities of hazardous production
materials (HPM) stored in a single fabrication area
shall not exceed the maximum allowable quantities
per control area established by Table 307.1(1) and
Table 307.1(2).
[F] 415.11.1.2 Separation. Fabrication areas, whose
sizes are limited by the quantity of hazardous materials
allowed by Table 415.11.1.1.1, shall be separated from
each other, from corridors and from other parts of the
building by not less than 1-hour fire barriers
constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
Doors within such fire barrier walls,
including doors to corridors, shall be only
self-closing fire door assemblies having a
fire protection rating of not less than 3/4
hour.
Windows between fabrication areas and
corridors are permitted to be fixed glazing
listed and labeled for a fire protection
rating of not less than 3/4 hour in accordance with Section 716.
[F] 415.11.1.3 Location of occupied levels. Occupied
levels of fabrication areas shall be located at or above
the first story above grade plane.
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
[F] TABLE 415.11.1.1.1
QUANTITY LIMITS FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS IN A SINGLE FABRICATION AREA IN GROUP H-5a
HAZARD CATEGORY
Combustible dust
Combustible fiber
Combustible liquid
Combination Class
Cryogenic gas
Loose
Baled
II
IIIA
IIIB
I, II and IIIA
Flammable
Oxidizing
Explosives
Flammable gas
Flammable liquid
Combination Class
Combination Class
Flammable solid
Gaseous
Liquefied
IA
IB
IC
IA, IB and IC
I, II and IIIA
Unclassified detonable
Class I
Class II
Organic peroxide
Class III
Class IV
Class V
Gaseous
Oxidizing gas
Liquefied
Combination of gaseous and liquefied
Class 4
Class 3
Oxidizer
Class 2
Class 1
Combination Class
1, 2, 3
Pyrophoric materials
Class 4
Class 3
Unstable (reactive)
Class 2
Class 1
Class 3
Water reactive
Class 2
Class 1
SOLIDS
LIQUIDS
(pounds per square foot)
(gallons per square foot)
PHYSICAL-HAZARD MATERIALS
Note b
Note b
Notes b and c
GAS
(cubic feet @ NTP/square foot)
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
0.01
0.02
Not Limited
0.04
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Note b
Note b
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
0.001
Note b
Note b
0.025
0.1
Not Limited
Not Limited
0.0025
0.025
0.025
0.025
0.04
Not Applicable
Note d
1.25
Note b
Note d
Note d
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
1.25
1.25
1.25
Note b
0.003
0.003
0.003
0.003
0.01
Note b
0.025
0.1
Not Limited
0.01f
0.25
Not Limited
Note b
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.00125
Note b
0.0025
0.01
Not Limited
0.00125
0.025
Not Limited
Not Applicable
Notes d and e
Note b
Note b
Note b
Not Limited
Not Applicable
HEALTH-HAZARD MATERIALS
Corrosives
Highly toxic
Toxics
Not Limited
Not Limited
Not Limited
Not Limited
Not Limited
Not Limited
Not Limited
Note d
Note d
For SI: 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1 pound per square foot = 4.882 kg/m2, 1 gallon per square foot = 40.7 L/m2, 1 cubic foot @ NTP/square foot = 0.305 m3 @
NTP/m2, 1 cubic foot = 0.02832 m3.
a. Hazardous materials within piping shall not be included in the calculated quantities.
b. Quantity of hazardous materials in a single fabrication shall not exceed the maximum allowable quantities per control area in Tables 307.1(1) and 307.1(2).
c. Densely packed baled cotton that complies with the packing requirements of ISO 8115 shall not be included in this material class.
d. The aggregate quantity of flammable, pyrophoric, toxic and highly toxic gases shall not exceed the greater of 0.2 cubic feet at NTP/square foot or 9,000
cubic feet at NTP.
e. The aggregate quantity of pyrophoric gases in the building shall not exceed the amounts set forth in Table 415.6.5.
f. Quantity of Class 3 water-reactive solids in a single tool shall not exceed 1 pound.
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
less than four times that set forth in Section 415.11.1.6
and where the number of air changes at any location is
not less than three times that required by Section
415.11.1.6. The use of recirculated air shall be
permitted.
[F] 415.11.1.4 Floors. Except for surfacing, floors
within fabrication areas shall be of noncombustible
construction.
Openings through floors of fabrication areas are
permitted to be unprotected where the interconnected
levels are used solely for mechanical equipment
directly related to such fabrication areas (see Section
415.11.1.5).
Floors forming a part of an occupancy separation
shall be liquid tight.
[F] 415.11.1.5 Shafts and openings through floors.
Elevator hoistways, vent shafts and other openings
through floors shall be enclosed where required by
Sections 712 and 713. Mechanical, duct and piping
penetrations within a fabrication area shall not extend
through more than two floors. The annular space
around penetrations for cables, cable trays, tubing,
piping, conduit or ducts shall be sealed at the floor
level to restrict the movement of air. The fabrication
area, including the areas through which the ductwork
and piping extend, shall be considered to be a single
conditioned environment.
[F] 415.11.1.8.1 Workstations. Workstations shall
not be energized without adequate exhaust ventilation. See Section 415.11.1.6 for workstation exhaust
ventilation requirements.
[F] 415.11.2 Corridors. Corridors shall comply with
Chapter 10 and shall be separated from fabrication areas
as specified in Section 415.11.1.2. Corridors shall not
contain HPM and shall not be used for transporting such
materials except through closed piping systems as
provided in Section 415.11.7.4.
[F] 415.11.1.6 Ventilation. Mechanical exhaust ventilation at the rate of not less than 1 cubic foot per
minute per square foot [0.0051 m3/(s × m2)] of floor
area shall be provided throughout the portions of the
fabrication area where HPM are used or stored. The
exhaust air duct system of one fabrication area shall
not connect to another duct system outside that fabrication area within the building.
A ventilation system shall be provided to capture
and exhaust gases, fumes and vapors at workstations.
Two or more operations at a workstation shall not
be connected to the same exhaust system where either
one or the combination of the substances removed
could constitute a fire, explosion or hazardous chemical reaction within the exhaust duct system.
Exhaust ducts penetrating fire barriers constructed
in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711 shall
be contained in a shaft of equivalent fire-resistancerated construction. Exhaust ducts shall not penetrate
fire walls.
Fire dampers shall not be installed in exhaust ducts.
[F] 415.11.1.7 Transporting hazardous production
materials to fabrication areas. HPM shall be transported to fabrication areas through enclosed piping or
tubing systems that comply with Section 415.11.7,
through service corridors complying with Section
415.11.3, or in corridors as permitted in the exception
to Section 415.11.2. The handling or transporting of
HPM within service corridors shall comply with the
International Fire Code.
[F] 415.11.1.8 Electrical. Electrical equipment and
devices within the fabrication area shall comply with
NFPA 70. The requirements for hazardous locations
need not be applied where the average air change is not
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Exception: Where existing fabrication areas are
altered or modified, HPM is allowed to be transported
in existing corridors, subject to the following
conditions:
1.
2.
Nonproduction HPM is allowed to be transported in corridors if utilized for maintenance,
lab work and testing.
Where existing fabrication areas are altered or
modified, HPM is allowed to be transported in
existing corridors, subject to the following
conditions:
2.1. Corridors. Corridors adjacent to the
fabrication area where the alteration
work is to be done shall comply with
Section 1020 for a length determined
as follows:
2.1.1. The length of the common
wall of the corridor and the
fabrication area; and
2.1.2. For the distance along the
corridor to the point of entry
of HPM into the corridor
serving that fabrication area.
2.2. Emergency alarm system. There shall
be an emergency telephone system, a
local manual alarm station or other
approved
alarm-initiating
device
within corridors at not more than 150foot (45 720 mm) intervals and at each
exit and doorway. The signal shall be
relayed to an approved central, proprietary or remote station service or the
emergency control station and shall
initiate a local audible alarm.
2.3. Pass-throughs.
Self-closing
doors
having a fire protection rating of not
less than 1 hour shall separate passthroughs from existing corridors. Passthroughs shall be constructed as
required for the corridors and protected
by an approved automatic sprinkler
system.
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
[F] 415.11.3.1 Use conditions. Service corridors shall
be separated from corridors as required by Section
415.11.1.2. Service corridors shall not be used as a
required corridor.
storage of HPM in quantities greater than those specified
in Section 5004.2 of the International Fire Code shall be
in liquid storage rooms, HPM rooms or gas rooms as
appropriate for the materials stored. The storage of other
hazardous materials shall be in accordance with other
applicable provisions of this code and the International
Fire Code.
[F] 415.11.3.2 Mechanical ventilation. Service corridors shall be mechanically ventilated as required by
Section 415.11.1.6 or at not less than six air changes
per hour.
[F] 415.11.6 HPM rooms, gas rooms, liquid storage
room construction. HPM rooms, gas rooms and liquid
shall be constructed in accordance with Sections
415.11.6.1 through 415.11.6.9.
[F] 415.11.3.3 Means of egress. The distance of travel
from any point in a service corridor to an exit, exit
access corridor or door into a fabrication area shall be
not greater than 75 feet (22 860 mm). Dead ends shall
be not greater than 4 feet (1219 mm) in length. There
shall be not less than two exits, and not more than onehalf of the required means of egress shall require travel
into a fabrication area. Doors from service corridors
shall swing in the direction of egress travel and shall
be self-closing.
[F] 415.11.6.1 HPM rooms and gas rooms. HPM
rooms and gas rooms shall be separated from other
areas by fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in
accordance with Section 711, or both. The fire-resistance rating shall be not less than 2 hours where the
area is 300 square feet (27.9 m2) or more and not less
than 1 hour where the area is less than 300 square feet
(27.9 m2).
[F] 415.11.3 Service corridors. Service corridors within
a Group H-5 occupancy shall comply with Sections
415.11.3.1 through 415.11.3.4.
[F] 415.11.3.4 Minimum width. The clear width of a
service corridor shall be not less than 5 feet (1524
mm), or 33 inches (838 mm) wider than the widest cart
or truck used in the service corridor, whichever is
greater.
[F] 415.11.6.2 Liquid storage rooms. Liquid storage
rooms shall be constructed in accordance with the
following requirements:
1.
2.
[F] 415.11.4 Emergency alarm system. Emergency
alarm systems shall be provided in accordance with this
section and Sections 415.5.1 and 415.5.2. The maximum
allowable quantity per control area provisions shall not
apply to emergency alarm systems required for HPM.
[F] 415.11.4.1 Service corridors. An emergency
alarm system shall be provided in service corridors,
with not fewer than one alarm device in each service
corridor.
3.
[F] 415.11.4.2 Corridors and interior exit stairways
and ramps. Emergency alarms for corridors, interior
exit stairways and ramps and exit passageways shall
comply with Section 415.5.2.
[F] 415.11.4.3 Liquid storage rooms, HPM rooms
and gas rooms. Emergency alarms for liquid storage
rooms, HPM rooms and gas rooms shall comply with
Section 415.5.1.
[F] 415.11.4.4 Alarm-initiating devices. An
approved emergency telephone system, local alarm
manual pull stations, or other approved alarm-initiating devices are allowed to be used as emergency
alarm-initiating devices.
[F] 415.11.4.5 Alarm signals. Activation of the emergency alarm system shall sound a local alarm and
transmit a signal to the emergency control station.
[F] 415.11.5 Storage of hazardous production materials. Storage of hazardous production materials (HPM) in
fabrication areas shall be within approved or listed storage cabinets or gas cabinets or within a workstation. The
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4.
Rooms greater than 500 square feet (46.5 m2)
in area, shall have not fewer than one exterior
door approved for fire department access.
Rooms shall be separated from other areas by
fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 707 or horizontal assemblies
constructed in accordance with Section 711, or
both. The fire-resistance rating shall be not
less than 1 hour for rooms up to 150 square feet
(13.9 m2) in area and not less than 2 hours
where the room is more than 150 square feet
(13.9 m2) in area.
Shelving, racks and wainscotting in such areas
shall be of noncombustible construction or
wood of not less than 1-inch (25 mm) nominal
thickness or fire-retardant-treated wood
complying with Section 2303.2.
Rooms used for the storage of Class I flammable liquids shall not be located in a basement.
[F] 415.11.6.3 Floors. Except for surfacing, floors of
HPM rooms and liquid storage rooms shall be of
noncombustible liquid-tight construction. Raised grating over floors shall be of noncombustible materials.
[F] 415.11.6.4 Location. Where HPM rooms, liquid
storage rooms and gas rooms are provided, they shall
have not fewer than one exterior wall and such wall
shall be not less than 30 feet (9144 mm) from lot lines,
including lot lines adjacent to public ways.
[F] 415.11.6.5 Explosion control. Explosion control
shall be provided where required by Section 414.5.1.
[F] 415.11.6.6 Exits. Where two exits are required
from HPM rooms, liquid storage rooms and gas rooms,
one shall be directly to the outside of the building.
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
with Sections 415.11.7.1 through 415.11.7.3 and the
following conditions:
[F] 415.11.6.7 Doors. Doors in a fire barrier wall,
including doors to corridors, shall be self-closing fire
door assemblies having a fire protection rating of not
less than 3/4 hour.
1.
[F] 415.11.6.8 Ventilation. Mechanical exhaust ventilation shall be provided in liquid storage rooms, HPM
rooms and gas rooms at the rate of not less than 1
cubic foot per minute per square foot (0.044 L/s/m2) of
floor area or six air changes per hour.
2.
3.
Exhaust ventilation for gas rooms shall be designed
to operate at a negative pressure in relation to the
surrounding areas and direct the exhaust ventilation to
an exhaust system.
[F] 415.11.6.9 Emergency alarm system. An
approved emergency alarm system shall be provided
for HPM rooms, liquid storage rooms and gas rooms.
4.
Emergency alarm-initiating devices shall be
installed outside of each interior exit door of such
rooms.
Activation of an emergency alarm-initiating device
shall sound a local alarm and transmit a signal to the
emergency control station.
An approved emergency telephone system, local
alarm manual pull stations or other approved alarminitiating devices are allowed to be used as emergency
alarm-initiating devices.
5.
[F] 415.11.7 Piping and tubing. Hazardous production
materials piping and tubing shall comply with this section
and ASME B31.3.
5.1. At branch connections into the fabrication area.
[F] 415.11.7.1 HPM having a health-hazard ranking of 3 or 4. Systems supplying HPM liquids or gases
having a health-hazard ranking of 3 or 4 shall be
welded throughout, except for connections, to the
systems that are within a ventilated enclosure if the
material is a gas, or an approved method of drainage or
containment is provided for the connections if the
material is a liquid.
[F] 415.11.7.2 Location in service corridors. Hazardous production materials supply piping or tubing in
service corridors shall be exposed to view.
[F] 415.11.7.3 Excess flow control. Where HPM
gases or liquids are carried in pressurized piping above
15 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) (103.4 kPa),
excess flow control shall be provided. Where the
piping originates from within a liquid storage room,
HPM room or gas room, the excess flow control shall
be located within the liquid storage room, HPM room
or gas room. Where the piping originates from a bulk
source, the excess flow control shall be located as
close to the bulk source as practical.
5.2. At entries into corridors.
Exception: Transverse crossings of the corridors by
supply piping that is enclosed within a ferrous pipe
or tube for the width of the corridor need not comply
with Items 1 through 5.
[F] 415.11.7.5 Identification. Piping, tubing and
HPM waste lines shall be identified in accordance with
ANSI A13.1 to indicate the material being transported.
[F] 415.11.8 Gas detection systems. A gas detection
system complying with Section 916 shall be provided for
HPM gases where the physiological warning threshold
level of the gas is at a higher level than the accepted
permissible exposure limit (PEL) for the gas and for flammable gases in accordance with Sections 415.11.8.1
through 415.11.8.2.
[F] 415.11.7.4 Installations in corridors and above
other occupancies. The installation of HPM piping
and tubing within the space defined by the walls of
corridors and the floor or roof above, or in concealed
spaces above other occupancies, shall be in accordance
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
Automatic sprinklers shall be installed within
the space unless the space is less than 6 inches
(152 mm) in the least dimension.
Ventilation not less than six air changes per
hour shall be provided. The space shall not be
used to convey air from any other area.
Where the piping or tubing is used to transport
HPM liquids, a receptor shall be installed
below such piping or tubing. The receptor shall
be designed to collect any discharge or leakage
and drain it to an approved location. The 1hour enclosure shall not be used as part of the
receptor.
HPM supply piping and tubing and nonmetallic
waste lines shall be separated from the corridor
and from occupancies other than Group H-5 by
fire barriers or by an approved method or
assembly that has a fire-resistance rating of not
less than 1 hour. Access openings into the
enclosure shall be protected by approved fireprotection-rated assemblies.
Readily accessible manual or automatic
remotely activated fail-safe emergency shutoff
valves shall be installed on piping and tubing
other than waste lines at the following
locations:
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[F] 415.11.8.1 Where required. A gas detection
system shall be provided in the areas identified in
Sections 415.11.8.1.1 through 415.11.8.1.4.
[F] 415.11.8.1.1 Fabrication areas. A gas detection
system shall be provided in fabrication areas where
HPM gas is used in the fabrication area.
[F] 415.11.8.1.2 HPM rooms. A continuous gas
detection system shall be provided in HPM rooms
where HPM gas is used in the room.
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
[F] 415.11.8.1.3 Gas cabinets, exhausted enclosures and gas rooms. A gas detection system shall
be provided in gas cabinets and exhausted enclosures for HPM gas. A gas detection system shall be
provided in gas rooms where HPM gases are not
located in gas cabinets or exhausted enclosures.
2.
[F] 415.11.8.1.4 Corridors. Where HPM gases are
transported in piping placed within the space
defined by the walls of a corridor and the floor or
roof above the corridor, a gas detection system shall
be provided where piping is located and in the
corridor.
3.
Exception: A gas detection system is not
required for occasional transverse crossings of
the corridors by supply piping that is enclosed in
a ferrous pipe or tube for the width of the
corridor.
[F] 415.11.8.2 Gas detection system operation. The
gas detection system shall be capable of monitoring the
room, area or equipment in which the HPM gas is
located at or below all the following gas
concentrations:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Immediately dangerous to life and health
(IDLH) values where the monitoring point is
within an exhausted enclosure, ventilated
enclosure or gas cabinet.
Permissible exposure limit (PEL) levels where
the monitoring point is in an area outside an
exhausted enclosure, ventilated enclosure or
gas cabinet.
For flammable gases, the monitoring detection
threshold level shall be vapor concentrations in
excess of 25 percent of the lower flammable
limit (LFL) where the monitoring is within or
outside an exhausted enclosure, ventilated
enclosure or gas cabinet.
Except as noted in this section, monitoring for
highly toxic and toxic gases shall also comply
with Chapter 60 of the International Fire
Code.
[F] 415.11.8.2.1 Alarms. The gas detection system
shall initiate a local alarm and transmit a signal to
the emergency control station when a short-term
hazard condition is detected. The alarm shall be both
visual and audible and shall provide warning both
inside and outside the area where the gas is detected.
The audible alarm shall be distinct from all other
alarms.
Exception: Where the gas detection sampling
point initiating the gas detection system alarm is
at the use location or within a gas valve enclosure of a branch line downstream of a piping
distribution manifold, the shutoff valve for the
branch line located in the piping distribution
manifold enclosure shall automatically close.
[F] 415.11.9 Manual fire alarm system. An approved
manual fire alarm system shall be provided throughout
buildings containing Group H-5. Activation of the alarm
system shall initiate a local alarm and transmit a signal to
the emergency control station. The fire alarm system
shall be designed and installed in accordance with Section
907.
[F] 415.11.10 Emergency control station. An emergency control station shall be provided in accordance
with Sections 415.11.10.1 through 415.11.10.3.
[F] 415.11.10.1 Location. The emergency control
station shall be located on the premises at an approved
location outside the fabrication area.
[F] 415.11.10.2 Staffing. Trained personnel shall
continuously staff the emergency control station.
[F] 415.11.10.3 Signals. The emergency control
station shall receive signals from emergency equipment and alarm and detection systems. Such
emergency equipment and alarm and detection
systems shall include, but not be limited to, the following where such equipment or systems are required to
be provided either in this chapter or elsewhere in this
code:
[F] 415.11.8.2.2 Shutoff of gas supply. The gas
detection system shall automatically close the shutoff valve at the source on gas supply piping and
tubing related to the system being monitored for
which gas is detected when a short-term hazard
condition is detected. Automatic closure of shutoff
valves shall comply with the following:
1.
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within a gas cabinet or exhausted enclosure, the shutoff valve in the gas cabinet
or exhausted enclosure for the specific gas
detected shall automatically close.
Where the gas detection sampling point
initiating the gas detection system alarm is
within a room and compressed gas
containers are not in gas cabinets or an
exhausted enclosure, the shutoff valves on
all gas lines for the specific gas detected
shall automatically close.
Where the gas detection sampling point
initiating the gas detection system alarm is
within a piping distribution manifold
enclosure, the shutoff valve supplying the
manifold for the compressed gas container
of the specific gas detected shall automatically close.
Where the gas detection sampling point
initiating the gas detection system alarm is
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Automatic sprinkler system alarm and monitoring systems.
Manual fire alarm systems.
Emergency alarm systems.
Gas detection systems.
Smoke detection systems.
Emergency power system.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
7.
8.
ble nonmetallic exhaust ducts where all of the following
conditions apply:
Automatic detection and alarm systems for
pyrophoric liquids and Class 3 water-reactive
liquids required in Section 2705.2.3.4 of the
International Fire Code.
Exhaust ventilation flow alarm devices for
pyrophoric liquids and Class 3 water-reactive
liquids cabinet exhaust ventilation systems
required in Section 2705.2.3.4 of the International Fire Code.
1.
2.
3.
[F] 415.11.12.2 Combustible nonmetallic exhaust
ducts. Automatic sprinkler system protection shall be
provided in combustible nonmetallic exhaust ducts
where the largest cross-sectional diameter of the duct
is equal to or greater than 10 inches (254 mm).
[F] 415.11.11 Emergency power system. An emergency
power system shall be provided in Group H-5 occupancies in accordance with Section 2702. The emergency
power system shall supply power automatically to the
electrical systems specified in Section 415.11.11.1 when
the normal electrical supply system is interrupted.
Exception: Ducts need not be provided with automatic sprinkler protection as follows:
[F] 415.11.11.1 Required electrical systems. Emergency power shall be provided for electrically operated
equipment and connected control circuits for the
following systems:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
HPM exhaust ventilation systems.
HPM gas cabinet ventilation systems.
HPM exhausted enclosure ventilation systems.
HPM gas room ventilation systems.
HPM gas detection systems.
Emergency alarm systems.
Manual and automatic fire alarm systems.
Automatic sprinkler system monitoring and
alarm systems.
9. Automatic alarm and detection systems for
pyrophoric liquids and Class 3 water-reactive
liquids required in Section 2705.2.3.4 of the
International Fire Code.
10. Flow alarm switches for pyrophoric liquids and
Class 3 water-reactive liquids cabinet exhaust
ventilation systems required in Section
2705.2.3.4 of the International Fire Code.
11. Electrically operated systems required elsewhere in this code or in the International Fire
Code applicable to the use, storage or handling
of HPM.
[F] 415.11.11.2 Exhaust ventilation systems. Exhaust
ventilation systems are allowed to be designed to operate at not less than one-half the normal fan speed on the
emergency power system where it is demonstrated that
the level of exhaust will maintain a safe atmosphere.
[F] 415.11.12 Automatic sprinkler system protection
in exhaust ducts for HPM. An approved automatic
sprinkler system shall be provided in exhaust ducts
conveying gases, vapors, fumes, mists or dusts generated
from HPM in accordance with Sections 415.11.12.1
through 415.11.12.3 and the International Mechanical
Code.
[F] 415.11.12.1 Metallic and noncombustible nonmetallic exhaust ducts. An approved automatic sprinkler
system shall be provided in metallic and noncombusti2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
Where the largest cross-sectional diameter is
equal to or greater than 10 inches (254 mm).
The ducts are within the building.
The ducts are conveying flammable gases,
vapors or fumes.
1.
2.
Ducts listed or approved for applications
without automatic sprinkler system
protection.
Ducts not more than 12 feet (3658 mm) in
length installed below ceiling level.
[F] 415.11.12.3 Automatic sprinkler locations. Sprinkler systems shall be installed at 12-foot (3658 mm)
intervals in horizontal ducts and at changes in direction.
In vertical ducts, sprinklers shall be installed at the top
and at alternate floor levels.
SECTION 416
SPRAY APPLICATION OF FLAMMABLE FINISHES
[F] 416.1 General. The provisions of this section shall apply
to the construction, installation and use of buildings and
structures, or parts thereof, for the spray application of flammable finishes. Operations and equipment shall comply with
the International Fire Code.
[F] 416.2 Spray rooms. Spray rooms shall be enclosed with
not less than 1-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance
with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in
accordance with Section 711, or both. Floors shall be waterproofed and drained in an approved manner.
[F] 416.2.1 Construction. Walls and ceilings of spray
rooms shall be constructed of noncombustible materials
or the interior surface shall be completely covered with
noncombustible materials. Aluminum shall not be used.
[F] 416.2.2 Surfaces. The interior surfaces of spray
rooms shall be smooth and shall be so constructed to
permit the free passage of exhaust air from all parts of the
interior and to facilitate washing and cleaning, and shall
be so designed to confine residues within the room.
[F] 416.2.3 Ventilation. Mechanical ventilation and
interlocks with the spraying operation shall be in accordance with the International Fire Code and International
Mechanical Code.
[F] 416.3 Spraying spaces. Spraying spaces shall be ventilated with an exhaust system to prevent the accumulation of
flammable mist or vapors in accordance with the International Mechanical Code. Where such spaces are not
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
separately enclosed, noncombustible spray curtains shall be
provided to restrict the spread of flammable vapors.
[F] 416.3.1 Surfaces. The interior surfaces of spraying
spaces shall be smooth; shall be so constructed to permit
the free passage of exhaust air from all parts of the interior and to facilitate washing and cleaning; and shall be so
designed to confine residues within the spraying space.
Aluminum shall not be used.
[F] 416.4 Spray booths. Spray booths shall be designed,
constructed and operated in accordance with the International Fire Code.
[F] 416.5 Fire protection. An automatic sprinkler system or
fire-extinguishing system shall be provided in all spray
rooms and spray booths, and shall be installed in accordance
with Chapter 9.
SECTION 417
DRYING ROOMS
[F] 417.1 General. A drying room or dry kiln installed
within a building shall be constructed entirely of approved
noncombustible materials or assemblies of such materials
regulated by the approved rules or as required in the general
and specific sections of this chapter for special occupancies
and where applicable to the general requirements of the
International Mechanical Code.
[F] 417.2 Piping clearance. Overhead heating pipes shall
have a clearance of not less than 2 inches (51 mm) from
combustible contents in the dryer.
[F] 417.3 Insulation. Where the operating temperature of
the dryer is 175°F (79°C) or more, metal enclosures shall be
insulated from adjacent combustible materials by not less
than 12 inches (305 mm) of airspace, or the metal walls shall
be lined with 1/4-inch (6.4 mm) insulating mill board or other
approved equivalent insulation.
[F] 417.4 Fire protection. Drying rooms designed for highhazard materials and processes, including special occupancies as provided for in Chapter 4, shall be protected by an
approved automatic fire-extinguishing system complying
with the provisions of Chapter 9.
SECTION 418
ORGANIC COATINGS
[F] 418.1 Building features. Manufacturing of organic coatings shall be done only in buildings that do not have pits or
basements.
[F] 418.2 Location. Organic coating manufacturing operations and operations incidental to or connected therewith
shall not be located in buildings having other occupancies.
at or above grade and shall be separated from the processing
area by not less than 2-hour fire barriers constructed in
accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies
constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both.
[F] 418.5 Nitrocellulose storage. Nitrocellulose storage
shall be located on a detached pad or in a separate structure
or a room enclosed with not less than 2-hour fire barriers
constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal
assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or
both.
[F] 418.6 Finished products. Storage rooms for finished
products that are flammable or combustible liquids shall be
separated from the processing area by not less than 2-hour
fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both.
SECTION 419
ARTIFICIAL DECORATIVE VEGETATION
[F] 419.1 Artificial decorative vegetation. Artificial decorative vegetation exceeding 6 feet (1830 mm) in height and
permanently installed outdoors within 5 feet (1524 mm) of a
building, or on the roof of a building, shall comply with
Section 321.1 of the International Fire Code.
Exception: Artificial decorative vegetation located more
than 30 feet (9144 mm) from the exterior wall of a
building.
SECTION 420
GROUPS I-1, R-1, R-2, R-3 AND R-4
420.1 General. Occupancies in Groups I-1, R-1, R-2, R-3
and R-4 shall comply with the provisions of Sections 420.1
through 420.11 and other applicable provisions of this code.
420.2 Separation walls. Walls separating dwelling units in
the same building, walls separating sleeping units in the
same building and walls separating dwelling or sleeping
units from other occupancies contiguous to them in the same
building shall be constructed as fire partitions in accordance
with Section 708.
420.3 Horizontal separation. Floor assemblies separating
dwelling units in the same buildings, floor assemblies separating sleeping units in the same building and floor
assemblies separating dwelling or sleeping units from other
occupancies contiguous to them in the same building shall be
constructed as horizontal assemblies in accordance with
Section 711.
[F] 418.3 Process mills. Mills operating with close clearances and that process flammable and heat-sensitive
materials, such as nitrocellulose, shall be located in a
detached building or noncombustible structure.
[F] 420.4 Automatic sprinkler system. Group R occupancies shall be equipped throughout with an automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.8. Group
I-1 occupancies shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.6.
Quick-response or residential automatic sprinklers shall be
installed in accordance with Section 903.3.2.
[F] 418.4 Tank storage. Storage areas for flammable and
combustible liquid tanks inside of structures shall be located
[F] 420.5 Fire alarm systems and smoke alarms. Fire
alarm systems and smoke alarms shall be provided in Group
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
420.6.1 Refuge area. Refuge areas shall be provided
within each smoke compartment. The size of the refuge
area shall accommodate the occupants and care recipients
from the adjoining smoke compartment. Where a smoke
compartment is adjoined by two or more smoke compartments, the minimum area of the refuge area shall
accommodate the largest occupant load of the adjoining
compartments. The size of the refuge area shall provide
the following:
1.
2.
Not less than 15 net square feet (1.4 m2) for each
care recipient.
Not less than 6 net square feet (0.56 m2) for other
occupants.
420.8 Group I-1 cooking facilities. In Group I-1 occupancies, rooms or spaces that contain a cooking facility with
domestic cooking appliances shall be permitted to be open to
the corridor where all of the following criteria are met:
1.
2.
3.
4.
420.9 Domestic cooking appliances. In Group I-1 occupancies, installation of cooking appliance used in domestic
cooking facilities shall comply with all of the following:
1.
2.
Areas or spaces permitted to be included in the calculation of the refuge area are corridors, lounge or dining
areas and other low-hazard areas.
420.7 Group I-1 assisted living housing units. In Group I-1
occupancies, where a fire-resistance corridor is provided in
areas where assisted living residents are housed, shared
living spaces, group meeting or multipurpose therapeutic
spaces open to the corridor shall be in accordance with all of
the following criteria:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The walls and ceilings of the space are constructed as
required for corridors.
The spaces are not occupied as resident sleeping
rooms, treatment rooms, incidental uses in accordance with Section 509, or hazardous uses.
The open space is protected by an automatic fire
detection system installed in accordance with Section
907.
In Group I-1, Condition 1, the corridors onto which
the spaces open are protected by an automatic fire
detection system installed in accordance with Section
907, or the spaces are equipped throughout with
quick-response sprinklers in accordance with Section
903.3.2.
In Group I-1, Condition 2, the corridors onto which
the spaces open, in the same smoke compartment, are
protected by an automatic fire detection system
installed in accordance with Section 907, or the
smoke compartment in which the spaces are located
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
In Group I-1, Condition 1 occupancies, the number
of care recipients served by one cooking facility shall
not be greater than 30.
In Group I-1, Condition 2 occupancies, the number
of care recipients served by one cooking facility and
within the same smoke compartment shall not be
greater than 30.
The space containing the cooking facilities shall be
arranged so as not to obstruct access to the required
exit.
The cooking appliances shall comply with Section
420.9.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The types of cooking appliances permitted shall be
limited to ovens, cooktops, ranges, warmers and
microwaves.
Domestic cooking hoods installed and constructed in
accordance with Section 505 of the International
Mechanical Code shall be provided over cooktops or
ranges.
Cooktops and ranges shall be protected in accordance
with Section 904.14.
A shutoff for the fuel and electrical supply to the
cooking equipment shall be provided in a location to
which only staff has access.
A timer shall be provided that automatically deactivates the cooking appliances within a period of not
more than 120 minutes.
A portable fire extinguisher shall be provided. Installation shall be in accordance with Section 906 and
the extinguisher shall be located within a 30-foot
(9144 mm) distance of travel from each domestic
cooking appliance.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
Cooking facilities provided within care recipients’
individual dwelling units are not required to
comply with this section.
Cooktops and ranges used for care-recipient training or nutritional counseling are not required to
comply with Item 3 of this section
420.10 Group R cooking facilities. In Group R occupancies, cooking appliances used for domestic cooking
operations shall be in accordance with Section 917.2 of the
International Mechanical Code.
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
420.6 Smoke barriers in Group I-1, Condition 2. Smoke
barriers shall be provided in Group I-1, Condition 2 to
subdivide every story used by persons receiving care, treatment or sleeping and to provide other stories with an
occupant load of 50 or more persons, into not fewer than two
smoke compartments. Such stories shall be divided into
smoke compartments with an area of not more than 22,500
square feet (2092 m2) and the distance of travel from any
point in a smoke compartment to a smoke barrier door shall
not exceed 200 feet (60 960 mm). The smoke barrier shall be
in accordance with Section 709.
6.
is equipped throughout with quick-response sprinklers in accordance with Section 903.3.2.
The space is arranged so as not to obstruct access to
the required exits.

I-1, R-1 and R-2 occupancies in accordance with Sections
907.2.6, 907.2.8 and 907.2.9, respectively. Single- or multiple-station smoke alarms shall be provided in Groups I-1, R2, R-3 and R-4 in accordance with Section 907.2.11.
SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
420.11 Group R-2 dormitory cooking facilities. Domestic
cooking appliances for use by residents of Group R-2 college
dormitories shall be in accordance with Sections 420.11.1
and 420.11.2.
420.11.1 Cooking appliances. Where located in Group
R-2 college dormitories, domestic cooking appliances for
use by residents shall be in compliance with all of the
following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
The types of domestic cooking appliances shall be
limited to ovens, cooktops, ranges, warmers,
coffee makers and microwaves.
Domestic cooking appliances shall be limited to
approved locations.
Cooktops and ranges shall be protected in accordance with Section 904.14.
Cooktops and ranges shall be provided with a
domestic cooking hood installed and constructed
in accordance with Section 505 of the International Mechanical Code.
420.11.2 Cooking appliances in sleeping rooms. Cooktops, ranges and ovens shall not be installed or used in
sleeping rooms.
SECTION 421
HYDROGEN FUEL GAS ROOMS
[F] 421.1 General. Where required by the International Fire
Code, hydrogen fuel gas rooms shall be designed and
constructed in accordance with Sections 421.1 through
421.7.
[F] 421.2 Location. Hydrogen fuel gas rooms shall not be
located below grade.
[F] 421.3 Design and construction. Hydrogen fuel gas
rooms not classified as Group H shall be separated from
other areas of the building in accordance with Section 509.1.
[F] 421.3.1 Pressure control. Hydrogen fuel gas rooms
shall be provided with a ventilation system designed to
maintain the room at a negative pressure in relation to
surrounding rooms and spaces.
[F] 421.3.2 Windows. Operable windows in interior
walls shall not be permitted. Fixed windows shall be
permitted where in accordance with Section 716.
[F] 421.4 Exhaust ventilation. Hydrogen fuel gas rooms
shall be provided with mechanical exhaust ventilation in
accordance with the applicable provisions of Section
502.16.1 of the International Mechanical Code.
[F] 421.5 Gas detection system. Hydrogen fuel gas rooms
shall be provided with a gas detection system that complies
with Sections 421.5.1, 421.5.2, and 916.
[F] 421.5.1 System activation. Activation of a gas detection alarm shall result in both of the following:
1.
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Initiation of distinct audible and visible alarm
signals both inside and outside of the hydrogen
fuel gas room.
2.
Automatic activation of the mechanical exhaust
ventilation system.
[F] 421.5.2 Failure of the gas detection system. Failure
of the gas detection system shall automatically activate
the mechanical exhaust ventilation system, stop hydrogen
generation, and cause a trouble signal to sound at an
approved location.
[F] 421.6 Explosion control. Explosion control shall be
provided where required by Section 414.5.1.
[F] 421.7 Standby power. Mechanical ventilation and gas
detection systems shall be provided with a standby power
system in accordance with Section 2702.
SECTION 422
AMBULATORY CARE FACIILITIES
422.1 General. Occupancies classified as ambulatory care
facilities shall comply with the provisions of Sections 422.1
through 422.6 and other applicable provisions of this code.
422.2 Separation. Ambulatory care facilities where the
potential for four or more care recipients are to be incapable
of self-preservation at any time shall be separated from adjacent spaces, corridors or tenants with a fire partition
installed in accordance with Section 708.
422.3 Smoke compartments. Where the aggregate area of
one or more ambulatory care facilities is greater than 10,000
square feet (929 m2) on one story, the story shall be provided
with a smoke barrier to subdivide the story into not fewer
than two smoke compartments. The area of any one such
smoke compartment shall be not greater than 22,500 square
feet (2092 m2). The distance of travel from any point in a
smoke compartment to a smoke barrier door shall be not
greater than 200 feet (60 960 mm). The smoke barrier shall
be installed in accordance with Section 709 with the exception that smoke barriers shall be continuous from outside
wall to an outside wall, a floor to a floor, or from a smoke
barrier to a smoke barrier or a combination thereof.
422.3.1 Means of egress. Where ambulatory care facilities require smoke compartmentation in accordance with
Section 422.3, the fire safety evacuation plans provided in
accordance with Section 1002.2 shall identify the building components necessary to support a defend-in-place
emergency response in accordance with Sections 403 and
404 of the International Fire Code.
422.3.2 Refuge area. Not less than 30 net square feet (2.8
m2) for each nonambulatory care recipient shall be
provided within the aggregate area of corridors, care
recipient rooms, treatment rooms, lounge or dining areas
and other low-hazard areas within each smoke compartment. Each occupant of an ambulatory care facility shall
be provided with access to a refuge area without passing
through or utilizing adjacent tenant spaces.
422.3.3 Independent egress. A means of egress shall be
provided from each smoke compartment created by smoke
barriers without having to return through the smoke
compartment from which means of egress originated.
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
[F] 422.4 Automatic sprinkler systems. Automatic sprinkler systems shall be provided for ambulatory care facilities
in accordance with Section 903.2.2.
423.3 Occupancy classification. The occupancy classification for a storm shelter shall be determined in accordance
with this section.
[F] 422.5 Fire alarm systems. A fire alarm system shall be
provided for ambulatory care facilities in accordance with
Section 907.2.2.
423.3.1 Dedicated storm shelters. A facility designed to
be occupied solely as a storm shelter shall be classified as
Group A-3 for the determination of requirements other
than those covered in ICC 500.
[F] 422.6 Electrical systems. In ambulatory care facilities,
the essential electrical system for electrical components,
equipment and systems shall be designed and constructed in
accordance with the provisions of Chapter 27 and NFPA 99.
Exceptions:
1.
422.7 Domestic cooking. Installation of cooking appliances
used in domestic cooking facilities shall comply with all of
the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The types of cooking appliances permitted are
limited to ovens, cooktops, ranges, warmers and
microwaves.
Domestic cooking hoods installed and constructed in
accordance with Section 505 of the International
Mechanical Code shall be provided over cooktops or
ranges.
A shutoff for the fuel and electrical supply to the
cooking equipment shall be provided in a location to
which only staff has access.
A timer shall be provided that automatically deactivates the cooking appliances within a period of not
more than 120 minutes.
A portable fire extinguisher shall be provided. Installation shall be in accordance with Section 906 and
the extinguisher shall be located within a 30-foot
(9144 mm) distance of travel from each domestic
cooking appliance.
SECTION 423
STORM SHELTERS
2.
423.3.2 Storm shelters within host buildings. Where
designated storm shelters are constructed as a room or
space within a host building that will normally be occupied for other purposes, the requirements of this code for
the occupancy of the building, or the individual rooms or
spaces thereof, shall apply unless otherwise required by
ICC 500.
423.4 Critical emergency operations. In areas where the
shelter design wind speed for tornados in accordance with
Figure 304.2(1) of ICC 500 is 250 mph, 911 call stations,
emergency operation centers and fire, rescue, ambulance and
police stations shall comply with Table 1604.5 as a Risk
Category IV structure and shall be provided with a storm
shelter constructed in accordance with ICC 500.
423.5 Group E occupancies. In areas where the shelter
design wind speed for tornados is 250 mph in accordance
with Figure 304.2(1) of ICC 500, all Group E occupancies
with an occupant load of 50 or more shall have a storm shelter constructed in accordance with ICC 500.
Exceptions:
423.1 General. This section applies to the construction of
storm shelters constructed as separate detached buildings or
constructed as rooms or spaces within buildings for the
purpose of providing protection from storms that produce
high winds, such as tornadoes and hurricanes, during the
storm. This section specifies where storm shelters are
required and provides requirements for the design and
construction of storm shelters. Design of facilities for use as
emergency shelters after the storm are outside the scope of
ICC 500 and shall comply with Table 1604.5 as a Risk Category IV Structure.
1.
2.
3.
Group E day care facilities.
Group E occupancies accessory to places of religious worship.
Buildings meeting the requirements for shelter
design in ICC 500.
423.5.1 Required occupant capacity. The required
occupant capacity of the storm shelter shall include all of
the buildings on the site and shall be the greater of the
following:
423.2 Construction. Storm shelters shall be constructed in
accordance with this code and ICC 500 and shall be designated as hurricane shelters, tornado shelters, or combined
hurricane and tornado shelters. Buildings or structures that
are also designated as emergency shelters shall also comply
with Table 1604.5 as Risk Category IV structures.
Any storm shelter not required by this section shall be
permitted to be constructed, provided that such structures
meet the requirements of this code and ICC 500.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
The occupancy category for dedicated storm
shelters with an occupant load of fewer than 50
persons as determined in accordance with ICC
500 shall be in accordance with Section 303.
The occupancy category for a dedicated residential storm shelter shall be the Group R
occupancy served.
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1.
2.
The total occupant load of the classrooms, vocational rooms and offices in the Group E
occupancy.
The occupant load of the largest indoor assembly
space that is associated with the Group E
occupancy.
Exceptions:
1. Where a new building is being added on
an existing Group E site, and where the
new building is not of sufficient size to
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
accommodate the required occupant
capacity of the storm shelter for all of the
buildings on the site, the storm shelter
shall at a minimum accommodate the
required occupant capacity for the new
building.
2. Where approved by the building official,
the required occupant capacity of the
shelter shall be permitted to be reduced
by the occupant capacity of any existing
storm shelters on the site.
423.5.2 Location. Storm shelters shall be located within
the buildings they serve or shall be located where the
maximum distance of travel from not fewer than one
exterior door of each building to a door of the shelter
serving that building does not exceed 1,000 feet (305 m).
SECTION 424
PLAY STRUCTURES
424.1 General. Play structures installed inside all occupancies covered by this code that exceed 10 feet (3048 mm) in
height or 150 square feet (14 m2) in area shall comply with
Sections 424.2 through 424.5.
424.2 Materials. Play structures shall be constructed of
noncombustible materials or of combustible materials that
comply with the following:
1. Fire-retardant-treated wood complying with Section
2303.2.
2. Light-transmitting plastics complying with Section
2606.
3. Foam plastics (including the pipe foam used in softcontained play equipment structures) having a maximum heat-release rate not greater than 100 kilowatts
when tested in accordance with UL 1975 or when
tested in accordance with NFPA 289, using the 20
kW ignition source.
4. Aluminum composite material (ACM) meeting the
requirements of Class A interior finish in accordance
with Chapter 8 when tested as an assembly in the
maximum thickness intended for use.
5. Textiles and films complying with the fire propagation performance criteria contained in Test Method 1
or Test Method 2, as appropriate, of NFPA 701.
6. Plastic materials used to construct rigid components of
soft-contained play equipment structures (such as
tubes, windows, panels, junction boxes, pipes, slides
and decks) exhibiting a peak rate of heat release not
exceeding 400 kW/ m2 when tested in accordance with
ASTM E1354 at an incident heat flux of 50 kW/m2 in
the horizontal orientation at a thickness of 6 mm.
7. Ball pool balls, used in soft-contained play equipment structures, having a maximum heat-release rate
not greater than 100 kilowatts when tested in accordance with UL 1975 or when tested in accordance
with NFPA 289, using the 20 kW ignition source.
The minimum specimen test size shall be 36 inches
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by 36 inches (914 mm by 914 mm) by an average of
21 inches (533 mm) deep, and the balls shall be held
in a box constructed of galvanized steel poultry
netting wire mesh.
8. Foam plastics shall be covered by a fabric, coating or
film meeting the fire propagation performance criteria contained in Test Method 1 or Test Method 2, as
appropriate, of NFPA 701.
9. The floor covering placed under the children’s play
structure shall exhibit a Class I interior floor finish
classification, as described in Section 804, when
tested in accordance with ASTM E648 or NFPA 253.
10. Interior finishes for structures exceeding 600 square
feet (56 m2) in area or 10 feet (3048 mm) in height
shall have a flame spread index not greater than that
specified in Table 803.13 for the occupancy group
and location designated. Interior wall and ceiling
finish materials tested in accordance with NFPA 286
and meeting the acceptance criteria of Section
803.1.1.1, shall be permitted to be used where a Class
A classification in accordance with ASTM E84 or
UL 723 is required.
[F] 424.3 Fire protection. Play structures shall be provided
with the same level of approved fire suppression and detection devices required for other structures in the same
occupancy.
424.4 Separation. Play structures shall have a horizontal
separation from building walls, partitions and from elements
of the means of egress of not less than 5 feet (1524 mm).
Play structures shall have a horizontal separation from other
play structures of not less than 20 feet (6090 mm).
424.5 Area limits. Play structures shall be not greater than
600 square feet (56 m2) in area, unless a special investigation, acceptable to the building official, has demonstrated
adequate fire safety.
424.5.1 Design. Play structures exceeding 600 square
feet (56 m2) in area or 10 feet (3048 mm) in height shall
be designed in accordance with Chapter 16.
SECTION 425
HYPERBARIC FACILITIES
425.1 Hyperbaric facilities. Hyperbaric facilities shall meet
the requirements contained in Chapter 14 of NFPA 99.
SECTION [F] 426
COMBUSTIBLE DUSTS,
GRAIN PROCESSING AND STORAGE
[F] 426.1 General. The provisions of Sections 426.1.1
through 426.1.7 shall apply to buildings in which materials
that produce combustible dusts are stored or handled. Buildings that store or handle combustible dusts shall comply with
the applicable provisions of the International Fire Code.
Where required by the fire code official, NFPA 652 and the
applicable provisions of NFPA 61, NFPA 85, NFPA 120,
NFPA 484, NFPA 654, NFPA 655 and NFPA 664 shall apply.
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
[F] 426.1.1 Type of construction and height exceptions. Buildings shall be constructed in compliance with
the height, number of stories and area limitations specified in Sections 504 and 506; except that where erected of
Type I or II construction, the heights and areas of grain
elevators and similar structures shall be unlimited, and
where of Type IV construction, the maximum building
height shall be 65 feet (19 812 mm) and except further
that, in isolated areas, the maximum building height of
Type IV structures shall be increased to 85 feet (25 908
mm).
[F] 426.1.2 Grinding rooms. Every room or space occupied for grinding or other operations that produce
combustible dusts in such a manner that the room or space
is classified as a Group H-2 occupancy shall be enclosed
with fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section
707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance
with Section 711, or both. The fire-resistance rating of
the enclosure shall be not less than 2 hours where the area
is not more than 3,000 square feet (279 m2), and not less
than 4 hours where the area is greater than 3,000 square
feet (279 m2).
[F] 426.1.3 Conveyors. Conveyors, chutes, piping and
similar equipment passing through the enclosures of
rooms or spaces shall be constructed dirt tight and vapor
tight, and be of approved noncombustible materials
complying with Chapter 30.
[F] 426.1.4 Explosion control. Explosion control shall be
provided as specified in the International Fire Code, or
spaces shall be equipped with the equivalent mechanical
ventilation complying with the International Mechanical
Code.
[F] 426.1.5 Grain elevators. Grain elevators, malt
houses and buildings for similar occupancies shall not be
located within 30 feet (9144 mm) of interior lot lines or
structures on the same lot, except where erected along a
railroad right-of-way.
[F] 426.1.6 Coal pockets. Coal pockets located less than
30 feet (9144 mm) from interior lot lines or from structures on the same lot shall be constructed of not less than
Type IB construction. Where more than 30 feet (9144
mm) from interior lot lines, or where erected along a railroad right-of-way, the minimum type of construction of
such structures not more than 65 feet (19 812 mm) in
building height shall be Type IV.
[F] 426.1.7 Tire rebuilding. Buffing operations shall be
located in a room separated from the remainder of the
building housing the tire rebuilding or tire recapping
operation by a 1-hour fire barrier.
Exception: Buffing operations are not required to be
separated where all of the following conditions are
met:
1.
2.
Buffing operations are equipped with an
approved continuous automatic water-spray
system directed at the point of cutting action.
Buffing machines are connected to particlecollecting systems providing a minimum air
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
3.
movement of 1,500 cubic feet per minute (cfm)
(0.71 m3/s) in volume and 4,500 feet per
minute (fpm) (23 m/s) in-line velocity.
The collecting system shall discharge the
rubber particles to an approved outdoor
noncombustible or fire-resistant container,
which is emptied at frequent intervals to
prevent overflow.
SECTION 427
MEDICAL GAS SYSTEMS
[F] 427.1 General. Medical gases at health care-related
facilities intended for patient or veterinary care shall comply
with Sections 427.2 through 427.2.3 in addition to requirements of Chapter 53 of the International Fire Code.
[F] 427.2 Interior supply location. Medical gases shall be
located in areas dedicated to the storage of such gases without other storage or uses. Where containers of medical gases
in quantities greater than the permitted amount are located
inside the buildings, they shall be located in a 1-hour exterior
room, 1-hour interior room or a gas cabinet in accordance
with Section 427.2.1, 427.2.2 or 427.2.3, respectively.
Rooms or areas where medical gases are stored or used in
quantities exceeding the maximum allowable quantity per
control area as set forth in TABLE 307.1(1) and [F] TABLE
307.1(2) shall be in accordance with Group H occupancies.
[F] 427.2.1 One-hour exterior room. A 1-hour exterior
room shall be a room or enclosure separated from the
remainder of the building by fire barriers constructed in
accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies
constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both, with
a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour. Openings
between the room or enclosure and interior spaces shall
be provided with self-closing smoke- and draft-control
assemblies having a fire protection rating of not less than
1 hour. Rooms shall have not less than one exterior wall
that is provided with not less than two vents. Each vent
shall have a minimum free air opening of not less than 36
square inches (232 cm2) for each 1,000 cubic feet (28 m3)
at normal temperature and pressure (NTP) of gas stored in
the room and shall be not less than 72 square inches (465
cm2) in aggregate free opening area. One vent shall be
within 6 inches (152 mm) of the floor and one shall be
within 6 inches (152 mm) of the ceiling. Rooms shall be
provided with not fewer than one automatic fire sprinkler
to provide container cooling in case of fire.
[F] 427.2.2 One-hour interior room. Where an exterior
wall cannot be provided for the room, a 1-hour interior
room shall be provided and shall be a room or enclosure
separated from the remainder of the building by fire
barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both, with a fire-resistance rating of not
less than 1 hour. Openings between the room or enclosure
and interior spaces shall be provided with self-closing
smoke- and draft-control assemblies having a fire protection rating of not less than 1 hour. An automatic sprinkler
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
system shall be installed within the room. The room shall
be exhausted through a duct to the exterior. Supply and
exhaust ducts shall be enclosed in a 1-hour rated shaft
enclosure from the room to the exterior. Approved
mechanical ventilation shall comply with the International Mechanical Code and be provided with a minimum
rate of 1 cubic foot per minute per square foot (0.00508
m3/s/m2) of the area of the room.
[F] 427.2.3 Gas cabinets. Gas cabinets shall be
constructed in accordance with Section 5003.8.6 of the
International Fire Code and shall comply with the
following:
1.
2.
3.
Cabinets shall be exhausted to the exterior through
a dedicated exhaust duct system installed in accordance with Chapter 5 of the International
Mechanical Code.
Supply and exhaust ducts shall be enclosed in a 1hour rated shaft enclosure from the cabinet to the
exterior. The average velocity of ventilation at the
face of access ports or windows shall be not less
than 200 feet per minute (1.02 m/s) with a minimum of 150 feet per minute (0.76 m/s) at any
point of the access port or window.
Cabinets shall be provided with an automatic
sprinkler system internal to the cabinet.
such laboratories shall comply with all applicable provisions
of this code and the International Fire Code.
[F] 428.2 Application. The provisions of Section 428 shall
be applied as exceptions or additions to applicable requirements of this code. Unless specifically modified by Section
428, the storage, use and handling of hazardous materials
shall comply with all other provisions in Chapters 38 and 50
through 67 of the International Fire Code and this code for
quantities not exceeding the maximum allowable quantity.
[F] 428.3 Laboratory suite construction. Where laboratory suites are provided, they shall be constructed in
accordance with this section and Chapter 38 of the International Fire Code. The number of laboratory suites and
percentage of maximum allowable quantities of hazardous
materials in laboratory suites shall be in accordance with
Table 428.3.
[F] 428.3.1 Separation from other nonlaboratory
areas. Laboratory suites shall be separated from other
portions of the building in accordance with the most
restrictive of the following:
1.
Exception: Where an individual laboratory
suite occupies more than one story, the fireresistance rating of intermediate floors
contained within the laboratory suite shall
comply with the requirements of this code.
SECTION 428
HIGHER EDUCATION LABORATORIES
[F] 428.1 Scope. Higher education laboratories complying
with the requirements of Sections 428.1 through 428.4 shall
be permitted to exceed the maximum allowable quantities of
hazardous materials in control areas set forth in Tables
307.1(1) and [F] 307.1(2) without requiring classification as
a Group H occupancy. Except as specified in Section 428,
Fire barriers and horizontal assemblies as
required in Table 428.3. Fire barriers shall be
constructed in accordance with Section 707 and
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance
with Section 711.
2.
Separations as required by Section 508.
[F] 428.3.2 Separation from other laboratory suites.
Laboratory suites shall be separated from other laboratory suites in accordance with Table 428.3.
[F] TABLE 428.3
DESIGN AND NUMBER OF LABORATORY SUITES PER FLOOR
PERCENTAGE OF THE MAXIMUM
ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER LAB SUITEa
NUMBER OF LAB
SUITES PER FLOOR
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING
FOR FIRE BARRIERS IN HOURSb
21+
Not allowed
Not Permitted
Not Permitted
16-20
25
1
2c
11-15
50
1
2c
7-10
50
2
2c
4-6
75
4
1
3
100
4
1
1-2
100
6
1
1
75
4
1
2
50
2
1
Lower than 2
Not Allowed
Not Allowed
Not Allowed
FLOOR LEVEL
Above Grade Plane
Below Grade Plane
a. Percentages shall be of the maximum allowable quantity per control area shown in Tables 307.1(1) and 307.1(2), with all increases allowed in the footnotes
to those tables.
b. Fire barriers shall include walls, floors and ceilings necessary to provide separation from other portions of the building.
c. Vertical fire barriers separating laboratory suites from other spaces on the same floor shall be permitted to be 1-hour fire-resistance rated.
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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE
[F] 428.3.3 Floor assembly fire resistance. The floor
assembly supporting laboratory suites and the construction supporting the floor of laboratory suites shall have a
fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours.
Exception: The floor assembly of the laboratory
suites and the construction supporting the floor of the
laboratory suites are allowed to be 1-hour fire-resistance rated in buildings of Types IIA, IIIA and VA
construction, provided that the building is three or
fewer stories.
[F] 428.3.4 Maximum number. The maximum number
of laboratory suites shall be in accordance with Table
428.3. Where a building contains both laboratory suites
and control areas, the total number of laboratory suites
and control areas within a building shall not exceed the
maximum number of laboratory suites in accordance with
Table 428.3.
[F] 428.3.5 Means of egress. Means of egress shall be in
accordance with Chapter 10.
[F] 428.3.6 Standby or emergency power. Standby or
emergency power shall be provided in accordance with
Section 414.5.2 where laboratory suites are located above
the sixth story above grade plane or located in a story
below grade plane.
[F] 428.3.7 Ventilation. Ventilation shall be in accordance with Chapter 7 of NFPA 45, and the International
Mechanical Code.
[F] 428.3.8 Liquid-tight floor. Portions of laboratory
suites where hazardous materials are present shall be
provided with a liquid-tight floor.
[F] 428.3.9 Automatic sprinkler systems. Buildings
containing laboratory suites shall be equipped throughout
with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1.
[F] 428.4 Percentage of maximum allowable quantity in
each laboratory suite. The percentage of maximum allowable quantities of hazardous materials in each laboratory
suite shall be in accordance with Table 428.3.
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
CHAPTER 5
GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
User note:
About this chapter: Chapter 5 establishes the limits to which a building can be built. Building height, number of stories and building area
are specified in this chapter. Chapter 5 must be used in conjunction with the occupancies established in Chapter 3 and the types of
construction established in Chapter 6. This chapter also specifies the impact that mezzanines, accessory occupancies and mixed occupancies have on the overall size of a building.
SECTION 501
GENERAL
501.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter control the
height and area of structures hereafter erected and additions
to existing structures.
SECTION 502
BUILDING ADDRESS
[F] 502.1 Address identification. New and existing buildings shall be provided with approved address identification.
The address identification shall be legible and placed in a
position that is visible from the street or road fronting the
property. Address identification characters shall contrast
with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic
numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall not be spelled
out. Each character shall be a minimum of 4 inches (102
mm) high with a minimum stroke width of 1/2 inch (12.7
mm). Where required by the fire code official, address identification shall be provided in additional approved locations
to facilitate emergency response. Where access is by means
of a private road and the building address cannot be viewed
from the public way, a monument, pole or other approved
sign or means shall be used to identify the structure. Address
identification shall be maintained.
SECTION 503
GENERAL BUILDING
HEIGHT AND AREA LIMITATIONS
503.1 General. Unless otherwise specifically modified in
Chapter 4 and this chapter, building height, number of
stories and building area shall not exceed the limits specified in Sections 504 and 506 based on the type of
construction as determined by Section 602 and the occupancies as determined by Section 302 except as modified
hereafter. Building height, number of stories and building
area provisions shall be applied independently. For the
purposes of determining area limitations, height limitations
and type of construction, each portion of a building separated by one or more fire walls complying with Section 706
shall be considered to be a separate building.
ment, including, among others, rolling mills; structural
metal fabrication shops and foundries; or the production
and distribution of electric, gas or steam power, shall be
exempt from the building height, number of stories and
building area limitations specified in Sections 504 and
506.
503.1.2 Buildings on same lot. Two or more buildings on
the same lot shall be regulated as separate buildings or
shall be considered as portions of one building where the
building height, number of stories of each building and
the aggregate building area of the buildings are within the
limitations specified in Sections 504 and 506. The provisions of this code applicable to the aggregate building
shall be applicable to each building.
503.1.3 Type I construction. Buildings of Type I
construction permitted to be of unlimited tabular building
heights and areas are not subject to the special requirements that allow unlimited area buildings in Section 507
or unlimited building height in Sections 503.1.1 and
504.3 or increased building heights and areas for other
types of construction.
503.1.4 Occupied roofs. A roof level or portion thereof
shall be permitted to be used as an occupied roof provided
the occupancy of the roof is an occupancy that is permitted by Table 504.4 for the story immediately below the
roof. The area of the occupied roofs shall not be included
in the building area as regulated by Section 506. An
occupied roof shall not be included in the building height
or number of stories as regulated by Section 504,
provided that the penthouses and other enclosed rooftop
structures comply with Section 1511.
503.1.1 Special industrial occupancies. Buildings and
structures designed to house special industrial processes
that require large areas and unusual building heights to
accommodate craneways or special machinery and equip2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
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Exceptions:
1.
The occupancy located on an occupied roof
shall not be limited to the occupancies allowed
on the story immediately below the roof where
the building is equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 and occupant
notification in accordance with Sections
907.5.2.1 and 907.5.2.3 is provided in the area
of the occupied roof. Emergency voice/alarm
communication system notification per Section
907.5.2.2 shall also be provided in the area of
the occupied roof where such system is
required elsewhere in the building.
5-1
GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
2.
Assembly occupancies shall be permitted on
roofs of open parking spaces of Type I or Type
II construction, in accordance with the exception to Section 903.2.1.6.
503.1.4.1 Enclosures over occupied roof areas.
Elements or structures enclosing the occupied roof
areas shall not extend more than 48 inches (1220 mm)
above the surface of the occupied roof.
Exception: Penthouses constructed in accordance
with Section 1511.2 and towers, domes, spires and
cupolas constructed in accordance with Section
1511.5.
SECTION 504
BUILDING HEIGHT AND NUMBER OF STORIES
504.1 General. The height, in feet, and the number of stories
of a building shall be determined based on the type of
construction, occupancy classification and whether there is
an automatic sprinkler system installed throughout the
building.
Exception: The building height of one-story aircraft
hangars, aircraft paint hangars and buildings used for the
manufacturing of aircraft shall not be limited where the
building is provided with an automatic sprinkler system
or automatic fire-extinguishing system in accordance with
Chapter 9 and is entirely surrounded by public ways or
yards not less in width than one and one-half times the
building height.
504.4 Number of stories. The maximum number of stories
above grade plane of a building shall not exceed the limits
specified in Table 504.4.
SECTION 505
MEZZANINES AND EQUIPMENT PLATFORMS
505.1 General. Mezzanines shall comply with Section
505.2. Equipment platforms shall comply with Section
505.3.
505.2 Mezzanines. A mezzanine or mezzanines in compliance with Section 505.2 shall be considered a portion of the
story below. Such mezzanines shall not contribute to either
the building area or number of stories as regulated by
Section 503.1. The area of the mezzanine shall be included in
determining the fire area. The clear height above and below
the mezzanine floor construction shall be not less than 7 feet
(2134 mm).
505.2.1 Area limitation. The aggregate area of a mezzanine or mezzanines within a room shall be not greater than
one-third of the floor area of that room or space in which
they are located. The enclosed portion of a room shall not
be included in a determination of the floor area of the
room in which the mezzanine is located. In determining
the allowable mezzanine area, the area of the mezzanine
shall not be included in the floor area of the room.
Exceptions:
504.1.1 Unlimited area buildings. The height of unlimited area buildings shall be designed in accordance with
Section 507.
504.1.2 Special provisions. The special provisions of
Section 510 permit the use of special conditions that are
exempt from, or modify, the specific requirements of this
chapter regarding the allowable heights of buildings
based on the occupancy classification and type of
construction, provided the special condition complies
with the provisions specified in Section 510.
504.2 Mixed occupancy. In a building containing mixed
occupancies in accordance with Section 508, no individual
occupancy shall exceed the height and number of story limits
specified in this section for the applicable occupancies.
504.3 Height in feet. The maximum height, in feet, of a
building shall not exceed the limits specified in Table 504.3.
Exception: Towers, spires, steeples and other rooftop
structures shall be constructed of materials consistent
with the required type of construction of the building
except where other construction is permitted by Section
1511.2.4. Such structures shall not be used for habitation
or storage. The structures shall be unlimited in height
where of noncombustible materials and shall not extend
more than 20 feet (6096 mm) above the allowable building height where of combustible materials (see Chapter
15 for additional requirements).
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1.
The aggregate area of mezzanines in buildings
and structures of Type I or II construction for
special industrial occupancies in accordance
with Section 503.1.1 shall be not greater than
two-thirds of the floor area of the room.
2. The aggregate area of mezzanines in buildings
and structures of Type I or II construction shall
be not greater than one-half of the floor area of
the room in buildings and structures equipped
throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
903.3.1.1 and an approved emergency
voice/alarm communication system in accordance with Section 907.5.2.2.
3. The aggregate area of a mezzanine within a
dwelling unit that is located in a building
equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 shall not be
greater than one-half of the floor area of the
room, provided that:
3.1. Except for enclosed closets and bathrooms, the mezzanine shall be open to the
room in which such mezzanine is located;
3.2. The opening to the room shall be unobstructed except for walls not more than 42
inches (1067 mm) in height, columns and
posts; and
3.3. Exceptions to Section 505.2.3 shall not be
permitted.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
505.2.1.1 Aggregate area of mezzanines and equipment platforms. Where a room contains both a
mezzanine and an equipment platform, the aggregate
area of the two raised floor levels shall be not greater
than two-thirds of the floor area of that room or space
in which they are located. The area of the mezzanine
shall not exceed the area determined in accordance
with Section 505.2.1.
2.
505.2.2 Means of egress. The means of egress for mezzanines shall comply with the applicable provisions of
Chapter 10.
4.
505.2.3 Openness. A mezzanine shall be open and unobstructed to the room in which such mezzanine is located
except for walls not more than 42 inches (1067 mm) in
height, columns and posts.
5.
3.
Exceptions:
1.
Mezzanines or portions thereof are not required
to be open to the room in which the mezzanines
are located, provided that the occupant load of
the aggregate area of the enclosed space is not
greater than 10.
A mezzanine having two or more exits or
access to exits is not required to be open to the
room in which the mezzanine is located.
Mezzanines or portions thereof are not required
to be open to the room in which the mezzanines
are located, provided that the aggregate floor
area of the enclosed space is not greater than 10
percent of the mezzanine area.
In industrial facilities, mezzanines used for
control equipment are permitted to be glazed
on all sides.
In occupancies other than Groups H and I,
which are no more than two stories above
grade plane and equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1, a mezzanine having two or
more exits or access to exits shall not be
required to be open to the room in which the
mezzanine is located.
TABLE 504.3
ALLOWABLE BUILDING HEIGHT IN FEET ABOVE GRADE PLANEa
TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION
OCCUPANCY
CLASSIFICATION
A, B, E, F, M, S, U
Type I
Type II
Type III
Type IV
Type V
See
Footnotes
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
C
HT
A
B
NSb
UL
160
65
55
65
55
65
65
65
65
50
40
S
UL
180
85
75
85
75
270
180
85
85
70
60
UL
160
65
55
65
55
120
90
65
65
50
40
NSc, d
UL
160
65
55
65
55
65
65
65
65
50
40
S
UL
180
85
75
85
75
140
100
85
85
70
60
NS
UL
160
65
55
65
55
65
65
65
65
50
40
S
UL
180
85
75
85
75
180
120
85
85
70
60
55
65
55
65
65
65
65
50
40
c, d
H-1, H-2, H-3, H-5
H-4
NS
S
d, e
I-1 Condition 1, I-3
I-1 Condition 2, I-2
I-4
d, e, f
UL
160
65
S
UL
180
85
NSd, g
UL
160
65
55
65
55
65
65
65
65
50
40
S
UL
180
85
75
85
75
180
120
85
85
70
60
UL
160
65
55
65
55
65
65
65
65
50
40
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
50
40
NS
NS
Rh
d
S13D
S13R
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
S
UL
180
85
75
85
75
270
180
85
85
70
60
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
UL = Unlimited; NS = Buildings not equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system; S = Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler
system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1; S13R = Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance
with Section 903.3.1.2; S13D = Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3.
a. See Chapters 4 and 5 for specific exceptions to the allowable height in this chapter.
b. See Section 903.2 for the minimum thresholds for protection by an automatic sprinkler system for specific occupancies.
c. New Group H occupancies are required to be protected by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.5.
d. The NS value is only for use in evaluation of existing building height in accordance with the International Existing Building Code.
e. New Group I-1 and I-3 occupancies are required to be protected by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.6. For new Group I-1
occupancies Condition 1, see Exception 1 of Section 903.2.6.
f. New and existing Group I-2 occupancies are required to be protected by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.6 and Section
1103.5 of the International Fire Code.
g. For new Group I-4 occupancies, see Exceptions 2 and 3 of Section 903.2.6.
h. New Group R occupancies are required to be protected by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.8.
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5-3
GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
TABLE 504.4
ALLOWABLE NUMBER OF STORIES ABOVE GRADE PLANEa, b
TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION
OCCUPANCY
CLASSIFICATION
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
A-5
B
E
F-1
F-2
H-1
H-2
H-3
H-4
H-5
I-1 Condition 1
I-1 Condition 2
I-2
I-3
I-4
M
Type I
Type II
Type III
Type IV
Type V
See
Footnotes
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
C
HT
A
B
NS
UL
5
3
2
3
2
3
3
3
3
2
1
S
UL
6
4
3
4
3
9
6
4
4
3
2
NS
UL
11
3
2
3
2
3
3
3
3
2
1
S
UL
12
4
3
4
3
18
12
6
4
3
2
NS
UL
11
3
2
3
2
3
3
3
3
2
1
S
UL
12
4
3
4
3
18
12
6
4
3
2
NS
UL
11
3
2
3
2
3
3
3
3
2
1
S
UL
12
4
3
4
3
18
12
6
4
3
2
NS
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
1
1
1
UL
UL
UL
S
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
NS
UL
11
5
3
5
3
5
5
5
5
3
2
S
UL
12
6
4
6
4
18
12
9
6
4
3
NS
UL
5
3
2
3
2
3
3
3
3
1
1
S
UL
6
4
3
4
3
9
6
4
4
2
2
NS
UL
11
4
2
3
2
3
3
3
4
2
1
S
UL
12
5
3
4
3
10
7
5
5
3
2
NS
UL
11
5
3
4
3
5
5
5
5
3
2
S
UL
12
6
4
5
4
6
4
3
1
1
NP
2
1
1
4
2
1
NSc, d
12
8
6
NP
NP
NP
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
1
1
1
1
1
1
UL
3
2
1
2
1
UL
6
4
2
4
2
NSc, d
UL
7
5
3
5
3
5
5
5
5
3
2
S
UL
8
6
4
6
4
8
7
6
6
4
3
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
S
NSc, d
S
NSc, d
S
NSc, d
4
4
3
3
3
3
NSd, e
UL
9
4
3
4
3
4
4
4
4
3
2
4
5
4
10
7
5
5
4
3
3
3
3
10
6
4
4
3
2
NP
NP
NP
7
5
1
1
1
NP
S
S
UL
10
5
NSd, e
UL
9
4
S
UL
10
5
NSd, f
UL
4
2
S
UL
5
3
NSd, e
UL
4
S
UL
NSd, g
UL
3
4
3
1
1
NP
2
1
2
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
5
3
2
3
2
7
5
3
3
3
2
5
3
2
3
2
3
3
3
3
1
1
S
UL
6
4
3
4
3
9
6
4
4
2
2
NS
UL
11
4
2
4
2
4
4
4
4
3
1
S
UL
12
5
3
5
3
12
8
6
5
4
2
(continued)
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GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
TABLE 504.4—continued
ALLOWABLE NUMBER OF STORIES ABOVE GRADE PLANEa, b
TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION
OCCUPANCY
CLASSIFICATION
h
R-1
R-3h
R-4h
S-1
S-2
U
Type II
A
B
NSd
UL
11
S13R
4
4
S
UL
12
NS
R-2h
Type I
See
Footnotes
d
A
4
4
5
5
5
5
18
12
8
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
18
12
8
5
4
5
S13D
4
4
S13R
4
4
S
UL
12
NSd
UL
11
S13D
4
4
S13R
4
4
HT
4
4
11
Type V
C
4
4
12
B
4
11
UL
A
4
4
UL
Type IV
B
4
UL
S
A
4
S13R
NSd
Type III
B
4
5
4
4
5
4
4
4
5
5
4
4
4
18
4
4
12
4
4
5
4
4
5
4
A
B
3
2
4
3
4
3
3
2
4
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
3
2
3
2
4
3
S
UL
12
5
5
5
5
18
12
5
5
4
3
NS
UL
11
4
2
3
2
4
4
4
4
3
1
S
UL
12
5
4
4
4
10
7
5
5
4
2
NS
UL
11
5
3
4
3
4
4
4
5
4
2
S
UL
12
6
4
5
4
12
8
5
6
5
3
NS
UL
5
4
2
3
2
4
4
4
4
2
1
S
UL
6
5
3
4
3
9
6
5
5
3
2
UL = Unlimited; NP = Not Permitted; NS = Buildings not equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system; S = Buildings equipped throughout with
an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1; S13R = Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system
installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2; S13D = Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.3.
a. See Chapters 4 and 5 for specific exceptions to the allowable height in this chapter.
b. See Section 903.2 for the minimum thresholds for protection by an automatic sprinkler system for specific occupancies.
c. New Group H occupancies are required to be protected by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.5.
d. The NS value is only for use in evaluation of existing building height in accordance with the International Existing Building Code.
e. New Group I-1 and I-3 occupancies are required to be protected by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.6. For new Group I-1
occupancies, Condition 1, see Exception 1 of Section 903.2.6.
f. New and existing Group I-2 occupancies are required to be protected by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.6 and 1103.5 of the
International Fire Code.
g. For new Group I-4 occupancies, see Exceptions 2 and 3 of Section 903.2.6.
h. New Group R occupancies are required to be protected by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.8.
505.3 Equipment platforms. Equipment platforms in buildings shall not be considered as a portion of the floor below.
Such equipment platforms shall not contribute to either the
building area or the number of stories as regulated by
Section 503.1. The area of the equipment platform shall not
be included in determining the fire area in accordance with
Section 903. Equipment platforms shall not be a part of any
mezzanine and such platforms and the walkways, stairways,
alternating tread devices and ladders providing access to an
equipment platform shall not serve as a part of the means of
egress from the building.
505.3.1 Area limitation. The aggregate area of all equipment platforms within a room shall be not greater than
two-thirds of the area of the room in which they are
located. Where an equipment platform is located in the
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
same room as a mezzanine, the area of the mezzanine shall
be determined by Section 505.2.1 and the combined
aggregate area of the equipment platforms and mezzanines shall be not greater than two-thirds of the room in
which they are located. The area of the mezzanine shall
not exceed the area determined in accordance with
Section 505.2.1.
505.3.2 Automatic sprinkler system. Where located in a
building that is required to be protected by an automatic
sprinkler system, equipment platforms shall be fully
protected by sprinklers above and below the platform,
where required by the standards referenced in Section
903.3.
505.3.3 Guards. Equipment platforms shall have guards
where required by Section 1015.2.
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
5-5
GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
506.1 General. The floor area of a building shall be determined based on the type of construction, occupancy
classification, whether there is an automatic sprinkler system
installed throughout the building and the amount of building
frontage on public way or open space.
If = Area factor increase due to frontage (percent) as
calculated in accordance with Section 506.3.
Sa = 3 where the actual number of stories above grade
plane exceeds three, or
Sa = 4 where the building is equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance
with Section 903.3.1.2.
506.1.1 Unlimited area buildings. Unlimited area buildings shall be designed in accordance with Section 507.
The actual area of any individual floor shall not exceed
the allowable area per Equation 5-1.
506.1.2 Special provisions. The special provisions of
Section 510 permit the use of special conditions that are
exempt from, or modify, the specific requirements of this
chapter regarding the allowable areas of buildings based
on the occupancy classification and type of construction,
provided the special condition complies with the provisions specified in Section 510.
506.2.2 Mixed-occupancy buildings. The allowable area
of each story of a mixed-occupancy building shall be
determined in accordance with the applicable provisions
of, Section 508.3.2 for nonseparated occupancies and
Section 508.4.2 for separated occupancies.
506.1.3 Basements. Basements need not be included in
the total allowable floor area of a building provided the
total area of such basements does not exceed the area
permitted for a one-story above grade plane building.
506.2 Allowable area determination. The allowable area of
a building shall be determined in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 506.2.1, 506.2.2 and 506.3.
506.2.1 Single-occupancy buildings. The allowable area
of each story of a single-occupancy building shall be
determined in accordance with Equation 5-1:
Aa = At + (NS × If)
(Equation 5-1)
where:
Aa = Allowable area (square feet).
At = Tabular allowable area factor (NS, S1, S13R or
S13D value, as applicable) in accordance with
Table 506.2.
NS = Tabular allowable area factor in accordance with
Table 506.2 for nonsprinklered building (regardless
of whether the building is sprinklered).
If = Area factor increase due to frontage (percent) as
calculated in accordance with Section 506.3.
The allowable area per story of a single-occupancy
building with a maximum of three stories above grade
shall be determined by Equation 5-1. The total allowable
area of a single-occupancy building more than three
stories above grade plane shall be determined in accordance with Equation 5-2:
Aa = [At + (NS × If)] × Sa
(Equation 5-2)
where:
Aa = Allowable area (square feet).
At = Tabular allowable area factor (NS, S13R, S13D or
SM value, as applicable) in accordance with Table
506.2.
NS = Tabular allowable area factor in accordance with
Table 506.2 for a nonsprinklered building (regardless
of whether the building is sprinklered).
5-6
For buildings with more than three stories above grade
plane, the total building area shall be such that the aggregate sum of the ratios of the actual area of each story
divided by the allowable area of such stories, determined
in accordance with Equation 5-3 based on the applicable
provisions of Section 508.1, shall not exceed three.
Aa = [At + (NS × If)]
(Equation 5-3)
Aa = Allowable area (square feet).
At = Tabular allowable area factor (NS, S13R, S13D or
SM value, as applicable) in accordance with Table
506.2.
NS = Tabular allowable area factor in accordance with
Table 506.2 for a nonsprinklered building,
regardless of whether the building is sprinklered.
If = Area factor increase due to frontage (percent) as
calculated in accordance with Section 506.3.
Exception: For buildings designed as separated occupancies under Section 508.4 and equipped throughout
with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2, the total building area
shall be such that the aggregate sum of the ratios of the
actual area of each story divided by the allowable area
of such stories determined in accordance with Equation 5-3 based on the applicable provisions of Section
508.1, shall not exceed four.
506.2.2.1 Group H-2 or H-3 mixed occupancies. For
a building containing Group H-2 or H-3 occupancies,
the allowable area shall be determined in accordance
with Section 508.4.2, with the sprinkler system
increase applicable only to the portions of the building
not classified as Group H-2 or H-3.
506.3 Frontage increase. Every building shall adjoin or
have access to a public way to receive an area factor increase
based on frontage. Area factor increase shall be determined
in accordance with Sections 506.3.1 through 506.3.3.
506.3.1 Minimum percentage of perimeter. To qualify
for an area factor increase based on frontage, a building
shall have not less than 25 percent of its perimeter on a
public way or open space. Such open space shall be either
on the same lot or dedicated for public use and shall be
accessed from a street or approved fire lane.
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®

SECTION 506
BUILDING AREA
GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
TABLE 506.2
ALLOWABLE AREA FACTOR (At = NS, S1, S13R, S13D or SM, as applicable) IN SQUARE FEETa, b
TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION
OCCUPANCY
SEE
CLASSIFICATION FOOTNOTES
NS
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
Type I
Type II
Type III
Type IV
Type V
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
C
HT
A
B
UL
UL
15,500
8,500
14,000
8,500
45,000
30,000
18,750
15,000
11,500
5,500
S1
UL
UL
62,000
34,000
56,000
34,000
180,000 120,000
75,000
60,000
46,000
22,000
SM
UL
UL
46,500
25,500
42,000
25,500
135,000
90,000
56,250
45,000
34,500
16,500
NS
UL
UL
15,500
9,500
14,000
9,500
45,000
30,000
18,750
15,000
11,500
6,000
S1
UL
UL
62,000
38,000
56,000
38,000
180,000 120,000
75,000
60,000
46,000
24,000
SM
UL
UL
46,500
28,500
42,000
28,500
135,000
90,000
56,250
45,000
34,500
18,000
NS
UL
UL
15,500
9,500
14,000
9,500
45,000
30,000
18,750
15,000
11,500
6,000
S1
UL
UL
62,000
38,000
56,000
38,000
180,000 120,000
75,000
60,000
46,000
24,000
SM
UL
UL
46,500
28,500
42,000
28,500
135,000
90,000
56,250
45,000
34,500
18,000
NS
UL
UL
15,500
9,500
14,000
9,500
45,000
30,000
18,750
15,000
11,500
6,000
S1
UL
UL
62,000
38,000
56,000
38,000
180,000 120,000
75,000
60,000
46,000
24,000
SM
UL
UL
46,500
28,500
42,000
28,500
135,000
90,000
56,250
45,000
34,500
18,000
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
72,000
45,000
NS
A-5
S1
SM
B
E
F-1
F-2
H-1
NS
UL
UL
37,500
23,000
28,500
19,000
108,000
36,000
18,000
9,000
S1
UL
UL
150,000
92,000
114,000
76,000
432,000 288,000 180,000 144,000
72,000
36,000
SM
UL
UL
112,500
69,000
85,500
57,000
324,000 216,000 135,000 108,000
54,000
27,000
NS
UL
UL
26,500
14,500
23,500
14,500
76,500
18,500
9,500
51,000
31,875
25,500
S1
UL
UL
106,000
58,000
94,000
58,000
306,000 204,000 127,500 102,000
74,000
38,000
SM
UL
UL
79,500
43,500
70,500
43,500
229,500 153,000
95,625
76,500
55,500
28,500
41,875
NS
UL
UL
25,000
15,500
19,000
12,000
100,500
33,500
14,000
8,500
S1
UL
UL
100,000
62,000
76,000
48,000
402,000 268,000 167,500 134,000
67,000
56,000
34,000
SM
UL
UL
75,000
46,500
57,000
36,000
301,500 201,000 125,625 100,500
42,000
25,500
NS
UL
UL
37,500
23,000
28,500
18,000
151,500 101,000
21,000
13,000
63,125
50,500
S1
UL
UL
150,000
92,000
114,000
72,000
606,000 404,000 252,500 202,000
84,000
52,000
SM
UL
UL
112,500
69,000
85,500
54,000
454,500 303,000 189,375 151,500
63,000
39,000
21,000
16,500
11,000
7,000
9,500
7,000
10,500
10,500
10,500
10,500
7,500
NP
21,000
16,500
11,000
7,000
9,500
7,000
10,500
10,500
10,500
10,500
7,500
3,000
UL
60,000
26,500
14,000
17,500
13,000
25,500
25,500
25,500
25,500
10,000
5,000
54,000
40,500
NSc
S1
NSc
H-2
S1
SM
NSc
H-3
S1
SM
H-4
H-5
NSc, d
UL
UL
37,500
17,500
28,500
17,500
72,000
36,000
18,000
6,500
S1
UL
UL
150,000
70,000
114,000
70,000
288,000 216,000 162,000 144,000
72,000
26,000
SM
UL
UL
112,500
52,500
85,500
52,500
216,000 162,000 121,500 108,000
54,000
19,500
NSc, d
UL
UL
37,500
23,000
28,500
19,000
72,000
18,000
9,000
54,000
40,500
36,000
S1
UL
UL
150,000
92,000
114,000
76,000
288,000 216,000 162,000 144,000
72,000
36,000
SM
UL
UL
112,500
69,000
85,500
57,000
216,000 162,000 121,500 108000
54,000
27,000
(continued)
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
5-7
GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
TABLE 506.2—continued
ALLOWABLE AREA FACTOR (At = NS, S1, S13R, S13D or SM, as applicable) IN SQUARE FEETa, b
TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION
OCCUPANCY
SEE
CLASSIFICATION FOOTNOTES
NSd, e
I-1
I-2
I-3
I-4
M
R-1
R-2
Type III
Type IV
Type V
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
C
HT
A
B
UL
55,000
19,000
10,000
16,500
10,000
54,000
36,000
18,000
18,000
10,500
4,500
S1
UL
220,000 76,000
40,000
66,000
40,000
216,000 144,000
72,000
72,000
42,000
18,000
UL
165,000 57,000
30,000
49,500
30,000
162,000 108,000
54,000
54,000
31,500
13,500
NP
NSd, f
UL
UL
15,000
11,000
12,000
NP
36,000
24,000
12,000
12,000
9,500
S1
UL
UL
60,000
44,000
48,000
NP
144,000
96,000
48,000
48,000
38,000
NP
SM
UL
UL
45,000
33,000
36,000
NP
108,000
72,000
36,000
36,000
28,500
NP
NSd, e
UL
UL
15,000
10,000
10,500
7,500
36,000
24,000
12,000
12,000
7,500
5,000
S1
UL
UL
60,000
40,000
42,000
30,000
144,000
96,000
48,000
48,000
30,000
20,000
SM
UL
UL
45,000
30,000
31,500
22,500
108,000
72,000
36,000
36,000
22,500
15,000
51,000
25,500
NSd, g
UL
60,500
26,500
13,000
23,500
13,000
76,500
25,500
18,500
9,000
S1
UL
121,000 106,000
52,000
94,000
52,000
306,000 204,000 102,000 102,000
74,000
36,000
SM
UL
181,500 79,500
39,000
70,500
39,000
229,500 153,000
76,500
76,500
55,500
27,000
NS
UL
UL
21,500
12,500
18,500
12,500
61,500
26,625
20,500
14,000
9,000
S1
UL
UL
86,000
50,000
74,000
50,000
246,000 164,000 102,500
82,000
56,000
36,000
SM
UL
UL
64,500
37,500
55,500
37,500
184,500 123,000
76,875
61,500
42,000
27,000
UL
UL
24,000
16,000
24,000
16,000
61,500
25,625
20,500
12,000
7,000
41,000
d
S13R
41,000
S1
UL
UL
96,000
64,000
96,000
64,000
246,000 164,000 102,500
82,000
48,000
28,000
SM
UL
UL
72,000
48,000
72,000
48,000
184,500 123,000
76,875
61,500
36,000
21,000
UL
UL
24,000
16,000
24,000
16,000
61,500
25,625
20,500
12,000
7,000
NSd
h
Type II
SM
NS
h
Type I
S13R
41,000
S1
UL
UL
96,000
64,000
96,000
64,000
246,000 164,000 102,500
82,000
48,000
28,000
SM
UL
UL
72,000
48,000
72,000
48,000
184,500 123,000
76,875
61,500
36,000
21,000
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
UL
24,000
16,000
24,000
16,000
61,500
41,000
25,625
20,500
12,000
7,000
NSd
S13D
R-3h
S13R
S1
SM
NSd
S13D
R-4h
S-1
S-2
S13R
S1
UL
UL
96,000
64,000
96,000
64,000
246,000 164,000 102,500
82,000
48,000
28,000
SM
UL
UL
72,000
48,000
72,000
48,000
184,500 123,000
76,875
61,500
36,000
21,000
31,875
NS
UL
48,000
26,000
17,500
26,000
17,500
76,500
25,500
14,000
9,000
S1
UL
192,000 104,000
70,000
104,000
70,000
306,000 204,000 127,500 102,000
56,000
36,000
SM
UL
144,000 78,000
52,500
78,000
52,500
229,500 153,000
95,625
76,500
42,000
27,000
NS
UL
79,000
26,000
39,000
26,000
115,500
48,125
38,500
21,000
13,500
77,000
S1
UL
316,000 156,000 104,000 156,000 104,000 462,000 308,000 192,500 154,000
84,000
54,000
SM
UL
237,000 117,000
63,000
40,500
NS
U
39,000
51,000
i
78,000
117,000
78,000
346,500 231,000 144,375 115,500
UL
35,500
19,000
8,500
14,000
8,500
54,000
36,000
22,500
18,000
9,000
5,500
S1
UL
142,000 76,000
34,000
56,000
34,000
216,000 144,000
90,000
72,000
36,000
22,000
SM
UL
106,500 57,000
25,500
42,000
25,500
162,000 108,000
67,500
54,000
27,000
16,500
(continued)
5-8
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
TABLE 506.2—continued
ALLOWABLE AREA FACTOR (At = NS, S1, S13R, S13D or SM, as applicable) IN SQUARE FEETa, b
For SI: 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2.
UL = Unlimited; NP = Not Permitted; NS = Buildings not equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system; S1 = Buildings a maximum of one story
above grade plane equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1; SM = Buildings two or more
stories above grade plane equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1; S13R = Buildings equipped
throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2; S13D = Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic
sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3.
a. See Chapters 4 and 5 for specific exceptions to the allowable area in this chapter.
b. See Section 903.2 for the minimum thresholds for protection by an automatic sprinkler system for specific occupancies.
c. New Group H occupancies are required to be protected by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.5.
d. The NS value is only for use in evaluation of existing building area in accordance with the International Existing Building Code.
e. New Group I-1 and I-3 occupancies are required to be protected by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.6. For new Group I-1
occupancies, Condition 1, see Exception 1 of Section 903.2.6.
f. New and existing Group I-2 occupancies are required to be protected by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.6 and Section
1103.5 of the International Fire Code.
g. New Group I-4 occupancies see Exceptions 2 and 3 of Section 903.2.6.
h. New Group R occupancies are required to be protected by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.8.
i. The maximum allowable area for a single-story nonsprinklered Group U greenhouse is permitted to be 9,000 square feet, or the allowable area shall be
permitted to comply with Table C102.1 of Appendix C.
506.3.3.1 Section 507 buildings. Where a building
meets the requirements of Section 507, as applicable,
except for compliance with the minimum 60-foot (18
288 mm) public way or yard requirement, the area
factor increase based on frontage shall be determined
in accordance with Table 506.3.3.1.
506.3.2 Minimum frontage distance. To qualify for an
area factor increase based on frontage, the public way or
open space adjacent to the building perimeter shall have a
minimum distance (W) of 20 feet (6096 mm) measured at
right angles from the building face to any of the
following:
1.
2.
3.

The closest interior lot line.
The entire width of a street, alley or public way.
The exterior face of an adjacent building on the
same property.
The frontage increase shall be based on the smallest
public way or open space that is 20 feet (6096 mm) or
greater, and the percentage of building perimeter having a
minimum 20 feet (6096 mm) public way or open space.
SECTION 507
UNLIMITED AREA BUILDINGS
507.1 General. The area of buildings of the occupancies and
configurations specified in Sections 507.1 through 507.13
shall not be limited. Basements not more than one story
below grade plane shall be permitted.
507.1.1 Accessory occupancies. Accessory occupancies
shall be permitted in unlimited area buildings in accordance with the provisions of Section 508.2, otherwise the
requirements of Sections 507.3 through 507.13 shall be
applied, where applicable.
506.3.3 Amount of increase. The area factor increase
based on frontage shall be determined in accordance with
Table 506.3.3.
TABLE 506.3.3
FRONTAGE INCREASE FACTORa
OPEN SPACE (feet)
PERCENTAGE OF
BUILDING PERIMETER
0 to less than 20
20 to less than 25
25 to less than 30
30 or greater
0 to less than 25
0
0
0
0
25 to less than 50
0
0.17
0.21
0.25
50 to less than 75
0
0.33
0.42
0.50
75 to 100
0
0.50
0.63
0.75
TABLE 506.3.3.1
SECTION 507 BUILDINGSa
PERCENTAGE OF
BUILDING PERIMETER
OPEN SPACE (feet)
30 to less than 35
35 to less than 40
40 to less than 45
45 to less than 50
50 to less than 55
55 to less than 60
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 to less than 25
25 to less than 50
0.29
0.33
0.38
0.42
0.46
0.50
50 to less than 75
0.58
0.67
0.75
0.83
0.92
1.00
75 to 100
0.88
1.00
1.13
1.25
1.38
1.50
a. Interpolation is permitted.
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GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
2.3. An automatic sprinkler system is provided
in storage rooms, press boxes, concession
booths or other spaces ancillary to the
sport activity space.
507.2 Measurement of open spaces. Where Sections 507.3
through 507.13 require buildings to be surrounded and
adjoined by public ways and yards, those open spaces shall
be determined as follows:
1.
2.
Yards shall be measured from the building perimeter
in all directions to the closest interior lot lines or to
the exterior face of an opposing building located on
the same lot, as applicable.
Where the building fronts on a public way, the entire
width of the public way shall be used.
507.4.1 Mixed occupancy buildings with Groups A-1
and A-2. Group A-1 and A-2 occupancies of other than
Type V construction shall be permitted within mixed
occupancy buildings of unlimited area complying with
Section 507.4, provided that the following criteria are
met:
1.
507.2.1 Reduced open space. The public ways or yards
of 60 feet (18 288 mm) in width required in Sections
507.3, 507.4, 507.5, 507.6 and 507.12 shall be permitted
to be reduced to not less than 40 feet (12 192 mm) in
width, provided that the following requirements are met:
1.
2.
3.
The reduced width shall not be allowed for more
than 75 percent of the perimeter of the building.
The exterior walls facing the reduced width shall
have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 3
hours.
Openings in the exterior walls facing the reduced
width shall have opening protectives with a fire
protection rating of not less than 3 hours.
507.3 Nonsprinklered, one-story buildings. The area of a
Group F-2 or S-2 building not more than one story in height
shall not be limited where the building is surrounded and
adjoined by public ways or yards not less than 60 feet (18
288 mm) in width.
507.4 Sprinklered, one-story buildings. The area of a
Group A-4 building not more than one story above grade
plane of other than Type V construction, or the area of a
Group B, F, M or S building no more than one story above
grade plane of any construction type, shall not be limited
where the building is provided with an automatic sprinkler
system throughout in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and
is surrounded and adjoined by public ways or yards not less
than 60 feet (18 288 mm) in width.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
5-10
Buildings and structures of Type I or II construction for rack storage facilities that do not have
access by the public shall not be limited in height,
provided that such buildings conform to the
requirements of Sections 507.4 and 903.3.1.1 and
Chapter 32 of the International Fire Code.
The automatic sprinkler system shall not be
required in areas occupied for indoor participant
sports, such as tennis, skating, swimming and
equestrian activities in occupancies in Group A-4,
provided that the following criteria are met:
2.1. Exit doors directly to the outside are
provided for occupants of the participant
sports areas.
2.2. The building is equipped with a fire alarm
system with manual fire alarm boxes
installed in accordance with Section 907.
2.
3.
Group A-1 and A-2 occupancies are separated
from other occupancies as required for separated
occupancies in Section 508.4.4 with no reduction
allowed in the fire-resistance rating of the separation based upon the installation of an automatic
sprinkler system.
Each area of the portions of the building used for
Group A-1 or A-2 occupancies shall not exceed
the maximum allowable area permitted for such
occupancies in Section 503.1.
Exit doors from Group A-1 and A-2 occupancies
shall discharge directly to the exterior of the
building.
507.5 Two-story buildings. The area of a Group B, F, M or
S building not more than two stories above grade plane shall
not be limited where the building is equipped throughout
with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1 and is surrounded and adjoined by public
ways or yards not less than 60 feet (18 288 mm) in width.
507.6 Group A-3 buildings of Type II construction. The
area of a Group A-3 building not more than one story above
grade plane, used as a place of religious worship, community hall, dance hall, exhibition hall, gymnasium, lecture
hall, indoor swimming pool or tennis court of Type II
construction, shall not be limited provided that the following
criteria are met:
1.
2.
3.
The building shall not have a stage other than a
platform.
The building shall be equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1.
The building shall be surrounded and adjoined by
public ways or yards not less than 60 feet (18 288
mm) in width.
507.7 Group A-3 buildings of Type III and IV construction. The area of a Group A-3 building of Type III or IV
construction, with not more than one story above grade
plane and used as a place of religious worship, community
hall, dance hall, exhibition hall, gymnasium, lecture hall,
indoor swimming pool or tennis court, shall not be limited
provided that the following criteria are met:
1.
2.
The building shall not have a stage other than a
platform.
The building shall be equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1.
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GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
3.
4.
The assembly floor shall be located at or within 21
inches (533 mm) of street or grade level and all exits
are provided with ramps complying with Section
1012 to the street or grade level.
The building shall be surrounded and adjoined by
public ways or yards not less than 60 feet (18 288
mm) in width.
507.8 Group H-2, H-3 and H-4 occupancies. Group H-2,
H-3 and H-4 occupancies shall be permitted in unlimited
area buildings containing Group F or S occupancies in accordance with Sections 507.4 and 507.5 and the provisions of
Sections 507.8.1 through 507.8.4.
507.8.1 Allowable area. The aggregate floor area of
Group H occupancies located in an unlimited area building shall not exceed 10 percent of the area of the building
or the area limitations for the Group H occupancies as
specified in Section 506 based on the perimeter of each
Group H floor area that fronts on a public way or open
space.
on the allowable height and number of stories and feet as
specified in Section 504 based on the type of construction
of the unlimited area building.
507.9 Unlimited mixed occupancy buildings with Group
H-5. The area of a Group B, F, H-5, M or S building not
more than two stories above grade plane shall not be limited
where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, and is
surrounded and adjoined by public ways or yards not less
than 60 feet (18 288 mm) in width, provided that the following criteria are met:
1.
2.
3.
507.8.1.1 Located within the building. The aggregate
floor area of Group H occupancies not located at the
perimeter of the building shall not exceed 25 percent
of the area limitations for the Group H occupancies as
specified in Section 506.
507.8.1.1.1 Rooms for flammable or combustible
liquid use, dispensing or mixing in open systems.
Rooms for flammable or combustible liquid use,
dispensing or mixing in open systems having a floor
area of not more than 500 square feet (46.5 m2) need
not be located on the outer perimeter of the building
where they are in accordance with the International
Fire Code and NFPA 30.
507.8.1.1.2 Liquid storage rooms and rooms for
flammable or combustible liquid use in closed
systems. Liquid storage rooms and rooms for flammable or combustible liquid use in closed systems
having a floor area of not more than 1,000 square
feet (93 m2) need not be located on the outer perimeter where they are in accordance with the
International Fire Code and NFPA 30.
507.8.1.1.3 Spray paint booths. Spray paint booths
that comply with the International Fire Code need
not be located on the outer perimeter.
507.8.2 Located on building perimeter. Except as
provided for in Section 507.8.1.1, Group H occupancies
shall be located on the perimeter of the building. In Group
H-2 and H-3 occupancies, not less than 25 percent of the
perimeter of such occupancies shall be an exterior wall.
507.8.3 Occupancy separations. Group H occupancies
shall be separated from the remainder of the unlimited
area building and from each other in accordance with
Table 508.4.
507.8.4 Height limitations. For two-story, unlimited area
buildings, Group H occupancies shall not be located more
than one story above grade plane unless permitted based
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Buildings containing Group H-5 occupancy shall be
of Type I or II construction.
Each area used for Group H-5 occupancy shall be
separated from other occupancies as required in
Sections 415.11 and 508.4.
Each area used for Group H-5 occupancy shall not
exceed the maximum allowable area permitted for
such occupancies in Section 503.1 including modifications of Section 506.
Exception: Where the Group H-5 occupancy
exceeds the maximum allowable area, the Group
H-5 shall be subdivided into areas that are separated by 2-hour fire barriers.
507.10 Aircraft paint hangar. The area of a Group H-2
aircraft paint hangar not more than one story above grade
plane shall not be limited where such aircraft paint hangar
complies with the provisions of Section 412.5 and is
surrounded and adjoined by public ways or yards not less in
width than one and one-half times the building height.
507.11 Group E buildings. The area of a Group E building
not more than one story above grade plane, of Type II, IIIA
or IV construction, shall not be limited provided that the
following criteria are met:
1.
2.
3.
Each classroom shall have not less than two means of
egress, with one of the means of egress being a direct
exit to the outside of the building complying with
Section 1022.
The building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
903.3.1.1.
The building is surrounded and adjoined by public
ways or yards not less than 60 feet (18 288 mm) in
width.
507.12 Motion picture theaters. In buildings of Type II
construction, the area of a motion picture theater located on
the first story above grade plane shall not be limited where
the building is provided with an automatic sprinkler system
throughout in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and is
surrounded and adjoined by public ways or yards not less
than 60 feet (18 288 mm) in width.
507.13 Covered and open mall buildings and anchor
buildings. The area of covered and open mall buildings and
anchor buildings not exceeding three stories in height that
comply with Section 402 shall not be limited.
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5-11
GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
SECTION 508
MIXED USE AND OCCUPANCY
508.1 General. Each portion of a building shall be individually classified in accordance with Section 302.1. Where a
building contains more than one occupancy group, the building or portion thereof shall comply with the applicable
provisions of Section 508.2, 508.3, 508.4 or 508.5, or a
combination of these sections.
Exceptions:
1.
2.

Occupancies separated in accordance with Section
510.
Where required by Table 415.6.5, areas of Group
H-1, H-2 and H-3 occupancies shall be located in
a detached building or structure.
508.2 Accessory occupancies. Accessory occupancies are
those occupancies that are ancillary to the main occupancy
of the building or portion thereof. Accessory occupancies
shall comply with the provisions of Sections 508.2.1 through
508.2.4.
508.2.1 Occupancy classification. Accessory occupancies shall be individually classified in accordance with
Section 302.1. The requirements of this code shall apply
to each portion of the building based on the occupancy
classification of that space.
508.2.2 Allowable building height. The allowable height
and number of stories of the building containing accessory occupancies shall be in accordance with Section 504
for the main occupancy of the building.
508.2.3 Allowable building area. The allowable area of
the building shall be based on the applicable provisions of
Section 506 for the main occupancy of the building.
Aggregate accessory occupancies shall not occupy more
than 10 percent of the floor area of the story in which they
are located and shall not exceed the tabular values for
nonsprinklered buildings in Table 506.2 for each such
accessory occupancy.
508.2.4 Separation of occupancies. No separation is
required between accessory occupancies and the main
occupancy.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
Group H-2, H-3, H-4 and H-5 occupancies
shall be separated from all other occupancies in
accordance with Section 508.4.
Group I-1, R-1, R-2 and R-3 dwelling units and
sleeping units shall be separated from other
dwelling or sleeping units and from accessory
occupancies contiguous to them in accordance
with the requirements of Section 420.
508.3 Nonseparated occupancies. Buildings or portions of
buildings that comply with the provisions of this section
shall be considered as nonseparated occupancies.
508.3.1 Occupancy classification. Nonseparated occupancies shall be individually classified in accordance with
Section 302.1. The requirements of this code shall apply
5-12
to each portion of the building based on the occupancy
classification of that space. In addition, the most restrictive provisions of Chapter 9 that apply to the
nonseparated occupancies shall apply to the total nonseparated occupancy area.
508.3.1.1 High-rise buildings. Where nonseparated
occupancies occur in a high-rise building, the most
restrictive requirements of Section 403 that apply to
the nonseparated occupancies shall apply throughout
the high-rise building.
508.3.1.2 Group I-2, Condition 2 occupancies.
Where one of the nonseparated occupancies is Group
I-2, Condition 2, the most restrictive requirements of
Sections 407, 509 and 712 shall apply throughout the
fire area containing the Group I-2 occupancy. The
most restrictive requirements of Chapter 10 shall apply
to the path of egress from the Group I-2, Condition 2
occupancy up to and including the exit discharge.
508.3.2 Allowable building area, height and number of
stories. The allowable building area, height and number
of stories of the building or portion thereof shall be based
on the most restrictive allowances for the occupancy
groups under consideration for the type of construction of
the building in accordance with Section 503.1.
508.3.3 Separation. No separation is required between
nonseparated occupancies.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
Group H-2, H-3, H-4 and H-5 occupancies
shall be separated from all other occupancies in
accordance with Section 508.4.
Group I-1, R-1, R-2 and R-3 dwelling units and
sleeping units shall be separated from other
dwelling or sleeping units and from other occupancies contiguous to them in accordance with
the requirements of Section 420.
508.4 Separated occupancies. Buildings or portions of
buildings that comply with the provisions of this section
shall be considered as separated occupancies.
508.4.1 Occupancy classification. Separated occupancies shall be individually classified in accordance with
Section 302.1. Each separated space shall comply with
this code based on the occupancy classification of that
portion of the building. The most restrictive provisions of
Chapter 9 that apply to the separate occupancies shall
apply to the total nonfire-barrier-separated occupancy
areas. Occupancy separations that serve to define fire
area limits established in Chapter 9 for requiring a fire
protection system shall also comply with Section 901.7.
508.4.2 Allowable building area. In each story, the
building area shall be such that the sum of the ratios of
the actual building area of each separated occupancy
divided by the allowable building area of each separated
occupancy shall not exceed 1.
508.4.3 Allowable building height and number of
stories. Each separated occupancy shall comply with the
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GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
508.5.1 Limitations. The following shall apply to
live/work areas:
building height limitations and story limitations based on
the type of construction of the building in accordance
with Section 503.1.
1.
Exception: Special provisions of Section 510 shall
permit occupancies at building heights and number of
stories other than provided in Section 503.1.
2.
508.4.4 Separation. Individual occupancies shall be
separated from adjacent occupancies in accordance with
Table 508.4.
3.
508.4.4.1 Construction. Required separations shall be
fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section
707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both, so as to completely
separate adjacent occupancies. Mass timber elements
serving as fire barriers or horizontal assemblies to
separate occupancies in Type IV-B or IV-C construction shall be separated from the interior of the building
with an approved thermal barrier consisting of gypsum
board that is not less than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) in thickness or a material that is tested in accordance with and
meets the acceptance criteria of both the Temperature
Transmission Fire Test and the Integrity Fire Test of
NFPA 275.
**
The live/work unit is permitted to be not greater
than 3,000 square feet (279 m2) in area.
The nonresidential area is permitted to be not
more than 50 percent of the area of each live/work
unit.
The nonresidential area function shall be limited
to the first or main floor only of the live/work unit.
Not more than five nonresidential workers or
employees are allowed to occupy the nonresidential area at any one time.
4.
508.5.2 Occupancies. Live/work units shall be classified
as a Group R-2 occupancy. Separation requirements
found in Sections 420 and 508 shall not apply within the
live/work unit where the live/work unit is in compliance
with Section 508.5. Nonresidential uses that would otherwise be classified as either a Group H or S occupancy
shall not be permitted in a live/work unit.
Exception: Storage shall be permitted in the live/work
unit provided that the aggregate area of storage in the
nonresidential portion of the live/work unit shall be
limited to 10 percent of the space dedicated to nonresidential activities.
508.5 Live/work units A live/work unit shall comply with
Sections 508.5 through 508.5.11.
508.5.3 Means of egress. Except as modified by this
section, the means of egress components for a live/work
unit shall be designed in accordance with Chapter 10 for
the function served.
Exception: Dwelling or sleeping units that include an
office that is less than 10 percent of the area of the dwelling unit are permitted to be classified as dwelling units
with accessory occupancies in accordance with Section
508.2.
TABLE 508.4
REQUIRED SEPARATION OF OCCUPANCIES (HOURS)f
I-1a, I-3, I-4
A, E
OCCUPANCY
Ra
I-2
F-2, S-2b, U
Be, F-1,
M,S-1
H-1
H-2
H-3, H-4
H-5
S
NS
S
NS
S
NS
S
NS
S
NS
S
NS
S
NS
S
NS
S
NS
S
NS
A, E
N
N
1
2
2
NP
1
2
N
1
1
2
NP
NP
3
4
2
3
2
NP
I-1a, I-3, I-4
1
2
N
N
2
NP
1
NP
1
2
1
2
NP
NP
3
NP
2
NP
2
NP
I-2
2
NP
2
NP
N
N
2
NP
2
NP
2
NP
NP
NP
3
NP
2
NP
2
NP
Ra
1
2
1
NP
2
NP
N
N
1c
2c
1
2
NP
NP
3
NP
2
NP
2
NP
c
c
b
F-2, S-2 , U
N
1
1
2
2
NP
1
2
N
N
1
2
NP
NP
3
4
2
3
2
NP
Be, F-1, M, S-1
1
2
1
2
2
NP
1
2
1
2
N
N
NP
NP
2
3
1
2
1
NP
H-1
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
N
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
H-2
3
4
3
NP
3
NP
3
NP
3
4
2
3
NP
NP
N
NP
1
NP
1
NP
d
NP
1
NP
NP
N
NP
H-3, H-4
2
3
2
NP
2
NP
2
NP
2
3
1
2
NP
NP
1
NP
1
H-5
2
NP
2
NP
2
NP
2
NP
2
NP
1
NP
NP
NP
1
NP
1
S = Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
NS = Buildings not equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
N = No separation requirement.
NP = Not Permitted.
a. See Section 420.
b. The required separation from areas used only for private or pleasure vehicles shall be reduced by 1 hour but not to less than 1 hour.
c. See Sections 406.3.2 and 406.6.4.
d. Separation is not required between occupancies of the same classification.
e. See Section 422.2 for ambulatory care facilities.
f. Occupancy separations that serve to define fire area limits established in Chapter 9 for requiring fire protection systems shall also comply with Section
707.3.10 and Table 707.3.10 in accordance with Section 901.7.
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5-13
GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
508.5.4 Egress capacity. The egress capacity for each
element of the live/work unit shall be based on the occupant load for the function served in accordance with
Table 1004.5.
508.5.5 Spiral stairways. Spiral stairways that conform
to the requirements of Section 1011.10 shall be permitted.
508.5.6 Vertical openings. Floor openings between floor
levels of a live/work unit are permitted without enclosure.
[F] 508.5.7 Fire protection. The live/work unit shall be
provided with a monitored fire alarm system where
required by Section 907.2.9 and an automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with Section 903.2.8.
508.5.8 Structural. Floors within a live/work unit shall
be designed for the live loads in Table 1607.1, based on
the function within the space.
508.5.9 Accessibility. Accessibility shall be designed in
accordance with Chapter 11 for the function served.
508.5.10 Ventilation. The applicable ventilation requirements of the International Mechanical Code shall apply
to each area within the live/work unit for the function
within that space.
508.5.11 Plumbing facilities. The nonresidential area of
the live/work unit shall be provided with minimum
plumbing facilities as specified by Chapter 29, based on
the function of the nonresidential area. Where the nonresidential area of the live/work unit is required to be
accessible by Section 1108.6.2.1, the plumbing fixtures
specified by Chapter 29 shall be accessible.
SECTION 509
INCIDENTAL USES
509.1 General Incidental uses located within single occupancy or mixed occupancy buildings shall comply with the
provisions of this section. Incidental uses are ancillary functions associated with a given occupancy that generally pose a
greater level of risk to that occupancy and are limited to
those uses specified in Table 509.1.
Exception: Incidental uses within and serving a dwelling
unit are not required to comply with this section.
[F]TABLE 509.1
INCIDENTAL USES
ROOM OR AREA
SEPARATION AND/OR PROTECTION
Furnace room where any piece of equipment is over 400,000 Btu per
1 hour or provide automatic sprinkler system
hour input
Rooms with boilers where the largest piece of equipment is over 15
1 hour or provide automatic sprinkler system
psi and 10 horsepower
Refrigerant machinery room
1 hour or provide automatic sprinkler system
Hydrogen fuel gas rooms, not classified as Group H
1 hour in Group B, F, M, S and U occupancies; 2 hours in Group A,
E, I and R occupancies.
Incinerator rooms
2 hours and provide automatic sprinkler system
Paint shops, not classified as Group H, located in occupancies other
2 hours; or 1 hour and provide automatic sprinkler system
than Group F
In Group E occupancies, laboratories and vocational shops not clas1 hour or provide automatic sprinkler system
sified as Group H
In Group I-2 occupancies, laboratories not classified as Group H
1 hour and provide automatic sprinkler system
In ambulatory care facilities, laboratories not classified as Group H 1 hour or provide automatic sprinkler system

Laundry rooms over 100 square feet
1 hour or provide automatic sprinkler system
In Group I-2, laundry rooms over 100 square feet
1 hour
Group I-3 cells and Group I-2 patient rooms equipped with padded
surfaces
1 hour
In Group I-2, physical plant maintenance shops
1 hour
In ambulatory care facilities or Group I-2 occupancies, waste and
linen collection rooms with containers that have an aggregate
volume of 10 cubic feet or greater
1 hour
In other than ambulatory care facilities and Group I-2 occupancies,
waste and linen collection rooms over 100 square feet
1 hour or provide automatic sprinkler system
In ambulatory care facilities or Group I-2 occupancies, storage
rooms greater than 100 square feet
1 hour
Electrical installations and transformers
See Sections 110.26 through 110.34 and Sections 450.8 through
450.48 of NFPA 70 for protection and separation requirements.
For SI: 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2, 1 pound per square inch (psi) = 6.9 kPa, 1 British thermal unit (Btu) per hour = 0.293 watts, 1 horsepower = 746 watts, 1
gallon = 3.785 L, 1 cubic foot = 0.0283 m3.
5-14
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509.2 Occupancy classification. Incidental uses shall not be
individually classified in accordance with Section 302.1.
Incidental uses shall be included in the building occupancies
within which they are located.
509.3 Area limitations. Incidental uses shall not occupy
more than 10 percent of the building area of the story in
which they are located.
509.4 Separation and protection. The incidental uses specified in Table 509.1 shall be separated from the remainder of
the building or equipped with an automatic sprinkler system,
or both, in accordance with the provisions of that table.
509.4.1 Separation. Where Table 509.1 specifies a fireresistance-rated separation, the incidental uses shall be
separated from the remainder of the building by a fire
barrier constructed in accordance with Section 707 or a
horizontal assembly constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both. Construction supporting 1-hour fire
barriers or horizontal assemblies used for incidental use
separations in buildings of Type IIB, IIIB and VB
construction is not required to be fire-resistance rated
unless required by other sections of this code.
509.4.1.1 Type IV-B and IV-C construction. Where
Table 509.1 specifies a fire-resistance-rated separation, mass timber elements serving as fire barriers or
horizontal assemblies in Type IV-B or IV-C construction shall be separated from the interior of the
incidental use with an approved thermal barrier
consisting of gypsum board that is not less than 1/2 inch
(12.7 mm) in thickness or a material that is tested in
accordance with and meets the acceptance criteria of
both the Temperature Transmission Fire Test and the
Integrity Fire Test of NFPA 275.
509.4.2 Protection. Where Table 509.1 permits an automatic sprinkler system without a fire barrier, the
incidental uses shall be separated from the remainder of
the building by construction capable of resisting the
passage of smoke. The walls shall extend from the top of
the foundation or floor assembly below to the underside
of the ceiling that is a component of a fire-resistancerated floor assembly or roof assembly above or to the
underside of the floor or roof sheathing, deck or slab
above. Doors shall be self- or automatic-closing upon
detection of smoke in accordance with Section 716.2.6.6.
Doors shall not have air transfer openings and shall not be
undercut in excess of the clearance permitted in accordance with NFPA 80. Walls surrounding the incidental
use shall not have air transfer openings unless provided
with smoke dampers in accordance with Section 710.8.
509.4.2.1 Protection limitation. Where an automatic
sprinkler system is provided in accordance with Table
509.1, only the space occupied by the incidental use
need be equipped with such a system.
exempt from, or modify, the specific requirements of this
chapter regarding the allowable building heights and areas
of buildings based on the occupancy classification and type
of construction, provided the special condition complies
with the provisions specified in this section for such condition and other applicable requirements of this code. The
provisions of Sections 510.2 through 510.8 are to be considered independent and separate from each other.
510.2 Horizontal building separation allowance. A building shall be considered as separate and distinct buildings for
the purpose of determining area limitations, continuity of
fire walls, limitation of number of stories and type of
construction where the following conditions are met:
1.
2.
3.
Exception: Where the enclosure walls below the
horizontal assembly have not less than a 3-hour
fire-resistance rating with opening protectives
in accordance with Section 716, the enclosure
walls extending above the horizontal assembly
shall be permitted to have a 1-hour fire-resistance rating, provided that the following
conditions are met:
1. The building above the horizontal assembly is not required to be of Type I
construction.
2. The enclosure connects fewer than four
stories.
4.
5.
SECTION 510
SPECIAL PROVISIONS
510.1 General. The provisions in Sections 510.2 through
510.9 shall permit the use of special conditions that are
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
The buildings are separated with a horizontal assembly having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 3
hours. Where vertical offsets are provided as part of a
horizontal assembly, the vertical offset and the structure supporting the vertical offset shall have a fireresistance rating of not less than 3 hours.
The building below, including the horizontal assembly, is of Type IA construction.
Shaft, stairway, ramp and escalator enclosures
through the horizontal assembly shall have not less
than a 2-hour fire-resistance rating with opening
protectives in accordance with Section 716.
6.
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3. The enclosure opening protectives above
the horizontal assembly have a fire
protection rating of not less than 1 hour.
Interior exit stairways located within the Type IA
building are permitted to be of combustible materials
where the following requirements are met:
4.1. The building above the Type IA building
is of Type III, IV, or V construction.
4.2. The stairway located in the Type IA building is enclosed by 3-hour fire-resistancerated construction with opening protectives in accordance with Section 716.
The building or buildings above the horizontal
assembly shall be permitted to have multiple Group
A occupancy uses, each with an occupant load of
less 300, or Group B, M, R or S occupancies.
The building below the horizontal assembly shall be
protected throughout by an approved automatic
5-15
GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
7,
sprinkler system in accordance with Section
903.3.1.1, and shall be permitted to be any occupancy allowed by this code except Group H.
The maximum building height in feet (mm) shall not
exceed the limits set forth in Section 504.3 for the
building having the smaller allowable height as
measured from the grade plane.
510.3 Group S-2 enclosed parking garage with Group S-2
open parking garage above. A Group S-2 enclosed parking
garage with not more than one story above grade plane and
located below a Group S-2 open parking garage shall be
classified as a separate and distinct building for the purpose
of determining the type of construction where the following
conditions are met:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The allowable area of the building shall be such that
the sum of the ratios of the actual area divided by the
allowable area for each separate occupancy shall not
exceed 1.
The Group S-2 enclosed parking garage is of Type I
or II construction and is at least equal to the fireresistance requirements of the Group S-2 open parking garage.
The height and the number of tiers of the Group S-2
open parking garage shall be limited as specified in
Table 406.5.4.
The floor assembly separating the Group S-2
enclosed parking garage and Group S-2 open parking
garage shall be protected as required for the floor
assembly of the Group S-2 enclosed parking garage.
Openings between the Group S-2 enclosed parking
garage and Group S-2 open parking garage, except
exit openings, shall not be required to be protected.
The Group S-2 enclosed parking garage is used
exclusively for the parking or storage of private
motor vehicles, but shall be permitted to contain an
office, waiting room and toilet room having a total
area of not more than 1,000 square feet (93 m2) and
mechanical equipment rooms associated with the
operation of the building.
510.4 Parking beneath Group R. Where a maximum one
story above grade plane Group S-2 parking garage, enclosed
or open, or combination thereof, of Type I construction or
open of Type IV construction, with grade entrance, is
provided under a building of Group R, the number of stories
to be used in determining the minimum type of construction
shall be measured from the floor above such a parking area.
The floor assembly between the parking garage and the
Group R above shall comply with the type of construction
required for the parking garage and shall also provide a fireresistance rating not less than the mixed occupancy separation required in Section 508.4.
510.5 Group R-1 and R-2 buildings of Type IIIA
construction. For buildings of Type IIIA construction in
Groups R-1 and R-2, the maximum allowable height in
Table 504.3 shall be increased by 10 feet (3048 mm) and the
maximum allowable number of stories in Table 504.4 shall
be increased by one where the first-floor assembly above the
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basement has a fire-resistance rating of not less than 3 hours
and the floor area is subdivided by 2-hour fire-resistancerated fire walls into areas of not more than 3,000 square feet
(279 m2).
510.6 Group R-1 and R-2 buildings of Type IIA construction. The height limitation for buildings of Type IIA
construction in Groups R-1 and R-2 shall be increased to
nine stories and 100 feet (30 480 mm) where the building is
separated by not less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) from any
other building on the lot and from lot lines, the exits are
segregated in an area enclosed by a 2-hour fire-resistancerated fire wall and the first floor assembly has a fire-resistance rating of not less than 11/2 hours.
510.7 Open parking garage beneath Groups A, I, B, M
and R. Open parking garages constructed under Groups A,
I, B, M and R shall not exceed the height and area limitations
permitted under Section 406.5. The height and area of the
portion of the building above the open parking garage shall
not exceed the limitations in Section 503 for the upper occupancy. The height, in both feet and stories, of the portion of
the building above the open parking garage shall be
measured from grade plane and shall include both the open
parking garage and the portion of the building above the
parking garage.
510.7.1 Fire separation. Fire barriers constructed in
accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies
constructed in accordance with Section 711 between the
parking occupancy and the upper occupancy shall correspond to the required fire-resistance rating prescribed in
Table 508.4 for the uses involved. The type of construction shall apply to each occupancy individually, except
that structural members, including main bracing within
the open parking structure, which is necessary to support
the upper occupancy, shall be protected with the more
restrictive fire-resistance-rated assemblies of the groups
involved as shown in Table 601. Means of egress for the
upper occupancy shall conform to Chapter 10 and shall be
separated from the parking occupancy by fire barriers
having not less than a 2-hour fire-resistance rating as
required by Section 707 with self-closing doors complying with Section 716 or horizontal assemblies having not
less than a 2-hour fire-resistance rating as required by
Section 711, with self-closing doors complying with
Section 716. Means of egress from the open parking
garage shall comply with Section 406.5.
510.8 Group B or M buildings with Group S-2 open
parking garage above. Group B or M occupancies located
below a Group S-2 open parking garage of a lesser type of
construction shall be considered as a separate and distinct
building from the Group S-2 open parking garage for the
purpose of determining the type of construction where the
following conditions are met:
1.
2.
The buildings are separated with a horizontal assembly having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2
hours.
The occupancies in the building below the horizontal
assembly are limited to Groups B and M.
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GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
3.
4.
The occupancy above the horizontal assembly is
limited to a Group S-2 open parking garage.
The building below the horizontal assembly is of
Type IA construction.
Exception: The building below the horizontal
assembly shall be permitted to be of Type IB or
II construction, but not less than the type of
construction required for the Group S-2 open
parking garage above, where the building below
is not greater than one story in height above
grade plane.
5.
6.
7.
The height and area of the building below the horizontal assembly does not exceed the limits set forth
in Section 503.
The height and area of the Group S-2 open parking
garage does not exceed the limits set forth in Section
406.5. The height, in both feet and stories, of the
Group S-2 open parking garage shall be measured
from grade plane and shall include the building
below the horizontal assembly.
Exits serving the Group S-2 open parking garage
discharge at grade with direct and unobstructed
access to a street or public way and are separated
from the building below the horizontal assembly by
2-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 707 or 2-hour horizontal assemblies
constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both.
510.9 Multiple buildings above a horizontal assembly.
Where two or more buildings are provided above the horizontal assembly separating a Group S-2 parking garage or
building below from the buildings above in accordance with
the special provisions in Section 510.2, 510.3 or 510.8, the
buildings above the horizontal assembly shall be regarded as
separate and distinct buildings from each other and shall
comply with all other provisions of this code as applicable to
each separate and distinct building.
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5-18
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
CHAPTER 6
TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
User note:
About this chapter: Chapter 6 establishes five types of construction in which each building must be categorized. This chapter looks at the
materials used in the building (combustible or noncombustible) and the extent to which building elements such as the building frame, roof,
wall and floor can resist fire. Depending on the type of construction and the specific building element, fire resistance of 1 to 3 hours is
specified.
SECTION 601
GENERAL
building elements shall not be required unless required by
other provisions of this code.
602.1.1 Minimum requirements. A building or portion
thereof shall not be required to conform to the details of a
type of construction higher than that type which meets the
minimum requirements based on occupancy even though
certain features of such a building actually conform to a
higher type of construction.
601.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall control the
classification of buildings as to type of construction.
SECTION 602
CONSTRUCTION CLASSIFICATION
602.1 General. Buildings and structures erected or to be
erected, altered or extended in height or area shall be classified in one of the five construction types defined in Sections
602.2 through 602.5. The building elements shall have a fireresistance rating not less than that specified in Table 601
and exterior walls shall have a fire-resistance rating not less
than that specified in Table 705.5. Where required to have a
fire-resistance rating by Table 601, building elements shall
comply with the applicable provisions of Section 703.2. The
protection of openings, ducts and air transfer openings in
602.2 Types I and II. Types I and II construction are those
types of construction in which the building elements specified in Table 601 are of noncombustible materials, except as
permitted in Section 603 and elsewhere in this code.
602.3 Type III. Type III construction is that type of
construction in which the exterior walls are of noncombustible materials and the interior building elements are of any
material permitted by this code. Fire-retardant-treated wood
framing and sheathing complying with Section 2303.2 shall
be permitted within exterior wall assemblies of a 2-hour
rating or less.
TABLE 601
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDING ELEMENTS (HOURS)
BUILDING ELEMENT
Primary structural framef (see Section 202)
Bearing walls
Exteriore, f
Interior
Nonbearing walls and partitions
Exterior
Nonbearing walls and partitions
Interiord
Floor construction and associated secondary
structural members (see Section 202)
Roof construction and associated secondary
structural members (see Section 202)
TYPE I
TYPE II
TYPE III
TYPE IV
TYPE V
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
C
HT
A
B
3a, b
2a, b, c
1b, c
0c
1b, c
0
3a
2a
2a
HT
1b, c
0
3
3a
2
2a
1
1
0
0
2
1
2
0
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
1/HTg
1
1
0
0
See Table 705.5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
See
Section
2304.11.2
0
0
2
2
1
0
1
0
2
2
2
HT
1
0
11/2b
1b,c
1b,c
0c
1b,c
0
11/2
1
1
HT
1b,c
0
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
a. Roof supports: Fire-resistance ratings of primary structural frame and bearing walls are permitted to be reduced by 1 hour where supporting a roof only.
b. Except in Group F-1, H, M and S-1 occupancies, fire protection of structural members in roof construction shall not be required, including protection of
primary structural frame members, roof framing and decking where every part of the roof construction is 20 feet or more above any floor immediately
below. Fire-retardant-treated wood members shall be allowed to be used for such unprotected members.
c. In all occupancies, heavy timber complying with Section 2304.11 shall be allowed for roof construction, including primary structural frame members,
where a 1-hour or less fire-resistance rating is required.
d. Not less than the fire-resistance rating required by other sections of this code.
e. Not less than the fire-resistance rating based on fire separation distance (see Table 705.5).
f. Not less than the fire-resistance rating as referenced in Section 704.10.
g. Heavy timber bearing walls supporting more than two floors or more than a floor and a roof shall have a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hour.
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6-1
TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
602.4 Type IV. Type IV construction is that type of
construction in which the building elements are mass timber
or noncombustible materials and have fire-resistance ratings
in accordance with Table 601. Mass timber elements shall
meet the fire-resistance-rating requirements of this section
based on either the fire-resistance rating of the noncombustible protection, the mass timber, or a combination of both and
shall be determined in accordance with Section 703.2. The
minimum dimensions and permitted materials for building
elements shall comply with the provisions of this section and
Section 2304.11. Mass timber elements of Types IV-A, IV-B
and IV-C construction shall be protected with noncombustible protection applied directly to the mass timber in
accordance with Sections 602.4.1 through 602.4.3. The time
assigned to the noncombustible protection shall be determined in accordance with Section 703.6 and comply with
Section 722.7.
covering shall be of noncombustible material except
water-resistive barriers having a peak heat release rate
of less than 150kW/m2, a total heat release of less than
20 MJ/m2 and an effective heat of combustion of less
than 18MJ/kg as determined in accordance with
ASTM E1354 and having a flame spread index of 25
or less and a smoke-developed index of 450 or less as
determined in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723.
The ASTM E1354 test shall be conducted on specimens at the thickness intended for use, in the
horizontal orientation and at an incident radiant heat
flux of 50 kW/m2.
Cross-laminated timber shall be labeled as conforming to
ANSI/APA PRG 320 as referenced in Section 2303.1.4.
602.4.1.2.1 Protection time. Noncombustible
protection shall contribute a time equal to or greater
than times assigned in Table 722.7.1(1), but not less
than 80 minutes. The use of materials and their
respective protection contributions specified in
Table 722.7.1(2) shall be permitted to be used for
compliance with Section 722.7.1.
602.4.1.2 Interior protection. Interior faces of all
mass timber elements, including the inside faces of
exterior mass timber walls and mass timber roofs, shall
be protected with materials complying with Section
703.3.
Exterior load-bearing walls and nonload-bearing walls
shall be mass timber construction, or shall be of noncombustible construction.
Exception: Exterior load-bearing walls and nonloadbearing walls of Type IV-HT Construction in accordance
with Section 602.4.4.
The interior building elements , including nonload-bearing walls and partitions, shall be of mass timber construction
or of noncombustible construction.
Exception: Interior building elements and nonload-bearing walls and partitions of Type IV-HT construction in
accordance with Section 602.4.4.
Combustible concealed spaces are not permitted except as
otherwise indicated in Sections 602.4.1 through 602.4.4.
Combustible stud spaces within light frame walls of Type
IV-HT construction shall not be considered concealed
spaces, but shall comply with Section 718.
In buildings of Type IV-A, IV-B, and IV-C construction
with an occupied floor located more than 75 feet (22 860
mm) above the lowest level of fire department access, up to
and including 12 stories or 180 feet (54 864 mm) above
grade plane, mass timber interior exit and elevator hoistway
enclosures shall be protected in accordance with Section
602.4.1.2. In buildings greater than 12 stories or 180 feet (54
864 mm) above grade plane, interior exit and elevator hoistway enclosures shall be constructed of noncombustible
materials.
602.4.1 Type IV-A. Building elements in Type IV-A
construction shall be protected in accordance with
Sections 602.4.1.1 through 602.4.1.6. The required fireresistance rating of noncombustible elements and
protected mass timber elements shall be determined in
accordance with Section 703.2.
602.4.1.1 Exterior protection. The outside face of
exterior walls of mass timber construction shall be
protected with noncombustible protection with a minimum assigned time of 40 minutes, as specified in
Table 722.7.1(1). Components of the exterior wall
6-2
602.4.1.3 Floors. The floor assembly shall contain a
noncombustible material not less than 1 inch (25 mm)
in thickness above the mass timber. Floor finishes in
accordance with Section 804 shall be permitted on top
of the noncombustible material. The underside of floor
assemblies shall be protected in accordance with
Section 602.4.1.2.
602.4.1.4 Roofs. The interior surfaces of roof assemblies shall be protected in accordance with Section
602.4.1.2. Roof coverings in accordance with Chapter
15 shall be permitted on the outside surface of the roof
assembly.
602.4.1.5 Concealed spaces. Concealed spaces shall
not contain combustibles other than electrical,
mechanical, fire protection, or plumbing materials and
equipment permitted in plenums in accordance with
Section 602 of the International Mechanical Code,
and shall comply with all applicable provisions of
Section 718. Combustible construction forming
concealed spaces shall be protected in accordance with
Section 602.4.1.2.
602.4.1.6 Shafts. Shafts shall be permitted in accordance with Sections 713 and 718. Both the shaft side
and room side of mass timber elements shall be
protected in accordance with Section 602.4.1.2.
602.4.2 Type IV-B. Building elements in Type IV-B
construction shall be protected in accordance with
Sections 602.4.2.1 through 602.4.2.6. The required fireresistance rating of noncombustible elements or mass
timber elements shall be determined in accordance with
Section 703.2.
602.4.2.1 Exterior protection. The outside face of
exterior walls of mass timber construction shall be
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
protected with noncombustible protection with a minimum assigned time of 40 minutes, as specified in
Table 722.7.1(1). Components of the exterior wall
covering shall be of noncombustible material except
water-resistive barriers having a peak heat release rate
of less than 150kW/m2, a total heat release of less than
20 MJ/m2 and an effective heat of combustion of less
than 18MJ/kg as determined in accordance with
ASTM E1354, and having a flame spread index of 25
or less and a smoke-developed index of 450 or less as
determined in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723.
The ASTM E1354 test shall be conducted on specimens at the thickness intended for use, in the
horizontal orientation and at an incident radiant heat
flux of 50 kW/m2.
602.4.2.2 Interior protection. Interior faces of all
mass timber elements, including the inside face of
exterior mass timber walls and mass timber roofs, shall
be protected, as required by this section, with materials
complying with Section 707.3.
602.4.2.2.1 Protection time. Noncombustible
protection shall contribute a time equal to or greater
than times assigned in Table 722.7.1(1), but not less
than 80 minutes. The use of materials and their
respective protection contributions specified in
Table 722.7.1(2) shall be permitted to be used for
compliance with Section 722.7.1.
602.4.2.2.2 Protected area. Interior faces of mass
timber elements, including the inside face of exterior mass timber walls and mass timber roofs, shall
be protected in accordance with Section 602.4.2.2.1.
Exceptions: Unprotected portions of mass
timber ceilings and walls complying with
Section 602.4.2.2.4 and the following:
1. Unprotected portions of mass timber ceilings and walls complying with one of the
following:
1.1. Unprotected portions of mass
timber ceilings, including attached
beams, shall be permitted and shall
be limited to an area equal to 20
percent of the floor area in any
dwelling unit or fire area.
1.2. Unprotected portions of mass
timber walls, including attached
columns, shall be permitted and
shall be limited to an area equal to
40 percent of the floor area in any
dwelling unit or fire area.
1.3. Unprotected portions of both walls
and ceilings of mass timber,
including attached columns and
beams, in any dwelling unit or fire
area shall be permitted in accordance with Section 602.4.2.2.3.
2. Mass timber columns and beams that are
not an integral portion of walls or ceil-
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ings, respectively, shall be permitted to
be unprotected without restriction of
either aggregate area or separation from
one another.
602.4.2.2.3 Mixed unprotected areas. In each
dwelling unit or fire area, where both portions of
ceilings and portions of walls are unprotected, the
total allowable unprotected area shall be determined
in accordance with Equation 6-1.
(Utc/Uac)  (Utw/Uaw)  1
(Equation 6-1)
where:
Utc = Total unprotected mass timber ceiling areas.
Uac = Allowable unprotected mass timber ceiling
area conforming to Exception 1.1 of Section
602.4.2.2.2.
Utw = Total unprotected mass timber wall areas.
Uaw = Allowable unprotected mass timber wall area
conforming to Exception 1.2 of Section
602.4.2.2.2.
602.4.2.2.4 Separation distance between unprotected mass timber elements. In each dwelling unit
or fire area, unprotected portions of mass timber
walls and ceilings shall be not less than 15 feet (4572
mm) from unprotected portions of other walls and
ceilings, measured horizontally along the ceiling
and from other unprotected portions of walls
measured horizontally along the floor.
602.4.2.3 Floors. The floor assembly shall contain a
noncombustible material not less than 1 inch (25 mm)
in thickness above the mass timber. Floor finishes in
accordance with Section 804 shall be permitted on top
of the noncombustible material. The underside of floor
assemblies shall be protected in accordance with
Section 602.4.1.2.
602.4.2.4 Roofs. The interior surfaces of roof assemblies shall be protected in accordance with Section
602.4.2.2 except, in nonoccupiable spaces, they shall
be treated as a concealed space with no portion left
unprotected. Roof coverings in accordance with Chapter 15 shall be permitted on the outside surface of the
roof assembly.
602.4.2.5 Concealed spaces. Concealed spaces shall
not contain combustibles other than electrical,
mechanical, fire protection, or plumbing materials and
equipment permitted in plenums in accordance with
Section 602 of the International Mechanical Code,
and shall comply with all applicable provisions of
Section 718. Combustible construction forming
concealed spaces shall be protected in accordance with
Section 602.4.1.2.
602.4.2.6 Shafts. Shafts shall be permitted in accordance with Sections 713 and 718. Both the shaft side
and room side of mass timber elements shall be
protected in accordance with Section 602.4.1.2.
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TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
602.4.3 Type IV-C. Building elements in Type IV-C
construction shall be protected in accordance with
Sections 602.4.3.1 through 602.4.3.6. The required fireresistance rating of building elements shall be determined
in accordance with Section 703.2.
602.4.3.1 Exterior protection. The exterior side of
walls of combustible construction shall be protected
with noncombustible protection with a minimum
assigned time of 40 minutes, as determined in Table
722.7.1(1). Components of the exterior wall covering
shall be of noncombustible material except waterresistive barriers having a peak heat release rate of
less than 150 kW/m2, a total heat release of less than
20 MJ/m2 and an effective heat of combustion of less
than 18 MJ/kg as determined in accordance with
ASTM E1354 and having a flame spread index of 25
or less and a smoke-developed index of 450 or less as
determined in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723.
The ASTM E1354 test shall be conducted on specimens at the thickness intended for use, in the
horizontal orientation and at an incident radiant heat
flux of 50 kW/m2.
the details of Type IV construction shall comply with the
provisions of this section and Section 2304.11. Exterior
walls complying with Section 602.4.4.1 or 602.4.4.2 shall
be permitted. Interior walls and partitions not less than 1hour fire-resistance rated or heavy timber conforming
with Section 2304.11.2.2 shall be permitted.
602.4.4.1 Fire-retardant-treated wood in exterior
walls. Fire-retardant-treated wood framing and
sheathing complying with Section 2303.2 shall be
permitted within exterior wall assemblies with a 2hour rating or less.
602.4.4.2 Cross-laminated timber in exterior walls.
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) not less than 4 inches
(102 mm) in thickness complying with Section
2303.1.4 shall be permitted within exterior wall
assemblies with a 2-hour rating or less. Heavy timber
structural members appurtenant to the CLT exterior
wall shall meet the requirements of Table 2304.11 and
be fire-resistance rated as required for the exterior
wall. The exterior surface of the cross-laminated
timber and heavy timber elements shall be protected
by one the following:
602.4.3.2 Interior protection. Mass timber elements
are permitted to be unprotected.
1.
602.4.3.3 Floors. Floor finishes in accordance with
Section 804 shall be permitted on top of the floor
construction.
2.
602.4.3.4 Roof coverings. Roof coverings in accordance with Chapter 15 shall be permitted on the
outside surface of the roof assembly.
602.4.3.5 Concealed spaces. Concealed spaces shall
not contain combustibles other than electrical,
mechanical, fire protection, or plumbing materials and
equipment permitted in plenums in accordance with
Section 602 of the International Mechanical Code,
and shall comply with all applicable provisions of
Section 718. Combustible construction forming
concealed spaces shall be protected with noncombustible protection with a minimum assigned time of 40
minutes, as specified in Table 722.7.1(1).
3.
602.4.4.3 Concealed spaces. Concealed spaces shall
not contain combustible materials other than building
elements and electrical, mechanical, fire protection, or
plumbing materials and equipment permitted in
plenums in accordance with Section 602 of the International Mechanical Code. Concealed spaces shall
comply with applicable provisions of Section 718.
Concealed spaces shall be protected in accordance
with one or more of the following:
1.
602.4.3.6 Shafts. Shafts shall be permitted in accordance with Sections 713 and 718. Shafts and elevator
hoistway and interior exit stairway enclosures shall be
protected with noncombustible protection with a minimum assigned time of 40 minutes, as specified in
Table 722.7.1(1), on both the inside of the shaft and
the outside of the shaft.
602.4.4 Type IV-HT. Type IV-HT (Heavy Timber)
construction is that type of construction in which the exterior walls are of noncombustible materials and the
interior building elements are of solid wood, laminated
heavy timber or structural composite lumber (SCL), without concealed spaces or with concealed spaces complying
with Section 602.4.4.3. The minimum dimensions for
permitted materials including solid timber, glued-laminated timber, SCL and cross-laminated timber (CLT) and
6-4
Fire-retardant-treated
wood
sheathing
complying with Section 2303.2 and not less
than 15/32 inch (12 mm) thick.
Gypsum board not less than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm)
thick.
A noncombustible material.
2.
3.
The building shall be sprinklered throughout in
accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and automatic sprinklers shall also be provided in the
concealed space.
The concealed space shall be completely filled
with noncombustible insulation.
Surfaces within the concealed space shall be
fully sheathed with not less than 5/8-inch Type
X gypsum board.
Exception: Concealed spaces within interior walls
and partitions with a 1-hour or greater fire-resistance
rating complying with Section 2304.11.2.2 shall not
require additional protection.
602.4.4.4 Exterior structural members. Where a
horizontal separation of 20 feet (6096 mm) or more is
provided, wood columns and arches conforming to
heavy timber sizes complying with Section 2304.11
shall be permitted to be used externally.
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TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
602.5 Type V. Type V construction is that type of construction in which the structural elements, exterior walls and
interior walls are of any materials permitted by this code.
SECTION 603
COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL
IN TYPES I AND II CONSTRUCTION
603.1 Allowable materials. Combustible materials shall be
permitted in buildings of Type I or II construction in the
following applications and in accordance with Sections
603.1.1 through 603.1.3:
1. Fire-retardant-treated wood shall be permitted in:
1.1. Nonbearing partitions where the required
fire-resistance rating is 2 hours or less
except in shaft enclosures within Group I-2
occupancies and ambulatory care facilities.
1.2. Nonbearing exterior walls where fireresistance-rated construction is not
required.
1.3. Roof construction, including girders,
trusses, framing and decking.
Exceptions:
1.
In buildings of Type IA construction exceeding two stories
above grade plane, fire-retardant-treated wood is not
permitted in roof construction
where the vertical distance from
the upper floor to the roof is
less than 20 feet (6096 mm).
2. Group I-2, roof construction
containing fire-retardant-treated
wood shall be covered by not
less than a Class A roof covering
or roof assembly, and the roof
assembly shall have a fire-resistance rating where required by
the construction type.
1.4. Balconies, porches, decks and exterior
stairways not used as required exits on
buildings three stories or less above grade
plane.
2. Thermal and acoustical insulation, other than foam
plastics, having a flame spread index of not more
than 25.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
Insulation placed between two layers of
noncombustible materials without an
intervening airspace shall be allowed to
have a flame spread index of not more
than 100.
Insulation installed between a finished
floor and solid decking without intervening airspace shall be allowed to have a
flame spread index of not more than 200.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
3. Foam plastics in accordance with Chapter 26.
4. Roof coverings that have an A, B or C classification.
5. Interior floor finish and floor covering materials
installed in accordance with Section 804.
6. Millwork such as doors, door frames, window sashes
and frames.
7. Interior wall and ceiling finishes installed in accordance with Section 803.
8. Trim installed in accordance with Section 806.
9. Where not installed greater than 15 feet (4572 mm)
above grade, show windows, nailing or furring strips
and wooden bulkheads below show windows, including their frames, aprons and show cases.
10. Finish flooring installed in accordance with Section
805.
11. Partitions dividing portions of stores, offices or similar places occupied by one tenant only and that do not
establish a corridor serving an occupant load of 30
or more shall be permitted to be constructed of fireretardant-treated wood, 1-hour fire-resistance-rated
construction or of wood panels or similar light
construction up to 6 feet (1829 mm) in height.
12. Stages and platforms constructed in accordance with
Sections 410.2 and 410.3, respectively.
13. Combustible exterior wall coverings, balconies and
similar projections and bay or oriel windows in
accordance with Chapter 14 and Section 705.2.3.1.
14. Blocking such as for handrails, millwork, cabinets
and window and door frames.
15. Light-transmitting plastics as permitted by Chapter 26.
16. Mastics and caulking materials applied to provide
flexible seals between components of exterior wall
construction.
17. Exterior plastic veneer installed in accordance with
Section 2605.2.
18. Nailing or furring strips as permitted by Section
803.15.
19. Heavy timber as permitted by Note c to Table 601
and Sections 602.4.4.4 and 705.2.3.1.
20. Aggregates, component materials and admixtures as
permitted by Section 703.2.1.2.
21. Sprayed fire-resistant materials and intumescent and
mastic fire-resistant coatings, determined on the
basis of fire resistance tests in accordance with
Section 703.2 and installed in accordance with
Sections 1705.15 and 1705.16, respectively.
22. Materials used to protect penetrations in fire-resistance-rated assemblies in accordance with Section
714.
23. Materials used to protect joints in fire-resistancerated assemblies in accordance with Section 715.
24. Materials allowed in the concealed spaces of buildings of Types I and II construction in accordance
with Section 718.5.
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6-5
TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
25. Materials exposed within plenums complying with
Section 602 of the International Mechanical Code.
26. Wall construction of freezers and coolers of less than
1,000 square feet (92.9 m2), in size, lined on both
sides with noncombustible materials and the building
is protected throughout with an automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
27. Wood nailers for parapet flashing and roof cants.
603.1.1 Ducts. The use of nonmetallic ducts shall be
permitted where installed in accordance with the limitations of the International Mechanical Code.
603.1.2 Piping. The use of combustible piping materials
shall be permitted where installed in accordance with the
limitations of the International Mechanical Code and the
International Plumbing Code.
603.1.3 Electrical. The use of electrical wiring methods
with combustible insulation, tubing, raceways and related
components shall be permitted where installed in accordance with the limitations of this code.
6-6
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
CHAPTER 7
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
User note:
About this chapter: Chapter 7 provides detailed requirements for fire-resistance-rated construction, including structural members, walls,
partitions and horizontal assemblies. Other portions of the code describe where certain fire-resistance-rated elements are required. This
chapter specifies how these elements are constructed, how openings in walls and partitions are protected and how penetrations of such
elements are protected.
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.
SECTION 702
MULTIPLE-USE FIRE ASSEMBLIES
702.1 Multiple-use fire assemblies. Fire assemblies that
serve multiple purposes in a building shall comply with all of
the requirements that are applicable for each of the individual fire assemblies.
SECTION 703
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATINGS AND FIRE TESTS
703.1 Scope. Materials prescribed herein for fire resistance
shall conform to the requirements of this chapter.
703.2 Fire resistance. The fire-resistance rating of building
elements, components or assemblies shall be determined in
accordance with Section 703.2.1 or 703.2.2 without the use
of automatic sprinklers or any other fire suppression system
being incorporated, or in accordance with Section 703.2.3.
703.2.1 Tested assemblies. A fire-resistance rating of
building elements, components or assemblies shall be
determined by the test procedures set forth in ASTM
E119 or UL 263. The fire-resistance rating of penetrations and fire-resistant joint systems shall be determined
in accordance with Sections 714 and 715, respectively.
703.2.1.1 Nonsymmetrical wall construction. Interior walls and partitions of nonsymmetrical
construction shall be tested with both faces exposed to
the furnace, and the assigned fire-resistance rating
shall be the shortest duration obtained from the two
tests conducted in compliance with ASTM E119 or UL
263. Where evidence is furnished to show that the wall
was tested with the least fire-resistant side exposed to
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the furnace, subject to acceptance of the building official, the wall need not be subjected to tests from the
opposite side (see Section 705.5 for exterior walls).
703.2.1.2 Combustible components. Combustible
aggregates are permitted in gypsum and Portland
cement concrete mixtures for fire-resistance-rated
construction. Any component material or admixture is
permitted in assemblies if the resulting tested assembly
meets the fire-resistance test requirements of this
code.
703.2.1.3 Restrained classification. Fire-resistancerated assemblies tested under ASTM E119 or UL 263
shall not be considered to be restrained unless
evidence satisfactory to the building official is
furnished by the registered design professional showing that the construction qualifies for a restrained
classification in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL
263. Restrained construction shall be identified on the
construction documents.
703.2.1.4 Supplemental features. Where materials,
systems or devices that have not been tested as part of
a fire-resistance-rated assembly are incorporated into
the building element, component or assembly, sufficient data shall be made available to the building
official to show that the required fire-resistance rating
is not reduced.
703.2.1.5 Exterior bearing walls. In determining the
fire-resistance rating of exterior bearing walls,
compliance with the ASTM E119 or UL 263 criteria
for unexposed surface temperature rise and ignition of
cotton waste due to passage of flame or gases is
required only for a period of time corresponding to the
required fire-resistance rating of an exterior nonbearing wall with the same fire separation distance, and in
a building of the same group. Where the fire-resistance rating determined in accordance with this
exception exceeds the fire-resistance rating determined in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL 263, the
fire exposure time period, water pressure and application duration criteria for the hose stream test of ASTM
E119 or UL 263 shall be based on the fire-resistance
rating determined in accordance with this section.
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
703.2.2 Analytical methods. The fire resistance of building elements , components or assemblies established by
an analytical method shall be by any of the methods listed
in this section, based on the fire exposure and acceptance
criteria specified in ASTM E119 or UL 263.
1.
2.
3.
4.

5.
Fire-resistance designs documented in approved
sources.
Prescriptive designs of fire-resistance-rated building elements, components or assemblies as
prescribed in Section 721.
Calculations in accordance with Section 722.
Engineering analysis based on a comparison of
building element, component or assemblies
designs having fire-resistance ratings as determined by the test procedures set forth in ASTM
E119 or UL 263.
Fire-resistance designs certified by an approved
agency.
703.2.3 Approved alternate method. The fire resistance
of building elements, components or assemblies not
complying with Section 703.2.1 or 703.2.2 shall be
permitted to be established by an alternative protection
method in accordance with Section 104.11.
703.3 Noncombustibility tests. The tests indicated in
Section 703.3.1 shall serve as criteria for acceptance of
building materials as set forth in Sections 602.2, 602.3 and
602.4 in Types I, II, III and IV construction. The term
“noncombustible” does not apply to the flame spread characteristics of interior finish or trim materials. A material shall
not be classified as a noncombustible building construction
material if it is subject to an increase in combustibility or
flame spread beyond the limitations herein established
through the effects of age, moisture or other atmospheric
conditions.
703.3.1 Noncombustible materials. Materials required
to be noncombustible shall be tested in accordance with
ASTM E136. Alternately, materials required to be
noncombustible shall be tested in accordance with ASTM
E2652 using the acceptance criteria prescribed by ASTM
E136.


Exception: Materials having a structural base of
noncombustible material as determined in accordance
with ASTM E136, or with ASTM E2652 using the
acceptance criteria prescribed by ASTM E136, with a
surfacing of not more than 0.125 inch (3.18 mm) in
thickness having a flame spread index not greater than
50 when tested in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL
723 shall be acceptable as noncombustible.
703.4 Fire-resistance-rated glazing. Fire-resistance-rated
glazing, when tested in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL
263 and complying with the requirements of Section 707,
shall be permitted. Fire-resistance-rated glazing shall bear a
label marked in accordance with Table 716.1(1) issued by an
agency and shall be permanently identified on the glazing.
703.5 Marking and identification. Where there is an accessible concealed floor, floor-ceiling or attic space, fire walls,
fire barriers, fire partitions, smoke barriers and smoke parti7-2
tions or any other wall required to have protected openings
or penetrations shall be effectively and permanently identified with signs or stenciling in the concealed space. Such
identification shall:
1.
2.
Be located within 15 feet (4572 mm) of the end of
each wall and at intervals not exceeding 30 feet
(9144 mm) measured horizontally along the wall or
partition.
Include lettering not less than 3 inches (76 mm) in
height with a minimum 3/8-inch (9.5 mm) stroke in a
contrasting color incorporating the suggested wording, “FIRE AND/OR SMOKE BARRIER—
PROTECT ALL OPENINGS,” or other wording.
703.6 Determination of noncombustible protection time
contribution. The time, in minutes, contributed to the fireresistance rating by the noncombustible protection of mass
timber building elements, components, or assemblies, shall
be established through a comparison of assemblies tested
using procedures set forth in ASTM E119 or UL 263. The
test assemblies shall be identical in construction, loading and
materials, other than the noncombustible protection. The two
test assemblies shall be tested to the same criteria of structural failure with the following conditions:
1.
2.
Test Assembly 1 shall be without protection.
Test Assembly 2 shall include the representative
noncombustible protection. The protection shall be
fully defined in terms of configuration details, attachment details, joint sealing details, accessories and all
other relevant details.
The noncombustible protection time contribution shall be
determined by subtracting the fire-resistance time, in
minutes, of Test Assembly 1 from the fire-resistance time, in
minutes, of Test Assembly 2.
703.7 Sealing of adjacent mass timber elements. In buildings of Types IV-A, IV-B and IV-C construction, sealant or
adhesive shall be provided to resist the passage of air in the
following locations:
1.
2.
At abutting edges and intersections of mass timber
building elements required to be fire-resistance rated.
At abutting intersections of mass timber building
elements and building elements of other materials
where both are required to be fire-resistance rated.
Sealants shall meet the requirements of ASTM C920.
Adhesives shall meet the requirements of ASTM D3498.
Exception: Sealants or adhesives need not be provided
where they are not a required component of a tested fireresistance-rated assembly.
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 be not less
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
than the ratings required for the fire-resistance-rated assemblies supported by the structural members.
Exception: Fire barriers, fire partitions, smoke barriers
and horizontal assemblies as provided in Sections 707.5,
708.4, 709.4 and 711.2, respectively.
704.2 Column protection. Where columns are required to
have protection to achieve a fire-resistance rating, the entire
column shall be provided individual encasement protection
by protecting it on all sides for the full column height,
including connections to other structural members, with
materials having the required fire-resistance rating. Where
the column extends through a ceiling, the encasement
protection shall be continuous from the top of the foundation
or floor/ceiling assembly below through the ceiling space to
the top of the column.
Exception: Columns that meet the limitations of Section
704.4.1.
704.3 Protection of the primary structural frame other
than columns. Members of the primary structural frame
other than columns that are required to have protection to
achieve a fire-resistance rating and support more than two
floors or one floor and roof, or support a load-bearing wall
or a nonload-bearing wall more than two stories high, shall
be provided individual encasement protection by protecting
them on all sides for the full length, including connections to
other structural members, with materials having the required
fire-resistance rating.
Exception: Individual encasement protection on all sides
shall be permitted on all exposed sides provided that the
extent of protection is in accordance with the required
fire-resistance rating, as determined in Section 703.
704.4 Protection of secondary structural members.
Secondary structural members that are required to have
protection to achieve a fire-resistance rating shall be
protected by individual encasement protection.
704.4.1 Light-frame construction. Studs, columns and
boundary elements that are integral elements in walls of
light-frame construction and are located entirely between
the top and bottom plates or tracks shall be permitted to
have required fire-resistance ratings provided by the
membrane protection provided for the wall.
704.4.2 Horizontal assemblies. Horizontal assemblies
are permitted to be protected with a membrane or ceiling
where the membrane or ceiling provides the required fireresistance rating and is installed in accordance with
Section 711.
704.5 Truss protection. The required thickness and
construction of fire-resistance-rated assemblies enclosing
trusses shall be based on the results of full-scale tests or
combinations of tests on truss components or on approved
calculations based on such tests that satisfactorily demonstrate that the assembly has the required fire resistance.
704.6 Attachments to structural members. The edges of
lugs, brackets, rivets and bolt heads attached to structural
members shall be permitted to extend to within 1 inch (25
mm) of the surface of the fire protection.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
704.6.1 Secondary attachments to structural
members. Where primary and secondary structural steel
members require fire protection, secondary steel attachments to those structural members shall be protected with
the same fire-resistive material and thickness as required
for the structural member. The protection shall extend
away from the structural member a distance of not less
than 12 inches (305 mm), or shall be applied to the entire
length where the attachment is less than 12 inches (305
mm) long. Where an attachment is hollow and the ends
are open, the fire-resistive material and thickness shall be
applied to both exterior and interior of the hollow steel
attachment.
704.7 Reinforcing. Thickness of protection for concrete or
masonry reinforcement shall be measured to the outside of
the reinforcement except that stirrups and spiral reinforcement ties are permitted to project not more than 0.5 inch
(12.7 mm) into the protection.
704.8 Embedments and enclosures. Pipes, wires, conduits,
ducts or other service facilities shall not be embedded in the
required fire protective covering of a structural member that
is required to be individually encased.
704.9 Impact protection. Where the fire protective covering
of a structural member is subject to impact damage from
moving vehicles, the handling of merchandise or other activity, the fire protective covering shall be protected by corner
guards or by a substantial jacket of metal or other noncombustible material to a height adequate to provide full
protection, but not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) from the
finished floor.
Exception: Corner protection is not required on concrete
columns in parking garages.
704.10 Exterior structural members. Load-bearing structural members located within the exterior walls or on the
outside of a building or structure shall be provided with the
highest fire-resistance rating as determined in accordance
with the following:
1.
2.
3.
As required by Table 601 for the type of building
element based on the type of construction of the
building.
As required by Table 601 for exterior bearing walls
based on the type of construction.
As required by Table 705.5 for exterior walls based
on the fire separation distance.
704.11 Bottom flange protection. Fire protection is not
required at the bottom flange of lintels, shelf angles and
plates, spanning not more than 6 feet 4 inches (1931 mm)
whether part of the primary structural frame or not, and
from the bottom flange of lintels, shelf angles and plates not
part of the structural frame, regardless of span.
704.12 Seismic isolation systems. Fire-resistance ratings
for the isolation system shall meet the fire-resistance rating
required for the columns, walls or other structural elements
in which the isolation system is installed in accordance with
Table 601. Isolation systems required to have a fire-resistance rating shall be protected with approved materials or
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
construction assemblies designed to provide the same degree
of fire resistance as the structural element in which the
system is installed when tested in accordance with ASTM
E119 or UL 263 (see Section 703.2).
Such isolation system protection applied to isolator units
shall be capable of retarding the transfer of heat to the isolator unit in such a manner that the required gravity loadcarrying capacity of the isolator unit will not be impaired
after exposure to the standard time-temperature curve fire
test prescribed in ASTM E119 or UL 263 for a duration not
less than that required for the fire-resistance rating of the
structure element in which the system is installed.
ASTM E736. Where testing of the SFRM with primers, paints or encapsulants demonstrates that required
adhesion is maintained, SFRM shall be permitted to be
applied to primed, painted or encapsulated wide flange
steel shapes in accordance with the following
conditions:
1.
2.
3.
Such isolation system protection applied to isolator units
shall be suitably designed and securely installed so as not to
dislodge, loosen, sustain damage or otherwise impair its ability to accommodate the seismic movements for which the
isolator unit is designed and to maintain its integrity for the
purpose of providing the required fire-resistance protection.
4.
704.13 Sprayed fire-resistant materials (SFRM). Sprayed
fire-resistant materials (SFRM) shall comply with Sections
704.13.1 through 704.13.5.
704.13.1 Fire-resistance rating. The application of
SFRM shall be consistent with the fire-resistance rating
and the listing, including, but not limited to, minimum
thickness and dry density of the applied SFRM, method
of application, substrate surface conditions and the use of
bonding adhesives, sealants, reinforcing or other
materials.
704.13.2 Manufacturer’s installation instructions. The
application of SFRM shall be in accordance with the
manufacturer’s installation instructions. The instructions
shall include, but are not limited to, substrate temperatures and surface conditions and SFRM handling, storage,
mixing, conveyance, method of application, curing and
ventilation.
704.13.3 Substrate condition. The SFRM shall be
applied to a substrate in compliance with Sections
704.13.3.1 and 704.13.3.2.
704.13.3.1 Surface conditions. Substrates to receive
SFRM shall be free of dirt, oil, grease, release agents,
loose scale and any other condition that prevents adhesion. The substrates shall be free of primers, paints and
encapsulants other than those fire tested and listed by a
nationally recognized testing agency. Primed, painted
or encapsulated steel shall be allowed, provided that
testing has demonstrated that required adhesion is
maintained.
704.13.3.2 Primers, paints and encapsulants. Where
the SFRM is to be applied over primers, paints or
encapsulants other than those specified in the listing,
the material shall be field tested in accordance with
7-4
The beam flange width does not exceed 12
inches (305 mm); or
The column flange width does not exceed 16
inches (400 mm); or
The beam or column web depth does not
exceed 16 inches (400 mm).
The average and minimum bond strength
values shall be determined based on not fewer
than five bond tests conducted in accordance
with ASTM E736. Bond tests conducted in
accordance with ASTM E736 shall indicate an
average bond strength of not less than 80
percent and an individual bond strength of not
less than 50 percent, when compared to the
bond strength of the SFRM as applied to clean,
uncoated 1/8-inch-thick (3.2 mm) steel plate.
704.13.4 Temperature. A minimum
substrate temperature of 40°F (4.44°C)
tained during and for not fewer than 24
application of the SFRM, unless the
instructions allow otherwise.
ambient and
shall be mainhours after the
manufacturer’s
704.13.5 Finished condition. The finished condition of
SFRM applied to structural members or assemblies shall
not, upon complete drying or curing, exhibit cracks,
voids, spalls, delamination or any exposure of the
substrate. Surface irregularities of SFRM shall be deemed
acceptable.
SECTION 705
EXTERIOR WALLS
705.1 General. Exterior walls shall comply with this
section.
705.2 Projections. Cornices, eave overhangs, exterior
balconies and similar projections extending beyond the exterior wall shall conform to the requirements of this section
and Section 1405. Exterior egress balconies and exterior exit
stairways and ramps shall comply with Sections 1021 and
1027, respectively. Projections shall not extend any closer to
the line used to determine the fire separation distance than
shown in Table 705.2.
Exception: Buildings on the same lot and considered as
portions of one building in accordance with Section 705.3
are not required to comply with this section for projections between the buildings.
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 705.2
MINIMUM DISTANCE OF PROJECTION
FIRE SEPARATION DISTANCE
(FSD) (feet)
0 to less than 2
MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LINE
USED TO DETERMINE FSD
2 to less than 3
24 inches
3 to less than 5
Two-thirds of FSD
5 or greater
40 inches
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm; 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
705.2.1 Types I and II construction. Projections from
walls of Type I or II construction shall be of noncombustible materials or combustible materials as allowed by
Sections 705.2.3.1 and 705.2.4.
705.2.2 Type III, IV or V construction. Projections
from walls of Type III, IV or V construction shall be of
any approved material.
705.2.3 Projection protection. Projections extending to
within 5 feet (1524 mm) of the line used to determine the
fire separation distance shall be one of the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
4.
Projections not permitted
Noncombustible materials.
Combustible materials of not less than 1-hour fireresistance-rated construction.
Heavy timber construction complying with
Section 2304.11.
Fire-retardant-treated wood.
As permitted by Section 705.2.3.1.
705.2.4 Bay and oriel windows. Bay and oriel windows
constructed of combustible materials shall conform to the
type of construction required for the building to which
they are attached.
Exception: Fire-retardant-treated wood shall be
permitted on buildings three stories or less above
grade plane of Type I, II, III or IV construction.
705.3 Buildings on the same lot. For the purposes of determining the required wall and opening protection, projections
and roof-covering requirements, buildings on the same lot
shall be assumed to have an imaginary line between them.
Where a new building is to be erected on the same lot as
an existing building, the location of the assumed imaginary
line with relation to the existing building shall be such that
the exterior wall and opening protection of the existing building meet the criteria as set forth in Sections 705.5 and 705.8.
Exceptions:
1.
Exception: Type VB construction shall be allowed for
combustible projections in Group R-3 and U occupancies with a fire separation distance greater than or
equal to 5 feet (1524 mm).
705.2.3.1 Balconies and similar projections. Balconies and similar projections of combustible
construction other than fire-retardant-treated wood
shall be fire-resistance rated where required by Table
601 for floor construction or shall be of heavy timber
construction in accordance with Section 2304.11. The
aggregate length of the projections shall not exceed 50
percent of the building’s perimeter on each floor.
2.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
3.
On buildings of Types I and II construction, three stories or less above grade
plane, fire-retardant-treated wood shall be
permitted for balconies, porches, decks
and exterior stairways not used as required
exits.
Untreated wood and plastic composites
that comply with ASTM D7032 and
Section 2612 are permitted for pickets,
rails and similar guard components that
are limited to 42 inches (1067 mm) in
height.
Balconies and similar projections on
buildings of Types III, IV and V construction shall be permitted to be of Type V
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
construction and shall not be required to
have a fire-resistance rating where sprinkler protection is extended to these areas.
Where sprinkler protection is extended to
the balcony areas, the aggregate length of
the balcony on each floor shall not be
limited.
Two or more buildings on the same lot shall be
either regulated as separate buildings or shall be
considered as portions of one building if the
aggregate area of such buildings is within the
limits specified in Chapter 5 for a single building.
Where the buildings contain different occupancy
groups or are of different types of construction,
the area shall be that allowed for the most restrictive occupancy or construction.
Where an S-2 parking garage of Construction
Type I or IIA is erected on the same lot as a Group
R-2 building, and there is no fire separation
distance between these buildings, then the adjoining exterior walls between the buildings are
permitted to have occupant use openings in accordance with Section 706.8. However, opening
protectives in such openings shall only be required
in the exterior wall of the S-2 parking garage, not
in the exterior wall openings in the R-2 building,
and these opening protectives in the exterior wall
of the S-2 parking garage shall be not less than
11/2-hour fire protection rating.
705.4 Materials. Exterior walls shall be of materials permitted by the building’s type of construction.
705.5 Fire-resistance ratings. Exterior walls shall be fireresistance rated in accordance with Table 601, based on the
type of construction, and Table 705.5, based on the fire separation distance. The required fire-resistance rating of
exterior walls with a fire separation distance of greater than
10 feet (3048 mm) shall be rated for exposure to fire from the
inside. The required fire-resistance rating of exterior walls
with a fire separation distance of less than or equal to 10 feet
(3048 mm) shall be rated for exposure to fire from both sides.
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
705.6 Structural stability. Exterior walls shall extend to the
height required by Section 705.11. Interior structural
elements that brace the exterior wall but that are not located
within the plane of the exterior wall shall have the minimum
fire-resistance rating required in Table 601 for that structural element. Structural elements that brace the exterior
wall but are located outside of the exterior wall or within the
plane of the exterior wall shall have the minimum fire-resistance rating required in Table 601 and Table 705.5 for the
exterior wall.
705.8.1 Allowable area of openings. The maximum area
of unprotected and protected openings permitted in an
exterior wall in any story of a building shall not exceed
the percentages specified in Table 705.8 based on the fire
separation distance of each individual story.
Exceptions:
1.
705.7 Unexposed surface temperature. Where protected
openings are not limited by Section 705.8, the limitation on
the rise of temperature on the unexposed surface of exterior
walls as required by ASTM E119 or UL 263 shall not apply.
Where protected openings are limited by Section 705.8, the
limitation on the rise of temperature on the unexposed
surface of exterior walls as required by ASTM E119 or UL
263 shall not apply provided that a correction is made for
radiation from the unexposed exterior wall surface in accordance with the following formula:
Ae = A + (Af × Feo)
1.1. A street and has a fire separation
distance of more than 15 feet (4572 mm).
2.
(Equation 7-1)
where:
Ae = Equivalent area of protected openings.
A = Actual area of protected openings.
Af = Area of exterior wall surface in the story under
consideration exclusive of openings, on which the
temperature limitations of ASTM E119 or UL 263 for
walls are exceeded.
Feo = An “equivalent opening factor” derived from Figure
705.7 based on the average temperature of the
unexposed wall surface and the fire-resistance rating
of the wall.
705.8 Openings. Openings in exterior walls shall comply
with Sections 705.8.1 through 705.8.6.
In other than Group H occupancies, unlimited
unprotected openings are permitted in the first
story above grade plane where the wall faces
one of the following:
1.2. An unoccupied space. The unoccupied
space shall be on the same lot or dedicated for public use, shall be not less
than 30 feet (9144 mm) in width and
shall have access from a street by a
posted fire lane in accordance with the
International Fire Code.
Buildings whose exterior bearing walls, exterior nonbearing walls and exterior primary
structural frame are not required to be fireresistance rated shall be permitted to have
unlimited unprotected openings.
705.8.2 Protected openings. Where openings are
required to be protected, opening protectives shall comply
with Section 716.
Exception: Opening protectives are not required
where the building is equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
903.3.1.1 and the exterior openings are protected by a
water curtain using automatic sprinklers approved for
that use.
TABLE 705.5
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING REQUIREMENTS FOR EXTERIOR WALLS BASED ON FIRE SEPARATION DISTANCEa, d, g
FIRE SEPARATION
DISTANCE = X (feet)
X < 5b
5 ≤ X < 10
10 ≤ X < 30
X ≥ 30
TYPE OF
CONSTRUCTION
OCCUPANCY
GROUP He
OCCUPANCY
GROUP F-1, M, S-1f
OCCUPANCY
GROUP A, B, E, F-2, I, Ri, S-2, Uh
All
3
2
1
IA, IVA
Others
3
2
2
1
1
1
IA, IB, IVA, IVB
IIB, VB
2
1
1
0
1c
0
Others
All
1
0
1
0
1c
0
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
a. Load-bearing exterior walls shall also comply with the fire-resistance rating requirements of Table 601.
b. See Section 706.1.1 for party walls.
c. Open parking garages complying with Section 406 shall not be required to have a fire-resistance rating.
d. The fire-resistance rating of an exterior wall is determined based upon the fire separation distance of the exterior wall and the story in which the wall is
located.
e. For special requirements for Group H occupancies, see Section 415.6.
f. For special requirements for Group S aircraft hangars, see Section 412.3.1.
g. Where Table 705.8 permits nonbearing exterior walls with unlimited area of unprotected openings, the required fire-resistance rating for the exterior walls
is 0 hours.
h. For a building containing only a Group U occupancy private garage or carport, the exterior wall shall not be required to have a fire-resistance rating where
the fire separation distance is 5 feet (1523 mm) or greater.
i. For a Group R-3 building of Type II-B or Type V-B construction, the exterior wall shall not be required to have a fire-resistance rating where the fire separation distance is 5 feet (1523 mm) or greater.
7-6
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
705.8.3 Unprotected openings. Where unprotected
openings are permitted, windows and doors shall be
constructed of any approved materials. Glazing shall
conform to the requirements of Chapters 24 and 26.
705.8.4 Mixed openings. Where both unprotected and
protected openings are located in the exterior wall in any
story of a building, the total area of openings shall be
determined in accordance with the following:
(Ap/ap) + (Au/au)  1
shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour.
The unexposed surface temperature limitations specified
in ASTM E119 or UL 263 shall not apply to the flame
barriers unless otherwise required by the provisions of
this code.
Exceptions:
1.
(Equation 7-2)
Ap = Actual area of protected openings, or the equivalent
area of protected openings, Ae (see Section 705.7).
ap = Allowable area of protected openings.
Au = Actual area of unprotected openings.
au = allowable area of unprotected openings.
705.8.5 Vertical separation of openings. Openings in
exterior walls in adjacent stories shall be separated vertically to protect against fire spread on the exterior of the
buildings where the openings are within 5 feet (1524 mm)
of each other horizontally and the opening in the lower
story is not a protected opening with a fire protection
rating of not less than 3/4 hour. Such openings shall be
separated vertically not less than 3 feet (914 mm) by
spandrel girders, exterior walls or other similar assemblies that have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1
hour, rated for exposure to fire from both sides, or by
flame barriers that extend horizontally not less than 30
inches (762 mm) beyond the exterior wall. Flame barriers
2.
3.
This section shall not apply to buildings that
are three stories or less above grade plane.
This section shall not apply to buildings
equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.
Open parking garages.
705.8.6 Vertical exposure. For buildings on the same lot,
opening protectives having a fire protection rating of not
less than 3/4 hour shall be provided in every opening that
is less than 15 feet (4572 mm) vertically above the roof of
an adjacent building or structure based on assuming an
imaginary line between them. The opening protectives are
required where the fire separation distances from the
imaginary line to each building or structure are less than
15 feet (4572 mm).
Exceptions:
1.
Opening protectives are not required where the
roof assembly of the adjacent building or structure has a fire-resistance rating of not less than
1 hour for a minimum distance of 10 feet (3048
1.0
0.7
4 h 3 hou
ou
r
r
Equivalent opening factor -F eo
0.8
2h
ou
r
1h
ou
r
0.9
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
200
400
600
800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,800 2,000
Average temperature of unexposed surface (°F)
For SI:°C = [(°F) - 32] / 1.8.
FIGURE 705.7
EQUIVALENT OPENING FACTOR
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
2.
mm) from the exterior wall facing the imaginary line and the entire length and span of the
supporting elements for the fire-resistancerated roof assembly has a fire-resistance rating
of not less than 1 hour.
Buildings on the same lot and considered as
portions of one building in accordance with
Section 705.3 are not required to comply with
Section 705.8.6.
705.9 Joints. Joints made in or between exterior walls
required by this section to have a fire-resistance rating shall
comply with Section 715.
Exception: Joints in exterior walls that are permitted to
have unprotected openings.
705.9.1 Voids. The void created at the intersection of a
floor/ceiling assembly and an exterior curtain wall assembly shall be protected in accordance with Section 715.4.
TABLE 705.8
MAXIMUM AREA OF EXTERIOR WALL OPENINGS BASED ON
FIRE SEPARATION DISTANCE AND DEGREE OF OPENING PROTECTION
FIRE SEPARATION DISTANCE (feet)
0 to less than 3b, c, k
3 to less than 5d, e
DEGREE OF OPENING PROTECTION
Unprotected, Nonsprinklered (UP, NS)
Not Permittedk
Unprotected, Sprinklered (UP, S)i
Not Permittedk
Protected (P)
Not Permittedk
Unprotected, Nonsprinklered (UP, NS)
Not Permitted
Unprotected, Sprinklered (UP, S)i
5 to less than 10e, f, j
10 to less than 15
15%
Unprotected, Nonsprinklered (UP, NS)
10%h
Unprotected, Sprinklered (UP, S)i
25%
Protected (P)
25%
Unprotected, Sprinklered (UP, S)
i
Protected (P)
15 to less than 20
Unprotected, Sprinklered (UP, S)
i
Protected (P)
25 to less than 30
75%
45%
No Limit
Protected (P)
No Limit
Unprotected, Sprinklered (UP, S)
i
Protected (P)
30 or greater
25%
Unprotected, Sprinklered (UP, S)i
Unprotected, Nonsprinklered (UP, NS)
f, g, j
45%
75%
Unprotected, Nonsprinklered (UP, NS)
20 to less than 25f, g, j
15%h
45%
Unprotected, Nonsprinklered (UP, NS)
f, g, j
15%
Protected (P)
Unprotected, Nonsprinklered (UP, NS)
e, f, g, j
ALLOWABLE AREAa
70%
No Limit
No Limit
Unprotected, Nonsprinklered (UP, NS)
No Limit
Unprotected, Sprinklered (UP, S)i
No Limit
Protected (P)
No Limit
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
UP, NS = Unprotected openings in buildings not equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
UP, S = Unprotected openings in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
P = Openings protected with an opening protective assembly in accordance with Section 705.8.2.
a. Values indicated are the percentage of the area of the exterior wall, per story.
b. For the requirements for fire walls of buildings with differing heights, see Section 706.6.1.
c. For openings in a fire wall for buildings on the same lot, see Section 706.8.
d. The maximum percentage of unprotected and protected openings shall be 25 percent for Group R-3 occupancies.
e. Unprotected openings shall not be permitted for openings with a fire separation distance of less than 15 feet for Group H-2 and H-3 occupancies.
f. The area of unprotected and protected openings shall not be limited for Group R-3 occupancies, with a fire separation distance of 5 feet or greater.
g. The area of openings in an open parking structure with a fire separation distance of 10 feet or greater shall not be limited.
h. Includes buildings accessory to Group R-3.
i. Not applicable to Group H-1, H-2 and H-3 occupancies.
j. The area of openings in a building containing only a Group U occupancy private garage or carport with a fire separation distance of 5 feet or greater shall
not be limited.
k. For openings between S-2 parking garage and Group R-2 building, see Section 705.3, Exception 2.
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
705.10 Ducts and air transfer openings. Penetrations by air
ducts and air transfer openings in fire-resistance-rated exterior walls required to have protected openings shall comply
with Section 717.
Exception: Foundation vents installed in accordance with
this code are permitted.
705.11 Parapets. Parapets shall be provided on exterior
walls of buildings.
6.
Exceptions: A parapet need not be provided on an exterior wall where any of the following conditions exist:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The wall is not required to be fire-resistance rated
in accordance with Table 705.5 because of fire
separation distance.
The building has an area of not more than 1,000
square feet (93 m2) on any floor.
Walls that terminate at roofs of not less than 2hour fire-resistance-rated construction or where
the roof, including the deck or slab and supporting
construction, is constructed entirely of noncombustible materials.
One-hour fire-resistance-rated exterior walls that
terminate at the underside of the roof sheathing,
deck or slab, provided that:
4.1. Where the roof/ceiling framing elements
are parallel to the walls, such framing and
elements supporting such framing shall
not be of less than 1-hour fire-resistancerated construction for a width of 4 feet
(1220 mm) for Groups R and U and 10
feet (3048 mm) for other occupancies,
measured from the interior side of the
wall.
4.2. Where roof/ceiling framing elements are
not parallel to the wall, the entire span of
such framing and elements supporting
such framing shall not be of less than 1hour fire-resistance-rated construction.
4.3. Openings in the roof shall not be located
within 5 feet (1524 mm) of the 1-hour fireresistance-rated exterior wall for Groups R
and U and 10 feet (3048 mm) for other
occupancies, measured from the interior
side of the wall.
4.4. The entire building shall be provided with
not less than a Class B roof covering.
In Groups R-2 and R-3 where the entire building
is provided with a Class C roof covering, the exterior wall shall be permitted to terminate at the
underside of the roof sheathing or deck in Types
III, IV and V construction, provided that one or
both of the following criteria is met:
5.1. The roof sheathing or deck is constructed
of approved noncombustible materials or
of fire-retardant-treated wood for a
distance of 4 feet (1220 mm).
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
5.2. The roof is protected with 0.625-inch (16
mm) Type X gypsum board directly
beneath the underside of the roof sheathing or deck, supported by not less than
nominal 2-inch (51 mm) ledgers attached
to the sides of the roof framing members
for a minimum distance of 4 feet (1220
mm).
Where the wall is permitted to have not less than
25 percent of the exterior wall areas containing
unprotected openings based on fire separation
distance as determined in accordance with Section
705.8.
705.11.1 Parapet construction. Parapets shall have the
same fire-resistance rating as that required for the
supporting wall, and on any side adjacent to a roof
surface, shall have noncombustible faces for the uppermost 18 inches (457 mm), including counterflashing and
coping materials. The height of the parapet shall be not
less than 30 inches (762 mm) above the point where the
roof surface and the wall intersect. Where the roof slopes
toward a parapet at a slope greater than 2 units vertical in
12 units horizontal (16.7-percent slope), the parapet shall
extend to the same height as any portion of the roof
within a fire separation distance where protection of wall
openings is required, but the height shall be not less than
30 inches (762 mm).
SECTION 706
FIRE WALLS
706.1 General. Fire walls shall be constructed in accordance
with Sections 706.2 through 706.11. The extent and location
of such fire walls shall provide a complete separation. Where
a fire wall separates occupancies that are required to be separated by a fire barrier wall, the most restrictive requirements
of each separation shall apply.
706.1.1 Party walls. Any wall located on a lot line
between adjacent buildings, which is used or adapted for
joint service between the two buildings, shall be
constructed as a fire wall in accordance with Section 706.
Party walls shall be constructed without openings and
shall create separate buildings.
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Exceptions:
1.
2.
Openings in a party wall separating an anchor
building and a mall shall be in accordance with
Section 402.4.2.2.1.
Party walls and fire walls are not required on
lot lines dividing a building for ownership
purposes where the aggregate height and area
of the portions of the building located on both
sides of the lot line do not exceed the maximum height and area requirements of this code.
For the building official’s review and approval,
the official shall be provided with copies of
dedicated access easements and contractual
agreements that permit the owners of portions
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
of the building located on either side of the lot
line access to the other side for purposes of
maintaining fire and life safety systems necessary for the operation of the building.
706.2 Structural stability. Fire walls shall be designed and
constructed to allow collapse of the structure on either side
without collapse of the wall under fire conditions. Fire walls
designed and constructed in accordance with NFPA 221
shall be deemed to comply with this section.
fire wall is protected by an automatic sprinkler
system installed in accordance with Section
903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.
706.5.1 Exterior walls. Where the fire wall intersects
exterior walls, the fire-resistance rating and opening
protection of the exterior walls shall comply with one of
the following:
1.
Exception: In Seismic Design Categories D through F,
where double fire walls are used in accordance with
NFPA 221, floor and roof sheathing not exceeding 3/4
inch (19.05 mm) thickness shall be permitted to be
continuous through the wall assemblies of light frame
construction.
706.3 Materials. Fire walls shall be of any approved
noncombustible materials.
2.
Exception: Buildings of Type V construction.
706.4 Fire-resistance rating. Fire walls shall have a fireresistance rating of not less than that required by Table
706.4.
TABLE 706.4
FIRE WALL FIRE-RESISTANCE RATINGS
GROUP
A, B, E, H-4, I, R-1, R-2, U
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING (hours)
3a
F-1, H-3b, H-5, M, S-1
3
H-1, H-2
4b
F-2, S-2, R-3, R-4
2
a. In Type II or V construction, walls shall be permitted to have a 2-hour
fire-resistance rating.
b. For Group H-1, H-2 or H-3 buildings, also see Sections 415.7 and 415.8.
706.5 Horizontal continuity. Fire walls shall be continuous
from exterior wall to exterior wall and shall extend not less
than 18 inches (457 mm) beyond the exterior surface of exterior walls.
The exterior walls on both sides of the fire wall
shall have a 1-hour fire-resistance rating with 3/4hour protection where opening protection is
required by Section 705.8. The fire-resistance
rating of the exterior wall shall extend not less
than 4 feet (1220 mm) on each side of the intersection of the fire wall to exterior wall. Exterior wall
intersections at fire walls that form an angle equal
to or greater than 180 degrees (3.14 rad) do not
need exterior wall protection.
Buildings or spaces on both sides of the intersecting fire wall shall assume to have an imaginary lot
line at the fire wall and extending beyond the exterior of the fire wall. The location of the assumed
line in relation to the exterior walls and the fire
wall shall be such that the exterior wall and opening protection meet the requirements set forth in
Sections 705.5 and 705.8. Such protection is not
required for exterior walls terminating at fire
walls that form an angle equal to or greater than
180 degrees (3.14 rad).
706.5.2 Horizontal projecting elements. Fire walls shall
extend to the outer edge of horizontal projecting elements
such as balconies, roof overhangs, canopies, marquees
and similar projections that are within 4 feet (1220 mm)
of the fire wall.
Exceptions:
1.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
3.
7-10
Fire walls shall be permitted to terminate at the
interior surface of combustible exterior sheathing
or siding provided that the exterior wall has a fireresistance rating of not less than 1 hour for a horizontal distance of not less than 4 feet (1220 mm)
on both sides of the fire wall. Openings within
such exterior walls shall be protected by opening
protectives having a fire protection rating of not
less than 3/4 hour.
Fire walls shall be permitted to terminate at the
interior surface of noncombustible exterior
sheathing, exterior siding or other noncombustible
exterior finishes provided that the sheathing,
siding or other exterior noncombustible finish
extends a horizontal distance of not less than 4
feet (1220 mm) on both sides of the fire wall.
Fire walls shall be permitted to terminate at the
interior surface of noncombustible exterior
sheathing where the building on each side of the
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2.
Horizontal projecting elements without
concealed spaces, provided that the exterior
wall behind and below the projecting element
has not less than 1-hour fire-resistance-rated
construction for a distance not less than the
depth of the projecting element on both sides of
the fire wall. Openings within such exterior
walls shall be protected by opening protectives
having a fire protection rating of not less than
3
/4 hour.
Noncombustible
horizontal
projecting
elements with concealed spaces, provided that
a minimum 1-hour fire-resistance-rated wall
extends through the concealed space. The
projecting element shall be separated from the
building by not less than 1-hour fire-resistancerated construction for a distance on each side of
the fire wall equal to the depth of the projecting
element. The wall is not required to extend
under the projecting element where the building exterior wall is not less than 1-hour fireresistance rated for a distance on each side of
the fire wall equal to the depth of the projecting
element. Openings within such exterior walls
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
3.
shall be protected by opening protectives
having a fire protection rating of not less than
3
/4 hour.
For combustible horizontal projecting elements
with concealed spaces, the fire wall need only
extend through the concealed space to the outer
edges of the projecting elements. The exterior
wall behind and below the projecting element
shall be of not less than 1-hour fire-resistancerated construction for a distance not less than
the depth of the projecting elements on both
sides of the fire wall. Openings within such
exterior walls shall be protected by opening
protectives having a fire protection rating of
not less than 3/4 hour.
706.6 Vertical continuity. Fire walls shall extend from the
foundation to a termination point not less than 30 inches
(762 mm) above both adjacent roofs.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Stepped buildings in accordance with Section
706.6.1.
Two-hour fire-resistance-rated walls shall be
permitted to terminate at the underside of the roof
sheathing, deck or slab, provided that:
2.1. The lower roof assembly within 4 feet
(1220 mm) of the wall has not less than a
1-hour fire-resistance rating and the entire
length and span of supporting elements for
the rated roof assembly has a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour.
2.2. Openings in the roof shall not be located
within 4 feet (1220 mm) of the fire wall.
2.3. Each building shall be provided with not
less than a Class B roof covering.
Walls shall be permitted to terminate at the underside of noncombustible roof sheathing, deck or
slabs where both buildings are provided with not
less than a Class B roof covering. Openings in the
roof shall not be located within 4 feet (1220 mm)
of the fire wall.
In buildings of Types III, IV and V construction,
walls shall be permitted to terminate at the underside of combustible roof sheathing or decks,
provided that all of the following requirements are
met:
4.1. Roof openings are not less than 4 feet
(1220 mm) from the fire wall.
4.2. The roof is covered with a minimum Class
B roof covering.
4.3. The roof sheathing or deck is constructed
of fire-retardant-treated wood for a
distance of 4 feet (1220 mm) on both sides
of the wall or the roof is protected with 5/8inch (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum board
directly beneath the underside of the roof
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
5.
6.
sheathing or deck, supported by not less
than 2-inch (51 mm) nominal ledgers
attached to the sides of the roof framing
members for a distance of not less than 4
feet (1220 mm) on both sides of the fire
wall.
In buildings designed in accordance with Section
510.2, fire walls located above the 3-hour horizontal assembly required by Section 510.2, Item 1
shall be permitted to extend from the top of this
horizontal assembly.
Buildings with sloped roofs in accordance with
Section 706.6.2.
706.6.1 Stepped buildings. Where a fire wall also serves
as an exterior wall for a building and separates buildings
having different roof levels, such wall shall terminate at a
point not less than 30 inches (762 mm) above the lower
roof level. Exterior walls above the fire wall extending
more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the lower roof shall
be of not less than 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction from both sides with openings protected by fire
assemblies having a fire protection rating of not less than
3
/4 hour. Portions of the exterior walls greater than 15 feet
(4572 mm) above the lower roof shall be of nonfire-resistance-rated construction unless otherwise rated
construction is required by other provisions of this code.
Exception: A fire wall serving as part of an exterior
wall that separates buildings having different roof
levels shall be permitted to terminate at the underside
of the roof sheathing, deck or slab of the lower roof,
provided that Items 1, 2 and 3 are met. The exterior
wall above the fire wall is not required to be of fireresistance-rated construction unless required by other
provisions of this code.
1.
2.
3.
The lower roof assembly within 10 feet (3048
mm) of the fire wall has not less than a 1-hour
fire-resistance rating.
The entire length and span of supporting
elements for the rated roof assembly shall have
a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour.
Openings in the lower roof shall not be located
within 10 feet (3048 mm) of the fire wall.
706.6.2 Buildings with sloped roofs. Where a fire wall
serves as an interior wall for a building, and the roof on
one side or both sides of the fire wall slopes toward the
fire wall at a slope greater than 2 units vertical in 12 units
horizontal (2:12), the fire wall shall extend to a height
equal to the height of the roof located 4 feet (1219 mm)
from the fire wall plus 30 inches (762 mm). The extension
of the fire wall shall be not less than 30 inches (762 mm).
706.7 Combustible framing in fire walls. Adjacent
combustible members entering into a concrete or masonry
fire wall from opposite sides shall not have less than a 4-inch
(102 mm) distance between embedded ends. Where combustible members frame into hollow walls or walls of hollow
units, hollow spaces shall be solidly filled for the full thick-
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
ness of the wall and for a distance not less than 4 inches (102
mm) above, below and between the structural members, with
noncombustible materials approved for fireblocking.
707.3.6 Atriums. The fire-resistance rating of the fire
barrier separating atriums shall comply with Section
404.6.
706.8 Openings. Each opening through a fire wall shall be
protected in accordance with Section 716 and shall not
exceed 156 square feet (15 m2). The aggregate width of
openings at any floor level shall not exceed 25 percent of the
length of the wall.
707.3.7 Incidental uses. The fire barrier separating incidental uses from other spaces in the building shall have a
fire-resistance rating of not less than that indicated in
Table 509.1.
707.3.8 Control areas. Fire barriers separating control
areas shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than
that required in Section 414.2.4.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
Openings are not permitted in party walls
constructed in accordance with Section 706.1.1.
Openings shall not be limited to 156 square feet
(15 m2) where both buildings are equipped
throughout with an automatic sprinkler system
installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
707.3.9 Separated occupancies. Where the provisions of
Section 508.4 are applicable, the fire barrier separating
mixed occupancies shall have a fire-resistance rating of
not less than that indicated in Table 508.4 based on the
occupancies being separated.
707.3.10 Fire areas. The fire barriers, fire walls, horizontal assemblies or combinations thereof separating a
single occupancy into different fire areas shall have a
fire-resistance rating of not less than that indicated in
Table 707.3.10. The fire barriers, fire walls, horizontal
assemblies or combinations thereof separating fire areas
of mixed occupancies shall have a fire-resistance rating
of not less than the highest value indicated in Table
707.3.10 for the occupancies under consideration.
706.9 Penetrations. Penetrations of fire walls shall comply
with Section 714.
706.10 Joints. Joints made in or between fire walls shall
comply with Section 715.
706.11 Ducts and air transfer openings. Ducts and air
transfer openings shall not penetrate fire walls.
Exception: Penetrations by ducts and air transfer openings of fire walls that are not on a lot line shall be allowed
provided that the penetrations comply with Section 717.
The size and aggregate width of all openings shall not
exceed the limitations of Section 706.8.
OCCUPANCY GROUP
SECTION 707
FIRE BARRIERS
707.1 General. Fire barriers installed as required elsewhere
in this code or the International Fire Code shall comply with
this section.
707.2 Materials. Fire barriers shall be of materials permitted by the building type of construction.
707.3 Fire-resistance rating. The fire-resistance rating of
fire barriers shall comply with this section.
707.3.1 Shaft enclosures. The fire-resistance rating of
the fire barrier separating building areas from a shaft
shall comply with Section 713.4.
707.3.2 Interior exit stairway and ramp construction.
The fire-resistance rating of the fire barrier separating
building areas from an interior exit stairway or ramp shall
comply with Section 1023.1.
707.3.3 Enclosures for exit access stairways. The fireresistance rating of the fire barrier separating building
areas from an exit access stairway or ramp shall comply
with Section 713.4.
707.3.4 Exit passageway. The fire-resistance rating of
the fire barrier separating building areas from an exit
passageway shall comply with Section 1024.3.
707.3.5 Horizontal exit. The fire-resistance rating of the
separation between building areas connected by a horizontal exit shall comply with Section 1026.1.
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TABLE 707.3.10
FIRE-RESISTANCE-RATING
REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRE BARRIERS, FIRE WALLS
OR HORIZONTAL ASSEMBLIES BETWEEN FIRE AREAS
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING
(hours)
H-1, H-2
4
F-1, H-3, S-1
3
A, B, E, F-2, H-4, H-5, I, M, R, S-2
2
U
1
707.4 Exterior walls. Where exterior walls serve as a part of
a required fire-resistance-rated shaft, or separation or enclosure for a stairway, ramp or exit passageway, such walls
shall comply with the requirements of Section 705 for exterior walls and the fire-resistance-rated enclosure or
separation requirements shall not apply.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
Exterior walls required to be fire-resistance rated
in accordance with Section 1021 for exterior
egress balconies, Section 1023.7 for interior exit
stairways and ramps, Section 1024.8 for exit
passageways and Section 1027.6 for exterior exit
stairways and ramps.
Exterior walls required to be fire-resistance rated
in accordance with Section 1207 of the International Fire Code for enclosure of energy storage
systems.
707.5 Continuity. Fire barriers shall extend from the top of
the foundation or floor/ceiling assembly below to the underside of the floor or roof sheathing, slab or deck above and
shall be securely attached thereto. Such fire barriers shall be
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
3.
continuous through concealed space, such as the space above
a suspended ceiling. Joints and voids at intersections shall
comply with Sections 707.8 and 707.9
Exceptions:
1.
2.
3.
Shaft enclosures shall be permitted to terminate at
a top enclosure complying with Section 713.12.
Interior exit stairway and ramp enclosures
required by Section 1023 and exit access stairway
and ramp enclosures required by Section 1019
shall be permitted to terminate at a top enclosure
complying with Section 713.12.
An exit passageway enclosure required by Section
1024.3 that does not extend to the underside of the
roof sheathing, slab or deck above shall be
enclosed at the top with construction of the same
fire-resistance rating as required for the exit
passageway.
707.5.1 Supporting construction. The supporting
construction for a fire barrier shall be protected to afford
the required fire-resistance rating of the fire barrier
supported. Hollow vertical spaces within a fire barrier
shall be fireblocked in accordance with Section 718.2 at
every floor level.
Exceptions:
1. The maximum required fire-resistance rating
for assemblies supporting fire barriers separating tank storage as provided for in Section
415.9.1.2 shall be 2 hours, but not less than
required by Table 601 for the building
construction type.
2. Supporting construction for 1-hour fire barriers required by Table 509.1 in buildings of
Types IIB, IIIB and VB construction is not
required to be fire-resistance rated unless
required by other sections of this code.
707.6 Openings. Openings in a fire barrier shall be
protected in accordance with Section 716. Openings shall be
limited to a maximum aggregate width of 25 percent of the
length of the wall, and the maximum area of any single
opening shall not exceed 156 square feet (15 m2). Openings
in enclosures for exit access stairways and ramps, interior
exit stairways and ramps and exit passageways shall also
comply with Sections 1019, 1023.4 and 1024.5, respectively.
4.
5.
707.7 Penetrations. Penetrations of fire barriers shall
comply with Section 714.
707.7.1 Prohibited penetrations. Penetrations into
enclosures for exit access stairways and ramps, interior
exit stairways and ramps, and exit passageways shall be
allowed only where permitted by Sections 1019, 1023.5
and 1024.6, respectively.
707.8 Joints. Joints made in or between fire barriers, and
joints made at the intersection of fire barriers with underside
of a fire-resistance-rated floor or roof sheathing, slab or deck
above, and the exterior vertical wall intersection shall
comply with Section 715.
707.9 Voids at intersections. The voids created at the intersection of a fire barrier and a nonfire-resistance-rated roof
assembly or a nonfire-resistance-rated exterior wall assembly shall be filled. An approved material or system shall be
used to fill the void, and shall be securely installed in or on
the intersection for its entire length so as not to dislodge,
loosen or otherwise impair its ability to accommodate
expected building movements and to retard the passage of
fire and hot gases.
707.10 Ducts and air transfer openings. Penetrations in a
fire barrier by ducts and air transfer openings shall comply
with Section 717.
SECTION 708
FIRE PARTITIONS
Exceptions:
1.
2.
Openings shall not be limited to 156 square feet
(15 m2) where adjoining floor areas are equipped
throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
Openings shall not be limited to 156 square feet
(15 m2) or an aggregate width of 25 percent of the
length of the wall where the opening protective is
a fire door serving enclosures for exit access stairways and ramps, and interior exit stairways and
ramps.
708.1 General. The following wall assemblies shall comply
with this section:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
Openings shall not be limited to 156 square feet
(15 m2) or an aggregate width of 25 percent of the
length of the wall where the opening protective
has been tested in accordance with ASTM E119 or
UL 263 and has a minimum fire-resistance rating
not less than the fire-resistance rating of the wall.
Fire window assemblies permitted in atrium separation walls shall not be limited to a maximum
aggregate width of 25 percent of the length of the
wall.
Openings shall not be limited to 156 square feet
(15 m2) or an aggregate width of 25 percent of the
length of the wall where the opening protective is
a fire door assembly in a fire barrier separating an
enclosure for exit access stairways and ramps, and
interior exit stairways and ramps from an exit
passageway in accordance with Section 1023.3.1.
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Separation walls as required by Section 420.2 for
Group I-1 and Group R occupancies.
Walls separating tenant spaces in covered and open
mall buildings as required by Section 402.4.2.1.
Corridor walls as required by Section 1020.3.
Enclosed elevator lobby separation as required by
Section 3006.3.
Egress balconies as required by Section 1021.2
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
6.
7.
8.
Walls separating ambulatory care facilities from
adjacent spaces, corridors or tenant as required by
Section 422.2.
Walls separating dwelling and sleeping units in
Groups R-1 and R-2 in accordance with Sections
907.2.8.1 and 907.2.9.1.
Vestibules in accordance with Section 1028.2.
4.
708.2 Materials. The walls shall be of materials permitted
by the building type of construction.
708.3 Fire-resistance rating. Fire partitions shall have a
fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
Corridor walls permitted to have a 1/2-hour fireresistance rating by Table 1020.2.
Dwelling unit and sleeping unit separations in
buildings of Types IIB, IIIB and VB construction
shall have fire-resistance ratings of not less than
1
/2 hour in buildings equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1.
708.4 Continuity. Fire partitions shall extend from the top
of the foundation or floor/ceiling assembly below and be
securely attached to one of the following:
1.
2.
The underside of the floor or roof sheathing, deck or
slab above.
The underside of a floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling
assembly having a fire-resistance rating that is not
less than the fire-resistance rating of the fire
partition.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
3.
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708.4.1 Supporting construction. The supporting
construction for a fire partition shall have a fire-resistance rating that is equal to or greater than the required
fire-resistance rating of the supported fire partition.
Exception: In buildings of Types IIB, IIIB and VB
construction, the supporting construction requirement
shall not apply to fire partitions separating tenant
spaces in covered and open mall buildings, fire partitions separating dwelling units, fire partitions
separating sleeping units, fire partitions serving as
corridor walls, fire partitions separating ambulatory
care facilities from adjacent spaces or corridors, fire
partitions separating dwelling and sleeping units from
Group R-1 and R-2 occupancies and fire partitions
separating vestibules from the level of exit discharge.
708.4.2 Fireblocks and draftstops in combustible
construction. In combustible construction where fire
partitions do not extend to the underside of the floor or
roof sheathing, deck or slab above, the space above and
along the line of the fire partition shall be provided with
one of the following:
1.
Fire partitions shall not be required to extend into
a crawl space below where the floor above the
crawl space has a minimum 1-hour fire-resistance
rating.
Fire partitions serving as a corridor wall shall not
be required to extend above the lower membrane
of a corridor ceiling provided that the corridor
ceiling membrane is equivalent to corridor wall
membrane, and either of the following conditions
is met:
2.1. The room-side membrane of the corridor
wall extends to the underside of the floor
or roof sheathing, deck or slab of a fireresistance-rated floor or roof above.
2.2. The building is equipped with an automatic
sprinkler
system
installed
throughout in accordance with Section
903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2, including automatic sprinklers installed in the space
between the top of the fire partition and
underside of the floor or roof sheathing,
deck or slab above.
Fire partitions serving as a corridor wall shall be
permitted to terminate at the upper membrane of
the corridor ceiling assembly where the corridor
ceiling is constructed as required for the corridor
wall.
Fire partitions separating tenant spaces in a
covered or open mall building complying with
Section 402.4.2.1 shall not be required to extend
above the underside of a ceiling. Such ceiling
shall not be required to be part of a fire-resistancerated assembly, and the attic or space above the
ceiling at tenant separation walls shall not be
required to be subdivided by fire partitions.
2.
Fireblocking up to the underside of the floor or
roof sheathing, deck or slab above using materials
complying with Section 718.2.1.
Draftstopping up to the underside of the floor or
roof sheathing, deck or slab above using materials
complying with Section 718.3.1 for floors or
Section 718.4.1 for attics.
Exceptions:
1. Buildings equipped with an automatic sprinkler system installed throughout in accordance
with Section 903.3.1.1, or in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.2 provided that protection is
provided in the space between the top of the
fire partition and underside of the floor or roof
sheathing, deck or slab above as required for
systems complying with Section 903.3.1.1.
2. Where corridor walls provide a sleeping unit
or dwelling unit separation, draftstopping shall
only be required above one of the corridor
walls.
3. In Group R-2 occupancies with fewer than four
dwelling units, fireblocking and draftstopping
shall not be required.
4. In Group R-2 occupancies up to and including
four stories in height in buildings not exceeding 60 feet (18 288 mm) in height above grade
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
5.
plane, the attic space shall be subdivided by
draftstops into areas not exceeding 3,000
square feet (279 m2) or above every two dwelling units, whichever is smaller.
In Group R-3 occupancies with fewer than
three dwelling units, fireblocking and draftstopping shall not be required in floor
assemblies.
708.5 Exterior walls. Where exterior walls serve as a part of
a required fire-resistance-rated separation, such walls shall
comply with the requirements of Section 705 for exterior
walls, and the fire-resistance-rated separation requirements
shall not apply.
Exception: Exterior walls required to be fire-resistance
rated in accordance with Section 1021.2 for exterior
egress balconies, Section 1023.7 for interior exit stairways and ramps and Section 1027.6 for exterior exit
stairways and ramps.
708.6 Openings. Openings in a fire partition shall be
protected in accordance with Section 716.
708.7 Penetrations. Penetrations of fire partitions shall
comply with Section 714.
708.8 Joints. Joints made in or between fire partitions shall
comply with Section 715.
constructed with ceilings or exterior walls that provide
resistance to the passage of fire and smoke equivalent to
that provided by the smoke-barrier walls.
709.4.1 Smoke-barrier assemblies separating smoke
compartments. Smoke-barrier assemblies used to separate smoke compartments shall form an effective
membrane enclosure that is continuous from an outside
wall or smoke barrier wall to an outside wall or another
smoke barrier wall and to the horizontal assemblies.
709.4.2 Smoke-barrier walls enclosing areas of refuge
or elevator lobbies. Smoke-barrier walls used to enclose
areas of refuge in accordance with Section 1009.6.4, or to
enclose elevator lobbies in accordance with Section
405.4.3, 3007.6.2, or 3008.6.2, shall form an effective
membrane enclosure that terminates at a fire barrier wall
having a level of fire protection rating not less than 1
hour, another smoke barrier wall or an outside wall. A
smoke and draft control door assembly as specified in
Section 716.2.2.1.1 shall not be required at each elevator
hoistway door opening or at each exit doorway between
an area of refuge and the exit enclosure.
709.5 Openings. Openings in a smoke barrier shall be
protected in accordance with Section 716.
Exceptions:
708.9 Ducts and air transfer openings. Penetrations in a
fire partition by ducts and air transfer openings shall comply
with Section 717.
1.
In Group I-1, Condition 2, Group I-2 and ambulatory care facilities, where a pair of oppositeswinging doors are installed across a corridor in
accordance with Section 709.5.1, the doors shall
not be required to be protected in accordance with
Section 716. The doors shall be close fitting
within operational tolerances, and shall not have a
center mullion or undercuts in excess of 3/4 inch
(19.1 mm), louvers or grilles. The doors shall have
head and jamb stops, and astragals or rabbets at
meeting edges. Where permitted by the door
manufacturer’s listing, positive-latching devices
are not required. Factory-applied or field-applied
protective plates are not required to be labeled.
2.
In Group I-1, Condition 2, Group I-2 and ambulatory care facilities, special purpose horizontal
sliding, accordion or folding doors installed in
accordance with Section 1010.3.3 and protected in
accordance with Section 716.
SECTION 709
SMOKE BARRIERS
709.1 General. Vertical and horizontal smoke barriers shall
comply with this section.
709.2 Materials. Smoke barriers shall be of materials
permitted by the building type of construction.
709.3 Fire-resistance rating. A 1-hour fire-resistance
rating is required for smoke barriers.
Exception: Smoke barriers constructed of minimum
0.10-inch-thick (2.5 mm) steel in Group I-3 buildings.
709.4 Continuity. Smoke barriers shall form an effective
membrane continuous from the top of the foundation or
floor/ceiling assembly below to the underside of the floor or
roof sheathing, deck or slab above, including continuity
through concealed spaces, such as those found above
suspended ceilings, and interstitial structural and mechanical
spaces. The supporting construction shall be protected to
afford the required fire-resistance rating of the wall or floor
supported in buildings of other than Type IIB, IIIB or VB
construction. Smoke-barrier walls used to separate smoke
compartments shall comply with Section 709.4.1. Smokebarrier walls used to enclose areas of refuge in accordance
with Section 1009.6.4 or to enclose elevator lobbies in accordance with Section 405.4.3, 3007.6.2, or 3008.6.2 shall
comply with Section 709.4.2.
709.6 Penetrations. Penetrations of smoke barriers shall
comply with Section 714.
Exception: Smoke-barrier walls are not required in interstitial spaces where such spaces are designed and
709.7 Joints. Joints made in or between smoke barriers shall
comply with Section 715.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
709.5.1 Group I-2 and ambulatory care facilities. In
Group I-2 and ambulatory care facilities, where doors
protecting openings in smoke barriers are installed across
a corridor and have hold-open devices, the doors shall be
automatic-closing in accordance with Section 716.2.6.6.
Such doors shall have a vision panel with fire-protectionrated glazing materials in fire-protection-rated frames, the
area of which shall not exceed that tested.
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
709.8 Ducts and air transfer openings. Penetrations in a
smoke barrier by ducts and air transfer openings shall
comply with Section 717.
SECTION 710
SMOKE PARTITIONS
smoke partitions in Group I-2, Condition 2 occupancies,
such openings shall comply with the following:
1.
2.
710.1 General. Smoke partitions installed as required elsewhere in the code shall comply with this section.
710.2 Materials. The walls shall be of materials permitted
by the building type of construction.
710.3 Fire-resistance rating. Unless required elsewhere in
the code, smoke partitions are not required to have a fireresistance rating.
710.4 Continuity. Smoke partitions shall extend from the
top of the foundation or floor below to the underside of the
floor or roof sheathing, deck or slab above or to the underside of the ceiling above where the ceiling membrane is
constructed to limit the transfer of smoke.
710.5 Openings. Openings in smoke partitions shall comply
with Sections 710.5.1 through 710.5.3.
710.5.1 Windows. Windows in smoke partitions shall be
sealed to resist the free passage of smoke or be automaticclosing upon detection of smoke.
710.5.2 Doors. Doors in smoke partitions shall comply
with Sections 710.5.2.1 through 710.5.2.3.
710.5.2.1 Louvers. Doors in smoke partitions shall not
include louvers.
3.
4.
710.6 Penetrations. The space around penetrating items
shall be filled with an approved material to limit the free
passage of smoke.
710.7 Joints. Joints shall be filled with an approved material
to limit the free passage of smoke.
710.8 Ducts and air transfer openings. The space around a
duct penetrating a smoke partition shall be filled with an
approved material to limit the free passage of smoke. Air
transfer openings in smoke partitions shall be provided with
a smoke damper complying with Section 717.3.2.2.
Exception: Where the installation of a smoke damper
will interfere with the operation of a required smoke
control system in accordance with Section 909, approved
alternative protection shall be utilized.
Exception: Where permitted in accordance with
Section 407.3.1.1.
710.5.2.2 Smoke and draft control doors. Where
required elsewhere in the code, doors in smoke partitions shall meet the requirements for a smoke and draft
control door assembly tested in accordance with UL
1784. The air leakage rate of the door assembly shall
not exceed 3.0 cubic feet per minute per square foot
[0.015424 m3/(s × m2)] of door opening at 0.10 inch
(24.9 Pa) of water for both the ambient temperature
test and the elevated temperature exposure test. Installation of smoke doors shall be in accordance with
NFPA 105.
710.5.2.2.1 Smoke and draft control door labeling. Smoke and draft control doors complying only
with UL 1784 shall be permitted to show the letter
“S” on the manufacturer’s labeling.
710.5.2.3 Self- or automatic-closing doors. Where
required elsewhere in the code, doors in smoke partitions shall be self- or automatic-closing by smoke
detection in accordance with Section 716.2.6.6.
SECTION 711
FLOOR AND ROOF ASSEMBLIES
711.1 General. Horizontal assemblies shall comply with
Section 711.2. Nonfire-resistance-rated floor and roof
assemblies shall comply with Section 711.3.
711.2 Horizontal assemblies. Horizontal assemblies shall
comply with Sections 711.2.1 through 711.2.6.
711.2.1 Materials. Assemblies shall be of materials
permitted by the building type of construction.
711.2.2 Continuity. Assemblies shall be continuous
without vertical openings, except as permitted by this
section and Section 712.
711.2.3 Supporting construction. The supporting
construction shall be protected to afford the required fireresistance rating of the horizontal assembly supported.
Exception: In buildings of Type IIB, IIIB or VB
construction, the construction supporting the horizontal assembly is not required to be fire-resistance rated
at the following:
710.5.3 Pass-through openings in Group I-2, Condition 2. Where pass-through openings are provided in
7-16
The smoke compartment in which the passthrough openings occur does not contain a patient
care suite or sleeping room.
Pass-through openings are installed in a wall, door
or vision panel that is not required to have a fireresistance rating.
The top of the pass-through opening is located a
maximum of 48 inches (1219 mm) above the
floor.
The aggregate area of all such pass-through openings within a single room shall not exceed 80
square inches (0.05 m2).
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1.
Horizontal assemblies at the separations of
incidental uses as specified by Table 509.1
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
2.
3.
provided that the required fire-resistance
rating does not exceed 1 hour.
Horizontal assemblies at the separations of
dwelling units and sleeping units as required by
Section 420.3.
Horizontal assemblies at smoke barriers
constructed in accordance with Section 709.
711.2.4 Fire-resistance rating. The fire-resistance rating
of horizontal assemblies shall comply with Sections
711.2.4.1 through 711.2.4.6 but shall be not less than that
required by the building type of construction.
711.2.4.1 Separating mixed occupancies. Where the
horizontal assembly separates mixed occupancies, the
assembly shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less
than that required by Section 508.4 based on the occupancies being separated.
711.2.4.2 Separating fire areas. Where the horizontal
assembly separates a single occupancy into different
fire areas, the assembly shall have a fire-resistance
rating of not less than that required by Section
707.3.10.
711.2.4.3 Dwelling units and sleeping units. Horizontal assemblies serving as dwelling or sleeping unit
separations in accordance with Section 420.3 shall be
not less than 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction.
Exception: Horizontal assemblies separating
dwelling units and sleeping units shall be not less
than 1/2-hour fire-resistance-rated construction in a
building of Types IIB, IIIB and VB construction,
where the building is equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1.
membrane is not required to be installed where unusable
attic space occurs above.
711.3 Nonfire-resistance-rated floor and roof assemblies.
Nonfire-resistance-rated floor, floor/ceiling, roof and
roof/ceiling assemblies shall comply with Sections 711.3.1
and 711.3.2.
711.3.1 Materials. Assemblies shall be of materials
permitted by the building type of construction.
711.3.2 Continuity. Assemblies shall be continuous
without vertical openings, except as permitted by Section
712.
SECTION 712
VERTICAL OPENINGS
712.1 General. Each vertical opening shall comply in accordance with one of the protection methods in Sections 712.1.1
through 712.1.16.
712.1.1 Shaft enclosures. Vertical openings contained
entirely within a shaft enclosure complying with Section
713 shall be permitted.
712.1.2 Individual dwelling unit. Unconcealed vertical
openings totally within an individual residential dwelling
unit and connecting four stories or less shall be permitted.
712.1.3 Escalator openings. Where a building is
equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system
in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, vertical openings
for escalators shall be permitted where protected in accordance with Section 712.1.3.1 or 712.1.3.2.
712.1.3.1 Opening size. Protection by a draft curtain
and closely spaced sprinklers in accordance with
NFPA 13 shall be permitted where the area of the
vertical opening between stories does not exceed twice
the horizontal projected area of the escalator. In other
than Groups B and M, this application is limited to
openings that do not connect more than four stories.
711.2.4.4 Separating smoke compartments. Where
the horizontal assembly is required to be a smoke
barrier, the assembly shall comply with Section 709.
711.2.4.5 Separating incidental uses. Where the horizontal assembly separates incidental uses from the
remainder of the building, the assembly shall have a
fire-resistance rating of not less than that required by
Section 509.
712.1.3.2 Automatic shutters. Protection of the vertical opening by approved shutters at every penetrated
floor shall be permitted in accordance with this
section. The shutters shall be of noncombustible
construction and have a fire-resistance rating of not
less than 1.5 hours. The shutter shall be so constructed
as to close immediately upon the actuation of a smoke
detector installed in accordance with Section 907.3.1
and shall completely shut off the well opening. Escalators shall cease operation when the shutter begins to
close. The shutter shall operate at a speed of not more
than 30 feet per minute (152.4 mm/s) and shall be
equipped with a sensitive leading edge to arrest its
progress where in contact with any obstacle, and to
continue its progress on release therefrom.
711.2.4.6 Other separations. Where a horizontal
assembly is required by other sections of this code, the
assembly shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less
than that required by that section.
711.2.5 Ceiling panels. Where the weight of lay-in ceiling panels, used as part of fire-resistance-rated
floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assemblies, is not adequate to
resist an upward force of 1 pound per square foot (48 Pa),
wire or other approved devices shall be installed above
the panels to prevent vertical displacement under such
upward force.
711.2.6 Unusable space. In 1-hour fire-resistance-rated
floor/ceiling assemblies, the ceiling membrane is not
required to be installed over unusable crawl spaces. In 1hour fire-resistance-rated roof assemblies, the floor
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
712.1.4 Penetrations. Penetrations, concealed and
unconcealed, shall be permitted where protected in accordance with Section 714.
712.1.5 Joints. Joints shall be permitted where complying with Section 712.1.5.1 or 712.1.5.2, as applicable.
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
712.1.5.1 Joints in or between horizontal assemblies. Joints made in or between horizontal assemblies
shall comply with Section 715. The void created at the
intersection of a floor/ceiling assembly and an exterior
curtain wall assembly shall be permitted where
protected in accordance with Section 715.4.
712.1.5.2 Joints in or between nonfire-resistancerated floor assemblies. Joints in or between floor
assemblies without a required fire-resistance rating
shall be permitted where they comply with one of the
following:
1.
2.
3.
The joint shall be concealed within the cavity
of a wall.
The joint shall be located above a ceiling.
The joint shall be sealed, treated or covered
with an approved material or system to resist
the free passage of flame and the products of
combustion.
Exception: Joints meeting one of the exceptions
specified in Section 715.3.
712.1.6 Ducts and air transfer openings. Penetrations
by ducts and air transfer openings shall be protected in
accordance with Section 717. Grease ducts shall be
protected in accordance with the International Mechanical Code.
712.1.7 Atriums. Atriums complying with Section 404
that connect two or more stories in Group I-2 or I-3 occupancies or three or more stories in other occupancies shall
be permitted.
Exceptions:
1. Atriums shall not be permitted within Group H
occupancies.
2. Balconies or stories within Groups A-1, A-4
and A-5 and mezzanines that comply with
Section 505 shall not be considered a story as it
applies to this section
712.1.8 Masonry chimney. Approved vertical openings
for masonry chimneys shall be permitted where the annular space is fireblocked at each floor level in accordance
with Section 718.2.5.
712.1.9 Two-story openings. In other than Groups I-2
and I-3, a vertical opening that is not used as one of the
applications specified in this section shall be permitted if
the opening complies with all of the following items:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
7-18
Does not connect more than two stories.
Does not penetrate a horizontal assembly that
separates fire areas or smoke barriers that separate smoke compartments.
Is not concealed within the construction of a wall
or a floor/ceiling assembly.
Is not open to a corridor in Group I and R
occupancies.
Is not open to a corridor on nonsprinklered floors.
6.
Is separated from floor openings and air transfer
openings serving other floors by construction
conforming to required shaft enclosures.
712.1.10 Parking garages. Vertical openings in parking
garages for automobile ramps, elevators and duct systems
shall comply with Section 712.1.10.1, 712.1.10.2 or
712.1.10.3, as applicable.
712.1.10.1 Automobile ramps. Vertical openings for
automobile ramps in parking garages shall be permitted where constructed in accordance with Sections
406.5 and 406.6.
712.1.10.2 Elevators. Vertical openings for elevator
hoistways in parking garages that serve only the parking garage, and complying with Sections 406.5 and
406.6, respectively, shall be permitted.
712.1.10.3 Duct systems. Vertical openings for
mechanical exhaust or supply duct systems in parking
garages complying with Sections 406.5 and 406.6,
respectively, shall be permitted to be unenclosed
where such duct system is contained within and serves
only the parking garage.
712.1.11 Mezzanine. Vertical openings between a mezzanine complying with Section 505 and the floor below
shall be permitted.
712.1.12 Exit access stairways and ramps. Vertical
openings containing exit access stairways or ramps in
accordance with Section 1019 shall be permitted.
712.1.13 Openings. Vertical openings for floor fire doors
and access doors shall be permitted where protected by
Section 712.1.13.1 or 712.1.13.2.
712.1.13.1 Horizontal fire door assemblies. Horizontal fire door assemblies used to protect openings in
fire-resistance-rated horizontal assemblies shall be
tested in accordance with NFPA 288, and shall achieve
a fire-resistance rating not less than the assembly
being penetrated. Horizontal fire door assemblies shall
be labeled by an approved agency. The label shall be
permanently affixed and shall specify the manufacturer, the test standard and the fire-resistance rating.
712.1.13.2 Access doors. Access doors shall be
permitted in ceilings of fire-resistance-rated floor/ceiling and roof/ceiling assemblies, provided that such
doors are tested in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL
263 as horizontal assemblies and labeled by an
approved agency for such purpose.
712.1.14 Group I-3. In Group I-3 occupancies, vertical
openings shall be permitted in accordance with Section
408.5.
712.1.15 Skylights. Skylights and other penetrations
through a fire-resistance-rated roof deck or slab are
permitted to be unprotected, provided that the structural
integrity of the fire-resistance-rated roof assembly is
maintained. Unprotected skylights shall not be permitted
in roof assemblies required to be fire-resistance rated in
accordance with Section 705.8.6. The supporting
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
construction shall be protected to afford the required fireresistance rating of the horizontal assembly supported.
712.1.16 Openings otherwise permitted. Vertical openings shall be permitted where allowed by other sections of
this code.
713.8.1 Prohibited penetrations. Penetrations other than
those necessary for the purpose of the shaft shall not be
permitted in shaft enclosures.
Exception: Membrane penetrations shall be permitted
on the outside of shaft enclosures. Such penetrations
shall be protected in accordance with Section 714.4.2.
713.9 Joints. Joints in a shaft enclosure shall comply with
Section 715.
SECTION 713
SHAFT ENCLOSURES
713.1 General. The provisions of this section shall apply to
shafts required to protect openings and penetrations through
floor/ceiling and roof/ceiling assemblies. Interior exit stairways and ramps shall be enclosed in accordance with
Section 1023.
713.2 Construction. Shaft enclosures shall be constructed as
fire barriers in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal
assemblies in accordance with Section 711, or both.
713.3 Materials. Shaft enclosures shall be of materials
permitted by the building type of construction.
713.4 Fire-resistance rating. Shaft enclosures shall have a
fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours where connecting four stories or more, and not less than 1 hour where
connecting less than four stories. The number of stories
connected by the shaft enclosure shall include any basements but not any mezzanines. Shaft enclosures shall have a
fire-resistance rating not less than the floor assembly penetrated, but need not exceed 2 hours. Shaft enclosures shall
meet the requirements of Section 703.2.1.1.
713.5 Continuity. Shaft enclosures shall be constructed as
fire barriers in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal
assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or
both, and shall have continuity in accordance with Section
707.5 for fire barriers or Section 711.2.2 for horizontal
assemblies, as applicable.
713.10 Duct and air transfer openings. Penetrations of a
shaft enclosure by ducts and air transfer openings shall
comply with Section 717.
713.11 Enclosure at the bottom. Shafts that do not extend
to the bottom of the building or structure shall comply with
one of the following:
1.
2.
3.
Be enclosed at the lowest level with construction of
the same fire-resistance rating as the lowest floor
through which the shaft passes, but not less than the
rating required for the shaft enclosure.
Terminate in a room having a use related to the
purpose of the shaft. The room shall be separated
from the remainder of the building by fire barriers
constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both. The fire-resistance rating and
opening protectives shall be not less than the protection required for the shaft enclosure.
Be protected by approved fire dampers installed in
accordance with their listing at the lowest floor level
within the shaft enclosure.
Exceptions:
1.
713.6 Exterior walls. Where exterior walls serve as a part of
a required shaft enclosure, such walls shall comply with the
requirements of Section 705 for exterior walls and the fireresistance-rated enclosure requirements shall not apply.
Exception: Exterior walls required to be fire-resistance
rated in accordance with Section 1021.2 for exterior
egress balconies, Section 1023.7 for interior exit stairways and ramps and Section 1027.6 for exterior exit
stairways and ramps.
2.
3.
713.7 Openings. Openings in a shaft enclosure shall be
protected in accordance with Section 716 as required for fire
barriers. Doors shall be self- or automatic-closing by smoke
detection in accordance with Section 716.2.6.6.
713.7.1 Prohibited openings. Openings other than those
necessary for the purpose of the shaft shall not be permitted in shaft enclosures.
713.8 Penetrations. Penetrations in a shaft enclosure shall
be protected in accordance with Section 714 as required for
fire barriers. Structural elements, such as beams or joists,
where protected in accordance with Section 714 shall be
permitted to penetrate a shaft enclosure.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
The fire-resistance-rated room separation is not
required, provided that the only openings in or
penetrations of the shaft enclosure to the interior
of the building occur at the bottom. The bottom of
the shaft shall be closed off around the penetrating
items with materials permitted by Section 718.3.1
for draftstopping, or the room shall be provided
with an approved automatic sprinkler system.
A shaft enclosure containing a waste or linen
chute shall not be used for any other purpose and
shall discharge in a room protected in accordance
with Section 713.13.4.
The fire-resistance-rated room separation and the
protection at the bottom of the shaft are not
required provided that there are no combustibles
in the shaft and there are no openings or other
penetrations through the shaft enclosure to the
interior of the building.
713.12 Enclosure at top. The top of shaft enclosures shall
comply with one of the following:
1.
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Extend to the underside of the roof sheathing, deck or
slab of the building, and the roof assembly shall
comply with the requirements for the type of
construction as specified in Table 601.
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
2.
3.
Terminate below the roof assembly and be enclosed
at the top with construction of the same fire-resistance rating as the topmost floor penetrated by the
shaft, but not less than the fire-resistance rating
required for the shaft enclosure.
Extend past the roof assembly and comply with the
requirements of Section 1511.
713.12.1 Penthouse mechanical rooms. A fire/smoke
damper shall not be required at the penetration of the
rooftop structure where shaft enclosures extend up
through the roof assembly into a rooftop structure
conforming to Section 1511. Ductwork in the shaft shall
be connected directly to HVAC equipment.
713.13 Waste, recycling and linen chutes and incinerator
rooms. Waste, recycling and linen chutes shall comply with
the provisions of NFPA 82, Chapter 6 and shall meet the
requirements of Sections 712 and 713.13.1 through
713.13.6. Incinerator rooms shall meet the provisions of
Sections 713.13.4 and 713.13.5.
Section 711, or both. Openings into the discharge room
from the remainder of the building shall be protected by
opening protectives having a fire protection rating equal
to the protection required for the shaft enclosure. Doors
shall be self- or automatic-closing upon the detection of
smoke in accordance with Section 716.2.6.6. Waste
chutes shall not terminate in an incinerator room. Waste
and linen rooms that are not provided with chutes need
only comply with Table 509.1.
713.13.5 Incinerator room. Incinerator rooms shall
comply with Table 509.1.
713.13.6 Automatic sprinkler system. An approved
automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in accordance with Section 903.2.11.2.
713.14 Elevator, dumbwaiter and other hoistways. Elevator, dumbwaiter and other hoistway enclosures shall be
constructed in accordance with Sections 712 and 713, and
Chapter 30.
Exception: Chutes serving and contained within a single
dwelling unit.
713.13.1 Waste, recycling and linen chute enclosures.
A shaft enclosure containing a recycling, waste or linen
chute shall not be used for any other purpose and shall be
enclosed in accordance with Section 713.4. A shaft enclosure shall be permitted to contain recycling and waste
chutes. Openings into the shaft, from access rooms and
discharge rooms, shall be protected in accordance with
this section and Section 716. Openings into chutes shall
not be located in corridors. Doors into chutes shall be
self-closing. Discharge doors shall be self-or automaticclosing upon the actuation of a smoke detector in accordance with Section 716.2.6.6, except that heat-activated
closing devices shall be permitted between the shaft and
the discharge room.
713.13.2 Materials. A shaft enclosure containing a
waste, recycling, or linen chute shall be constructed of
materials as permitted by the building type of
construction.
713.13.3 Chute access rooms. Access openings for
waste, recycling or linen chutes shall be located in rooms
or compartments enclosed by not less than 1-hour fire
barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both. Openings into the access rooms
shall be protected by opening protectives having a fire
protection rating of not less than 3/4 hour. Doors shall be
self- or automatic-closing upon the detection of smoke in
accordance with Section 716.2.6.6. The room or compartment shall be configured to allow the access door to the
room or compartment to close and latch with the access
panel to the chute in any position.
713.13.4 Chute discharge room. Table 509.1Waste,
recycling or linen chutes shall discharge into an enclosed
room separated by fire barriers with a fire-resistance
rating not less than the required fire rating of the shaft
enclosure and constructed in accordance with Section 707
or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
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SECTION 714
PENETRATIONS
714.1 Scope. The provisions of this section shall govern the
materials and methods of construction used to protect
through penetrations and membrane penetrations of horizontal assemblies and fire-resistance-rated wall assemblies.
714.1.1 Ducts and air transfer openings. Penetrations of
fire-resistance-rated walls by ducts that are not protected
with dampers shall comply with Sections 714.3 through
714.4.3. Penetrations of horizontal assemblies not
protected with a shaft as permitted by Section 717.6, and
not required to be protected with fire dampers by other
sections of this code, shall comply with Sections 714.5
through 714.6.2. Ducts and air transfer openings that are
protected with dampers shall comply with Section 717.
714.2 Installation. A listed penetration firestop system shall
be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and the listing criteria.
714.3 Installation details. Where sleeves are used, they
shall be securely fastened to the assembly penetrated. The
space between the item contained in the sleeve and the
sleeve itself and any space between the sleeve and the
assembly penetrated shall be protected in accordance with
this section. Insulation and coverings on or in the penetrating
item shall not penetrate the assembly unless the specific
material used has been tested as part of the assembly in
accordance with this section.
714.4 Fire-resistance-rated walls. Penetrations into or
through fire walls, fire barriers, smoke barrier walls and fire
partitions shall comply with Sections 714.4.1 through
714.4.3. Penetrations in smoke barrier walls shall also
comply with Section 714.5.4.
714.4.1 Through penetrations. Through penetrations of
fire-resistance-rated walls shall comply with Section
714.4.1.1 or 714.4.1.2.
Exception: Where the penetrating items are steel,
ferrous or copper pipes, tubes or conduits, the annular
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the wall cavity is filled with cellulose
loose-fill, rockwool or slag mineral
wool insulation.
space between the penetrating item and the fire-resistance-rated wall is permitted to be protected by either
of the following measures:
1.
2.
In concrete or masonry walls where the penetrating item is a maximum 6-inch (152 mm)
nominal diameter and the area of the opening
through the wall does not exceed 144 square
inches (0.0929 m2), concrete, grout or mortar is
permitted where installed the full thickness of
the wall or the thickness required to maintain
the fire-resistance rating.
The material used to fill the annular space
shall prevent the passage of flame and hot
gases sufficient to ignite cotton waste when
subjected to ASTM E119 or UL 263 timetemperature fire conditions under a minimum
positive pressure differential of 0.01 inch (2.49
Pa) of water at the location of the penetration
for the time period equivalent to the fire-resistance rating of the construction penetrated.
1.3. By solid fireblocking in accordance
with Section 718.2.1.
1.4. By protecting both outlet boxes with
listed putty pads.
2.
2.1. By the horizontal distance specified in
the listing of the electrical boxes.
714.4.1.1 Fire-resistance-rated assemblies. Through
penetrations shall be protected using systems installed
as tested in the approved fire-resistance-rated
assembly.
714.4.1.2 Through-penetration firestop system.
Through penetrations shall be protected by an
approved penetration firestop system installed as
tested in accordance with ASTM E814 or UL 1479,
with a minimum positive pressure differential of 0.01
inch (2.49 Pa) of water and shall have an F rating of
not less than the required fire-resistance rating of the
wall penetrated.
714.4.2 Membrane penetrations. Membrane penetrations shall comply with Section 714.4.1. Where walls or
partitions are required to have a fire-resistance rating,
recessed fixtures shall be installed such that the required
fire resistance will not be reduced.
Exceptions:
1. Membrane penetrations of maximum 2-hour
fire-resistance-rated walls and partitions by
steel electrical boxes that do not exceed 16
square inches (0.0 103 m2) in area, provided
that the aggregate area of the openings through
the membrane does not exceed 100 square
inches (0.0645 m2) in any 100 square feet (9.29
m2) of wall area. The annular space between
the wall membrane and the box shall not
exceed 1/8 inch (3.2 mm). Such boxes on opposite sides of the wall or partition shall be
separated by one of the following:
1.1. By a horizontal distance of not less
than 24 inches (610 mm) where the
wall or partition is constructed with
individual noncommunicating stud
cavities.
1.2. By a horizontal distance of not less
than the depth of the wall cavity where
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1.5. By other listed materials and methods.
Membrane penetrations by listed electrical
boxes of any material, provided that such
boxes have been tested for use in fire-resistance-rated assemblies and are installed in
accordance with the instructions included in
the listing. The annular space between the wall
membrane and the box shall not exceed 1/8 inch
(3.2 mm) unless listed otherwise. Such boxes
on opposite sides of the wall or partition shall
be separated by one of the following:
2.2. By solid fireblocking in accordance
with Section 718.2.1.
2.3. By protecting both boxes with listed
putty pads.
3.
4.
5.
6.
2.4. By other listed materials and methods.
Membrane penetrations by electrical boxes of
any size or type, that have been listed as part of
a wall opening protective material system for
use in fire-resistance-rated assemblies and are
installed in accordance with the instructions
included in the listing.
Membrane penetrations by boxes other than
electrical boxes, provided that such penetrating
items and the annular space between the wall
membrane and the box, are protected by an
approved membrane penetration firestop
system installed as tested in accordance with
ASTM E814 or UL 1479, with a minimum
positive pressure differential of 0.01 inch (2.49
Pa) of water, and shall have an F and T rating
of not less than the required fire-resistance
rating of the wall penetrated and be installed in
accordance with their listing.
The annular space created by the penetration
of an automatic sprinkler, provided that it is
covered by a metal escutcheon plate.
Membrane penetrations of maximum 2-hour
fire-resistance-rated walls and partitions by
steel electrical boxes that exceed 16 square
inches (0.0 103 m2) in area, or steel electrical
boxes of any size having an aggregate area
through the membrane exceeding 100 square
inches (0.0645 m2) in any 100 square feet (9.29
m2) of wall area, provided that such penetrating
items are protected by listed putty pads or other
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
listed materials and methods, and installed in
accordance with the listing.
714.4.3 Dissimilar materials. Noncombustible penetrating items shall not connect to combustible items beyond
the point of firestopping unless it can be demonstrated
that the fire-resistance integrity of the wall is maintained.
approved through-penetration firestop system installed
and tested in accordance with ASTM E814 or UL
1479, with a minimum positive pressure differential of
0.01 inch of water (2.49 Pa). The system shall have an
F rating/T rating of not less than 1 hour but not less
than the required rating of the floor penetrated.
Exceptions:
1. Floor penetrations contained and located
within the cavity of a wall above the floor
or below the floor do not require a T
rating.
2. Floor penetrations by floor drains, tub
drains or shower drains contained and
located within the concealed space of a
horizontal assembly do not require a T
rating.
3. Floor penetrations of maximum 4-inch
(102 mm) nominal diameter metal conduit
or tubing penetrating directly into metalenclosed electrical power switchgear do
not require a T rating.
714.5 Horizontal assemblies. Penetrations of a fire-resistance-rated floor, floor/ceiling assembly or the ceiling
membrane of a roof/ceiling assembly not required to be
enclosed in a shaft by Section 712.1 shall be protected in
accordance with Sections 714.5.1 through 714.5.4.
714.5.1 Through penetrations. Through penetrations of
horizontal assemblies shall comply with Section
714.5.1.1 or 714.5.1.2.
Exceptions:
1. Penetrations by steel, ferrous or copper
conduits, pipes, tubes or vents or concrete or
masonry items through a single fire-resistancerated floor assembly where the annular space
is protected with materials that prevent the
passage of flame and hot gases sufficient to
ignite cotton waste when subjected to ASTM
E119 or UL 263 time-temperature fire conditions under a minimum positive pressure
differential of 0.01 inch (2.49 Pa) of water at
the location of the penetration for the time
period equivalent to the fire-resistance rating
of the construction penetrated. Penetrating
items with a maximum 6-inch (152 mm) nominal diameter shall not be limited to the
penetration of a single fire-resistance-rated
floor assembly, provided that the aggregate
area of the openings through the assembly does
not exceed 144 square inches (92 900 mm2) in
any 100 square feet (9.3 m2) of floor area.
2. Penetrations in a single concrete floor by steel,
ferrous or copper conduits, pipes, tubes or
vents with a maximum 6-inch (152 mm) nominal diameter, provided that the concrete, grout
or mortar is installed the full thickness of the
floor or the thickness required to maintain the
fire-resistance rating. The penetrating items
shall not be limited to the penetration of a
single concrete floor, provided that the area of
the opening through each floor does not exceed
144 square inches (92 900 mm2).
3. Penetrations by listed electrical boxes of any
material, provided that such boxes have been
tested for use in fire-resistance-rated assemblies and installed in accordance with the
instructions included in the listing.
714.5.2 Membrane penetrations. Penetrations of
membranes that are part of a horizontal assembly shall
comply with Section 714.5.1.1 or 714.5.1.2. Where
floor/ceiling assemblies are required to have a fire-resistance rating, recessed fixtures shall be installed such that
the required fire resistance will not be reduced.
Exceptions:
714.5.1.1 Fire-resistance-rated assemblies. Through
penetrations shall be protected using systems installed
as tested in the approved fire-resistance-rated
assembly.
714.5.1.2 Through-penetration firestop system.
Through penetrations shall be protected by an
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1.
2.
3.
4.
Membrane penetrations by steel, ferrous or
copper conduits, pipes, tubes or vents, or
concrete or masonry items where the annular
space is protected either in accordance with
Section 714.5.1 or to prevent the free passage
of flame and the products of combustion. The
aggregate area of the openings through the
membrane shall not exceed 100 square inches
(64 500 mm2) in any 100 square feet (9.3 m2)
of ceiling area in assemblies tested without
penetrations.
Ceiling membrane penetrations of maximum
2-hour horizontal assemblies by steel electrical
boxes that do not exceed 16 square inches (10
323 mm2) in area, provided that the aggregate
area of such penetrations does not exceed 100
square inches (44 500 mm2) in any 100 square
feet (9.29 m2) of ceiling area, and the annular
space between the ceiling membrane and the
box does not exceed 1/8 inch (3.2 mm).
Membrane penetrations by electrical boxes of
any size or type, that have been listed as part of
an opening protective material system for use
in horizontal assemblies and are installed in
accordance with the instructions included in
the listing.
Membrane penetrations by listed electrical
boxes of any material, provided that such
boxes have been tested for use in fire-resis2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
6.
7.
8.
714.5.3 Dissimilar materials. Noncombustible penetrating items shall not connect to combustible materials
beyond the point of firestopping unless it can be demonstrated that the fire-resistance integrity of the horizontal
assembly is maintained.
714.5.4 Penetrations in smoke barriers. Penetrations in
smoke barriers shall be protected by an approved
through-penetration firestop system installed and tested
in accordance with the requirements of UL 1479 for air
leakage. The L rating of the system measured at 0.30 inch
(7.47 Pa) of water in both the ambient temperature and
elevated temperature tests shall not exceed either of the
following:
1.
2.
of combustion with an approved noncombustible material
or with a fill, void or cavity material that is tested and
classified for use in through-penetration firestop systems.
714.6.2 Penetrating items. Penetrating items that
connect not more than two stories are permitted, provided
that the annular space is filled with an approved material
to resist the free passage of flame and the products of
combustion.
SECTION 715
JOINTS AND VOIDS
715.1 General. The provisions of this section shall govern
the materials and methods of construction used to protect
joints and voids in or between horizontal and vertical
assemblies.
715.2 Installation. Systems or materials protecting joints
and voids shall be securely installed in accordance with the
manufacturer’s installation instructions in or on the joint or
void for its entire length so as not to dislodge, loosen or
otherwise impair its ability to accommodate expected building movements and to resist the passage of fire and hot
gases. Fire-resistant joint systems or systems used to protect
voids at exterior curtain walls and fire-resistance-rated floor
intersections shall also be installed in accordance with the
listing criteria.
715.3 Fire-resistance-rated assembly intersections. Joints
installed in or between fire-resistance-rated walls, floor or
floor/ceiling assemblies and roofs or roof/ceiling assemblies
shall be protected by an approved fire-resistant joint system
designed to resist the passage of fire for a time period not
less than the required fire-resistance rating of the wall, floor
or roof in or between which the system is installed.
Exception: Fire-resistant joint systems shall not be
required for joints in the following locations:
5.0 cfm per square foot (0.025 m3/ s × m2) of penetration opening for each through-penetration
firestop system.
A total cumulative leakage of 50 cfm (0.024 m3/s)
for any 100 square feet (9.3 m2) of wall area, or
floor area.
714.6 Nonfire-resistance-rated assemblies. Penetrations of
nonfire-resistance-rated floor or floor/ceiling assemblies or
the ceiling membrane of a nonfire-resistance-rated roof/ceiling assembly shall meet the requirements of Section 713 or
shall comply with Section 714.6.1 or 714.6.2.
714.6.1 Noncombustible penetrating items. Noncombustible penetrating items that connect not more than five
stories are permitted, provided that the annular space is
filled to resist the free passage of flame and the products
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1. Floors within a single dwelling unit.
2. Floors where the joint is protected by a shaft
enclosure in accordance with Section 713.
3. Floors within atriums where the space adjacent to
the atrium is included in the volume of the atrium
for smoke control purposes.
4. Floors within malls.
5. Floors and ramps within parking garages or structures constructed in accordance with Sections
406.5 and 406.6.
6. Mezzanine floors.
7. Walls that are permitted to have unprotected
openings.
8. Roofs where openings are permitted.
9. Control joints not exceeding a maximum width of
0.625 inch (15.9 mm) and tested in accordance
with ASTM E119 or UL 263.
10. The intersection of exterior curtain wall assemblies and the roof slab or roof deck.
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
5.
tance-rated assemblies and are installed in
accordance with the instructions included in
the listing. The annular space between the ceiling membrane and the box shall not exceed 1/8
inch (3.2 mm) unless listed otherwise.
The annular space created by the penetration
of a fire sprinkler, provided that it is covered
by a metal escutcheon plate.
Noncombustible items that are cast into
concrete building elements and that do not
penetrate both top and bottom surfaces of the
element.
The ceiling membrane of a maximum 2-hour
fire-resistance-rated horizontal assembly is
permitted to be interrupted with the double
wood top plate of a wall assembly that is
sheathed with Type X gypsum wallboard,
provided that all penetrating items through the
double top plates are protected in accordance
with Section 714.5.1.1 or 714.5.1.2 and the
ceiling membrane is tight to the top plates.
Ceiling membrane penetrations by listed luminaires (light fixtures) or by luminaires
protected with listed materials, which have
been tested for use in fire-resistance-rated
assemblies and are installed in accordance with
the instructions included in the listing.
**
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
715.3.1 Fire test criteria. Fire-resistant joint systems
shall be tested in accordance with the requirements of
either ASTM E1966 or UL 2079. Nonsymmetrical wall
joint systems shall be tested with both faces exposed to
the furnace, and the assigned fire-resistance rating shall
be the shortest duration obtained from the two tests.
Where evidence is furnished to show that the wall was
tested with the least fire-resistant side exposed to the
furnace, subject to acceptance of the building official, the
wall need not be subjected to tests from the opposite side.

ter fire containment systems protecting voids at the
intersection of a horizontal smoke barrier and an exterior
curtain wall, shall be tested in accordance with the requirements of UL 2079 for air leakage. The L rating of the joint
system shall not exceed 5 cubic feet per minute per linear foot
(0.00775 m3/s m) of joint at 0.30 inch (74.7 Pa) of water for
both the ambient temperature and elevated temperature tests.
Exception: For exterior walls with a horizontal fire
separation distance greater than 10 feet (3048 mm),
the joint system shall be required to be tested for interior fire exposure only.
SECTION 716
OPENING PROTECTIVES
716.1 General. Opening protectives required by other
sections of this code shall comply with the provisions of
this section and shall be installed in accordance with
NFPA 80.
715.4 Exterior curtain wall/fire-resistance-rated floor
intersections. Voids created at the intersection of exterior
curtain wall assemblies and fire-resistance-rated floor or
floor/ceiling assemblies shall be protected with an approved
perimeter fire containment system to prevent the interior
spread of fire. Such systems shall provide an F rating for a
time period not less than the fire-resistance rating of the
floor or floor/ceiling assembly.
716.1.1 Alternative methods for determining fire
protection ratings. The application of any of the alternative methods specified in this section shall be based on
the fire exposure and acceptance criteria specified in
NFPA 252, NFPA 257, UL 9, UL 10B or UL 10C. The
required fire resistance of an opening protective shall be
permitted to be established by any of the following methods or procedures:
715.4.1 Fire test criteria. Perimeter fire containment
systems shall be tested in accordance with the requirements of ASTM E2307.
Exception: Voids created at the intersection of the
exterior curtain wall assemblies and floor assemblies
where the vision glass extends to the finished floor
level shall be permitted to be protected with an
approved material to prevent the interior spread of fire.
Such material shall be securely installed and capable
of preventing the passage of flame and hot gases sufficient to ignite cotton waste where subjected to ASTM
E119 time-temperature fire conditions under a minimum positive pressure differential of 0.01 inch (0.254
mm) of water column (2.5 Pa) for the time period not
less than the fire-resistance rating of the floor
assembly.
715.5 Exterior curtain wall/nonfire-resistance-rated floor
assembly intersections. Voids created at the intersection of
exterior curtain wall assemblies and nonfire-resistance-rated
floor or floor/ceiling assemblies shall be filled with an
approved material or system to retard the interior spread of
fire and hot gases between stories.
715.6 Exterior curtain wall/vertical fire barrier intersections. Voids created at the intersection of nonfire-resistancerated exterior curtain wall assemblies and vertical fire barriers shall be filled with an approved material or system to
retard the interior spread of fire and hot gases.
1.
2.
3.
4.
716.1.2 Glazing. Glazing used in fire door assemblies
and fire window assemblies shall comply with this section
in addition to the requirements of Sections 716.2 and
716.3, respectively.
716.1.2.1 Safety glazing. Fire-protection-rated glazing and fire-resistance-rated glazing installed in fire
door assemblies and fire window assemblies shall
comply with the safety glazing requirements of Chapter 24 where applicable.
716.1.2.2 Marking fire-rated glazing assemblies.
Fire-rated glazing assemblies shall be marked in
accordance with Tables 716.1(1), 716.1(2) and
716.1(3).
715.7 Curtain wall spandrels. Height and fire-resistance
requirements for curtain wall spandrels shall comply with
Section 705.8.5. Where Section 705.8.5 does not require
fire-resistance-rated curtain wall spandrels, the requirements
of Sections 715.4 and 715.5 shall still apply to the intersection between the curtain wall spandrels and the floor.
715.8 Joints and voids in smoke barriers. Fire-resistant
joint systems protecting joints in smoke barriers, and perime-
7-24
Designs documented in approved sources.
Calculations performed in an approved manner.
Engineering analysis based on a comparison of
opening protective designs having fire protection
ratings as determined by the test procedures set
forth in NFPA 252, NFPA 257, UL 9, UL 10B or
UL 10C.
Alternative protection methods as allowed by
Section 104.11.
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716.1.2.2.1 Fire-rated glazing identification. For
fire-rated glazing, the label shall bear the identification required in Tables 716.1(1) and 716.1(2). “D”
indicates that the glazing is permitted to be used in
fire door assemblies and meets the fire protection
requirements of NFPA 252, UL 10B or UL 10C.
“H” indicates that the glazing meets the hose stream
requirements of NFPA 252, UL 10B or UL 10C. “T”
indicates that the glazing meets the temperature
requirements of Section 716.2.2.3.1. The placeholder “XXX” represents the fire-rating period, in
minutes.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 716.1(1)
MARKING FIRE-RATED GLAZING ASSEMBLIES
FIRE TEST STANDARD
MARKING
DEFINITION OF MARKING
ASTM E119 or UL 263
W
Meets wall assembly criteria.
ASTM E119 or UL 263
FC
Meets floor/ceiling criteriaa
NFPA 257 or UL 9
OH
Meets fire window assembly criteria including the hose stream test.
NFPA 252 or UL 10B or UL 10C
—
D
Meets fire door assembly criteria.
H
Meets fire door assembly hose stream test.
T
Meets 450°F temperature rise criteria for 30 minutes
XXX
The time in minutes of the fire resistance or fire protection rating of the glazing assembly.
For SI: °C = [(°F) – 32]/1.8.
a. See Section 2409.1
TABLE 716.1(2)
OPENING FIRE PROTECTION ASSEMBLIES, RATINGS AND MARKINGS
TYPE OF
ASSEMBLY
REQUIRED WALL
ASSEMBLY RATING
(hours)
MINIMUM
FIRE DOOR
AND FIRE
SHUTTER
ASSEMBLY
RATING
(hours)
DOOR
VISION
PANEL
SIZEa
FIRE-RATED
GLAZING
MARKING
DOOR VISION
PANELb,c
4
3
See
Note a
3
3d
See
Note a
2
11/2
1
1
1 /2
Double fire walls
constructed in accordance with NFPA
221
Single-wall
assembly
rating
(hours)e
Each wall
of the
doublewall
assembly
(hours)f
4
3
3
2
1
3
2
Enclosures for
shafts, interior exit
stairways and interior exit ramps.
1 /2
1
2
100 sq. in.
100 sq. in.
FIRE-RATED GLAZING
MARKING SIDELIGHT/TRANSOM
PANEL
Fire
protection
Fire
resistance
D-H-W-240
Not
Permitted
4
Not
Permitted
W-240
D-H-W-180
Not
Permitted
3
Not
Permitted
W-180
Not
Permitted
2
Not
Permitted
W-120
Not
Permitted
11/2
Not
Permitted
W-90
Not
Permitted
3
Not
Permitted
W-180
Not
Permitted
2
Not
Permitted
W-120
Not
Permitted
1
Not
Permitted
W-60
Not
Permitted
2
Not
Permitted
W-120
≤100 sq. in. =
D-H-90
Fire walls and fire
barriers having a
required fire-resistance rating greater
than 1 hour
MINIMUM SIDELIGHT/
TRANSOM ASSEMBLY
RATING (hours)
>100 sq.
in.=D-H-W90
≤100 sq. in. =
D-H-90
>100 sq. in.=
D-H-W-90
Fire
Fire
protection resistance
—
1 /2
See
Note a
D-H-W-180
100 sq. in.
1
100 sq. in.
1
b
1 /2
100 sq. in.
≤ 100 sq. in. =
D-H-90
>100 sq. in.=
D-H-W-90
≤ 100 sq. in. =
D-H-60
> 100 sq. in. =
D-H-W-60
≤100 sq. in. =
D-H-90
> 100 sq. in.=
D-H-T-W-90
(continued)
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7-25
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 716.1(2)—continued
OPENING FIRE PROTECTION ASSEMBLIES, RATINGS AND MARKINGS
TYPE OF
ASSEMBLY
REQUIRED WALL
ASSEMBLY RATING
(hours)
MINIMUM
FIRE DOOR
AND FIRE
SHUTTER
ASSEMBLY
RATING
(hours)
FIRE-RATED
GLAZING
MARKING
DOOR VISION
PANELb,c
DOOR
VISION
PANEL
SIZEa
≤100 sq. in. =
D-H-180
4
3
100 sq. in.
Horizontal exits in
fire wallsg
≤100 sq. in. =
D-H-180
3
Fire barriers having a
required fire-resistance rating of 1
hour: Enclosures for
shafts, exit access
stairways, exit
access ramps, interior exit stairways
and interior exit
ramps; and exit
passageway walls
> 100 sq.
in.=D-H-W240
3d
100 sq. in.
> 100 sq.
in.=D-H-W180
≤100 sq. in. =
D-H-60
1
1
100 sq. in.
>100 sq.
in.=D-H-TW-60
MINIMUM SIDELIGHT/
TRANSOM ASSEMBLY
RATING (hours)
FIRE-RATED GLAZING
MARKING SIDELIGHT/TRANSOM
PANEL
Fire
protection
Fire
resistance
Fire
Fire
protection resistance
Not
Permitted
4
Not
Permitted
W-240
Not
Permitted
3
Not
Permitted
W-180
Not
Permitted
1
Not
Permitted
W-60
Fire protection
Other fire barriers
Fire partitions:
Corridor walls
1
3
/4
Maximum
size tested
1
1 a
3
/
Maximum
size tested
D-20
3 a
4
/
D-H-OH-45
0.5
1 a
3
/
Maximum
size tested
D-20
1
D-H-OH-20
1
3 i
4
Maximum
size tested
D-H-45
3
D-H-45
Maximum
size tested
D-H-20
1
D-H-20
/
Other fire partitions
0.5
Exterior walls
1
/3
D-H
3 h
4
/
D-Hh
≤100 sq. in. =
D-H-90
3
11/2
100 sq. in.a
2
11/2
Maximum D-H 90 or Dsize tested
H-W-90
> 100 sq. in =
D-H-W-90
/3
/4
/3
Not
Permitted
3
Not
Permitted
W-180
11/2h
2
D-H-OH90h
W-120
Fire protection
1
3
/4
Maximum
size tested
/3
Maximum
size tested
D-H-45
/4 h
3
D-H-45h
Fire protection
Smoke barriers
1
1
D-20
3
/4
D-H-OH-45
(continued)
7-26
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 716.1(2)—continued
OPENING FIRE PROTECTION ASSEMBLIES, RATINGS AND MARKINGS
TABLE 716.1(3)
FIRE WINDOW ASSEMBLY FIRE PROTECTION RATINGS
REQUIRED WALL
ASSEMBLY RATING
(hours)
MINIMUM FIRE WINDOW
ASSEMBLY RATING
(hours)
FIRE-RATED
GLAZING MARKING
Fire walls
All
NPa
W-XXXb
Fire barriers
>1
NPa
W-XXXb
a
W-XXXb
TYPE OF WALL ASSEMBLY
Interior walls
1
NP
Atrium separations (Section 707.3.6),
Incidental use areas (Section 707.3.7),c
Mixed occupancy separations (Section 707.3.9)
1
3
/4
OH-45 or W-60
Fire partitions
1
3
/4
OH-45 or W-60
0.5
1
/3
OH-20 or W-30
1
3
/4
OH-45 or W-60
Smoke barriers
Exterior walls
Party wall
>1
1
1 /2
OH-90 or W-XXXb
1
3/4
OH-45 or W-60
0.5
1/3
OH-20 or W-30
All
NP
Not Applicable
NP = Not Permitted.
a. Not permitted except fire-resistance-rated glazing assemblies tested to ASTM E119 or UL 263, as specified in Section 716.1.2.3.
b. XXX = The fire rating duration period in minutes, which shall be equal to the fire-resistance rating required for the wall assembly.
c. Fire-protection-rated glazing is not permitted for fire barriers required by Section 1207 of the International Fire Code to enclose energy storage systems.
Fire-resistance-rated glazing assemblies tested to ASTM E119 or UL 263, as specified in Section 716.1.2.3, shall be permitted.
716.1.2.2.2 Fire-protection-rated glazing identification. For fire-protection-rated glazing, the label
shall bear the following identification required in
Tables 716.1(1) and 716.1(3): “OH – XXX.” “OH”
indicates that the glazing meets both the fire protection and the hose-stream requirements of NFPA 257
or UL 9 and is permitted to be used in fire window
openings. The placeholder “XXX” represents the
fire-rating period, in minutes.
716.1.2.2.3 Fire-resistance-rated glazing identification. For fire-resistance-rated glazing, the label
shall bear the identification required in Section
703.4 and Table 716.1(1).
716.1.2.2.4 Fire-rated glazing that exceeds the
code requirements. Fire-rated glazing assemblies
marked as complying with hose stream requirements (H) shall be permitted in applications that do
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
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not require compliance with hose stream requirements. Fire-rated glazing assemblies marked as
complying with temperature rise requirements (T)
shall be permitted in applications that do not require
compliance with temperature rise requirements.
Fire-rated glazing assemblies marked with ratings
(XXX) that exceed the ratings required by this code
shall be permitted.
716.1.2.3 Fire-resistance-rated glazing. Fire-resistance-rated glazing tested as part of a fire-resistancerated wall or floor/ceiling assembly in accordance with
ASTM E119 or UL 263 and labeled in accordance
with Section 703.4 shall not otherwise be required to
comply with this section where used as part of a wall
or floor/ceiling assembly.
716.1.2.3.1 Glazing in fire door and fire window
assemblies. Fire-resistance-rated glazing shall be
7-27

For SI: 1 square inch = 645.2 mm.
a. Fire-resistance-rated glazing tested to ASTM E119 in accordance with Section 716.1.2.3 shall be permitted, in the maximum size tested.
b. Under the column heading “Fire-rated glazing marking door vision panel,” W refers to the fire-resistance rating of the glazing, not the frame.
c. See Section 716.1.2.2.1 and Table 716.1(1) for additional permitted markings.
d. Two doors, each with a fire protection rating of 11/2 hours, installed on opposite sides of the same opening in a fire wall, shall be deemed equivalent in fire
protection rating to one 3-hour fire door.
e. As required in Section 706.4.
f. As allowed in Section 4.6 of NFPA 221.
g. See Section 716.2.5.1.2.
h. Fire-protection-rated glazing is not permitted for fire barriers required by Section 1207 of the International Fire Code to enclose energy storage systems.
Fire-resistance-rated glazing assemblies tested to ASTM E119 or UL 263, as specified in Section 716.1.2.3, shall be permitted.
i. Two doors, each with a fire rating of 20 minutes, installed on opposite sides of the same opening in a fire partition, shall be deemed equivalent in fire
protection rating to one 45-minute fire door.
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
permitted in fire door and fire window assemblies
where tested and installed in accordance with their
listings and where in compliance with the requirements of this section.
located in corridor walls or smoke barrier walls
having a fire-resistance rating in accordance with
Table 716.1(2) shall be tested in accordance with
NFPA 252 or UL 10C without the hose stream test.
Exceptions:
716.2 Fire door assemblies. Fire door assemblies required
by other sections of this code shall comply with the provisions of this section. Fire door frames with transom lights,
sidelights or both shall be permitted in accordance with
Section 716.2.5.4.
1.
716.2.1 Testing requirements. Approved fire door and
fire shutter assemblies shall be constructed of any material or assembly of component materials that conforms to
the test requirements of Sections 716.2.1.1 through
716.2.1.4 and the fire protection rating indicated in Table
716.1(2).
2.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
3.
Labeled protective assemblies that conform to
the requirements of this section or UL 10A, UL
14B and UL 14C for tin-clad fire door
assemblies.
Floor fire door assemblies in accordance with
Section 712.1.13.1.
4.
716.2.1.1 Side-hinged or pivoted swinging doors.
Fire door assemblies with side-hinged and pivoted
swinging doors shall be tested in accordance with
NFPA 252 or UL 10C. For tests conducted in accordance with NFPA 252, the fire test shall be conducted
using the positive pressure method specified in the
standard.
716.2.1.2 Other types of assemblies. Fire door
assemblies with other types of doors, including swinging elevator doors, horizontal sliding fire doors, rolling
steel fire doors, fire shutters, bottom- and side-hinged
chute intake doors, and top-hinged chute discharge
doors, shall be tested in accordance with NFPA 252 or
UL 10B. For tests conducted in accordance with
NFPA 252, the neutral pressure plane in the furnace
shall be maintained as nearly equal to the atmospheric
pressure as possible at the top of the door, as specified
in the standard.
716.2.1.3 Glazing in transoms lights and sidelights
in corridors and smoke barriers. Glazing material in
any other part of the door assembly, including transom
lights and sidelights, shall be tested in accordance with
NFPA 257 or UL 9, including the hose stream test, in
accordance with Section 716.3.1.1.
716.2.1.4 Smoke and draft control. Fire door assemblies that serve as smoke and draft control assemblies
shall be tested in accordance with UL 1784.
716.2.2.1.1 Smoke and draft control. The air leakage rate of the door assembly shall not exceed 3.0
cubic feet per minute per square foot (0.01524 m3/s
× m2) of door opening at 0.10 inch (24.9 Pa) of water
for both the ambient temperature and elevated
temperature tests. Louvers shall be prohibited.
Terminated stops shall be prohibited on doors
required by Section 405.4.3 to comply with Section
716.2.2.1 and prohibited on doors required by Item
3 of Section 3006.3, or Section 3007.6.3 or 3008.6.3
to comply with this section.
716.2.2.2 Door assemblies in other fire partitions.
Fire door assemblies required to have a minimum fire
protection rating of 20 minutes where located in other
fire partitions having a fire-resistance rating of 0.5
hour in accordance with Table 716.1(2) shall be tested
in accordance with NFPA 252, UL 10B or UL 10C
with the hose stream test.
716.2.2.3 Doors in interior exit stairways and
ramps and exit passageways. Fire door assemblies in
interior exit stairways and ramps and exit passageways shall have a maximum transmitted temperature
rise of not more than 450°F (250°C) above ambient at
the end of 30 minutes of standard fire test exposure.
716.2.2 Performance requirements. Fire door assemblies shall be installed in the assemblies specified in
Table 716.1(2) and shall comply with the fire protection
rating specified.
716.2.2.1 Door assemblies in corridors and smoke
barriers. Fire door assemblies required to have a
minimum fire protection rating of 20 minutes where
7-28
Viewports that require a hole not larger
than 1 inch (25 mm) in diameter through
the door, have not less than a 0.25-inchthick (6.4 mm) glass disc and the holder is
of metal that will not melt out where
subject to temperatures of 1,700°F
(927°C).
Corridor door assemblies in occupancies
of Group I-2 shall be in accordance with
Section 407.3.1.
Unprotected openings shall be permitted
for corridors in multitheater complexes
where each motion picture auditorium has
not fewer than one-half of its required exit
or exit access doorways opening directly
to the exterior or into an exit passageway.
Horizontal sliding doors in smoke barriers
that comply with Sections 408.6 and
408.8.4 in occupancies in Group I-3.
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Exception: The maximum transmitted temperature
rise is not required in buildings equipped throughout
with an automatic sprinkler system installed in
accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.
716.2.2.3.1 Glazing in doors. Fire-protection-rated
glazing in excess of 100 square inches (0.065 m2) is
not permitted. Fire-resistance-rated glazing in
excess of 100 square inches (0.065 m2) shall be
permitted in fire doors. Listed fire-resistance-rated
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
permitted in door frames with transom lights, sidelights or both, where a 3/4-hour fire protection rating or
less is required and in 2-hour fire-resistance-rated exterior walls in accordance with Table 716.1(2). Fire
door frames with transom lights, sidelights or both,
installed with fire-resistance-rated glazing tested as an
assembly in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL 263
shall be permitted where a fire protection rating
exceeding 3/4 hour is required in accordance with Table
716.1(2).
glazing in a fire door shall have a maximum transmitted temperature rise in accordance with Section
716.2.2.3 when the fire door is tested in accordance
with NFPA 252, UL 10B or UL 10C.
716.2.3 Fire doors Fire doors installed within a fire door
assembly shall meet the fire rating indicated in Table
716.1(2).
716.2.4 Fire door frames. Fire door frames installed as
part of a fire door assembly shall meet the fire rating indicated in Table 716.1(2).
716.2.5.4.1 Energy storage system separation.
Fire-protection-rated glazing shall not be permitted
in fire door frames with transom lights and sidelights in fire barriers required by Section 1207 of
the International Fire Code to enclose energy storage systems.
716.2.5 Glazing in fire door assemblies. Fire-rated
glazing conforming to the opening protection requirements in Section 716.2.1 shall be permitted in fire door
assemblies.
716.2.5.1 Size limitations. Fire-resistance-rated glazing shall comply with the size limitations in Section
716.2.5.1.1. Fire-protection-rated glazing shall comply
with the size limitations of NFPA 80, and as provided
in Section 716.2.5.1.2.
716.2.6 Fire door hardware and closures. Fire door
hardware and closures shall be installed on fire door
assemblies in accordance with the requirements of this
section.
716.2.5.1.1 Fire-resistance-rated glazing in door
assemblies in fire walls and fire barriers rated
greater than 1 hour. Fire-resistance-rated glazing
tested to ASTM E119 or UL 263 and NFPA 252, UL
10B or UL 10C shall be permitted in fire door
assemblies located in fire walls and in fire barriers
in accordance with Table 716.1(2) to the maximum
size tested and in accordance with their listings.
716.2.5.1.2 Fire-protection-rated glazing in door
assemblies in fire walls and fire barriers rated
greater than 1 hour. Fire-protection-rated glazing
shall be prohibited in fire walls and fire barriers
except as provided in Sections 716.2.5.1.2.1 and
716.2.5.1.2.2.
716.2.5.1.2.1 Horizontal exits. Fire-protectionrated glazing shall be permitted as vision panels
in self-closing swinging fire door assemblies
serving as horizontal exits in fire walls where
limited to 100 square inches (0.065 m2).
716.2.5.1.2.2 Fire barriers. Fire-protectionrated glazing shall be permitted in fire doors
having a 11/2-hour fire protection rating intended
for installation in fire barriers, where limited to
100 square inches (0.065 m2).
716.2.5.2 Elevator, stairway and ramp protectives.
Approved fire-protection-rated glazing used in fire
door assemblies in elevator, stairway and ramp enclosures shall be so located as to furnish clear vision of
the passageway or approach to the elevator, stairway
or ramp.
716.2.5.3 Glazing in door assemblies in corridors
and smoke barriers. In a 20-minute fire door assembly, the glazing material in the door itself shall have a
minimum fire-protection-rated glazing of 20 minutes
and shall be exempt from the hose stream test.
716.2.5.4 Fire door frames with transom lights and
sidelights. Fire-protection-rated glazing shall be
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
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716.2.6.1 Door closing. Fire doors shall be latching
and self- or automatic-closing in accordance with this
section.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
Fire doors located in common walls separating sleeping units in Group R-1 shall be
permitted without automatic- or self-closing devices.
The elevator car doors and the associated
hoistway enclosure doors at the floor level
designated for recall in accordance with
Section 3003.2 shall be permitted to
remain open during Phase I emergency
recall operation.
716.2.6.2 Latch required. Unless otherwise specifically permitted, single side-hinged swinging fire doors
and both leaves of pairs of side-hinged swinging fire
doors shall be provided with an active latch bolt that
will secure the door when it is closed.
716.2.6.3 Chute intake door latching. Chute intake
doors shall be positive latching, remaining latched and
closed in the event of latch spring failure during a fire
emergency.
716.2.6.4 Automatic-closing fire door assemblies.
Automatic-closing fire door assemblies shall be selfclosing in accordance with NFPA 80.
716.2.6.5 Delayed-action closers. Doors required to
be self-closing and not required to be automatic closing shall be permitted to be equipped with delayedaction closers.
716.2.6.6 Smoke-activated doors. Automatic-closing
doors installed in the following locations shall be
permitted to have hold-open devices. Doors shall automatically close by the actuation of smoke detectors
installed in accordance with Section 907.3 or by loss
of power to the smoke detector or hold-open device.
7-29
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
716.2.9.1.1 Light kits, louvers and components.
Listed light kits and louvers and their required
preparations shall be considered as part of the
labeled door where such installations are done under
the listing program of the third-party agency. Fire
doors and fire door assemblies shall be permitted to
consist of components, including glazing, vision
light kits and hardware that are listed or classified
and labeled for such use by different third-party
agencies.
Doors that are automatic-closing by smoke detection
shall not have more than a 10-second delay before the
door starts to close after the smoke detector is actuated. Automatic-closing doors that protect openings
installed in the following locations shall comply with
this section:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
In walls that separate incidental uses in accordance with Section 509.4.
In fire walls in accordance with Section 706.8.
In fire barriers in accordance with Section
707.6.
In fire partitions in accordance with Section
708.6.
In smoke barriers in accordance with Section
709.5.
In smoke partitions in accordance with Section
710.5.2.3.
In shaft enclosures in accordance with Section
713.7.
In waste and linen chutes, discharge openings
and access and discharge rooms in accordance
with Section 713.13. Loading doors installed in
waste and linen chutes shall meet the requirements of Sections 716.2.6.1 and 716.2.6.3.
716.2.6.7 Doors in pedestrian ways. Vertical sliding
or vertical rolling steel fire doors in openings through
which pedestrians travel shall be heat activated or activated by smoke detectors with alarm verification.
716.2.7 Swinging fire shutters. Where fire shutters of
the swinging type are installed in exterior openings, not
less than one row in every three vertical rows shall be
arranged to be readily opened from the outside, and shall
be identified by distinguishing marks or letters not less
than 6 inches (152 mm) high.
716.2.8 Rolling fire shutters. Where fire shutters of the
rolling type are installed, such shutters shall include
approved automatic-closing devices.
716.2.9 Labeled protective assemblies. Fire door
assemblies shall be labeled by an approved agency. The
labels shall comply with NFPA 80, and shall be permanently affixed to the door or frame.
716.2.9.1 Fire door labeling requirements. Fire
doors shall be labeled showing the name of the manufacturer or other identification readily traceable back
to the manufacturer, the name or trademark of the
third-party inspection agency, the fire protection
rating and, where required for fire doors in interior
exit stairways and ramps and exit passageways by
Section 716.2.2.3, the maximum transmitted temperature end point. Smoke and draft control doors
complying with UL 1784 shall be labeled as such and
shall comply with Section 716.2.9.3. Labels shall be
approved and permanently affixed. The label shall be
applied at the factory or location where fabrication and
assembly are performed.
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716.2.9.2 Oversized doors. Oversized fire doors shall
bear an oversized fire door label by an approved
agency or shall be provided with a certificate of
inspection furnished by an approved testing agency.
Where a certificate of inspection is furnished by an
approved testing agency, the certificate shall state that
the door conforms to the requirements of design, materials and construction, but has not been subjected to
the fire test.
716.2.9.3 Smoke and draft control door labeling
requirements. Smoke and draft control doors complying with UL 1784 shall be labeled in accordance with
Section 716.2.9.1 and shall show the letter “S” on the
fire-rating label of the door. This marking shall indicate that the door and frame assembly are in
compliance where listed or labeled gasketing is
installed.
716.2.9.4 Fire door frame labeling requirements.
Fire door frames shall be labeled showing the names
of the manufacturer and the third-party inspection
agency.
716.2.9.5 Labeling. Fire-rated glazing shall bear a
label or other identification showing the name of the
manufacturer, the test standard and information
required in Table 716.1(1) that shall be issued by an
approved agency and shall be permanently identified
on the glazing.
716.2.9.6 Fire door operator labeling requirements.
Fire door operators for horizontal sliding doors shall
be labeled and listed for use with the assembly.
716.2.10 Installation of door assemblies in corridors
and smoke barriers. Installation of smoke doors shall be
in accordance with NFPA 105.
716.3 Fire window assemblies. Fire window assemblies
required by other sections of this code shall comply with the
provisions of this section.
716.3.1 Testing requirements. Fire window assemblies
shall be constructed of any material or assembly of
component materials that conforms to the test requirements of Sections 716.3.1.1 and 716.3.1.2 and the fire
protection rating indicated in Table 716.1(3).
716.3.1.1 Testing under positive pressure. NFPA
257 or UL 9 shall evaluate fire-protection-rated glazing under positive pressure. Within the first 10 minutes
of a test, the pressure in the furnace shall be adjusted
so not less than two-thirds of the test specimen is
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
above the neutral pressure plane, and the neutral pressure plane shall be maintained at that height for the
balance of the test.
716.3.1.2
Nonsymmetrical
glazing
systems.
Nonsymmetrical fire-protection-rated glazing systems
in fire partitions, fire barriers or in exterior walls with
a fire separation distance of 10 feet (3048 mm) or less
pursuant to Section 705 shall be tested with both faces
exposed to the furnace, and the assigned fire protection rating shall be the shortest duration obtained from
the two tests conducted in compliance with NFPA 257
or UL 9.
716.3.2 Performance requirements. Fire window
assemblies shall be installed in the assemblies and
comply with the fire protection rating specified in Table
716.1(3).
716.3.2.1 Interior fire window assemblies. Fireprotection-rated glazing used in fire window assemblies located in fire partitions and fire barriers shall be
limited to use in assemblies with a maximum fireresistance rating of 1 hour in accordance with this
section.
716.3.2.1.1 Where 3/4-hour-fire-protection window
assemblies permitted. Fire-protection-rated glazing
requiring 45-minute opening protection in accordance with Table 716.1(3) shall be limited to fire
partitions designed in accordance with Section 708
and fire barriers utilized in the applications set forth
in Sections 707.3.6, 707.3.7 and 707.3.9 where the
fire-resistance rating does not exceed 1 hour. Fireresistance-rated glazing assemblies tested in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL 263 shall not be
subject to the limitations of this section.
716.3.2.1.1.1 Energy storage system separation. Fire-protection-rated glazing is not
permitted for use in fire window assemblies in
fire barriers required by Section 1207 of the
International Fire Code to enclose energy storage systems.
716.3.2.1.2 Area limitations. The total area of the
glazing in fire-protection-rated window assemblies
shall not exceed 25 percent of the area of a common
wall with any room.
1
716.3.2.1.3
Where
/3-hour-fire-protection
window assemblies permitted. Fire-protectionrated glazing shall be permitted in window assemblies tested to NFPA 257 or UL 9 in fire partitions
requiring 1/3-hour opening protection in accordance
with Table 716.1(3).
716.3.3 Fire window frames. Fire window frames
installed with a fire window assembly shall meet the fireprotection rating indicated in Table 716.1(3).
716.3.3.1 Window mullions. Metal mullions that
exceed a nominal height of 12 feet (3658 mm) shall be
protected with materials to afford the same fire-resis-
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
tance rating as required for the wall construction in
which the protective is located.
716.3.4 Fire-protection-rated glazing. Glazing in fire
window assemblies shall be fire protection rated in accordance with this section and Table 716.1(3). Fireprotection-rated glazing in fire window assemblies shall
be tested in accordance with and shall meet the acceptance criteria of NFPA 257 or UL 9. Openings in nonfireresistance-rated exterior wall assemblies that require
protection in accordance with Section 705.3, 705.8,
705.8.5 or 705.8.6 shall have a fire protection rating of
not less than 3/4 hour. Fire-protection-rated glazing in 1/2hour fire-resistance-rated partitions is permitted to have a
20-minute fire protection rating.
716.3.4.1 Glass and glazing. Glazing in fire window
assemblies shall be fire-protection-rated glazing
installed in accordance with and complying with the
size limitations set forth in NFPA 80.
716.3.5 Labeled protective assemblies. Glazing in fire
window assemblies shall be labeled by an approved
agency. The labels shall comply with NFPA 80 and
Section 716.3.5.2.
716.3.5.1 Fire window frames. Fire window frames
shall be approved for the intended application.
716.3.5.2 Labeling requirements. Fire-protectionrated glazing shall bear a label or other identification
showing the name of the manufacturer, the test standard and information required in Section 716.1.2.2.2
and Table 716.1(3) that shall be issued by an approved
agency and permanently identified on the glazing.
716.3.6 Installation. Fire window assemblies shall be
installed in accordance with the provisions of this section.
716.3.6.1 Closure. Fire-protection-rated glazing shall
be in the fixed position or be automatic-closing and
shall be installed in labeled frames.
716.4 Fire protective curtain assembly. Approved fire
protective curtain assemblies shall be constructed of any
materials or assembly of component materials tested without
hose stream in accordance with UL 10D, and shall comply
with the Sections 716.4.1 through 716.4.3
716.4.1 Label. Fire protective curtain assemblies used as
opening protectives in fire-rated walls and smoke partitions shall be labeled in accordance with Section 716.2.9.
716.4.2 Smoke and draft control. Fire protective
curtain assemblies used to protect openings where smoke
and draft control assemblies are required shall comply
with Section 716.2.1.4.
716.4.3 Installation. Fire protective curtain assemblies
shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 80.
SECTION 717
DUCTS AND AIR TRANSFER OPENINGS
717.1 General. The provisions of this section shall govern
the protection of duct penetrations and air transfer openings
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
in assemblies required to be protected and duct penetrations
in nonfire-resistance-rated floor assemblies.
717.1.1 Ducts and air transfer openings. Ducts transitioning horizontally between shafts shall not require a
shaft enclosure provided that the duct penetration into
each associated shaft is protected with dampers complying with this section.
717.1.2 Ducts that penetrate fire-resistance-rated
assemblies without dampers. Ducts that penetrate fireresistance-rated walls and are not required by this section
to have fire dampers shall comply with the requirements
of Sections 714.3 through 714.4.3. Ducts that penetrate
horizontal assemblies not required to be contained within
a shaft and not required by this section to have fire dampers shall comply with the requirements of Sections 714.5
through 714.6.2.
717.1.2.1 Ducts that penetrate nonfire-resistancerated assemblies. The space around a duct penetrating
a nonfire-resistance-rated floor assembly shall comply
with Section 717.6.3.
717.2 Installation. Fire dampers, smoke dampers, combination fire/smoke dampers and ceiling radiation dampers
located within air distribution and smoke control systems
shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions, the dampers’ listing and Sections 717.2.1
through 717.2.3.
717.2.1 Smoke control system. Where the installation of
a fire damper will interfere with the operation of a
required smoke control system in accordance with
Section 909, approved alternative protection shall be
utilized. Where mechanical systems including ducts and
dampers utilized for normal building ventilation serve as
part of the smoke control system, the expected performance of these systems in smoke control mode shall be
addressed in the rational analysis required by Section
909.4.
717.2.2 Hazardous exhaust ducts. Fire dampers for
hazardous exhaust duct systems shall comply with the
International Mechanical Code.
717.2.3 Static dampers. Fire dampers and ceiling radiation dampers that are listed for use in static systems shall
only be installed in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems that are automatically shut down in the event
of a fire.
717.3 Damper testing, ratings and actuation. Damper testing, ratings and actuation shall be in accordance with
Sections 717.3.1 through 717.3.3.
717.3.1 Damper testing. Dampers shall be listed and
labeled in accordance with the standards in this section.
1.
2.
7-32
3.
4.
5.
Combination fire/smoke dampers shall comply
with the requirements of both UL 555 and UL
555S.
Ceiling radiation dampers shall comply with the
requirements of UL 555C or shall be tested as part
of a fire-resistance-rated floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assembly in accordance with ASTM E119 or
UL 263.
Corridor dampers shall comply with requirements
of both UL 555 and UL 555S. Corridor dampers
shall demonstrate acceptable closure performance
when subjected to 150 feet per minute (0.76 mps)
velocity across the face of the damper during the
UL 555 fire exposure test.
717.3.2 Damper rating. Damper ratings shall be in
accordance with Sections 717.3.2.1 through 717.3.2.4.
717.3.2.1 Fire damper ratings. Fire dampers shall
have the minimum rating specified in Table 717.3.2.1.
TABLE 717.3.2.1
FIRE DAMPER RATING
TYPE OF PENETRATION
MINIMUM DAMPER
RATING (hours)
Less than 3-hour fire-resistance-rated
assemblies
1.5
3-hour or greater fire-resistance-rated
assemblies
3
717.3.2.2 Smoke damper ratings. Smoke damper
leakage ratings shall be Class I or II. Elevated
temperature ratings shall be not less than 250°F
(121°C).
717.3.2.3 Combination fire/smoke damper ratings.
Combination fire/smoke dampers shall have the minimum rating specified for fire dampers in Table
717.3.2.1 and shall have the minimum rating specified
for smoke dampers in Section 717.3.2.2.
717.3.2.4 Corridor damper ratings. Corridor dampers shall have the following minimum ratings:
1.
2.
One-hour fire-resistance rating.
Class I or II leakage rating as specified in
Section 717.3.2.2.
717.3.3 Damper actuation. Damper actuation shall be in
accordance with Sections 717.3.3.1 through 717.3.3.5 as
applicable.
717.3.3.1 Fire damper actuation. Primary heat
responsive devices used to actuate fire dampers shall
meet one of the following requirements:
Fire dampers shall comply with the requirements
of UL 555.
Smoke dampers shall comply with the requirements of UL 555S.
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1.
2.
The operating temperature shall be approximately 50°F (10°C) above the normal
temperature within the duct system, but not
less than 160°F (71°C).
The operating temperature shall be not more
than 350°F (177°C) where located in a smoke
control system complying with Section 909.
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
717.3.3.2 Smoke damper actuation. The smoke
damper shall close upon actuation of a listed smoke
detector or detectors installed in accordance with
Section 907.3 and one of the following methods, as
applicable:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Where a smoke damper is installed within a
duct, a smoke detector shall be installed inside
the duct or outside the duct with sampling
tubes protruding into the duct. The detector or
tubes within the duct shall be within 5 feet
(1524 mm) of the damper. Air outlets and
inlets shall not be located between the detector
or tubes and the damper. The detector shall be
listed for the air velocity, temperature and
humidity anticipated at the point where it is
installed. Other than in mechanical smoke
control systems, dampers shall be closed upon
fan shutdown where local smoke detectors
require a minimum velocity to operate.
Where a smoke damper is installed above
smoke barrier doors in a smoke barrier, a spottype detector shall be installed on either side of
the smoke barrier door opening. The detector
shall be listed for releasing service if used for
direct interface with the damper.
Where a smoke damper is installed within an
air transfer opening in a wall, a spot-type
detector shall be installed within 5 feet (1524
mm) horizontally of the damper. The detector
shall be listed for releasing service if used for
direct interface with the damper.
Where a smoke damper is installed in a corridor wall or ceiling, the damper shall be
permitted to be controlled by a smoke detection
system installed in the corridor.
Where a smoke detection system is installed in
all areas served by the duct in which the
damper will be located, the smoke dampers
shall be permitted to be controlled by the
smoke detection system.
717.3.3.3 Combination fire/smoke damper actuation. Combination fire/smoke damper actuation shall
be in accordance with Sections 717.3.3.1 and
717.3.3.2. Combination fire/smoke dampers installed
in smoke control system shaft penetrations shall not be
activated by local area smoke detection unless it is
secondary to the smoke management system controls.
717.3.3.4 Ceiling radiation damper actuation. The
operating temperature of a ceiling radiation damper
actuation device shall be 50°F (27.8°C) above the
normal temperature within the duct system, but not
less than 160°F (71°C).
717.4 Access and identification. Access and identification
of fire and smoke dampers shall comply with Sections
717.4.1 through 717.4.2.
717.4.1 Access. Fire and smoke dampers shall be
provided with an approved means of access that is large
enough to permit inspection and maintenance of the
damper and its operating parts. Dampers equipped with
fusible links, internal operators, or both shall be provided
with an access door that is not less than 12 inches (305
mm) square or provided with a removable duct section.
717.4.1.1 Access openings. The access shall not affect
the integrity of fire-resistance-rated assemblies. The
access openings shall not reduce the fire-resistance
rating of the assembly. Access doors in ducts shall be
tight fitting and suitable for the required duct
construction.
717.4.1.2 Restricted access. Where space constraints
or physical barriers restrict access to a damper for periodic inspection and testing, the damper shall be a
single- or multi-blade type damper and shall comply
with the remote inspection requirements of NFPA 80
or NFPA 105.
717.4.2 Identification. Access points shall be permanently identified on the exterior by a label having letters
not less than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) in height reading:
"FIRE/SMOKE DAMPER," "SMOKE DAMPER" or
"FIRE DAMPER."
717.5 Where required. Fire dampers, smoke dampers,
combination fire/smoke dampers, ceiling radiation dampers
and corridor dampers shall be provided at the locations
prescribed in Sections 717.5.1 through 717.5.7 and 717.6.
Where an assembly is required to have both fire dampers and
smoke dampers, combination fire/smoke dampers or a fire
damper and a smoke damper shall be provided.
717.5.1 Fire walls. Ducts and air transfer openings
permitted in fire walls in accordance with Section 706.11
shall be protected with listed fire dampers installed in
accordance with their listing.
717.5.1.1 Horizontal exits. A listed smoke damper
designed to resist the passage of smoke shall be
provided at each point a duct or air transfer opening
penetrates a fire wall that serves as a horizontal exit.
717.5.2 Fire barriers. Ducts and air transfer openings of
fire barriers shall be protected with listed fire dampers
installed in accordance with their listing. Ducts and air
transfer openings shall not penetrate enclosures for interior exit stairways and ramps and exit passageways,
except as permitted by Sections 1023.5 and 1024.6,
respectively.
717.3.3.5 Corridor damper actuation. Corridor
damper actuation shall be in accordance with Sections
717.3.3.1 and 717.3.3.2.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
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Exceptions: Fire dampers are not required at penetrations of fire barriers where any of the following apply:
1.
Penetrations are tested in accordance with ASTM
E119 or UL 263 as part of the fire-resistance-rated
assembly.
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
2.
3.
909 and where the fire damper will
interfere with the operation of the
smoke control system.
Ducts are used as part of an approved smoke
control system in accordance with Section 909
and where the use of a fire damper would interfere
with the operation of a smoke control system.
Such walls are penetrated by fully ducted HVAC
systems, have a required fire-resistance rating of
1 hour or less, are in areas of other than Group H
and are in buildings equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2. For the purposes
of this exception, a fully ducted HVAC system
shall be a duct system for conveying supply,
return or exhaust air as part of the structure’s
HVAC system. Such a duct system shall be
constructed of sheet steel not less than No. 26
gage thickness and shall be continuous from the
air-handling appliance or equipment to the air
outlet and inlet terminals. Nonmetal flexible air
connectors shall be permitted in the following
locations:
3.1. At the duct connection to the air handling
unit or equipment located within the
mechanical room in accordance with
Section 603.9 of the International
Mechanical Code.
3.2. From an overhead metal duct to a ceiling
diffuser within the same room in accordance with Section 603.6.2 of the
International Mechanical Code.
2.
2.1. Kitchen, clothes dryer, bathroom and
toilet room exhaust openings are
installed with steel exhaust subducts,
having a wall thickness of not less than
0.0187 inch (0.4712 mm).
2.2. The subducts extend not less than 22
inches (559 mm) vertically.
3.
717.5.2.1 Horizontal exits. A listed smoke damper
designed to resist the passage of smoke shall be
provided at each point a duct or air transfer opening
penetrates a fire barrier that serves as a horizontal exit.
4.
717.5.3 Shaft enclosures. Shaft enclosures that are
permitted to be penetrated by ducts and air transfer openings shall be protected with listed fire and smoke dampers
installed in accordance with their listing.
Exceptions:
1.
Fire dampers are not required at penetrations
of shafts where any of the following criteria are
met:
1.1. Steel exhaust subducts having a wall
thickness of not less than 0.0187 inch
(0.4712 mm) are extended not less than
22 inches (559 mm) vertically in
exhaust shafts, and an exhaust fan is
installed at the upper terminus of the
shaft that is powered continuously in
accordance with Section 909.11, so as
to maintain a continuous upward
airflow to the outdoors.
1.2. Penetrations are tested in accordance
with ASTM E119 or UL 263 as part of
the fire-resistance-rated assembly.
1.3. Ducts are used as part of an approved
smoke control system designed and
installed in accordance with Section
7-34
1.4. The penetrations are in parking garage
exhaust or supply shafts that are separated from other building shafts by not
less than 2-hour fire-resistance-rated
construction.
In Group B and R occupancies equipped
throughout with an automatic sprinkler system
in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, smoke
dampers are not required at penetrations of
shafts where all of the following criteria are
met:
5.
2.3. An exhaust fan is installed at the upper
terminus of the shaft that is powered
continuously in accordance with the
provisions of Section 909.11, so as to
maintain a continuous upward airflow
to the outdoors.
Smoke dampers are not required at penetration
of exhaust or supply shafts in parking garages
that are separated from other building shafts by
not less than 2-hour fire-resistance-rated
construction.
Smoke dampers are not required at penetrations
of shafts where ducts are used as part of an
approved mechanical smoke control system
designed in accordance with Section 909 and
where the smoke damper will interfere with the
operation of the smoke control system.
Fire dampers and combination fire/smoke
dampers are not required in kitchen and clothes
dryer exhaust systems where dampers are
prohibited by the International Mechanical
Code.
717.5.3.1 Continuous upward airflow. Fire dampers
and smoke dampers shall not be installed in shafts that
are required to maintain a continuous upward airflow
path where closure of the damper would result in the
loss of the airflow.
717.5.4 Fire partitions. Ducts and air transfer openings
that penetrate fire partitions shall be protected with listed
fire dampers installed in accordance with their listing.
Exceptions: In occupancies other than Group H, fire
dampers are not required where any of the following
apply:
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1.
Corridor walls in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
2.
3.
717.5.4.1 Corridors. Duct and air transfer openings
that penetrate corridors shall be protected with dampers as follows:
accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2
and the duct is protected as a through penetration in accordance with Section 714.
Tenant partitions in covered and open mall
buildings where the walls are not required by
provisions elsewhere in the code to extend to
the underside of the floor or roof sheathing,
slab or deck above.
The duct system is constructed of approved
materials in accordance with the International
Mechanical Code and the duct penetrating the
wall complies with all of the following
requirements:
1.
2.
3.
3.1. The duct shall not exceed 100 square
inches (0.06 m2).
3.2. The duct shall be constructed of steel
not less than 0.0217 inch (0.55 mm) in
thickness.
A corridor damper shall be provided where
corridor ceilings, constructed as required for
the corridor walls as permitted in Section
708.4, Exception 3, are penetrated.
A ceiling radiation damper shall be provided
where the ceiling membrane of a fire-resistance-rated floor-ceiling or roof-ceiling
assembly, constructed as permitted in Section
708.4, Exception 2, is penetrated.
A listed smoke damper designed to resist the
passage of smoke shall be provided at each
point a duct or air transfer opening penetrates a
corridor enclosure required to have smoke and
draft control doors in accordance with Section
716.2.2.1.
Exceptions:
3.3. The duct shall not have openings that
communicate the corridor with adjacent spaces or rooms.
1.
3.4. The duct shall be installed above a
ceiling.
3.5. The duct shall not terminate at a wall
register in the fire-resistance-rated
wall.
4.
3.6. A minimum 12-inch-long (305 mm) by
0.060-inch-thick (1.52 mm) steel
sleeve shall be centered in each duct
opening. The sleeve shall be secured to
both sides of the wall and all four sides
of the sleeve with minimum 11/2-inch
by 11/2-inch by 0.060-inch (38 mm by
38 mm by 1.52 mm) steel retaining
angles. The retaining angles shall be
secured to the sleeve and the wall with
No. 10 (M5) screws. The annular
space between the steel sleeve and the
wall opening shall be filled with
mineral wool batting on all sides.
Such walls are penetrated by ducted HVAC
systems, have a required fire-resistance rating
of 1 hour or less, and are in buildings equipped
throughout with an automatic sprinkler system
in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or
903.3.1.2. For the purposes of this exception, a
ducted HVAC system shall be a duct system
for conveying supply, return or exhaust air as
part of the structure’s HVAC system. Such a
duct system shall be constructed of sheet steel
not less than No. 26 gage thickness and shall be
continuous from the air-handling appliance or
equipment to the air outlet and inlet terminals.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
2.
Smoke dampers are not required where the
building is equipped throughout with an
approved smoke control system in accordance with Section 909, and smoke
dampers are not necessary for the operation and control of the system.
Smoke dampers are not required in corridor penetrations where the duct is
constructed of steel not less than 0.019
inch (0.48 mm) in thickness and there are
no openings serving the corridor.
717.5.5 Smoke barriers. A listed smoke damper
designed to resist the passage of smoke shall be provided
at each point a duct or air transfer opening penetrates a
smoke barrier. Smoke dampers and smoke damper actuation methods shall comply with Section 717.3.3.2.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
Smoke dampers are not required where the
openings in ducts are limited to a single smoke
compartment and the ducts are constructed of
steel.
Smoke dampers are not required in smoke
barriers required by Section 407.5 for Group I2, Condition 2—where the HVAC system is
fully ducted in accordance with Section 603 of
the International Mechanical Code and where
buildings are equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1 and equipped with quickresponse sprinklers in accordance with Section
903.3.2.
717.5.6 Exterior walls. Ducts and air transfer openings in
fire-resistance-rated exterior walls required to have
protected openings in accordance with Section 705.10
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
shall be protected with listed fire dampers installed in
accordance with their listing.
ing radiation damper installed in accordance
with Section 717.6.2.1.
717.5.7 Smoke partitions. A listed smoke damper
designed to resist the passage of smoke shall be provided
at each point that an air transfer opening penetrates a
smoke partition. Smoke dampers and smoke damper actuation methods shall comply with Section 717.3.3.2.
717.6.2 Membrane penetrations. Ducts and air transfer
openings constructed of approved materials in accordance with the International Mechanical Code that
penetrate the ceiling membrane of a fire-resistance-rated
floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assembly shall be protected
with one of the following:
Exception: Where the installation of a smoke damper
will interfere with the operation of a required smoke
control system in accordance with Section 909,
approved alternative protection shall be utilized.
1.
2.
717.6 Horizontal assemblies. Penetrations by ducts and air
transfer openings of a floor, floor/ceiling assembly or the
ceiling membrane of a roof/ceiling assembly shall be
protected by a shaft enclosure that complies with Section
713 or shall comply with Sections 717.6.1 through 717.6.3.
Exceptions:
1. A fire-resistance-rated assembly tested in
accordance with ASTM E119 or UL 263
showing that ceiling radiation dampers
are not required in order to maintain the
fire-resistance rating of the assembly.
717.6.1 Through penetrations. In occupancies other
than Groups I-2 and I-3, a duct constructed of approved
materials in accordance with the International Mechanical Code that penetrates a fire-resistance-rated
floor/ceiling assembly that connects not more than two
stories is permitted without shaft enclosure protection,
provided that a listed fire damper is installed at the floor
line or the duct is protected in accordance with Section
714.5. For air transfer openings, see Section 712.1.9.
2. Where exhaust duct or outdoor air duct
penetrations protected in accordance with
Section 714.5.2 are located within the
cavity of a wall and do not pass through
another dwelling unit or tenant space.
Exception: A duct is permitted to penetrate three
floors or less without a fire damper at each floor,
provided that such duct meets all of the following
requirements:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
7-36
The duct shall be contained and located within
the cavity of a wall and shall be constructed of
steel having a minimum wall thickness of
0.0187 inches (0.4712 mm) (No. 26 gage).
The duct shall open into only one dwelling unit
or sleeping unit and the duct system shall be
continuous from the unit to the exterior of the
building.
The duct shall not exceed 4-inch (102 mm)
nominal diameter and the total area of such
ducts shall not exceed 100 square inches (0.065
m2) in any 100 square feet (9.3 m2) of floor
area.
The annular space around the duct is protected
with materials that prevent the passage of
flame and hot gases sufficient to ignite cotton
waste where subjected to ASTM E119 or UL
263 time-temperature conditions under a minimum positive pressure differential of 0.01 inch
(2.49 Pa) of water at the location of the penetration for the time period equivalent to the
fire-resistance rating of the construction
penetrated.
Grille openings located in a ceiling of a fireresistance-rated floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling
assembly shall be protected with a listed ceil-
A shaft enclosure in accordance with Section 713.
A listed ceiling radiation damper installed at the
ceiling line where a duct penetrates the ceiling of a
fire-resistance-rated floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling
assembly.
3.
3. Where duct and air transfer openings are
protected with a duct outlet penetration
system tested as part of a fire-resistancerated assembly in accordance with ASTM
E119 or UL 263.
A listed ceiling radiation damper installed at the
ceiling line where a diffuser with no duct attached
penetrates the ceiling of a fire-resistance-rated
floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assembly.
Exceptions:
1. A fire-resistance-rated assembly tested in
accordance with ASTM E119 or UL 263
showing that ceiling radiation dampers
are not required in order to maintain the
fire-resistance rating of the assembly.
2. Where duct and air transfer openings are
protected with a duct outlet penetration
system tested as part of a fire-resistancerated assembly in accordance with ASTM
E119 or UL 263.
717.6.2.1 Ceiling radiation dampers testing and
installation. Ceiling radiation dampers shall be tested
in accordance with Section 717.3.1. Ceiling radiation
dampers shall be installed in accordance with the
details specified in the fire-resistance-rated assembly
and the manufacturer’s instructions and the listing.
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717.6.2.1.1 Dynamic systems. Only ceiling radiation dampers labeled for use in dynamic systems
shall be installed in heating, ventilation and airconditioning systems designed to operate with fans
on during a fire.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
717.6.2.1.2 Static systems. Static ceiling radiation
dampers shall be provided with systems that are not
designed to operate during a fire.
Exceptions:
1. Where a static ceiling radiation damper is
installed at the opening of a duct, a smoke
detector shall be installed inside the duct
or outside the duct with sampling tubes
protruding into the duct. The detector or
tubes in the duct shall be within 5 feet
(1524 mm) of the damper. Air outlets and
inlets shall not be located between the
detector or tubes and the damper. The
detector shall be listed for the air velocity, temperature and humidity anticipated
at the point where it is installed. Other
than in mechanical smoke control
systems, dampers shall be closed upon
fan shutdown where local smoke detectors require a minimum velocity to
operate.
SECTION 718
CONCEALED SPACES
718.1 General. Fireblocking and draftstopping shall be
installed in combustible concealed locations in accordance
with this section. Fireblocking shall comply with Section
718.2. Draftstopping in floor/ceiling spaces and attic spaces
shall comply with Sections 718.3 and 718.4, respectively.
The permitted use of combustible materials in concealed
spaces of buildings of Type I or II construction shall be
limited to the applications indicated in Section 718.5.
718.2 Fireblocking. In combustible construction, fireblocking shall be installed to cut off concealed draft openings
(both vertical and horizontal) and shall form an effective
barrier between floors, between a top story and a roof or attic
space. Fireblocking shall be installed in the locations specified in Sections 718.2.2 through 718.2.7.
718.2.1 Fireblocking materials. Fireblocking shall
consist of the following materials:
2. Where a static ceiling radiation damper is
installed in a ceiling, the ceiling radiation
damper shall be permitted to be
controlled by a smoke detection system
installed in the same room or area as the
ceiling radiation damper.
3. A static ceiling radiation damper shall be
permitted to be installed in a room where
an occupant sensor is provided within the
room that will shut down the system.
717.6.3 Nonfire-resistance-rated floor assemblies. Duct
systems constructed of approved materials in accordance
with the International Mechanical Code that penetrate
nonfire-resistance-rated floor assemblies shall be
protected by any of the following methods:
1.
2.
3.
A shaft enclosure in accordance with Section 713.
The duct connects not more than two stories, and
the annular space around the penetrating duct is
protected with an approved noncombustible material that resists the free passage of flame and the
products of combustion.
In floor assemblies composed of noncombustible
materials, a shaft shall not be required where the
duct connects not more than three stories, the
annular space around the penetrating duct is
protected with an approved noncombustible material that resists the free passage of flame and the
products of combustion and a fire damper is
installed at each floor line.
Exception: Fire dampers are not required in
ducts within individual residential dwelling
units.
717.7 Flexible ducts and air connectors. Flexible ducts and
air connectors shall not pass through any fire-resistancerated assembly. Flexible air connectors shall not pass
through any wall, floor or ceiling.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9,
Two-inch (51 mm) nominal lumber.
Two thicknesses of 1-inch (25 mm) nominal
lumber with broken lap joints.
One thickness of 0.719-inch (18.3 mm) wood
structural panels with joints backed by 0.719-inch
(18.3 mm) wood structural panels.
One thickness of 0.75-inch (19.1 mm) particleboard with joints backed by 0.75-inch (19 mm)
particleboard.
One-half-inch (12.7 mm) gypsum board.
One-fourth-inch
(6.4
mm)
cement-based
millboard.
Batts or blankets of mineral wool, mineral fiber or
other approved materials installed in such a
manner as to be securely retained in place.
Cellulose insulation tested in the form and manner
intended for use to demonstrate its ability to
remain in place and to retard the spread of fire and
hot gases.
Mass timber complying with Section 2304.11.
718.2.1.1 Batts or blankets of mineral wool or
mineral fiber. Batts or blankets of mineral wool or
mineral fiber or other approved nonrigid materials
shall be permitted for compliance with the 10-foot
(3048 mm) horizontal fireblocking in walls
constructed using parallel rows of studs or staggered
studs.
718.2.1.2 Unfaced fiberglass. Unfaced fiberglass batt
insulation used as fireblocking shall fill the entire cross
section of the wall cavity to a minimum height of 16
inches (406 mm) measured vertically. Where piping,
conduit or similar obstructions are encountered, the
insulation shall be packed tightly around the
obstruction.
718.2.1.3 Loose-fill insulation material. Loose-fill
insulation material, insulating foam sealants and caulk
materials shall not be used as a fireblock unless specif-
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
ically tested in the form and manner intended for use to
demonstrate its ability to remain in place and to retard
the spread of fire and hot gases.
2.
718.2.1.4 Fireblocking integrity. The integrity of
fireblocks shall be maintained.
718.2.1.5 Double stud walls. Batts or blankets of
mineral or glass fiber or other approved nonrigid materials shall be allowed as fireblocking in walls
constructed using parallel rows of studs or staggered
studs.
2.1. Aluminum having a minimum thickness of 0.019 inch (0.5 mm).
2.2. Corrosion-resistant steel having a base
metal thickness not less than 0.016
inch (0.4 mm) at any point.
718.2.2 Concealed wall spaces. Fireblocking shall be
provided in concealed spaces of stud walls and partitions,
including furred spaces, and parallel rows of studs or
staggered studs, as follows:
1.
2.
Vertically at the ceiling and floor levels.
Horizontally at intervals not exceeding 10 feet
(3048 mm).
718.2.3 Connections between horizontal and vertical
spaces. Fireblocking shall be provided at interconnections between concealed vertical stud wall or partition
spaces and concealed horizontal spaces created by an
assembly of floor joists or trusses, and between concealed
vertical and horizontal spaces such as occur at soffits,
drop ceilings, cove ceilings and similar locations.
718.2.4 Stairways. Fireblocking shall be provided in
concealed spaces between stair stringers at the top and
bottom of the run. Enclosed spaces under stairways shall
comply with Section 1011.7.3.
718.2.5 Ceiling and floor openings. Where required by
Section 712.1.8, Exception 1 of Section 714.5.1.2 or
Section 714.6, fireblocking of the annular space around
vents, pipes, ducts, chimneys and fireplaces at ceilings
and floor levels shall be installed with a material specifically tested in the form and manner intended for use to
demonstrate its ability to remain in place and resist the
free passage of flame and the products of combustion.
718.2.5.1 Factory-built chimneys and fireplaces.
Factory-built chimneys and fireplaces shall be fireblocked in accordance with UL 103 and UL 127.
718.2.6 Exterior wall coverings. Fireblocking shall be
installed within concealed spaces of exterior wall coverings and other exterior architectural elements where
permitted to be of combustible construction as specified
in Section 1405 or where erected with combustible
frames. Fireblocking shall be installed at maximum intervals of 20 feet (6096 mm) in either dimension so that
there will be no concealed space exceeding 100 square
feet (9.3 m2) between fireblocking. Where wood furring
strips are used, they shall be of approved wood of natural
decay resistance or preservative-treated wood. If noncontinuous, such elements shall have closed ends, with not
less than 4 inches (102 mm) of separation between
sections.
Exceptions:
1.
7-38
Fireblocking of cornices is not required in
single-family dwellings. Fireblocking of
cornices of a two-family dwelling is required
only at the line of dwelling unit separation.
Fireblocking shall not be required where the
exterior wall covering is installed on noncombustible framing and the face of the exterior
wall covering exposed to the concealed space
is covered by one of the following materials:
3.
2.3. Other
approved
noncombustible
materials.
Fireblocking shall not be required where the
exterior wall covering has been tested in accordance with, and complies with the acceptance
criteria of, NFPA 285. The exterior wall covering shall be installed as tested in accordance
with NFPA 285.
718.2.7 Concealed sleeper spaces. Where wood sleepers
are used for laying wood flooring on masonry or concrete
fire-resistance-rated floors, the space between the floor
slab and the underside of the wood flooring shall be filled
with an approved material to resist the free passage of
flame and products of combustion or fireblocked in such
a manner that open spaces under the flooring shall not
exceed 100 square feet (9.3 m2) in area and such space
shall be filled solidly under permanent partitions so that
communication under the flooring between adjoining
rooms shall not occur.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
Fireblocking is not required for slab-on-grade
floors in gymnasiums.
Fireblocking is required only at the juncture of
each alternate lane and at the ends of each lane
in a bowling facility.
718.3 Draftstopping in floors. Draftstopping shall be
installed to subdivide floor/ceiling assemblies where
required by Section 708.4.2. In other than Group R occupancies, draftstopping shall be installed to subdivide
combustible floor/ceiling assemblies so that horizontal floor
areas do not exceed 1,000 square feet (93 m2).
Exception: Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
903.3.1.1.
718.3.1 Draftstopping materials. Draftstopping materials shall be not less than 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) gypsum
board, 3/8-inch (9.5 mm) wood structural panel, 3/8-inch
(9.5 mm) particleboard, 1-inch (25-mm) nominal lumber,
cement fiberboard, batts or blankets of mineral wool or
glass fiber, or other approved materials adequately
supported. The integrity of draftstops shall be maintained.
718.4 Draftstopping in attics. Draftstopping shall be
installed to subdivide attic spaces where required by Section
708.4.2. In other than Group R, draftstopping shall be
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
installed to subdivide combustible attic spaces and combustible concealed roof spaces such that any horizontal area
does not exceed 3,000 square feet (279 m2). Ventilation of
concealed roof spaces shall be maintained in accordance
with Section 1202.2.1.
Exception: Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
903.3.1.1.
718.4.1 Draftstopping materials. Materials utilized for
draftstopping of attic spaces shall comply with Section
718.3.1.
718.4.1.1 Openings. Openings in the partitions shall
be protected by self-closing doors with automatic
latches constructed as required for the partitions.
718.5 Combustible materials in concealed spaces in Type
I or II construction. Combustible materials shall not be
permitted in concealed spaces of buildings of Type I or II
construction.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Combustible materials in accordance with Section
603.
Combustible materials exposed within plenums
complying with Section 602 of the International
Mechanical Code.
Class A interior finish materials classified in
accordance with Section 803.
Combustible piping within partitions or shaft
enclosures installed in accordance with the provisions of this code.
Combustible piping within concealed ceiling
spaces installed in accordance with the International Mechanical Code and the International
Plumbing Code.
Combustible insulation and covering on pipe and
tubing, installed in concealed spaces other than
plenums, complying with Section 720.7.
719.4 Double reinforcement. Plaster protection more than 1
inch (25 mm) in thickness shall be reinforced with an additional layer of approved lath embedded not less than 3/4 inch
(19.1 mm) from the outer surface and fixed securely in place.
Exception: Solid plaster partitions or where otherwise
determined by fire tests.
719.5 Plaster alternatives for concrete. In reinforced
concrete construction, gypsum plaster or Portland cement
plaster is permitted to be substituted for 1/2 inch (12.7 mm)
of the required poured concrete protection, except that a
minimum thickness of 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) of poured concrete
shall be provided in reinforced concrete floors and 1 inch (25
mm) in reinforced concrete columns in addition to the plaster
finish. The concrete base shall be prepared in accordance
with Section 2510.7.
SECTION 720
THERMAL- AND SOUND-INSULATING MATERIALS
720.1 General. Insulating materials shall comply with the
requirements of this section. Where a flame spread index or
a smoke-developed index is specified in this section, such
index shall be determined in accordance with ASTM E84 or
UL 723. Any material that is subject to an increase in flame
spread index or smoke-developed index beyond the limits
herein established through the effects of age, moisture or
other atmospheric conditions shall not be permitted. Insulating materials, when tested in accordance with the
requirements of this section, shall include facings, when
used, such as vapor retarders, vapor permeable membranes
and similar coverings, and all layers of single and multilayer
reflective foil insulation and similar materials.
Exceptions:
1.
2.
3.
SECTION 719
FIRE-RESISTANCE
REQUIREMENTS FOR PLASTER
4.
719.1 Thickness of plaster. The minimum thickness of
gypsum plaster or Portland cement plaster used in a fireresistance-rated system shall be determined by the
prescribed fire tests. The plaster thickness shall be measured
from the face of the lath where applied to gypsum lath or
metal lath.
719.2 Plaster equivalents. For fire-resistance purposes, 1/2
inch (12.7 mm) of unsanded gypsum plaster shall be deemed
equivalent to 3/4 inch (19.1 mm) of one-to-three gypsum sand
plaster or 1 inch (25 mm) of Portland cement sand plaster.
719.3 Noncombustible furring. In buildings of Types I and
II construction, plaster shall be applied directly on concrete
or masonry or on approved noncombustible plastering base
and furring.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
Fiberboard insulation shall comply with Chapter
23.
Foam plastic insulation shall comply with Chapter
26.
Duct and pipe insulation and duct and pipe coverings and linings in plenums shall comply with the
International Mechanical Code.
All layers of single and multilayer reflective plastic core insulation shall comply with Section
2614.
720.2 Concealed installation. Insulating materials, where
concealed as installed in buildings of any type of construction, shall have a flame spread index of not more than 25 and
a smoke-developed index of not more than 450.
Exception: Cellulosic fiber loose-fill insulation complying with the requirements of Section 720.6 shall not be
required to meet a flame spread index requirement but
shall be required to meet a smoke-developed index of not
more than 450 when tested in accordance with CAN/ULC
S102.2.
720.2.1 Facings. Where such materials are installed in
concealed spaces in buildings of Type III, IV or V
construction, the flame spread and smoke-developed
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
limitations do not apply to facings, coverings, and layers
of reflective foil insulation that are installed behind and in
substantial contact with the unexposed surface of the ceiling, wall or floor finish.
Exception: All layers of single and multilayer reflective
plastic core insulation shall comply with Section 2614.
720.3 Exposed installation. Insulating materials, where
exposed as installed in buildings of any type of construction,
shall have a flame spread index of not more than 25 and a
smoke-developed index of not more than 450.
elements, components or assemblies. The materials of
construction specified in Tables 721.1(1), 721.1(2) and
721.1(3) shall be assumed to have the fire-resistance ratings
prescribed therein. Where materials that change the capacity
for heat dissipation are incorporated into a fire-resistancerated assembly, fire test results or other substantiating data
shall be made available to the building official to show that
the required fire-resistance-rating time period is not
reduced.
Exception: Cellulosic fiber loose-fill insulation complying
with the requirements of Section 720.6 shall not be required
to meet a flame spread index requirement but shall be
required to meet a smoke-developed index of not more than
450 when tested in accordance with CAN/ULC S102.2.
721.1.1 Thickness of protective coverings. The thickness of fire-resistant materials required for protection of
structural members shall be not less than set forth in
Table 721.1(1), except as modified in this section. The
figures shown shall be the net thickness of the protecting
materials and shall not include any hollow space in back
of the protection.
720.3.1 Attic floors. Exposed insulation materials
installed on attic floors shall have a critical radiant flux of
not less than 0.12 watt per square centimeter when tested
in accordance with ASTM E970.
721.1.2 Unit masonry protection. Where required, metal
ties shall be embedded in bed joints of unit masonry for
protection of steel columns. Such ties shall be as set forth
in Table 721.1(1) or be equivalent thereto.
720.4 Loose-fill insulation. Loose-fill insulation materials
that cannot be mounted in the ASTM E84 or UL 723 apparatus without a screen or artificial supports shall comply with
the flame spread and smoke-developed limits of Sections
720.2 and 720.3 when tested in accordance with CAN/ULC
S102.2.
721.1.3 Reinforcement for cast-in-place concrete
column protection. Cast-in-place concrete protection for
steel columns shall be reinforced at the edges of such
members with wire ties of not less than 0.18 inch (4.6
mm) in diameter wound spirally around the columns on a
pitch of not more than 8 inches (203 mm) or by equivalent reinforcement.
Exception: Cellulosic fiber loose-fill insulation shall not
be required to meet a flame spread index requirement
when tested in accordance with CAN/ULC S102.2,
provided that such insulation has a smoke-developed
index of not more than 450 and complies with the requirements of Section 720.6.
720.5 Roof insulation. The use of combustible roof insulation not complying with Sections 720.2 and 720.3 shall be
permitted in any type of construction provided that insulation is covered with approved roof coverings directly applied
thereto.
720.6 Cellulosic fiber loose-fill insulation and selfsupported spray-applied cellulosic insulation. Cellulosic
fiber loose-fill insulation and self-supported spray-applied
cellulosic insulation shall comply with CPSC 16 CFR Parts
1209 and 1404. Each package of such insulating material
shall be clearly labeled in accordance with CPSC 16 CFR
Parts 1209 and 1404.
720.7 Insulation and covering on pipe and tubing. Insulation and covering on pipe and tubing shall have a flame
spread index of not more than 25 and a smoke-developed
index of not more than 450.
721.1.4 Plaster application. The finish coat is not
required for plaster protective coatings where those coatings comply with the design mix and thickness
requirements of Tables 721.1(1), 721.1(2) and 721.1(3).
721.1.5 Bonded prestressed concrete tendons. For
members having a single tendon or more than one tendon
installed with equal concrete cover measured from the
nearest surface, the cover shall be not less than that set
forth in Table 721.1(1). For members having multiple
tendons installed with variable concrete cover, the average tendon cover shall be not less than that set forth in
Table 721.1(1), provided that:
1.
2.
3.
Exception: Insulation and covering on pipe and tubing
installed in plenums shall comply with the International
Mechanical Code.
SECTION 721
PRESCRIPTIVE FIRE RESISTANCE
721.1 General. The provisions of this section contain
prescriptive details of fire-resistance-rated building
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The clearance from each tendon to the nearest
exposed surface is used to determine the average
cover.
The clear cover for individual tendons shall not be
less than one-half of that set forth in Table
721.1(1). A minimum cover of 3/4 inch (19.1 mm)
for slabs and 1 inch (25 mm) for beams is required
for any aggregate concrete.
For the purpose of establishing a fire-resistance
rating, tendons having a clear covering less than
that set forth in Table 721.1(1) shall not contribute
more than 50 percent of the required ultimate
moment capacity for members less than 350
square inches (0.226 m2) in cross-sectional area
and 65 percent for larger members. For structural
design purposes, however, tendons having a
reduced cover are assumed to be fully effective.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(1)
MINIMUM PROTECTION OF STRUCTURAL PARTS BASED ON
TIME PERIODS FOR VARIOUS NONCOMBUSTIBLE INSULATING MATERIALSm
STRUCTURAL
PARTS TO BE
PROTECTED
ITEM
NUMBER
MINIMUM THICKNESS OF
INSULATING MATERIAL
FOR THE FOLLOWING
FIRE-RESISTANCE
PERIODS (inches)
INSULATING MATERIAL USED
4
3
2
hours hours hours
1-1.1
Carbonate, lightweight and sand-lightweight aggregate concrete, members 6" × 6"
or greater (not including sandstone, granite and siliceous gravel).a
21/2
2
11/2
1
1-1.2
Carbonate, lightweight and sand-lightweight aggregate concrete, members 8" × 8"
or greater (not including sandstone, granite and siliceous gravel).a
2
11/2
1
1
1-1.3
Carbonate, lightweight and sand-lightweight aggregate concrete, members 12" ×
12" or greater (not including sandstone, granite and siliceous gravel).a
11/2
1
1
1
1-1.4
Siliceous aggregate concrete and concrete excluded in Item 1-1.1, members 6" × 6"
or greater.a
3
2
11/2
1
1-1.5
Siliceous aggregate concrete and concrete excluded in Item 1-1.1, members 8" × 8"
or greater.a
21/2
2
1
1
1-1.6
Siliceous aggregate concrete and concrete excluded in Item 1-1.1, members 12" ×
12" or greater.a
2
1
1
1
1-2.1
Clay or shale brick with brick and mortar fill.a
33/4
—
—
21/4
1
1. Steel
columns and
all of primary
trusses
(continued)
1
hour
3
1-3.1
4" hollow clay tile in two 2" layers; /2" mortar between tile and column; /8" metal
mesh 0.046" wire diameter in horizontal joints; tile fill.a
4
—
—
—
1-3.2
2" hollow clay tile; 3/4" mortar between tile and column; 3/8" metal mesh 0.046"
wire diameter in horizontal joints; limestone concrete filla; plastered with 3/4"
gypsum plaster.
3
—
—
—
1-3.3
2" hollow clay tile with outside wire ties 0.08" diameter at each course of tile or 3/8"
metal mesh 0.046" diameter wire in horizontal joints; limestone or trap-rock
concrete filla extending 1" outside column on all sides.
—
—
3
—
1-3.4
2" hollow clay tile with outside wire ties 0.08" diameter at each course of tile with
or without concrete fill; 3/4" mortar between tile and column.
—
—
—
2
1-4.1
Cement plaster over metal lath wire tied to 3/4" cold-rolled vertical channels with
0.049" (No. 18 B.W. gage) wire ties spaced 3" to 6" on center. Plaster mixed 1:21/2
by volume, cement to sand.
—
—
21/2b
1-5.1
Vermiculite concrete, 1:4 mix by volume over paper-backed wire fabric lath
wrapped directly around column with additional 2" × 2" 0.065"/0.065" (No. 16/16
B.W. gage) wire fabric placed 3/4" from outer concrete surface. Wire fabric tied
with 0.049" (No. 18B.W. gage) wire spaced 6" on center for inner layer and 2" on
center for outer layer.
2
—
—
—
1-6.1
Perlite or vermiculite gypsum plaster over metal lath wrapped around column and
furred 11/4" from column flanges. Sheets lapped at ends and tied at 6" intervals with
0.049" (No. 18 B.W. gage) tie wire. Plaster pushed through to flanges.
11/2
1
—
—
1-6.2
Perlite or vermiculite gypsum plaster over self-furring metal lath wrapped directly
around column, lapped 1" and tied at 6" intervals with 0.049" (No. 18 B.W. gage)
wire.
13/4
13/8
1
—
1-6.3
Perlite or vermiculite gypsum plaster on metal lath applied to 3/4" cold-rolled channels spaced 24" apart vertically and wrapped flatwise around column.
11/2
—
—
—
1-6.4
Perlite or vermiculite gypsum plaster over two layers of 1/2" plain full-length
gypsum lath applied tight to column flanges. Lath wrapped with 1" hexagonal mesh
of No. 20-gage wire and tied with doubled 0.035" diameter (No. 18 B.W. gage)
wire ties spaced 23" on center. For three-coat work, the plaster mix for the second
coat shall not exceed 100 pounds of gypsum to 21/2 cubic feet of aggregate for the
3-hour system.
21/2
2
—
—
7
/8
(continued)
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
7-41
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(1)—continued
MINIMUM PROTECTION OF STRUCTURAL PARTS BASED ON
TIME PERIODS FOR VARIOUS NONCOMBUSTIBLE INSULATING MATERIALSm
STRUCTURAL
PARTS TO BE
PROTECTED
ITEM
NUMBER
MINIMUM THICKNESS OF
INSULATING MATERIAL
FOR THE FOLLOWING
FIRE-RESISTANCE
PERIODS (inches)
INSULATING MATERIAL USED
4
3
2
hours hours hours
1. Steel
columns and
all of primary
trusses
(continued)
2. Webs or
flanges of
steel beams
and girders
(continued)
1
hour
1-6.5
Perlite or vermiculite gypsum plaster over one layer of 1/2" plain full-length
gypsum lath applied tight to column flanges. Lath tied with doubled 0.049" (No. 18
B.W. gage) wire ties spaced 23" on center and scratch coat wrapped with 1" hexagonal mesh 0.035" (No. 20 B.W. gage) wire fabric. For three-coat work, the plaster
mix for the second coat shall not exceed 100 pounds of gypsum to 21/2 cubic feet of
aggregate.
—
2
—
—
1-7.1
Multiple layers of 1/2" gypsum wallboardc adhesivelyd secured to column flanges
and successive layers. Wallboard applied without horizontal joints. Corner edges of
each layer staggered. Wallboard layer below outer layer secured to column with
doubled 0.049" (No. 18 B.W. gage) steel wire ties spaced 15" on center. Exposed
corners taped and treated.
—
—
2
1
1-7.2
Three layers of 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboard.c First and second layer held in place
by 1/8" diameter by 13/8" long ring shank nails with 5/16" diameter heads spaced 24"
on center at corners. Middle layer also secured with metal straps at mid-height and
18" from each end, and by metal corner bead at each corner held by the metal
straps. Third layer attached to corner bead with 1" long gypsum wallboard screws
spaced 12" on center.
—
—
17/8
—
1-7.3
Three layers of 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboard,c each layer screw attached to 15/8"
steel studs 0.018" thick (No. 25 carbon sheet steel gage) at each corner of column.
Middle layer also secured with 0.049" (No. 18 B.W. gage) double-strand steel wire
ties, 24" on center. Screws are No. 6 by 1" spaced 24" on center for inner layer, No.
6 by 15/8" spaced 12" on center for middle layer and No. 8 by 21/4" spaced 12" on
center for outer layer.
—
17/8
—
—
1-8.1
Wood-fibered gypsum plaster mixed 1:1 by weight gypsum-to-sand aggregate
applied over metal lath. Lath lapped 1" and tied 6" on center at all end, edges and
spacers with 0.049" (No. 18 B.W. gage) steel tie wires. Lath applied over 1/2" spacers made of 3/4" furring channel with 2" legs bent around each corner. Spacers
located 1" from top and bottom of member and not greater than 40" on center and
wire tied with a single strand of 0.049" (No. 18 B.W. gage) steel tie wires. Corner
bead tied to the lath at 6" on center along each corner to provide plaster thickness.
—
—
15/8
—
1-9.1
Minimum W8x35 wide flange steel column (w/d ≥ 0.75) with each web cavity
filled even with the flange tip with normal weight carbonate or siliceous aggregate
concrete (3,000 psi minimum compressive strength with 145 pcf ± 3 pcf unit
weight). Reinforce the concrete in each web cavity with a minimum No. 4
deformed reinforcing bar installed vertically and centered in the cavity, and secured
to the column web with a minimum No. 2 horizontal deformed reinforcing bar
welded to the web every 18" on center vertically. As an alternative to the No. 4
rebar, 3/4" diameter by 3" long headed studs, spaced at 12" on center vertically, shall
be welded on each side of the web mid-way between the column flanges.
—
—
—
See
Note
n
2-1.1
Carbonate, lightweight and sand-lightweight aggregate concrete (not including
sandstone, granite and siliceous gravel) with 3" or finer metal mesh placed 1" from
the finished surface anchored to the top flange and providing not less than 0.025
square inch of steel area per foot in each direction.
2
11/2
1
1
2-1.2
Siliceous aggregate concrete and concrete excluded in Item 2-1.1 with 3" or finer
metal mesh placed 1" from the finished surface anchored to the top flange and
providing not less than 0.025 square inch of steel area per foot in each direction.
21/2
2
11/2
1
2-2.1
Cement plaster on metal lath attached to 3/4" cold-rolled channels with 0.04" (No.
18 B.W. gage) wire ties spaced 3" to 6" on center. Plaster mixed 1:21/2 by volume,
cement to sand.
—
—
21/2b
7
/8
(continued)
7-42
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(1)—continued
MINIMUM PROTECTION OF STRUCTURAL PARTS BASED ON
TIME PERIODS FOR VARIOUS NONCOMBUSTIBLE INSULATING MATERIALSm
STRUCTURAL
PARTS TO BE
PROTECTED
ITEM
NUMBER
INSULATING MATERIAL USED
MINIMUM THICKNESS OF
INSULATING MATERIAL
FOR THE FOLLOWING
FIRE-RESISTANCE
PERIODS (inches)
4
3
2
hours hours hours
2-3.1
Vermiculite gypsum plaster on a metal lath cage, wire tied to 0.165" diameter (No.
8 B.W. gage) steel wire hangers wrapped around beam and spaced 16" on center.
Metal lath ties spaced approximately 5" on center at cage sides and bottom.
—
7
/8
—
—
2-4.1
Two layers of 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboardc are attached to U-shaped brackets
spaced 24" on center. 0.018" thick (No. 25 carbon sheet steel gage) 15/8" deep by 1"
galvanized steel runner channels are first installed parallel to and on each side of
the top beam flange to provide a 1/2" clearance to the flange. The channel runners
are attached to steel deck or concrete floor construction with approved fasteners
spaced 12" on center. U-shaped brackets are formed from members identical to the
channel runners. At the bent portion of the U-shaped bracket, the flanges of the
channel are cut out so that 15/8"-deep corner channels can be inserted without
attachment parallel to each side of the lower flange.
As an alternative, 0.021" thick (No. 24 carbon sheet steel gage) 1" × 2" runner and
corner angles shall be used in lieu of channels, and the web cutouts in the U-shaped
brackets shall not be required. Each angle is attached to the bracket with 1/2"-long
No. 8 self-drilling screws. The vertical legs of the U-shaped bracket are attached to
the runners with one 1/2"-long No. 8 self-drilling screw. The completed steel framing provides a 21/8" and 11/2" space between the inner layer of wallboard and the
sides and bottom of the steel beam, respectively. The inner layer of wallboard is
attached to the top runners and bottom corner channels or corner angles with 11/4"long No. 6 self-drilling screws spaced 16" on center. The outer layer of wallboard is
applied with 13/4"-long No. 6 self-drilling screws spaced 8" on center. The bottom
corners are reinforced with metal corner beads.
—
—
11/4
—
2-4.2
Three layers of 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboardc attached to a steel suspension
system as described immediately above utilizing the 0.018" thick (No. 25 carbon
sheet steel gage) 1" × 2" lower corner angles. The framing is located so that a 21/8"
and 2" space is provided between the inner layer of wallboard and the sides and
bottom of the beam, respectively. The first two layers of wallboard are attached as
described immediately above. A layer of 0.035" thick (No. 20 B.W. gage) 1"
hexagonal galvanized wire mesh is applied under the soffit of the middle layer and
up the sides approximately 2". The mesh is held in position with the No. 6 15/8"long screws installed in the vertical leg of the bottom corner angles. The outer layer
of wallboard is attached with No. 6 21/4"-long screws spaced 8" on center. One
screw is installed at the mid-depth of the bracket in each layer. Bottom corners are
finished as described above.
—
17/8
—
—
4g
3g
21/2
11/2
2
11/2
1
2. Webs or
flanges of
steel beams
and girders
(continued)
3. Bonded
pretensioned
reinforcement in
prestressed
concretee
1
hour
Carbonate, lightweight, sand-lightweight and siliceousf aggregate concrete
Beams or girders
3-1.1
Solidh
(continued)
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
7-43
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(1)—continued
MINIMUM PROTECTION OF STRUCTURAL PARTS BASED ON
TIME PERIODS FOR VARIOUS NONCOMBUSTIBLE INSULATING MATERIALSm
STRUCTURAL
PARTS TO BE
PROTECTED
ITEM
NUMBER
MINIMUM THICKNESS OF
INSULATING MATERIAL
FOR THE FOLLOWING
FIRE-RESISTANCE
PERIODS (inches)
INSULATING MATERIAL USED
4
3
2
hours hours hours
1
hour
Carbonate, lightweight, sand-lightweight and siliceousf aggregate concrete
Unrestrained members:
Solid slabsh
4-1.1
4. Bonded or
unbonded
posttensioned
tendons in
prestressed
concretee, i
11/2
—
41/2
21/2
13/4
3
21/2
2
11/2
11/4
1
21/2
j
Beams and girders
8" wide
greater than 12" wide
Carbonate, lightweight, sand-lightweight and siliceous aggregate
Restrained members:k
Solid slabsh
4-1.2
3
/4
—
2
13/4
—
2
3
1 /4
1
1 /2
—
11/2
11/2
11/2
11/2
2
11/2
11/2
11/2
j
Beams and girders
8" wide
greater than 12" wide
5. Reinforcing
steel in reinforced
concrete
columns,
beams girders
and trusses
2
—
Carbonate, lightweight and sand-lightweight aggregate concrete, members 12" or
larger, square or round. (Size limit does not apply to beams and girders monolithic
with floors.)
5-1.1
Siliceous aggregate concrete, members 12" or larger, square or round. (Size limit
does not apply to beams and girders monolithic with floors.)
6. Reinforcing
steel in reinforced
concrete
joists1
6-1.1
Carbonate, lightweight and sand-lightweight aggregate concrete
11/4
11/4
1
3
6-1.2
Siliceous aggregate concrete
13/4
11/2
1
3
7. Reinforcing
and tie rods in
floor and roof
slabs1
7-1.1
Carbonate, lightweight and sand-lightweight aggregate concrete
1
1
7-1.2
Siliceous aggregate concrete
11/4
1
3
/4
/4
/4
3
1
3
/4
/4
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 square inch = 645.2 mm2, 1 cubic foot = 0.0283 m3, 1 pound per cubic foot = 16.02 kg/m3.
a. Reentrant parts of protected members to be filled solidly.
b. Two layers of equal thickness with a 3/4-inch airspace between.
c. For all of the construction with gypsum wallboard described in Table 721.1(1), gypsum base for veneer plaster of the same size, thickness and core type
shall be permitted to be substituted for gypsum wallboard, provided that attachment is identical to that specified for the wallboard and the joints on the face
layer are reinforced, and the entire surface is covered with not less than 1/16-inch gypsum veneer plaster.
d. An approved adhesive qualified under ASTM E119 or UL 263.
e. Where lightweight or sand-lightweight concrete having an oven-dry weight of 110 pounds per cubic foot or less is used, the tabulated minimum cover shall
be permitted to be reduced 25 percent, except that the reduced cover shall be not less than 3/4 inch in slabs or 11/2 inches in beams or girders.
f. For solid slabs of siliceous aggregate concrete, increase tendon cover 20 percent.
g. Adequate provisions against spalling shall be provided by U-shaped or hooped stirrups spaced not to exceed the depth of the member with a clear cover of
1 inch.
h. Prestressed slabs shall have a thickness not less than that required in Table 721.1(3) for the respective fire-resistance time period.
i. Fire coverage and end anchorages shall be as follows: Cover to the prestressing steel at the anchor shall be 1/2 inch greater than that required away from the
anchor. Minimum cover to steel-bearing plate shall be 1 inch in beams and 3/4 inch in slabs.
j. For beam widths between 8 inches and 12 inches, cover thickness shall be permitted to be determined by interpolation.
k. Interior spans of continuous slabs, beams and girders shall be permitted to be considered restrained.
l. For use with concrete slabs having a comparable fire endurance where members are framed into the structure in such a manner as to provide equivalent
performance to that of monolithic concrete construction.
m. Generic fire-resistance ratings (those not designated as PROPRIETARY* in the listing) in GA 600 shall be accepted as if herein specified.
n. Additional insulating material is not required on the exposed outside face of the column flange to achieve a 1-hour fire-resistance rating.
7-44
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(2)
RATED FIRE-RESISTANCE PERIODS FOR VARIOUS WALLS AND PARTITIONS a, o, p
MATERIAL
1. Brick of
clay or shale
2. Combination of clay
brick and
load-bearing hollow
clay tile
ITEM
NUMBER
5. Glazed or
unglazed
facing tile,
nonloadbearing
3
hours
2
hours
1
hour
6
4.9
3.8
2.7
Solid brick of clay or shale.c
1-1.2
Hollow brick, not filled.
5.0
4.3
3.4
2.3
1-1.3
Hollow brick unit wall, grout or filled with perlite vermiculite or expanded shale
aggregate.
6.6
5.5
4.4
3.0
1-2.1
4" nominal thick units not less than 75 percent solid backed with a hat-shaped metal
furring channel 3/4" thick formed from 0.021" sheet metal attached to the brick wall
on 24" centers with approved fasteners, and 1/2" Type X gypsum wallboard attached
to the metal furring strips with 1"-long Type S screws spaced 8" on center.
—
—
5d
—
2-1.1
4" solid brick and 4" tile (not less than 40 percent solid).
—
8
—
—
2-1.2
4" solid brick and 8" tile (not less than 40 percent solid).
12
—
—
—
Expanded slag or pumice.
4.7
4.0
3.2
2.1
f, g
3-1.2
Expanded clay, shale or slate.
5.1
4.4
3.6
2.6
Limestone, cinders or air-cooled slag.
5.9
5.0
4.0
2.7
Calcareous or siliceous gravel.
6.2
5.3
4.2
2.8
Siliceous aggregate concrete.
7.0
6.2
5.0
3.5
Carbonate aggregate concrete.
6.6
5.7
4.6
3.2
Sand-lightweight concrete.
5.4
4.6
3.8
2.7
Lightweight concrete.
5.1
4.4
3.6
2.5
5-1.1
One 2" unit cored 15 percent maximum and one 4" unit cored 25 percent maximum
with 3/4" mortar-filled collar joint. Unit positions reversed in alternate courses.
—
63/8
—
—
5-1.2
One 2" unit cored 15 percent maximum and one 4" unit cored 40 percent maximum
with 3/4" mortar-filled collar joint. Unit positions side with 3/4" gypsum plaster. Two
wythes tied together every fourth course with No. 22 gage corrugated metal ties.
—
63/4
—
—
5-1.3
One unit with three cells in wall thickness, cored 29 percent maximum.
—
—
6
—
5-1.4
One 2" unit cored 22 percent maximum and one 4" unit cored 41 percent maximum
with 1/4" mortar-filled collar joint. Two wythes tied together every third course with
0.030"(No. 22 galvanized sheet steel gage) corrugated metal ties.
—
—
6
—
5-1.5
One 4" unit cored 25 percent maximum with 3/4" gypsum plaster on one side.
—
—
43/4
—
5-1.6
One 4" unit with two cells in wall thickness, cored 22 percent maximum.
—
—
—
4
3-1.3f
3-1.4f, g
4. Solid
concreteh, i
4
hours
1-1.1
3-1.1f, g
3. Concrete
masonry
units
CONSTRUCTION
MINIMUM FINISHED
THICKNESS FACE-TO-FACEb
(inches)
4-1.1
3
5-1.7
One 4" unit cored 30 percent maximum with /4" vermiculite gypsum plaster on one
side.
—
—
41/2
—
5-1.8
One 4" unit cored 39 percent maximum with 3/4" gypsum plaster on one side.
—
—
—
41/2
(continued)
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
7-45
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(2)—continued
RATED FIRE-RESISTANCE PERIODS FOR VARIOUS WALLS AND PARTITIONS a, o, p
MATERIAL
ITEM
NUMBER
MINIMUM FINISHED
THICKNESS FACE-TO-FACEb
(inches)
CONSTRUCTION
4
hours
3
hours
2
hours
1
hour
—
—
—
2d
—
—
21/2d
2d
3
6-1.1
/4" by 0.055" (No. 16 carbon sheet steel gage) vertical cold-rolled channels, 16" on
center with 2.6-pound flat metal lath applied to one face and tied with 0.049" (No.
18 B.W. gage) wire at 6" spacing. Gypsum plaster each side mixed 1:2 by weight,
gypsum to sand aggregate.
3
6-1.2
6. Solid
gypsum
plaster
7. Solid
perlite and
Portland
cement
8. Solid neat
wood
fibered
gypsum
plaster
9. Solid
wallboard
partition
10. Hollow
(studless)
gypsum
wallboard
partition
/4" by 0.05" (No. 16 carbon sheet steel gage) cold-rolled channels 16" on center
with metal lath applied to one face and tied with 0.049" (No. 18 B.W. gage) wire at
6" spacing. Perlite or vermiculite gypsum plaster each side. For three-coat work, the
plaster mix for the second coat shall not exceed 100 pounds of gypsum to 21/2 cubic
feet of aggregate for the 1-hour system.
3
6-1.3
/4" by 0.055" (No. 16 carbon sheet steel gage) vertical cold-rolled channels, 16" on
center with 3/8" gypsum lath applied to one face and attached with sheet metal clips.
Gypsum plaster each side mixed 1:2 by weight, gypsum to sand aggregate.
—
—
—
2d
6-2.1
Studless with 1/2" full-length plain gypsum lath and gypsum plaster each side. Plaster mixed 1:1 for scratch coat and 1:2 for brown coat, by weight, gypsum to sand
aggregate.
—
—
—
2d
6-2.2
Studless with 1/2" full-length plain gypsum lath and perlite or vermiculite gypsum
plaster each side.
—
—
21/2d
2d
6-2.3
Studless partition with 3/8" rib metal lath installed vertically adjacent edges tied 6"
on center with No. 18 gage wire ties, gypsum plaster each side mixed 1:2 by weight,
gypsum to sand aggregate.
—
—
—
2d
7-1.1
Perlite mixed in the ratio of 3 cubic feet to 100 pounds of Portland cement and
machine applied to stud side of 11/2" mesh by 0.058-inch (No. 17 B.W. gage) paperbacked woven wire fabric lath wire-tied to 4"-deep steel trussed wirej studs 16" on
center. Wire ties of 0.049" (No. 18 B.W. gage) galvanized steel wire 6" on center
vertically.
—
—
31/8d
—
3
8-1.1
/4" by 0.055-inch (No. 16 carbon sheet steel gage) cold-rolled channels, 12" on
center with 2.5-pound flat metal lath applied to one face and tied with 0.049" (No.
18 B.W.gage) wire at 6" spacing. Neat gypsum plaster applied each side.
—
—
2d
—
9-1.1
One full-length layer 1/2" Type X gypsum wallboarde laminated to each side of 1"
full-length V-edge gypsum coreboard with approved laminating compound. Vertical joints of face layer and coreboard staggered not less than 3".
—
—
2d
—
10-1.1
One full-length layer of 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboarde attached to both sides of
wood or metal top and bottom runners laminated to each side of 1" × 6" full-length
gypsum coreboard ribs spaced 2" on center with approved laminating compound.
Ribs centered at vertical joints of face plies and joints staggered 24" in opposing
faces. Ribs may be recessed 6" from the top and bottom.
—
—
—
21/4d
10-1.2
1" regular gypsum V-edge full-length backing board attached to both sides of wood
or metal top and bottom runners with nails or 15/8" drywall screws at 24" on center.
Minimum width of runners 15/8". Face layer of 1/2" regular full-length gypsum wallboard laminated to outer faces of backing board with approved laminating
compound.
—
—
45/8d
—
(continued)
7-46
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(2)—continued
RATED FIRE-RESISTANCE PERIODS FOR VARIOUS WALLS AND PARTITIONS a, o, p
MATERIAL
11. Noncombustible
studs—interior partition
with plaster
each side
12. Wood
studs—interior partition
with plaster
each side
13. Noncombustible
studs—interior partition
with gypsum
wallboard
each side
ITEM
NUMBER
CONSTRUCTION
MINIMUM FINISHED
THICKNESS FACE-TO-FACEb
(inches)
4
hours
3
hours
2
hours
1
hour
11-1.1
31/4" × 0.044" (No. 18 carbon sheet steel gage) steel studs spaced 24" on center. 5/8"
gypsum plaster on metal lath each side mixed 1:2 by weight, gypsum to sand
aggregate.
—
—
—
43/4d
11-1.2
33/8" × 0.055" (No. 16 carbon sheet steel gage) approved nailablek studs spaced 24"
on center. 5/8" neat gypsum wood-fibered plaster each side over 3/8" rib metal lath
nailed to studs with 6d common nails, 8" on center. Nails driven 11/4" and bent over.
—
—
55/8
—
11-1.3
4" × 0.044" (No. 18 carbon sheet steel gage) channel-shaped steel studs at 16" on
center. On each side approved resilient clips pressed onto stud flange at 16" vertical
spacing, 1/4" pencil rods snapped into or wire tied onto outer loop of clips, metal lath
wire-tied to pencil rods at 6" intervals, 1" perlite gypsum plaster, each side.
—
75/8d
—
—
11-1.4
21/2" × 0.044" (No. 18 carbon sheet steel gage) steel studs spaced 16" on center.
Wood fibered gypsum plaster mixed 1:1 by weight gypsum to sand aggregate
applied on 3/4-pound metal lath wire tied to studs, each side. 3/4" plaster applied over
each face, including finish coat.
—
—
41/4d
—
12-1.1l, m
2" × 4" wood studs 16" on center with 5/8" gypsum plaster on metal lath. Lath
attached by 4d common nails bent over or No. 14 gage by 11/4" by 3/4" crown width
staples spaced 6" on center. Plaster mixed 1:11/2 for scratch coat and 1:3 for brown
coat, by weight, gypsum to sand aggregate.
—
—
—
51/8
12-1.2
l
2" × 4" wood studs 16" on center with metal lath and 7/8" neat wood-fibered gypsum
plaster each side. Lath attached by 6d common nails, 7" on center. Nails driven 11/4"
and bent over.
—
—
51/2d
—
12-1.3
l
2" × 4" wood studs 16" on center with 3/8" perforated or plain gypsum lath and 1/2"
gypsum plaster each side. Lath nailed with 11/8" by No. 13 gage by 19/64" head plasterboard blued nails, 4" on center. Plaster mixed 1:2 by weight, gypsum to sand
aggregate.
—
—
—
51/4
12-1.4l
2" × 4" wood studs 16" on center with 3/8" Type X gypsum lath and 1/2" gypsum
plaster each side. Lath nailed with 11/8" by No. 13 gage by 19/64" head plasterboard
blued nails, 5" on center. Plaster mixed 1:2 by weight, gypsum to sand aggregate.
—
—
—
51/4
13-1.1
0.018" (No. 25 carbon sheet steel gage) channel-shaped studs 24" on center with
one full-length layer of 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboarde applied vertically attached
with 1"-long No. 6 dry wall screws to each stud. Screws are 8" on center around the
perimeter and 12" on center on the intermediate stud. Where applied horizontally,
the Type X gypsum wallboard shall be attached to 35/8" studs and the horizontal
joints shall be staggered with those on the opposite side. Screws for the horizontal
application shall be 8" on center at vertical edges and 12" on center at intermediate
studs.
—
—
—
27/8d
13-1.2
0.018" (No. 25 carbon sheet steel gage) channel-shaped studs 25" on center with
two full-length layers of 1/2" Type X gypsum wallboarde applied vertically each
side. First layer attached with 1"-long, No. 6 drywall screws, 8" on center around
the perimeter and 12" on center on the intermediate stud. Second layer applied with
vertical joints offset one stud space from first layer using 15/8" long, No. 6 drywall
screws spaced 9" on center along vertical joints, 12" on center at intermediate studs
and 24" on center along top and bottom runners.
—
—
35/8d
—
13-1.3
0.055" (No. 16 carbon sheet steel gage) approved nailable metal studse 24" on
center with full-length 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboarde applied vertically and nailed
7" on center with 6d cement-coated common nails. Approved metal fastener grips
used with nails at vertical butt joints along studs.
—
—
—
47/8
(continued)
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
7-47
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(2)—continued
RATED FIRE-RESISTANCE PERIODS FOR VARIOUS WALLS AND PARTITIONS a, o, p
MATERIAL
ITEM
NUMBER
CONSTRUCTION
MINIMUM FINISHED
THICKNESS FACE-TO-FACEb
(inches)
4
hours
3
hours
2
hours
1
hour
14-1.1h, m
2" × 4" wood studs 16" on center with two layers of 3/8" regular gypsum wallboarde
each side, 4d coolern or wallboardn nails at 8" on center first layer, 5d coolern or
wallboardn nails at 8" on center second layer with laminating compound between
layers, joints staggered. First layer applied full length vertically, second layer
applied horizontally or vertically.
—
—
—
5
14-1.2l, m
2" × 4" wood studs 16" on center with two layers 1/2" regular gypsum wallboarde
applied vertically or horizontally each sidek, joints staggered. Nail base layer with
5d coolern or wallboardn nails at 8" on center face layer with 8d coolern or wallboardn nails at 8" on center.
—
—
—
51/2
—
—
—
43/4
—
—
—
43/4d
2" × 4" wood studs 16" on center with two layers 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboarde
each side. Base layers applied vertically and nailed with 6d coolern or wallboardn
nails at 9" on center. Face layer applied vertically or horizontally and nailed with
8d coolern or wallboardn nails at 7" on center. For nail-adhesive application, base
layers are nailed 6" on center. Face layers applied with coating of approved wallboard adhesive and nailed 12" on center.
—
—
6
—
2" × 3" fire-retardant-treated wood studs spaced 24" on center with one layer of
5
/8" Type X gypsum wallboarde applied with face paper grain (long dimension) at
right angles to studs. Wallboard attached with 6d cement-coated box nails spaced
7" on center.
—
—
—
35/8d
15-1.1l, m
Exterior surface with 3/4" drop siding over 1/2" gypsum sheathing on 2" × 4" wood
studs at 16" on center, interior surface treatment as required for 1-hour-rated exterior or interior 2" × 4" wood stud partitions. Gypsum sheathing nailed with 13/4" by
No.11 gage by 7/16" head galvanized nails at 8" on center. Siding nailed with 7d
galvanized smooth box nails.
—
—
—
Varies
15-1.2l, m
2" × 4" wood studs 16" on center with metal lath and 3/4" cement plaster on each
side. Lath attached with 6d common nails 7" on center driven to 1" minimum
penetration and bent over. Plaster mix 1:4 for scratch coat and 1:5 for brown coat,
by volume, cement to sand.
—
—
—
53/8
15-1.3l, m
2" × 4" wood studs 16" on center with 7/8" cement plaster (measured from the face
of studs) on the exterior surface with interior surface treatment as required for interior wood stud partitions in this table. Plaster mix 1:4 for scratch coat and 1:5 for
brown coat, by volume, cement to sand.
—
—
—
Varies
15-1.4
35/8" No. 16 gage noncombustible studs 16" on center with 7/8" cement plaster
(measured from the face of the studs) on the exterior surface with interior surface
treatment as required for interior, nonbearing, noncombustible stud partitions in
this table. Plaster mix 1:4 for scratch coat and 1:5 for brown coat, by volume,
cement to sand.
—
—
—
Variesd
2" × 4" wood studs 24" on center with 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboarde applied
l, m
14-1.3
vertically or horizontally nailed with 6d coolern or wallboardn nails at 7" on center
14. Wood
with end joints on nailing members. Stagger joints each side.
studs—interior partition
2" × 4" fire-retardant-treated wood studs spaced 24" on center with one layer of
5
with gypsum
/8" Type X gypsum wallboarde applied with face paper grain (long dimension)
l
14-1.4
wallboard
parallel to studs. Wallboard attached with 6d coolern or wallboardn nails at 7" on
each side
center.
14-1.5l, m
14-1.6
15. Exterior
or interior
walls
(continued)
l
(continued)
7-48
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(2)—continued
RATED FIRE-RESISTANCE PERIODS FOR VARIOUS WALLS AND PARTITIONS a, o, p
MATERIAL
15. Exterior
or interior
walls
(continued)
ITEM
NUMBER
CONSTRUCTION
MINIMUM FINISHED
THICKNESS FACE-TO-FACEb
(inches)
4
hours
3
hours
2
hours
1
hour
15-1.5m
21/4" × 33/4" clay face brick with cored holes over 1/2" gypsum sheathing on exterior
surface of 2" × 4" wood studs at 16" on center and two layers 5/8" Type X gypsum
wallboarde on interior surface. Sheathing placed horizontally or vertically with
vertical joints over studs nailed 6" on center with 13/4" × No. 11 gage by 7/16" head
galvanized nails. Inner layer of wallboard placed horizontally or vertically and
nailed 8" on center with 6d coolern or wallboardn nails. Outer layer of wallboard
placed horizontally or vertically and nailed 8" on center with 8d coolern or wallboardn nails. Joints staggered with vertical joints over studs. Outer layer joints taped
and finished with compound. Nail heads covered with joint compound. 0.035 inch
(No. 20 galvanized sheet gage) corrugated galvanized steel wall ties 3/4" by 65/8"
attached to each stud with two 8d coolern or wallboardn nails every sixth course of
bricks.
—
—
10
—
15-1.6l, m
2" × 6" fire-retardant-treated wood studs 16" on center. Interior face has two layers
of 5/8" Type X gypsum with the base layer placed vertically and attached with 6d
box nails 12"on center. The face layer is placed horizontally and attached with 8d
box nails 8" on center at joints and 12" on center elsewhere. The exterior face has a
base layer of 5/8" Type X gypsum sheathing placed vertically with 6d box nails 8"
on center at joints and 12" on center elsewhere. An approved building paper is next
applied, followed by self-furred exterior lath attached with 21/2", No. 12 gage galvanized roofing nails with a 3/8" diameter head and spaced 6" on center along each
stud. Cement plaster consisting of a 1/2" brown coat is then applied. The scratch coat
is mixed in the proportion of 1:3 by weight, cement to sand with 10 pounds of
hydrated lime and 3 pounds of approved additives or admixtures per sack of
cement. The brown coat is mixed in the proportion of 1:4 by weight, cement to sand
with the same amounts of hydrated lime and approved additives or admixtures used
in the scratch coat.
—
—
81/4
—
15-1.7l, m
2" × 6" wood studs 16" on center. The exterior face has a layer of 5/8" Type X
gypsum sheathing placed vertically with 6d box nails 8" on center at joints and 12"
on center elsewhere. An approved building paper is next applied, followed by 1" by
No. 18 gage self-furred exterior lath attached with 8d by 21/2"-long galvanized roofing nails spaced 6" on center along each stud. Cement plaster consisting of a 1/2"
scratch coat, a bonding agent and a 1/2" brown coat and a finish coat is then applied.
The scratch coat is mixed in the proportion of 1:3 by weight, cement to sand with 10
pounds of hydrated lime and 3 pounds of approved additives or admixtures per sack
of cement. The brown coat is mixed in the proportion of 1:4 by weight, cement to
sand with the same amounts of hydrated lime and approved additives or admixtures
used in the scratch coat. The interior is covered with 3/8" gypsum lath with 1" hexagonal mesh of 0.035 inch (No. 20 B.W. gage) woven wire lath furred out 5/16" and 1"
perlite or vermiculite gypsum plaster. Lath nailed with 11/8" by No. 13 gage by 19/64"
head plasterboard glued nails spaced 5" on center. Mesh attached by 13/4" by No. 12
gage by 3/8" head nails with 3/8" furrings, spaced 8" on center. The plaster mix shall
not exceed 100 pounds of gypsum to 21/2 cubic feet of aggregate.
—
—
83/8
—
(continued)
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
7-49
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(2)—continued
RATED FIRE-RESISTANCE PERIODS FOR VARIOUS WALLS AND PARTITIONS a, o, p
MATERIAL
ITEM
NUMBER
CONSTRUCTION
MINIMUM FINISHED
THICKNESS FACE-TO-FACEb
(inches)
4
hours
3
hours
2
hours
1
hour
15-1.8l, m
2" × 6" wood studs 16" on center. The exterior face has a layer of 5/8" Type X
gypsum sheathing placed vertically with 6d box nails 8" on center at joints and 12"
on center elsewhere. An approved building paper is next applied, followed by 11/2"
by No. 17 gage self-furred exterior lath attached with 8d by 21/2"-long galvanized
roofing nails spaced 6" on center along each stud. Cement plaster consisting of a 1/2"
scratch coat and a 1/2" brown coat is then applied. The plaster may be placed by
machine. The scratch coat is mixed in the proportion of 1:4 by weight, plastic
cement to sand. The brown coat is mixed in the proportion of 1:5 by weight, plastic
cement to sand. The interior is covered with 3/8" gypsum lath with 1" hexagonal
mesh of No. 20-gage woven wire lath furred out 5/16" and 1" perlite or vermiculite
gypsum plaster. Lath nailed with 11/8" by No. 13 gage by 19/64" head plasterboard
glued nails spaced 5" on center. Mesh attached by 13/4" by No.12 gage by 3/8" head
nails with 3/8" furrings, spaced 8" on center. The plaster mix shall not exceed 100
pounds of gypsum to 21/2 cubic feet of aggregate.
—
—
83/8
—
15-1.9
4" No. 18 gage, nonload-bearing metal studs, 16" on center, with 1" Portland
cement lime plaster (measured from the back side of the 3/4-pound expanded metal
lath) on the exterior surface. Interior surface to be covered with 1" of gypsum plaster on 3/4-pound expanded metal lath proportioned by weight—1:2 for scratch coat,
1:3 for brown, gypsum to sand. Lath on one side of the partition fastened to 1/4"
diameter pencil rods supported by No. 20 gage metal clips, located 16" on center
vertically, on each stud. 3" thick mineral fiber insulating batts friction fitted
between the studs.
—
—
61/2d
—
15-1.10
Steel studs 0.060" thick, 4" deep or 6" at 16" or 24" centers, with 1/2" glass fiberreinforced concrete (GFRC) on the exterior surface. GFRC is attached with flex
anchors at 24" on center, with 5" leg welded to studs with two 1/2"-long flare-bevel
welds, and 4" foot attached to the GFRC skin with 5/8"-thick GFRC bonding pads
that extend 21/2" beyond the flex anchor foot on both sides. Interior surface to have
two layers of 1/2" Type X gypsum wallboard.e The first layer of wallboard to be
attached with 1"-long Type S buglehead screws spaced 24" on center and the
second layer is attached with 15/8"-long Type S screws spaced at 12" on center.
Cavity is to be filled with 5" of 4 pcf (nominal) mineral fiber batts. GFRC has 11/2"
returns packed with mineral fiber and caulked on the exterior.
—
—
61/2
—
15-1.11
Steel studs 0.060" thick, 4" deep or 6" at 16" or 24" centers, respectively, with 1/2"
glass fiber-reinforced concrete (GFRC) on the exterior surface. GFRC is attached
with flex anchors at 24" on center, with 5" leg welded to studs with two 1/2"-long
flare-bevel welds, and 4" foot attached to the GFRC skin with 5/8"-thick GFRC
bonding pads that extend 21/2" beyond the flex anchor foot on both sides. Interior
surface to have one layer of 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboarde, attached with 11/4"long Type S buglehead screws spaced 12" on center. Cavity is to be filled with 5" of
4 pcf (nominal) mineral fiber batts. GFRC has 11/2" returns packed with mineral
fiber and caulked on the exterior.
—
—
—
61/8
15-1.12q
2" × 6" wood studs at 16" with double top plates, single bottom plate; interior and
exterior sides covered with 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboard, 4′ wide, applied horizontally or vertically with vertical joints over studs, and fastened with 21/4" Type S
drywall screws, spaced 12" on center. Cavity to be filled with 51/2" mineral wool
insulation.
—
—
—
63/4
15. Exterior
or interior
walls
(continued)
(continued)
7-50
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(2)—continued
RATED FIRE-RESISTANCE PERIODS FOR VARIOUS WALLS AND PARTITIONS a, o, p
MATERIAL
ITEM
NUMBER
4
hours
3
hours
2
hours
1
hour
2" × 6" wood studs at 16" with double top plates, single bottom plate; interior and
exterior sides covered with 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboard, 4′ wide, applied vertically with all joints over framing or blocking and fastened with 21/4" Type S drywall
screws, spaced 12" on center. R-19 mineral fiber insulation installed in stud cavity.
—
—
—
63/4
15-1.14
2" × 6" wood studs at 16" with double top plates, single bottom plate; interior and
exterior sides covered with 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboard, 4′ wide, applied horizontally or vertically with vertical joints over studs, and fastened with 21/4" Type S
drywall screws, spaced 7" on center.
—
—
—
63/4
15-1.15q
2" × 4" wood studs at 16" with double top plates, single bottom plate; interior and
exterior sides covered with 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboard and sheathing, respectively, 4′ wide, applied horizontally or vertically with vertical joints over studs, and
fastened with 21/4" Type S drywall screws, spaced 12" on center. Cavity to be filled
with 31/2" mineral wool insulation.
—
—
—
43/4
15-1.16q
2" × 6" wood studs at 24" centers with double top plates, single bottom plate; interior and exterior side covered with two layers of 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboard, 4′
wide, applied horizontally with vertical joints over studs. Base layer fastened with
21/4" Type S drywall screws, spaced 24" on center and face layer fastened with Type
S drywall screws, spaced 8" on center, wallboard joints covered with paper tape and
joint compound, fastener heads covered with joint compound. Cavity to be filled
with 51/2" mineral wool insulation.
—
—
8
—
15-2.1d
35/8" No. 16 gage steel studs at 24" on center or 2" × 4" wood studs at 24" on center.
Metal lath attached to the exterior side of studs with minimum 1" long No. 6
drywall screws at 6" on center and covered with minimum 3/4" thick Portland
cement plaster. Thin veneer brick units of clay or shale complying with ASTM
C1088, Grade TBS or better, installed in running bond in accordance with Section
1404.10. Combined total thickness of the Portland cement plaster, mortar and thin
veneer brick units shall be not less than 13/4". Interior side covered with one layer of
5
/8"-thick Type X gypsum wallboard attached to studs with 1" long No. 6 drywall
screws at 12" on center.
—
—
—
6
15-2.2d
35/8" No. 16 gage steel studs at 24" on center or 2" × 4" wood studs at 24" on center.
Metal lath attached to the exterior side of studs with minimum 1" long No. 6
drywall screws at 6" on center and covered with minimum 3/4" thick Portland
cement plaster. Thin veneer brick units of clay or shale complying with ASTM
C1088, Grade TBS or better, installed in running bond in accordance with Section
1404.10. Combined total thickness of the Portland cement plaster, mortar and thin
veneer brick units shall be not less than 2". Interior side covered with two layers of
5
/8"-thick Type X gypsum wallboard. Bottom layer attached to studs with 1"-long
No. 6 drywall screws at 24" on center. Top layer attached to studs with 15/8"-long
No. 6 drywall screws at 12" on center.
—
—
67/8
—
15-2.3d
35/8" No. 16 gage steel studs at 16" on center or 2" × 4" wood studs at 16" on center.
Where metal lath is used, attach to the exterior side of studs with minimum 1"-long
No. 6 drywall screws at 6" on center. Brick units of clay or shale not less than 25/8"
thick complying with ASTM C216 installed in accordance with Section 1404.6
with a minimum 1" airspace. Interior side covered with one layer of 5/8"-thick Type
X gypsum wallboard attached to studs with 1"-long No. 6 drywall screws at 12" on
center.
—
—
—
77/8
q
15-1.13
q
15. Exterior
or interior
walls
(continued)
CONSTRUCTION
MINIMUM FINISHED
THICKNESS FACE-TO-FACEb
(inches)
(continued)
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
7-51
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(2)—continued
RATED FIRE-RESISTANCE PERIODS FOR VARIOUS WALLS AND PARTITIONS a, o, p
MATERIAL
15. Exterior
or interior
walls
ITEM
NUMBER
CONSTRUCTION
MINIMUM FINISHED
THICKNESS FACE-TO-FACEb
(inches)
4
hours
3
hours
2
hours
1
hour
15-2.4d
35/8" No. 16 gage steel studs at 16" on center or 2" × 4" wood studs at 16" on center.
Where metal lath is used, attach to the exterior side of studs with minimum 1"-long
No. 6 drywall screws at 6" on center. Brick units of clay or shale not less than 25/8"
thick complying with ASTM C216 installed in accordance with Section 1404.6
with a minimum 1" airspace. Interior side covered with two layers of 5/8"-thick Type
X gypsum wallboard. Bottom layer attached to studs with 1"-long No. 6 drywall
screws at 24" on center. Top layer attached to studs with 15/8"-long No. 6 drywall
screws at 12" on center.
—
—
81/2
—
16-1.1q
2" × 4" wood studs at 16" centers with double top plates, single bottom plate; interior side covered with 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboard, 4’ wide, applied horizontally
unblocked, and fastened with 21/4" Type S drywall screws, spaced 12" on center,
wallboard joints covered with paper tape and joint compound, fastener heads
covered with joint compound. Exterior covered with 3/8" wood structural panels,
applied vertically, horizontal joints blocked and fastened with 6d common nails
(bright)—12" on center in the field, and 6" on center panel edges. Cavity to be filled
with 31/2" mineral wool insulation. Rating established for exposure from interior
side only.
—
—
—
41/2
2" × 6" wood studs at 16" centers with double top plates, single bottom plate; interior side covered with 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboard, 4’ wide, applied horizontally
or vertically with vertical joints over studs and fastened with 21/4" Type S drywall
screws, spaced 12" on center, wallboard joints covered with paper tape and joint
compound, fastener heads covered with joint compound, exterior side covered with
7
/16" wood structural panels fastened with 6d common nails (bright) spaced 12" on
center in the field and 6" on center along the panel edges. Cavity to be filled with
51/2" mineral wool insulation. Rating established from the gypsum-covered side
only.
—
—
—
69/16
2" × 6" wood studs at 16" centers with double top plates, single bottom plates; interior side covered with 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboard, 4’wide, applied vertically
with all joints over framing or blocking and fastened with 21/4" Type S drywall
screws spaced 7" on center. Joints to be covered with tape and joint compound.
Exterior covered with 3/8" wood structural panels, applied vertically with edges over
framing or blocking and fastened with 6d common nails (bright) at 12" on center in
the field and 6" on center on panel edges. R-19 mineral fiber insulation installed in
stud cavity. Rating established from the gypsum-covered side only.
—
—
—
61/2
16. Exterior
walls rated
for fire resistance from
the inside
16-1.2q
only in
accordance
with Section
705.5.
16-1.3q
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 square inch = 645.2 mm2, 1 cubic foot = 0.0283 m3.
a. Staples with equivalent holding power and penetration shall be permitted to be used as alternate fasteners to nails for attachment to wood framing.
b. Thickness shown for brick and clay tile is nominal thicknesses unless plastered, in which case thicknesses are net. Thickness shown for concrete masonry
and clay masonry is equivalent thickness defined in Section 722.3.1 for concrete masonry and Section 722.4.1.1 for clay masonry. Where all cells are solid
grouted or filled with silicone-treated perlite loose-fill insulation; vermiculite loose-fill insulation; or expanded clay, shale or slate lightweight aggregate,
the equivalent thickness shall be the thickness of the block or brick using specified dimensions as defined in Chapter 21. Equivalent thickness shall include
the thickness of applied plaster and lath or gypsum wallboard, where specified.
c. For units in which the net cross-sectional area of cored brick in any plane parallel to the surface containing the cores is not less than 75 percent of the gross
cross-sectional area measured in the same plane.
d. Shall be used for nonbearing purposes only.
e. For all of the construction with gypsum wallboard described in this table, gypsum base for veneer plaster of the same size, thickness and core type shall be
permitted to be substituted for gypsum wallboard, provided that attachment is identical to that specified for the wallboard, and the joints on the face layer
are reinforced and the entire surface is covered with not less than 1/16-inch gypsum veneer plaster.
f. The fire-resistance time period for concrete masonry units meeting the equivalent thicknesses required for a 2-hour fire-resistance rating in Item 3, and
having a thickness of not less than 75/8 inches is 4 hours where cores that are not grouted are filled with silicone-treated perlite loose-fill insulation; vermiculite loose-fill insulation; or expanded clay, shale or slate lightweight aggregate, sand or slag having a maximum particle size of 3/8 inch.
g. The fire-resistance rating of concrete masonry units composed of a combination of aggregate types or where plaster is applied directly to the concrete
masonry shall be determined in accordance with ACI 216.1/TMS 0216. Lightweight aggregates shall have a maximum combined density of 65 pounds per
cubic foot.
h. See Note b. The equivalent thickness shall be permitted to include the thickness of cement plaster or 1.5 times the thickness of gypsum plaster applied in
accordance with the requirements of Chapter 25.
(continued)
7-52
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.
n.
o.
p.
q.
TABLE 721.1(2)—continued
RATED FIRE-RESISTANCE PERIODS FOR VARIOUS WALLS AND PARTITIONS a, o, p
Concrete walls shall be reinforced with horizontal and vertical temperature reinforcement as required by Chapter 19.
Studs are welded truss wire studs with 0.18 inch (No. 7 B.W. gage) flange wire and 0.18 inch (No. 7 B.W. gage) truss wires.
Nailable metal studs consist of two channel studs spot welded back to back with a crimped web forming a nailing groove.
Wood structural panels shall be permitted to be installed between the fire protection and the wood studs on either the interior or exterior side of the wood
frame assemblies in this table, provided that the length of the fasteners used to attach the fire protection is increased by an amount not less than the thickness of the wood structural panel.
For studs with a slenderness ratio, le/d, greater than 33, the design stress shall be reduced to 78 percent of allowable F′c. For studs with a slenderness ratio,
le/d, not exceeding 33, the design stress shall be reduced to 78 percent of the adjusted stress F′c calculated for studs having a slenderness ratio le/d of 33.
For properties of cooler or wallboard nails, see ASTM C514, ASTM C547 or ASTM F1667.
Generic fire-resistance ratings (those not designated as PROPRIETARY* in the listing) in the GA 600 shall be accepted as if herein specified.
NCMA TEK 5-8A shall be permitted for the design of fire walls.
The design stress of studs shall be equal to not more than 100 percent of the allowable F′c calculated in accordance with Section 2306.
TABLE 721.1(3)
MINIMUM PROTECTION FOR FLOOR AND ROOF SYSTEMSa, q
FLOOR OR ROOF
CONSTRUCTION
ITEM
NUMBER
1. Siliceous
aggregate
concrete
1-1.1
2. Carbonate
aggregate
concrete
2-1.1
3. Sand-lightweight concrete
4. Lightweight
concrete
CEILING CONSTRUCTION
THICKNESS OF FLOOR OR
ROOF SLAB (inches)
MINIMUM THICKNESS OF
CEILING (inches)
4
3
2
1
4
3
2
1
hours hours hours hour hours hours hours hour
7.0
6.2
5.0
3.5
—
—
—
—
6.6
5.7
4.6
3.2
—
—
—
—
3-1.1
5.4
4.6
3.8
2.7
—
—
—
—
4-1.1
5.1
4.4
3.6
2.5
—
—
—
—
3
2
—
—
1
3
—
—
—
—
21/2
—
—
—
5
—
5-1.1
Slab (ceiling not required). Minimum cover over
nonprestressed reinforcement shall be not less than 3/4".b
Slab with suspended ceiling of vermiculite gypsum plaster over metal lath attached to 3/4" cold-rolled channels
spaced 12" on center. Ceiling located 6" minimum
below joists.
5
5. Reinforced
concrete
5-2.1
/8" Type X gypsum wallboardc attached to 0.018 inch
(No.25 carbon sheet steel gage) by 7/8" deep by 25/8" hatshaped galvanized steel channels with 1"-long No. 6
screws. The channels are spaced 24" on center, span 35"
and are supported along their length at 35" intervals by
0.033" (No. 21 galvanized sheet gage) galvanized steel
flat strap hangers having formed edges that engage the
lips of the channel. The strap hangers are attached to the
side of the concrete joists with 5/32" by 11/4"-long powerdriven fasteners. The wallboard is installed with the long
dimension perpendicular to the channels. End joints
occur on channels and supplementary channels are
installed parallel to the main channels, 12" each side, at
end joint occurrences. The finished ceiling is located
approximately 12" below the soffit of the floor slab.
/4
/8
(continued)
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
7-53
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(3)—continued
MINIMUM PROTECTION FOR FLOOR AND ROOF SYSTEMSa, q
FLOOR OR ROOF
CONSTRUCTION
6. Steel joists
constructed with
a poured reinforced concrete
slab on metal
lath forms or
steel form
units.d, e
7. Reinforced
concrete slabs
and joists with
hollow clay tile
fillers laid end to
end in rows 21/2"
or more apart;
reinforcement
placed between
rows and
concrete cast
around and over
tile.
8. Steel joists
constructed with
a reinforced
concrete slab on
top poured on a
1
/2"-deep steel
deck.e
THICKNESS OF FLOOR OR
ROOF SLAB (inches)
MINIMUM THICKNESS OF
CEILING (inches)
ITEM
NUMBER
CEILING CONSTRUCTION
6-1.1
Gypsum plaster on metal lath attached to the bottom
cord with single No. 16 gage or doubled No. 18 gage
wire ties spaced 6" on center. Plaster mixed 1:2 for
scratch coat, 1:3 for brown coat, by weight, gypsum-tosand aggregate for 2-hour system. For 3-hour system
plaster is neat.
—
—
21/2
21/4
—
—
3
5
6-2.1
Vermiculite gypsum plaster on metal lath attached to the
bottom chord with single No. 16 gage or doubled 0.049inch (No. 18 B.W. gage) wire ties 6" on center.
—
2
—
—
—
5
/8
—
—
6-3.1
Cement plaster over metal lath attached to the bottom
chord of joists with single No. 16 gage or doubled
0.049" (No. 18 B.W. gage) wire ties spaced 6" on center.
Plaster mixed 1:2 for scratch coat, 1:3 for brown coat for
1-hour system and 1:1 for scratch coat, 1:11/2 for brown
coat for 2-hour system, by weight, cement to sand.
—
—
—
2
—
—
—
5 f
8
6-4.1
Ceiling of 5/8" Type X wallboardc attached to 7/8" deep
by 25/8" by 0.021 inch (No. 25 carbon sheet steel gage)
hat-shaped furring channels 12" on center with 1"-long
No. 6 wallboard screws at 8" on center. Channels wire
tied to bottom chord of joists with doubled 0.049 inch
(No. 18 B.W. gage) wire or suspended below joists on
wire hangers.g
—
—
21/2
—
—
—
5
—
6-5.1
Wood-fibered gypsum plaster mixed 1:1 by weight
gypsum to sand aggregate applied over metal lath. Lath
tied 6" on center to 3/4" channels spaced 131/2" on center.
Channels secured to joists at each intersection with two
strands of 0.049 inch (No. 18 B.W. gage) galvanized
wire.
—
—
21/2
—
—
—
3
—
4
3
2
1
4
3
2
1
hours hours hours hour hours hours hours hour
/4
/8
/4
/8
/
5
7-1.1
/8" gypsum plaster on bottom of floor or roof
construction.
—
—
8h
—
—
—
5
/8
—
7-1.2
None
—
—
—
51/2i
—
—
—
—
8-1.1
Vermiculite gypsum plaster on metal lath attached to 3/4"
cold-rolled channels with 0.049" (No. 18 B.W. gage)
wire ties spaced 6" on center.
21/2j
—
—
—
3
—
—
—
/4
(continued)
7-54
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(3)—continued
MINIMUM PROTECTION FOR FLOOR AND ROOF SYSTEMSa, q
FLOOR OR ROOF
CONSTRUCTION
9. 3"-deep cellular steel deck
with concrete
slab on top. Slab
thickness
measured to top.
10. 11/2"-deep
steel roof deck
on steel framing. Insulation
board, 30 pcf
density,
composed of
wood fibers with
cement binders
of thickness
shown bonded to
deck with
unified asphalt
adhesive.
Covered with a
Class A or B
roof covering.
11. 11/2"-deep
steel roof deck
on steel-framing
wood fiber insulation board,
17.5 pcf density
on top applied
over a 15-lb
asphalt-saturated felt. Class
A or B roof
covering.
THICKNESS OF FLOOR OR
ROOF SLAB (inches)
MINIMUM THICKNESS OF
CEILING (inches)
ITEM
NUMBER
CEILING CONSTRUCTION
9-1.1
Suspended ceiling of vermiculite gypsum plaster base
coat and vermiculite acoustical plaster on metal lath
attached at 6" intervals to 3/4" cold-rolled channels
spaced 12" on center and secured to 11/2" cold-rolled
channels spaced 36" on center with 0.065" (No. 16 B.W.
gage) wire. 11/2" channels supported by No. 8 gage wire
hangers at 36" on center. Beams within envelope and
with a 21/2" airspace between beam soffit and lath have a
4-hour rating.
21/2
—
—
—
11/8k
—
—
—
10-1.1
Ceiling of gypsum plaster on metal lath. Lath attached to
3
/4" furring channels with 0.049" (No. 18 B.W. gage)
wire ties spaced 6" on center. 3/4" channel saddle tied to
2" channels with doubled 0.065" (No. 16 B.W. gage)
wire ties. 2"channels spaced 36" on center suspended 2"
below steel framing and saddle tied with 0.165" (No. 8
B.W. gage) wire. Plaster mixed 1:2 by weight, gypsumto-sand aggregate.
—
—
17/8
1
—
—
3 1
4
/
3 1
4
11-1.1
Ceiling of gypsum plaster on metal lath. Lath attached to
3
/4" furring channels with 0.049" (No. 18 B.W. gage)
wire ties spaced 6" on center. 3/4" channels saddle tied to
2" channels with doubled 0.065" (No. 16 B.W. gage)
wire ties. 2" channels spaced 36" on center suspended 2"
below steel framing and saddle tied with 0.165" (No. 8
B.W. gage) wire. Plaster mixed 1:2 for scratch coat and
1:3 for brown coat, by weight, gypsum-to-sand aggregate for 1-hour system. For 2-hour system, plaster mix is
1:2 by weight, gypsum-to-sand aggregate.
—
—
11/2
1
—
—
7 g
8
3 1
4
4
3
2
1
4
3
2
1
hours hours hours hour hours hours hours hour
/
/
/
(continued)
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
7-55
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(3)—continued
MINIMUM PROTECTION FOR FLOOR AND ROOF SYSTEMSa, q
FLOOR OR ROOF
CONSTRUCTION
12. 11/2" deep
steel roof deck
on steel-framing
insulation of
rigid board
consisting of
expanded perlite
and fibers
impregnated
with integral
asphalt waterproofing;
density 9 to 12
pcf secured to
metal roof deck
by 1/2"-wide
ribbons of
waterproof,
cold-process
liquid adhesive
spaced 6" apart.
Steel joist or
light steel
construction
with metal roof
deck, insulation,
and Class A or B
built-up roof
covering.e
THICKNESS OF FLOOR OR
ROOF SLAB (inches)
MINIMUM THICKNESS OF
CEILING (inches)
ITEM
NUMBER
CEILING CONSTRUCTION
12-1.1
Gypsum-vermiculite plaster on metal lath wire tied at 6"
intervals to 3/4" furring channels spaced 12" on center
and wire tied to 2" runner channels spaced 32" on
center. Runners wire tied to bottom chord of steel joists.
—
—
1
—
—
—
7
—
13-1.1
Gypsum plaster over 3/8" Type X gypsum lath. Lath
initially applied with not less than four 11/8" by No. 13
gage by 19/64" head plasterboard blued nails per bearing.
Continuous stripping over lath along all joist lines.
Stripping consists of 3"-wide strips of metal lath
attached by 11/2" by No. 11 gage by 1/2" head roofing
nails spaced 6" on center. Alternate stripping consists of
3"-wide 0.049" diameter wire stripping weighing 1
pound per square yard and attached by No. 16 gage by
11/2" by 3/4" crown width staples, spaced 4" on center.
Where alternate stripping is used, the lath nailing shall
consist of two nails at each end and one nail at each
intermediate bearing. Plaster mixed 1:2 by weight,
gypsum-to-sand aggregate.
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
7
13-1.2
Cement or gypsum plaster on metal lath. Lath fastened
with 11/2" by No. 11 gage by 7/16" head barbed shank
roofing nails spaced 5" on center. Plaster mixed 1:2 for
scratch coat and 1:3 for brown coat, by weight, cement
to sand aggregate.
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
5
13-1.3
Perlite or vermiculite gypsum plaster on metal lath
secured to joists with 11/2" by No. 11 gage by 7/16" head
barbed shank roofing nails spaced 5" on center.
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
5
13-1.4
1
/2" Type X gypsum wallboardc nailed to joists with 5d
coolero or wallboardo nails at 6" on center. End joints of
wallboard centered on joists.
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1
13. Double
wood floor over
wood joists
spaced 16" on
center.m, n
4
3
2
1
4
3
2
1
hours hours hours hour hours hours hours hour
/8
/8
/8
/8
/2
(continued)
7-56
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(3)—continued
MINIMUM PROTECTION FOR FLOOR AND ROOF SYSTEMSa, q
FLOOR OR ROOF
CONSTRUCTION
ITEM
NUMBER
CEILING CONSTRUCTION
THICKNESS OF FLOOR OR
ROOF SLAB (inches)
MINIMUM THICKNESS OF
CEILING (inches)
4
3
2
1
4
3
2
1
hours hours hours hour hours hours hours hour
14. Plywood
stressed skin
panels consisting of 5/8"-thick
interior C-D
(exterior glue)
top stressed skin
on 2" × 6" nominal (minimum)
14-1.1
stringers. Adjacent panel edges
joined with 8d
common wire
nails spaced 6"
on center.
Stringers spaced
12" maximum
on center.
/2"-thick wood fiberboard weighing 15 to 18 pounds per
cubic foot installed with long dimension parallel to
stringers or 3/8" C-D (exterior glue) plywood glued
and/or nailed to stringers. Nailing to be with 5d coolero
or wallboardo nails at 12" on center. Second layer of 1/2"
Type X gypsum wallboardc applied with long dimension
perpendicular to joists and attached with 8d coolero or
wallboardo nails at 6" on center at end joints and 8" on
center elsewhere. Wallboard joints staggered with
respect to fiberboard joints.
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1
15. Vermiculite
concrete slab
proportioned 1:4
(Portland
cement to
vermiculite
aggregate) on a
11/2"-deep steel
deck supported
on individually
protected steel
framing. Maximum span of
deck 6′-10"
where deck is
less than 0.019
inch (No. 26
carbon steel
sheet gage) or
greater. Slab
reinforced with
4" × 8"
0.109/0.083"
(No. 12/14 B.W.
gage) welded
wire mesh.
None
—
—
—
3j
—
—
—
—
15-1.1
1
(continued)
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
7-57
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(3)—continued
MINIMUM PROTECTION FOR FLOOR AND ROOF SYSTEMSa, q
THICKNESS OF FLOOR OR
ROOF SLAB (inches)
MINIMUM THICKNESS OF
CEILING (inches)
FLOOR OR ROOF
CONSTRUCTION
ITEM
NUMBER
16. Perlite
concrete slab
proportioned 1:6
(Portland
cement to perlite
aggregate) on a
11/4"-deep steel
deck supported
on individually
protected steel
framing. Slab
reinforced with
4" × 8"
0.109/0.083"
(No.12/14 B.W.
gage) welded
wire mesh.
16-1.1
None
—
—
—
31/2j
—
—
—
—
17. Perlite
concrete slab
proportioned 1:6
(Portland
cement to perlite
aggregate) on a
9
/16"-deep steel
deck supported
by steel joists 4′
on center. Class
A or B roof
covering on top.
17-1.1
Perlite gypsum plaster on metal lath wire tied to 3/4"
furring channels attached with 0.065" (No. 16 B.W.
gage) wire ties to lower chord of joists.
—
2p
2p
—
—
7
3
—
CEILING CONSTRUCTION
4
3
2
1
4
3
2
1
hours hours hours hour hours hours hours hour
/8
/4
(continued)
7-58
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(3)—continued
MINIMUM PROTECTION FOR FLOOR AND ROOF SYSTEMSa, q
THICKNESS OF FLOOR OR
ROOF SLAB (inches)
MINIMUM THICKNESS OF
CEILING (inches)
FLOOR OR ROOF
CONSTRUCTION
ITEM
NUMBER
18. Perlite concrete
slab proportioned 1:6
(Portland cement to
perlite aggregate) on
11/4"-deep steel deck
supported on individually protected steel
framing. Maximum
span of deck 6′-10"
where deck is less than
0.019" (No. 26 carbon
sheet steel gage) and
8′-0" where deck is
0.019" (No. 26 carbon
sheet steel gage) or
greater. Slab reinforced
with 0.042" (No. 19
B.W. gage) hexagonal
wire mesh. Class A or
B roof covering on top.
18-1.1
None
—
21/4p
21/4p
—
—
—
—
—
19-1.1
Suspended envelope ceiling of perlite gypsum
plaster on metal lath attached to 3/4" cold-rolled
channels, secured to 11/2" cold-rolled channels
spaced 42" on center supported by 0.203 inch
(No. 6 B.W. gage) wire 36" on center. Beams in
envelope with 3" minimum airspace between
beam soffit and lath have a 4-hour rating.
2p
—
—
—
1l
—
—
—
19. Floor and beam
construction consisting of 3"-deep cellular
steel floor unit
mounted on steel
members with 1:4
(proportion of Portland cement to perlite
aggregate) perliteconcrete floor slab on
top.
CEILING CONSTRUCTION
4
3
2
1
4
3
2
1
hours hours hours hour hours hours hours hour
(continued)
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
7-59
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(3)—continued
MINIMUM PROTECTION FOR FLOOR AND ROOF SYSTEMSa, q
FLOOR OR ROOF
CONSTRUCTION
ITEM
NUMBER
20. Perlite concrete
proportioned 1:6 (Portland cement to perlite
aggregate) poured to 1/8"
thickness above top of
corrugations of 15/16"deep galvanized steel
deck maximum span 8′0" for 0.024" (No. 24
galvanized sheet gage)
or 6′-0" for 0.019" (No.
26 galvanized sheet
gage) with deck
supported by individually protected steel
framing. Approved
polystyrene foam plastic insulation board
having a flame spread
not exceeding 75 (1" to
4" thickness) with vent
holes that approximate
3 percent of the board
surface area placed on
top of perlite slurry. A
20-1.1
2′ by 4′ insulation board
contains six 23/4" diameter holes. Board covered
with 21/4" minimum
perlite concrete slab.
Slab reinforced with
mesh consisting of
0.042" (No.19 B.W.
gage) galvanized steel
wire twisted together to
form 2" hexagons with
straight 0.065" (No. 16
B.W. gage) galvanized
steel wire woven into
mesh and spaced 3".
Alternate slab reinforcement shall be permitted
to consist of 4" × 8",
0.109/0.238" (No. 12/4
B.W. gage), or 2" × 2",
0.083/0.083" (No. 14/14
B.W. gage) welded wire
fabric. Class A or B
roof covering on top.
CEILING CONSTRUCTION
None
THICKNESS OF FLOOR OR
ROOF SLAB (inches)
4
3
hours hours
—
—
2
hours
1
hour
Varies
—
MINIMUM THICKNESS OF
CEILING (inches)
4
3
2
hours hours hours
—
—
—
1
hour
—
(continued)
7-60
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(3)—continued
MINIMUM PROTECTION FOR FLOOR AND ROOF SYSTEMSa, q
FLOOR OR ROOF
CONSTRUCTION
ITEM
NUMBER
CEILING CONSTRUCTION
THICKNESS OF FLOOR OR
ROOF SLAB (inches)
4
3
2
hours hours hours
1
hour
MINIMUM THICKNESS OF
CEILING (inches)
4
3
2
1
hours hours hours hour
21. Wood joists, wood
I-joists, floor trusses
and flat or pitched roof
trusses spaced a maximum 24" o.c. with 1/2"
wood structural panels
with exterior glue
applied at right angles
21-1.1
to top of joist or top
chord of trusses with 8
dnails. The wood structural panel thickness
shall be not less than
nominal 1/2" nor less
than required by Chapter 23.
Base layer 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboard
applied at right angles to joist or truss 24" o.c.
with 11/4" Type S or Type W drywall screws
24" o.c. Face layer 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboard or veneer base applied at right angles to
joist or truss through base layer with 17/8"
Type S or Type W drywall screws 12" o.c. at
joints and intermediate joist or truss. Face
layer Type G drywall screws placed 2" back
on either side of face layer end joints, 12" o.c.
—
—
—
Varies
—
—
—
11/4
22. Steel joists, floor
trusses and flat or
pitched roof trusses
spaced a maximum 24"
o.c. with 1/2" wood
structural panels with
exterior glue applied at
right angles to top of
joist or top chord of
trusses with No. 8
screws. The wood
structural panel thickness shall be not less
than nominal 1/2" nor
less than required by
Chapter 23.
Base layer 5/8" Type X gypsum board applied
at right angles to steel framing 24" on center
with 1" Type S dry wall screws spaced 24" on
center. Face layer 5/8" Type X gypsum board
applied at right angles to steel framing
attached through base layer with 15/8" Type S
dry wall screws 12" on center at end joints and
intermediate joints and 11/2" Type G dry wall
screws 12 inches on center placed 2" back on
either side of face layer end joints. Joints of
the face layer are offset 24" from the joints of
the base layer.
—
—
—
Varies
—
—
—
11/4
—
—
—
Varies
—
—
—
23. Wood I-joist (minimum joist depth 91/4"
with a minimum flange
depth of 15/16" and a
minimum flange crosssectional area of 2.25
square inches) at 24"
o.c. spacing with a
minimum 1 × 4 (3/4" ×
3.5"actual) ledger strip
applied parallel to and
covering the bottom of
the bottom flange of
each member, tacked
in place. 2" mineral
wool insulation, 3.5 pcf
(nominal) installed
adjacent to the bottom
flange of the I-joist and
supported by the 1 × 4
ledger strip.
22-1.1
1
23-1.1
/2"-deep single-leg resilient channel 16" on
center (channels doubled at wallboard end
joints), placed perpendicular to the furring
strip and joist and attached to each joist by
17/8" Type S drywall screws. 5/8" Type C
gypsum wallboard applied perpendicular to
the channel with end joints staggered not less
than 4′ and fastened with 11/8" Type S drywall
screws spaced 7" on center. Wallboard joints
to be taped and covered with joint compound.
5
/8
(continued)
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
7-61
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(3)—continued
MINIMUM PROTECTION FOR FLOOR AND ROOF SYSTEMSa, q
FLOOR OR ROOF
CONSTRUCTION
24. Wood I-joist (minimum I-joist depth 91/4"
with a minimum flange
depth of 11/2" and a
minimum flange crosssectional area of 5.25
square inches; minimum web thickness of
3
/8") @ 24" o.c., 11/2"
mineral wool insulation (2.5 pcf-nominal)
resting on hat-shaped
furring channels.
25. Wood I-joist (minimum I-joist depth 91/4"
with a minimum flange
depth of 11/2" and a
minimum flange crosssectional area of 5.25
square inches; minimum web thickness of
7
/16") @ 24" o.c., 11/2"
mineral wool insulation (2.5 pcf-nominal)
resting on resilient
channels.
26. Wood I-joist (minimum I-joist depth 91/4"
with a minimum flange
thickness of 11/2" and a
minimum flange crosssectional area of 2.25
square inches; minimum web thick-ness of
3
/8") @ 24" o.c.
THICKNESS OF FLOOR OR
ROOF SLAB (inches)
MINIMUM THICKNESS OF
CEILING (inches)
ITEM
NUMBER
CEILING CONSTRUCTION
24-1.1
Minimum 0.026" thick hat-shaped channel 16"
o.c. (channels doubled at wallboard end
joints), placed perpendicular to the joist and
attached to each joist by 11/4" Type S drywall
screws. 5/8" Type C gypsum wallboard applied
perpendicular to the channel with end joints
staggered and fastened with 11/8" Type S
drywall screws spaced 12" o.c. in the field and
8" o.c. at the wallboard ends. Wallboard joints
to be taped and covered with joint compound.
—
—
—
Varies
—
—
—
5
25-1.1
Minimum 0.019"-thick resilient channel 16"
o.c. (channels doubled at wallboard end
joints), placed perpendicular to the joist and
attached to each joist by 15/8" Type S drywall
screws. 5/8" Type C gypsum wallboard applied
perpendicular to the channel with end joints
staggered and fastened with 1" Type S drywall
screws spaced 12" o.c. in the field and 8" o.c.
at the wallboard ends. Wallboard joints to be
taped and covered with joint compound.
—
—
—
Varies
—
—
—
5
26-1.1
Two layers of 1/2" Type X gypsum wallboard
applied with the long dimension perpendicular
to the I-joists with end joints staggered. The
base layer is fastened with 15/8" Type S dry
wall screws spaced 12" o.c. and the face layer
is fastened with 2" Type S drywall screws
spaced 12" o.c. in the field and 8" o.c. on the
edges. Face layer end joints shall not occur on
the same I-joist as base layer end joints and
edge joints shall be offset 24"from base layer
joints. Face layer to also be attached to base
layer with 11/2" Type G drywall screws spaced
8" o.c. placed 6" from face layer end joints.
Face layer wallboard joints to be taped and
covered with joint compound.
—
—
—
Varies
—
—
—
4
3
2
hours hours hours
1
hour
4
3
2
1
hours hours hours hour
/8
/8
1
(continued)
7-62
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(3)—continued
MINIMUM PROTECTION FOR FLOOR AND ROOF SYSTEMSa, q
FLOOR OR ROOF
CONSTRUCTION
THICKNESS OF FLOOR OR
ROOF SLAB (inches)
MINIMUM THICKNESS OF
CEILING (inches)
ITEM
NUMBER
CEILING CONSTRUCTION
27-1.1
Minimum 0.019" thick resilient channel 16"
o.c. (channels doubled at wallboard end joints),
placed perpendicular to the joist and attached to
each joist by 11/4" Type S drywall screws. Two
layers of 1/2" Type X gypsum wallboard applied
with the long dimension perpendicular to the
resilient channels with end joints staggered.
The base layer is fastened with 11/4" Type S
drywall screws spaced 12" o.c. and the face
layer is fastened with 15/8" Type S drywall
screws spaced 12" o.c. Face layer end joints
shall not occur on the same I-joist as base layer
end joints and edge joints shall be offset 24"
from base layer joints. Face layer to also be
attached to base layer with 11/2" Type G
drywall screws spaced 8" o.c. placed 6" from
face layer end joints. Face layer wallboard
joints to be taped and covered with joint
compound.
—
—
—
Varies
—
—
—
1
28-1.1
Base layer of 5/8" Type C gypsum wallboard
attached directly to I-joists with 15/8" Type S
drywall screws spaced 12" o.c. with ends staggered. Minimum 0.0179"-thick hat-shaped 7/8inch furring channel 16" o.c. (channels doubled
at wallboard end joints), placed perpendicular
to the joist and attached to each joist by 15/8"
Type S drywall screws after the base layer of
gypsum wallboard has been applied. The
middle and face layers of 5/8" Type C gypsum
wallboard applied perpendicular to the channel
with end joints staggered. The middle layer is
fastened with 1" Type S drywall screws spaced
12" o.c. The face layer is applied parallel to the
middle layer but with the edge joints offset 24"
from those of the middle layer and fastened
with 15/8" Type S drywall screws 8" o.c. The
joints shall be taped and covered with joint
compound.
—
—
—
Varies
—
—
23/4
—
29. Channel-shaped
18 gage steel joists
(minimum depth 8")
spaced a maximum
24" o.c. supporting
tongue-and-groove
wood structural
panels (nominal mini29-1.1
mum 3/4"-thick)
applied perpendicular to framing
members. Structural
panels attached with
15/8" Type S-12
screws spaced 12"
o.c.
Base layer 5/8" Type X gypsum board applied
perpendicular to bottom of framing members
with 11/8" Type S-12 screws spaced 12" o.c.
Second layer 5/8" Type X gypsum board
attached perpendicular to framing members
with 15/8" Type S-12 screws spaced 12" o.c.
Second layer joints offset 24" from base layer.
Third layer 5/8" Type X gypsum board attached
perpendicular to framing members with 23/8"
Type S-12 screws spaced 12" o.c. Third layer
joints offset 12" from second layer joints. Hatshaped 7/8-inch rigid furring channels applied at
right angles to framing members over third
layer with two 23/8" TypeS-12 screws at each
framing member. Face layer 5/8" Type X
gypsum board applied at right angles to furring
channels with 11/8" Type S screws spaced 12"
o.c.
—
—
Varies
—
—
—
33/8
—
27. Wood I-joist
(minimum I-joist
depth 91/2" with a
minimum flange
depth of 15/16" and a
minimum flange
cross-sectional area
of 1.95 square inches;
minimum web thickness of 3/8") @ 24"
o.c.
28. Wood I-joist
(minimum I-joist
depth 91/4" with a
minimum flange
depth of 11/2" and a
minimum flange
cross-sectional area
of 2.25 square inches;
minimum web thickness of 3/8") @ 24"
o.c. Unfaced fiberglass insulation or
mineral wool insulation is installed
between the I-joists
supported on the
upper surface of the
flange by stay wires
spaced 12" o.c.
4
3
2 hours
hours hours
1
hour
4
3
2
1
hours hours hours hour
(continued)
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
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7-63
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 721.1(3)—continued
MINIMUM PROTECTION FOR FLOOR AND ROOF SYSTEMSa, q
FLOOR OR ROOF
CONSTRUCTION
30. Wood I-joist (minimum I-joist depth 91/2"
with a minimum flange
depth of 11/2" and a
minimum flange crosssectional area of 2.25
square inches; minimum web thickness of
3
/8") @ 24" o.c. Fiberglass insulation placed
between I-joists
supported by the resilient channels.
ITEM
NUMBER
CEILING CONSTRUCTION
30-1.1
Minimum 0.019"-thick resilient channel 16"
o.c. (channels doubled at wallboard end joints),
placed perpendicular to the joists and attached
to each joist by 11/4" Type S dry wall screws.
Two layers of 1/2" Type X gypsum wallboard
applied with the long dimension perpendicular
to the resilient channels with end joints staggered. The base layer is fastened with 11/4"
Type S drywall screws spaced 12" o.c. and the
face layer is fastened with 15/8" Type S drywall
screws spaced 12" o.c. Face layer end joints
shall not occur on the same I-joist as base layer
end joints and edge joints shall be offset 24"
from base layer joints. Face layer to be
attached to base layer with 11/2" Type G
drywall screws spaced 8" o.c. placed 6" from
face layer end joints. Face layer wallboard
joints to be taped and covered with joint
compound.
THICKNESS OF FLOOR OR
ROOF SLAB (inches)
4
3
2
hours hours hours
—
—
—
1
hour
Varies
MINIMUM THICKNESS OF
CEILING (inches)
4
3
2
1
hours hours hours hour
—
—
—
1
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1 cubic foot = 0.0283 m3,
1 pound per square inch = 6.895 kPa, 1 pound per linear foot = 1.4882 kg/m.
a. Staples with equivalent holding power and penetration shall be permitted to be used as alternate fasteners to nails for attachment to wood framing.
b. Where the slab is in an unrestrained condition, minimum reinforcement cover shall be not less than 15/8 inches for 4 hours (siliceous aggregate only); 11/4
inches for 4 and 3 hours; 1 inch for 2 hours (siliceous aggregate only); and 3/4 inch for all other restrained and unrestrained conditions.
c. For all of the construction with gypsum wallboard described in this table, gypsum base for veneer plaster of the same size, thickness and core type shall be
permitted to be substituted for gypsum wallboard, provided that attachment is identical to that specified for the wallboard, and the joints on the face layer
are reinforced and the entire surface is covered with not less than 1/16-inch gypsum veneer plaster.
d. Slab thickness over steel joists measured at the joists for metal lath form and at the top of the form for steel form units.
e.
(a) The maximum allowable stress level for H-Series joists shall not exceed 22,000 psi.
(b) The allowable stress for K-Series joists shall not exceed 26,000 psi, the nominal depth of such joist shall be not less than 10 inches and the nominal
joist weight shall be not less than 5 pounds per linear foot.
f. Cement plaster with 15 pounds of hydrated lime and 3 pounds of approved additives or admixtures per bag of cement.
g. Gypsum wallboard ceilings attached to steel framing shall be permitted to be suspended with 11/2-inch cold-formed carrying channels spaced 48 inches on
center, that are suspended with No. 8 SWG galvanized wire hangers spaced 48 inches on center. Cross-furring channels are tied to the carrying channels
with No. 18 SWG galvanized wire hangers spaced 48 inches on center. Cross-furring channels are tied to the carrying channels with No. 18 SWG galvanized wire (double strand) and spaced as required for direct attachment to the framing. This alternative is applicable to those steel framing assemblies
recognized under Note q.
h. Six-inch hollow clay tile with 2-inch concrete slab above.
i. Four-inch hollow clay tile with 11/2-inch concrete slab above.
j. Thickness measured to bottom of steel form units.
k. Five-eighths inch of vermiculite gypsum plaster plus 1/2 inch of approved vermiculite acoustical plastic.
l. Furring channels spaced 12 inches on center.
m. Double wood floor shall be permitted to be either of the following:
(a) Subfloor of 1-inch nominal boarding, a layer of asbestos paper weighing not less than 14 pounds per 100 square feet and a layer of 1-inch nominal
tongue-and-groove finished flooring.
(b) Subfloor of 1-inch nominal tongue-and-groove boarding or 15/32-inch wood structural panels with exterior glue and a layer of 1-inch nominal
tongue-and-groove finished flooring or 19/32-inch wood structural panel finish flooring or a layer of Type I Grade M-1 particleboard not less than 5/8inch thick.
n. The ceiling shall be permitted to be omitted over unusable space, and flooring shall be permitted to be omitted where unusable space occurs above.
o. For properties of cooler or wallboard nails, see ASTM C514, ASTM C547 or ASTM F1667.
p. Thickness measured on top of steel deck unit.
q. Generic fire-resistance ratings (those not designated as PROPRIETARY* in the listing) in the GA 600 shall be accepted as if herein specified.
7-64
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
SECTION 722
CALCULATED FIRE RESISTANCE
722.1 General. The provisions of this section contain procedures by which the fire resistance of specific materials or
combinations of materials is established by calculations.
These procedures apply only to the information contained in
this section and shall not be otherwise used. The calculated
fire resistance of specific materials or combinations of materials shall be established by one of the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Concrete, concrete masonry and clay masonry
assemblies shall be permitted in accordance with
ACI 216.1/TMS 0216.
Precast and precast, prestressed concrete assemblies
shall be permitted in accordance with PCI 124.
Steel assemblies shall be permitted in accordance
with Chapter 5 of ASCE 29.
Exposed wood members and wood decking shall be
permitted in accordance with Chapter 16 of
ANSI/AWC NDS.
722.2 Concrete assemblies. The provisions of this section
contain procedures by which the fire-resistance ratings of
concrete assemblies are established by calculations.
722.2.1 Concrete walls. Cast-in-place and precast
concrete walls shall comply with Section 722.2.1.1.
Multiwythe concrete walls shall comply with Section
722.2.1.2. Joints between precast panels shall comply with
Section 722.2.1.3. Concrete walls with gypsum wallboard
or plaster finish shall comply with Section 722.2.1.4.
722.2.1.1 Cast-in-place or precast walls. The minimum equivalent thicknesses of cast-in-place or precast
concrete walls for fire-resistance ratings of 1 hour to 4
hours are shown in Table 722.2.1.1. For solid walls
with flat vertical surfaces, the equivalent thickness is
the same as the actual thickness. The values in Table
722.2.1.1 apply to plain, reinforced or prestressed
concrete walls.
TABLE 722.2.1.1
MINIMUM EQUIVALENT THICKNESS OF
CAST-IN-PLACE OR PRECAST CONCRETE WALLS,
LOAD-BEARING OR NONLOAD-BEARING
CONCRETE
TYPE
722.2.1.1.3 Tapered cross sections. The thickness
of panels with tapered cross sections shall be that
determined at a distance 2t or 6 inches (152 mm),
whichever is less, from the point of minimum thickness, where t is the minimum thickness.
722.2.1.1.4 Ribbed or undulating surfaces. The
equivalent thickness of panels with ribbed or undulating surfaces shall be determined by one of the
following expressions:
For s ≥ 4t, the thickness to be used shall be t
For s ≤ 2t, the thickness to be used shall be te
For 4t > s > 2t, the thickness to be used shall be
4t
t +  ----- – 1  t e – t 
s
(Equation 7-3)
where:
s
t
te
= Spacing of ribs or undulations.
= Minimum thickness.
= Equivalent thickness of the panel calculated as
the net cross-sectional area of the panel divided
by the width, in which the maximum thickness
used in the calculation shall not exceed 2t.
722.2.1.2 Multiwythe walls. For walls that consist of
two wythes of different types of concrete, the fireresistance ratings shall be permitted to be determined
from Figure 722.2.1.2.
722.2.1.2.1 Two or more wythes. The fire-resistance rating for wall panels consisting of two or
more wythes shall be permitted to be determined by
the formula:
R = (R10.59 + R20.59 +...+ Rn0.59)1.7
(Equation 7-4)
where:
MINIMUM SLAB THICKNESS (inches)
FOR FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING OF
1 hour
11/2 hours
2 hours
3 hours
4 hours
Siliceous
3.5
4.3
5.0
6.2
7.0
Carbonate
3.2
4.0
4.6
5.7
6.6
Sandlightweight
2.7
3.3
3.8
4.6
5.4
Lightweight
2.5
3.1
3.6
4.4
5.1
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
722.2.1.1.1 Hollow-core precast wall panels. For
hollow-core precast concrete wall panels in which
the cores are of constant cross section throughout
the length, calculation of the equivalent thickness by
dividing the net cross-sectional area (the gross cross
section minus the area of the cores) of the panel by
its width shall be permitted
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
722.2.1.1.2 Core spaces filled. Where all of the core
spaces of hollow-core wall panels are filled with
loose-fill material, such as expanded shale, clay or
slag, or vermiculite or perlite, the fire-resistance rating
of the wall is the same as that of a solid wall of the
same concrete type and of the same overall thickness.
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R = The fire endurance of the assembly, minutes.
R1, R2, and Rn = The fire endurances of the
individual wythes, minutes. Values of Rn0.59
for use in Equation 7-4 are given in Table
722.2.1.2(1).
Calculated
fire-resistance
ratings are shown in Table 722.2.1.2(2).
722.2.1.2.2 Foam plastic insulation. The fire-resistance ratings of precast concrete wall panels
consisting of a layer of foam plastic insulation sandwiched between two wythes of concrete shall be
permitted to be determined by use of Equation 7-4.
Foam plastic insulation with a total thickness of less
than 1 inch (25 mm) shall be disregarded. The Rn
value for thickness of foam plastic insulation of 1
inch (25 mm) or greater, for use in the calculation, is
5 minutes; therefore Rn0.59 = 2.5.
7-65
THICKNESS OF OUTSIDE
WYTHE OF CARBONATE OR
SILICEOUS AGGREGATE
CONCRETE, INCHES
THICKNESS OF OUTSIDE
WYTHE OF SAND-LIGHTWEIGHT
CONCRETE, INCHES
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
INSIDE WYTHE
SILICEOUS
INSIDE WYTHE
CARBONATE
5
5
4
4
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
1hr.
3
2
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
1hr.
3
2
1
1
0
0
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
THICKNESS OF INSIDE WYTHE, INCHES
OUTSIDE WYTHE
SILICEOUS
OUTSIDE WYTHE
CARBONATE
5
5
4
4
3
3
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
1hr.
2
1
0
1
2
3
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
1hr.
2
1
4
5
0
1
2
3
4
5
THICKNESS OF INSIDE WYTHE OF SAND-LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE, INCHES
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
FIGURE 722.2.1.2
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATINGS OF TWO-WYTHE CONCRETE WALLS
TABLE 722.2.1.2(1)
VALUES OF Rn0.59 FOR USE IN EQUATION 7-4
THICKNESS OF MATERIAL (inches)
TYPE OF MATERIAL
11/2
2
21/2
3
31/2
41/2
4
51/2
5
6
61/2
7
Siliceous aggregate concrete
5.3
6.5
8.1
9.5
11.3
13.0
14.9
16.9
18.8
20.7
22.8
25.1
Carbonate aggregate concrete
5.5
7.1
8.9
10.4
12.0
14.0
16.2
18.1
20.3
21.9
24.7
27.2c
Sand-lightweight concrete
6.5
8.2
10.5
12.8
15.5
18.1
20.7
23.3
26.0c
Note c Note c Note c
Lightweight concrete
6.6
8.8
11.2
13.7
16.5
19.1
21.9
24.7
27.8c
Note c Note c Note c
c
a
Insulating concrete
9.3
13.3
16.6
18.3
23.1
26.5
Airspaceb
—
—
—
—
—
—
Note c Note c Note c Note c Note c Note c
—
—
—
—
—
—
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 pound per cubic foot = 16.02 kg/m3.
a. Dry unit weight of 35 pcf or less and consisting of cellular, perlite or vermiculite concrete.
b. The Rn0.59 value for one 1/2″ to 31/2″ airspace is 3.3. The Rn0.59 value for two 1/2″ to 31/2″ airspaces is 6.7.
c. The fire-resistance rating for this thickness exceeds 4 hours.
TABLE 722.2.1.2(2)
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATINGS BASED ON R0.59
Ra, MINUTES
R0.59
60
11.20
120
16.85
180
21.41
240
25.37
a. Based on Equation 7-4.
7-66
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2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
and for joint widths of 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) and 1 inch
(25 mm) for fire-resistance ratings of 1 hour to 4
hours. For joint widths between 3/8 inch (9.5 mm)
and 1 inch (25 mm), the thickness of ceramic fiber
blanket is allowed to be determined by direct interpolation. Other tested and labeled materials are
acceptable in place of ceramic fiber blankets.
722.2.1.3 Joints between precast wall panels. Joints
between precast concrete wall panels that are not insulated as required by this section shall be considered as
openings in walls. Uninsulated joints shall be included
in determining the percentage of openings permitted
by Table 705.8. Where openings are not permitted or
are required by this code to be protected, the provisions of this section shall be used to determine the
amount of joint insulation required. Insulated joints
shall not be considered openings for purposes of determining compliance with the allowable percentage of
openings in Table 705.8.
722.2.1.4 Walls with gypsum wallboard or plaster
finishes. The fire-resistance rating of cast-in-place or
precast concrete walls with finishes of gypsum wallboard or plaster applied to one or both sides shall be
permitted to be calculated in accordance with the
provisions of this section.
722.2.1.3.1 Ceramic fiber joint protection. Figure
722.2.1.3.1 shows thicknesses of ceramic fiber
blankets to be used to insulate joints between precast
concrete wall panels for various panel thicknesses
3
r.
2h
.
hr
.
hr
2h
.
hr
4
3
2
r.
1
1h
0
3
4
5
6
7
8
PANEL THICKNESS, INCHES
3
3/8 INCH WIDTH
3 hr.
2
2 hr.
4
3
.
hr
r.
.
hr
4h
.
hr
r.
3
hr
.
2
1
1h
1
0
1 hr.
r.
1 INCH MAXIMUM REGARDLESS
OF OPENING RATING
CERAMIC FIBER
BLANKET
PANEL
THICKNESS
.
hr
3
C
4
1-INCH JOINT WIDTH
“C” THICKNESS OF CERAMIC BLANKET, INCHES
4
722.2.1.4.1 Nonfire-exposed side. Where the finish
of gypsum wallboard or plaster is applied to the side
of the wall not exposed to fire, the contribution of
the finish to the total fire-resistance rating shall be
determined as follows: The thickness of the finish
shall first be corrected by multiplying the actual
thickness of the finish by the applicable factor determined from Table 722.2.1.4(1) based on the type of
aggregate in the concrete. The corrected thickness of
finish shall then be added to the actual or equivalent
thickness of concrete and fire-resistance rating of
the concrete and finish determined from Tables
722.2.1.1 and 722.2.1.2(1) and Figure 722.2.1.2.
722.2.1.4.2 Fire-exposed side. Where gypsum wallboard or plaster is applied to the fire-exposed side of
the wall, the contribution of the finish to the total
fire-resistance rating shall be determined as
follows: The time assigned to the finish as established by Table 722.2.1.4(2) shall be added to the
fire-resistance rating determined from Tables
722.2.1.1 and 722.2.1.2(1) and Figure 722.2.1.2 for
the concrete alone, or to the rating determined in
Section 722.2.1.4.1 for the concrete and finish on
the nonfire-exposed side.
JOINT
WIDTH
CARBONATE OR
SILICEOUS AGGREGATE
CONCRETE
SAND-LIGHTWEIGHT
OR LIGHTWEIGHT
CONCRETE
4
5
6
7
8
PANEL THICKNESS, INCHES
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
FIGURE 722.2.1.3.1
CERAMIC FIBER JOINT PROTECTION
TABLE 722.2.1.4(1)
MULTIPLYING FACTOR FOR FINISHES ON NONFIRE-EXPOSED SIDE OF WALL
TYPE OF AGGREGATE USED IN CONCRETE OR CONCRETE MASONRY
Concrete: siliceous or
carbonate concrete
masonry: siliceous or
carbonate; solid clay brick
Concrete: sand-lightweight concrete
masonry: clay tile;
hollow clay brick;
concrete masonry units
of expanded shale and
< 20% sand
Concrete: lightweight
concrete masonry:
concrete masonry units
of expanded shale,
expanded clay,
expanded slag, or
pumice < 20% sand
Concrete masonry:
concrete masonry units
of expanded slag,
expanded clay, or
pumice
Portland cement-sand plaster
1.00
0.75a
0.75a
0.50a
Gypsum-sand plaster
1.25
1.00
1.00
1.00
Gypsum-vermiculite or perlite plaster
1.75
1.50
1.25
1.25
Gypsum wallboard
3.00
2.25
2.25
2.25
TYPE OF FINISH APPLIED TO CONCRETE
OR CONCRETE MASONRY WALL
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
a. For Portland cement-sand plaster 5/8 inch or less in thickness and applied directly to the concrete or concrete masonry on the nonfire-exposed side of the
wall, the multiplying factor shall be 1.00.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
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7-67
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
TABLE 722.2.1.4(2)
TIME ASSIGNED TO FINISH MATERIALS
ON FIRE-EXPOSED SIDE OF WALL
FINISH DESCRIPTION
bearing wall shall not exceed one-half the contribution of the concrete alone.
722.2.1.4.5 Concrete finishes. Finishes on concrete
walls that are assumed to contribute to the total fireresistance rating of the wall shall comply with the
installation requirements of Section 722.3.2.5.
TIME (minutes)
Gypsum wallboard
3
10
1
15
5
20
/8 inch
/2 inch
/8 inch
2 layers of 3/8 inch
3
722.2.2 Concrete floor and roof slabs. Reinforced and
prestressed floors and roofs shall comply with Section
722.2.2.1. Multicourse floors and roofs shall comply with
Sections 722.2.2.2 and 722.2.2.3, respectively.
25
1
1 layer of /8 inch, 1 layer of /2 inch
1
2 layers of /2 inch
35
722.2.2.1 Reinforced and prestressed floors and
roofs. The minimum thicknesses of reinforced and
prestressed concrete floor or roof slabs for fire-resistance ratings of 1 hour to 4 hours are shown in Table
722.2.2.1.
40
Type X gypsum wallboard
1
25
5
40
/2 inch
/8 inch
Portland cement-sand plaster applied directly to
concrete masonry
Portland cement-sand plaster on metal lath
3
20
7
25
/4 inch
/8 inch
1 inch
Gypsum sand plaster on 3/8-inch gypsum lath
Exception: Minimum thickness shall not be
required for floors and ramps within parking
garages constructed in accordance with Sections
406.5 and 406.6.
See Note a
TABLE 722.2.2.1
MINIMUM SLAB THICKNESS (inches)
30
CONCRETE TYPE
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING (hours)
1
11/2
2
3
4
1
35
Siliceous
3.5
4.3
5
6.2
7
5
40
Carbonate
3.2
4
4.6
5.7
6.6
3
50
Sand-lightweight
2.7
3.3
3.8
4.6
5.4
Lightweight
2.5
3.1
3.6
4.4
5.1
/2 inch
/8 inch
/4 inch
Gypsum sand plaster on metal lath
3
50
7
/8 inch
60
1 inch
80
/4 inch
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
722.2.2.1.1 Hollow-core prestressed slabs. For
hollow-core prestressed concrete slabs in which the
cores are of constant cross section throughout the
length, the equivalent thickness shall be permitted to
be obtained by dividing the net cross-sectional area
of the slab including grout in the joints, by its width.
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
a. The actual thickness of Portland cement-sand plaster, provided that it is
5
/8 inch or less in thickness, shall be permitted to be included in determining the equivalent thickness of the masonry for use in Table 722.3.2.
722.2.1.4.3 Nonsymmetrical assemblies. For a
wall without finish on one side or having different
types or thicknesses of finish on each side, the calculation procedures of Sections 722.2.1.4.1 and
722.2.1.4.2 shall be performed twice, assuming
either side of the wall to be the fire-exposed side.
The fire-resistance rating of the wall shall not
exceed the lower of the two values.
722.2.2.1.2 Slabs with sloping soffits. The thickness of slabs with sloping soffits (see Figure
722.2.2.1.2) shall be determined at a distance 2t or 6
inches (152 mm), whichever is less, from the point
of minimum thickness, where t is the minimum
thickness.
DETERMINE THICKNESS HERE
Exception: For an exterior wall with a fire separation distance greater than 5 feet (1524 mm)
the fire shall be assumed to occur on the interior
side only.
722.2.1.4.4 Minimum concrete fire-resistance
rating. Where finishes applied to one or both sides
of a concrete wall contribute to the fire-resistance
rating, the concrete alone shall provide not less than
one-half of the total required fire-resistance rating.
Additionally, the contribution to the fire resistance
of the finish on the nonfire-exposed side of a load-
7-68
t
2t OR 6 INCHES,
WHICHEVER IS LESS
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
FIGURE 722.2.2.1.2
DETERMINATION OF SLAB
THICKNESS FOR SLOPING SOFFITS
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
722.2.2.3.1 Heat transfer. For the transfer of heat,
three-ply built-up roofing contributes 10 minutes to
the fire-resistance rating. The fire-resistance rating
for concrete assemblies such as those shown in
Figure 722.2.2.3(1) shall be increased by 10
minutes. This increase is not applicable to those
shown in Figure 722.2.2.3(2).
722.2.2.1.3 Slabs with ribbed soffits. The thickness
of slabs with ribbed or undulating soffits (see Figure
722.2.2.1.3) shall be determined by one of the
following expressions, whichever is applicable:
For s > 4t, the thickness to be used shall be t
For s ≤ 2t, the thickness to be used shall be te
For 4t > s > 2t, the thickness to be used shall be
4t
t +  ----- – 1  t e – t 
s

722.2.2.4 Joints in precast slabs. Joints between adjacent precast concrete slabs need not be considered in
calculating the slab thickness provided that a concrete
topping not less than 1 inch (25 mm) thick is used.
Where concrete topping is not used, joints must be
grouted to a depth of not less than one-third the slab
thickness at the joint, but not less than 1 inch (25 mm),
or the joints must be made fire resistant by other
approved methods.
(Equation 7-5)
where:
s = Spacing of ribs or undulations.
t = Minimum thickness.
te = Equivalent thickness of the slab calculated as
the net area of the slab divided by the width,
in which the maximum thickness used in the
calculation shall not exceed 2t.
722.2.3 Concrete cover over reinforcement. The minimum thickness of concrete cover over reinforcement in
concrete slabs, reinforced beams and prestressed beams
shall comply with this section.
2t
t
722.2.3.1 Slab cover. The minimum thickness of
concrete cover to the positive moment reinforcement
shall comply with Table 722.2.3(1) for reinforced
concrete and Table 722.2.3(2) for prestressed concrete.
These tables are applicable for solid or hollow-core
one-way or two-way slabs with flat undersurfaces.
s
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
FIGURE 722.2.2.1.3
SLABS WITH RIBBED OR UNDULATING SOFFITS
722.2.2.1.4 Flat plate concrete slabs with
uniformly spaced hollow voids. Table 722.2.2.1
shall be used to determine the 1- and 2-hour fireresistance ratings for flat plate concrete slabs with
uniformly spaced hollow voids. The equivalent
thickness of the slab shall be determined by dividing
the net concrete volume of the slab by the floor area.
The net concrete volume of the slab shall be equal to
the volume of concrete of a solid slab minus the
average concrete volume displaced by the hollow
voids.
722.2.2.2 Multicourse floors. The fire-resistance
ratings of floors that consist of a base slab of concrete
with a topping (overlay) of a different type of concrete
shall comply with Figure 722.2.2.2.
722.2.2.3 Multicourse roofs. The fire-resistance
ratings of roofs that consist of a base slab of concrete
with a topping (overlay) of an insulating concrete or
with an insulating board and built-up roofing shall
comply with Figures 722.2.2.3(1) and 722.2.2.3(2).
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
THICKNESS OF SAND-LIGHTWEIGHT
CONCRETE OVERLAY, INCHES
s
OVERLAY THICKNESS, INCHES
t
NEGLECT SHADED AREA IN CALCULATION OF EQUIVALENT THICKNESS
CARBONATE BASE
SILICEOUS BASE
5
5
4
4
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
3
2
2
1hr.
1
0
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
3
1hr.
1
1
2
3
4
5
0
1
2
3
4
5
THICKNESS OF NORMAL-WEIGHT CONCRETE BASE SLAB, INCHES
CARBONATE BASE
SILICEOUS BASE
5
5
4
4
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
3
2
2
1hr.
1
0
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
3
1hr.
1
1
2
3
4
5
0
1
2
3
4
5
THICKNESS OF SAND-LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE BASE SLAB, INCHES
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
FIGURE 722.2.2.2
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATINGS FOR
TWO-COURSE CONCRETE FLOORS
7-69
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
concrete cover for nonprestressed reinforcement in
prestressed concrete beams shall comply with Section
722.2.3.2.
These tables are applicable to slabs that are either cast
in place or precast. For precast prestressed concrete
not covered elsewhere, the procedures contained in
PCI 124 shall be acceptable.
722.2.3.3.1 Calculating concrete cover. The
concrete cover for an individual tendon is the minimum thickness of concrete between the surface of
the tendon and the fire-exposed surface of the beam,
except that for ungrouted ducts, the assumed cover
thickness is the minimum thickness of concrete
between the surface of the duct and the fire-exposed
surface of the beam. For beams in which two or
more tendons are used, the cover is assumed to be
the average of the minimum cover of the individual
tendons. For corner tendons (tendons equal distance
from the bottom and side), the minimum cover used
in the calculation shall be one-half the actual value.
For stemmed members with two or more prestressing tendons located along the vertical centerline of
the stem, the average cover shall be the distance
from the bottom of the member to the centroid of the
tendons. The actual cover for any individual tendon
shall be not less than one-half the smaller value
shown in Tables 722.2.3(4) and 722.2.3(5), or 1 inch
(25 mm), whichever is greater.
722.2.3.2 Reinforced beam cover. The minimum
thickness of concrete cover to the positive moment
reinforcement (bottom steel) for reinforced concrete
beams is shown in Table 722.2.3(3) for fire-resistance
ratings of 1 hour to 4 hours.
722.2.3.3 Prestressed beam cover. The minimum
thickness of concrete cover to the positive moment
prestressing tendons (bottom steel) for restrained and
unrestrained prestressed concrete beams and stemmed
units shall comply with the values shown in Tables
722.2.3(4) and 722.2.3(5) for fire-resistance ratings of
1 hour to 4 hours. Values in Table 722.2.3(4) apply to
beams 8 inches (203 mm) or greater in width. Values
in Table 722.2.3(5) apply to beams or stems of any
width, provided that the cross-section area is not less
than 40 square inches (25 806 mm2). In case of differences between the values determined from Table
722.2.3(4) or 722.2.3(5), it is permitted to use the
smaller value. The concrete cover shall be calculated
in accordance with Section 722.2.3.3.1. The minimum
STANDARD 3-PLY
BUILT-UP ROOFING
CONCRETE
MINERAL BOARD
CONCRETE
CARBONATE BASE
SILICEOUS BASE
3
3
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
1hr.
2
1
0
2
3
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
1hr.
2
1
4
SAND-LIGHTWEIGHT BASE
0
2
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
1hr.
2
1
4
0
2
4
THICKNESS OF CONCRETE BASE SLAB, INCHES
(d)
PERLITE CONCRETE
(b)
THICKNESS OF PERLITE
CONCRETE OVERLAY, INCHES
CONCRETE
CARBONATE BASE
4
3
1
0
2
4
3
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
1hr.
2
SILICEOUS BASE
1
0
4
2
SILICEOUS BASE
CARBONATE BASE
3
3
2
2
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
1
1
2
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
1
1hr.
0
SAND-LIGHTWEIGHT BASE
3
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
1
1hr.
1hr.
2
3
0
4
1
2
3
0
4
1
2
3
4
THICKNESS OF CONCRETE BASE SLAB, INCHES
SAND-LIGHTWEIGHT BASE
4
3
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
1hr.
2
THICKNESS OF
MINERAL BOARD, INCHES
(a)
THICKNESS OF CELLULAR
CONCRETE OVERLAY, INCHES
CELLULAR CONCRETE
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
1hr.
2
1
4
0
2
STANDARD 3-PLY
BUILT-UP ROOFING
4
THICKNESS OF CONCRETE BASE SLAB, INCHES
GLASS FIBER BOARD
CONCRETE
(c)
THICKNESS OF VERMICULITE
CONCRETE OVERLAY, INCHES
CONCRETE
SILICEOUS BASE
CARBONATE BASE
SAND-LIGHTWEIGHT BASE
4
4
4
3
3
3
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
1hr.
2
1
0
2
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
1hr.
2
1
4
0
2
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
1hr.
2
1
4
0
THICKNESS OF CONCRETE BASE SLAB, INCHES
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
2
(e)
4
THICKNESS OF
GLASS FIBER BOARD, INCHES
VERMICULITE CONCRETE
CARBONATE BASE
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
2
1
0
3
1
5
SAND-LIGHTWEIGHT BASE
3
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
2
1hr.
1
SILICEOUS BASE
3
0
1
1hr.
1
3
4hr.
3hr.
2hr.
2
5
0
1hr.
1
3
5
THICKNESS OF CONCRETE BASE SLAB, INCHES
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
FIGURE 722.2.2.3(1)
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATINGS
FOR CONCRETE ROOF ASSEMBLIES
7-70
3
FIGURE 722.2.2.3(2)
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATINGS
FOR CONCRETE ROOF ASSEMBLIES
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
resistance ratings of 1 hour to 4 hours for exposure to
fire on all sides shall comply with this section.
722.2.4 Concrete columns. Concrete columns shall
comply with this section.
722.2.4.1.1 Concrete strength less than or equal
to 12,000 psi. For columns made with concrete
having a specified compressive strength, f′c, of less
than or equal to 12,000 psi (82.7 MPa), the minimum dimension shall comply with Table 722.2.4.
TABLE 722.2.4
MINIMUM DIMENSION OF CONCRETE COLUMNS (inches)
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING (hours)
TYPES OF
CONCRETE
1
11/2
2a
3a
4b
Siliceous
8
9
10
12
14
Carbonate
8
9
10
11
12
Sand-lightweight
8
81/2
9
101/2
12
722.2.4.1.2 Concrete strength greater than 12,000
psi. For columns made with concrete having a specified compressive strength, f’c, greater than 12,000
psi (82.7 MPa), for fire-resistance ratings of 1 hour
to 4 hours the minimum dimension shall be 24
inches (610 mm).
For SI: 1 inch = 25 mm.
a. The minimum dimension is permitted to be reduced to 8 inches for rectangular columns with two parallel sides not less than 36 inches in length.
b. The minimum dimension is permitted to be reduced to 10 inches for rectangular columns with two parallel sides not less than 36 inches in length.
722.2.4.2 Minimum cover for R/C columns. The
minimum thickness of concrete cover to the main
longitudinal reinforcement in columns, regardless of
the type of aggregate used in the concrete and the spec-
722.2.4.1 Minimum size. The minimum overall
dimensions of reinforced concrete columns for fire-
TABLE 722.2.3(1)
COVER THICKNESS FOR REINFORCED CONCRETE FLOOR OR ROOF SLABS (inches)
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING (hours)
CONCRETE AGGREGATE TYPE
Restrained
11/2
1
Unrestrained
2
3
4
1
11/2
2
3
4
1
11/4
15/8
Siliceous
3
3
3
/4
3
/4
3
/4
3
3
Carbonate
3
3
3
/4
3
/4
3
/4
3
3
3
11/4
11/4
Sand-lightweight or lightweight
3
3
3
/4
3
/4
3
/4
3
3
3
1
11/4
/4
/4
/4
/4
/4
/4
/4
/4
/4
/4
/4
/4
/4
/4
1 /4
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
TABLE 722.2.3(2)
COVER THICKNESS FOR PRESTRESSED CONCRETE FLOOR OR ROOF SLABS (inches)
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING (hours)
CONCRETE AGGREGATE TYPE
Restrained
11/2
1
Unrestrained
2
3
4
3
/4
3
/4
3
3
11/8
11/2
13/4
23/8
23/4
Carbonate
3
3
/4
3
/4
3
3
1
13/8
15/8
21/8
21/4
Sand-lightweight or lightweight
3
3
/4
3
/4
3
3
1
13/8
11/2
2
21/4
/4
/4
/4
/4
4
11/2
3
/4
3
1
Siliceous
/4
2
/4
/4
/4
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
TABLE 722.2.3(3)
MINIMUM COVER FOR MAIN REINFORCING BARS OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMSc
(APPLICABLE TO ALL TYPES OF STRUCTURAL CONCRETE)
RESTRAINED OR
UNRESTRAINEDa
BEAM WIDTHb (inches)
Restrained
Unrestrained
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING (hours)
1
11/2
3
4
5
3
3
3
1a
11/4a
7
3
3
3
3
/4
3
/4
≥10
3
3
3
3
/4
3
/4
/4
/4
/4
/4
/4
/4
2
/4
/4
/4
5
3
—
—
7
3
3
3
13/4
3
≥ 10
3
3
3
1
13/4
/4
/4
/4
1
/4
/4
1
1 /4
/4
/4
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
a. Tabulated values for restrained assemblies apply to beams spaced more than 4 feet on center. For restrained beams spaced 4 feet or less on center, minimum
cover of 3/4 inch is adequate for ratings of 4 hours or less.
b. For beam widths between the tabulated values, the minimum cover thickness can be determined by direct interpolation.
c. The cover for an individual reinforcing bar is the minimum thickness of concrete between the surface of the bar and the fire-exposed surface of the beam.
For beams in which several bars are used, the cover for corner bars used in the calculation shall be reduced to one-half of the actual value. The cover for an
individual bar must be not less than one-half of the value given in Table 722.2.3(3) nor less than 3/4 inch.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
7-71
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
ified compressive strength of concrete, f’c, shall be not
less than 1 inch (25 mm) times the number of hours of
required fire resistance or 2 inches (51 mm), whichever is less.
722.2.4.3 Tie and spiral reinforcement. For concrete
columns made with concrete having a specified
compressive strength, f’c, greater than 12,000 psi (82.7
MPa), tie and spiral reinforcement shall comply with
the following:
1.
2.
3.
The free ends of rectangular ties shall terminate
with a 135-degree (2.4 rad) standard tie hook.
The free ends of circular ties shall terminate
with a 90-degree (1.6 rad) standard tie hook.
The free ends of spirals, including at lap
splices, shall terminate with a 90-degree (1.6
rad) standard tie hook.
The hook extension at the free end of ties and
spirals shall be the larger of six bar diameters and the
extension required by Section 25.3.2 of ACI 318.
Hooks shall project into the core of the column.
722.2.4.4 Columns built into walls. The minimum
dimensions of Table 722.2.4 do not apply to a reinforced concrete column that is built into a concrete or
masonry wall provided that all of the following are
met:
1.
2.
3.
The fire-resistance rating for the wall is equal
to or greater than the required rating of the
column.
The main longitudinal reinforcing in the
column has cover not less than that required by
Section 722.2.4.2.
Openings in the wall are protected in accordance with Section 716.
Where openings in the wall are not protected as
required by Section 716, the minimum dimension of
columns required to have a fire-resistance rating of 3
hours or less shall be 8 inches (203 mm), and 10 inches
TABLE 722.2.3(4)
MINIMUM COVER FOR PRESTRESSED CONCRETE BEAMS 8 INCHES OR GREATER IN WIDTHb
RESTRAINED OR
UNRESTRAINEDa
Restrained
Unrestrained
CONCRETE
AGGREGATE TYPE
BEAM WIDTH
(inches)
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING (hours)
1
11/2
1
2
3
4
Carbonate or siliceous
8
1 /2
11/2
11/2
13/4a
21/2a
Carbonate or siliceous
Sand lightweight
≥ 12
8
11/2
11/2
11/2
11/2
11/2
11/2
11/2
11/2
17/8a
2a
Sand lightweight
Carbonate or siliceous
≥ 12
8
11/2
11/2
11/2
13/4
11/2
21/2
11/2
5c
15/8a
—
Carbonate or siliceous
Sand lightweight
≥ 12
8
11/2
11/2
11/2
11/2
17/8a
2
21/2
31/4
3
—
Sand lightweight
≥ 12
11/2
11/2
15/8
2
21/2
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
a. Tabulated values for restrained assemblies apply to beams spaced more than 4 feet on center. For restrained beams spaced 4 feet or less on center, minimum
cover of 3/4 inch is adequate for 4-hour ratings or less.
b. For beam widths between 8 inches and 12 inches, minimum cover thickness can be determined by direct interpolation.
c. Not practical for 8-inch-wide beam but shown for purposes of interpolation.
TABLE 722.2.3(5)
MINIMUM COVER FOR PRESTRESSED CONCRETE BEAMS OF ALL WIDTHS
RESTRAINED OR
UNRESTRAINEDa
Restrained
Unrestrained
CONCRETE
AGGREGATE TYPE
BEAM AREAb A
(square inches)
All
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING (hours)
1
11/2
2
3
4
40 ≤ A ≤ 150
1
1 /2
11/2
2
21/2
—
Carbonate or siliceous
150 < A ≤ 300
300 < A
11/2
11/2
11/2
11/2
11/2
11/2
13/4
11/2
21/2
2
Sand lightweight
All
150 < A
40 ≤ A ≤ 150
11/2
2
11/2
21/2
11/2
—
11/2
—
2
—
Carbonate or siliceous
150 < A ≤ 300
300 < A
11/2
11/2
13/4
11/2
21/2
2
—
3c
—
4c
Sand lightweight
150 < A
11/2
11/2
2
3c
4c
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square inch = 645.2 mm2.
a. Tabulated values for restrained assemblies apply to beams spaced more than 4 feet on center. For restrained beams spaced 4 feet or less on center, minimum
cover of 3/4 inch is adequate for 4-hour ratings or less.
b. The cross-sectional area of a stem is permitted to include a portion of the area in the flange, provided that the width of the flange used in the calculation does
not exceed three times the average width of the stem.
c. U-shaped or hooped stirrups spaced not to exceed the depth of the member and having a minimum cover of 1 inch shall be provided.
7-72
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
722.3.2.1 Finish on nonfire-exposed side. Where
plaster or gypsum wallboard is applied to the side of
the wall not exposed to fire, the contribution of the
finish to the total fire-resistance rating shall be determined as follows: The thickness of gypsum wallboard
or plaster shall be corrected by multiplying the actual
thickness of the finish by applicable factor determined
from Table 722.2.1.4(1). This corrected thickness of
finish shall be added to the equivalent thickness of
masonry and the fire-resistance rating of the masonry
and finish determined from Table 722.3.2.
(254 mm) for columns required to have a fire-resistance rating of 4 hours, regardless of the type of
aggregate used in the concrete.
722.2.4.5 Precast cover units for steel columns. See
Section 722.5.1.4.
722.3 Concrete masonry. The provisions of this section
contain procedures by which the fire-resistance ratings of
concrete masonry are established by calculations.
722.3.1 Equivalent thickness. The equivalent thickness
of concrete masonry construction shall be determined in
accordance with the provisions of this section.
722.3.2.2 Finish on fire-exposed side. Where plaster
or gypsum wallboard is applied to the fire-exposed
side of the wall, the contribution of the finish to the
total fire-resistance rating shall be determined as
follows: The time assigned to the finish as established
by Table 722.2.1.4(2) shall be added to the fire-resistance rating determined in Section 722.3.2 for the
masonry alone, or in Section 722.3.2.1 for the masonry
and finish on the nonfire-exposed side.
722.3.1.1 Concrete masonry unit plus finishes. The
equivalent thickness of concrete masonry assemblies,
Tea, shall be computed as the sum of the equivalent
thickness of the concrete masonry unit, Te, as determined by Section 722.3.1.2, 722.3.1.3 or 722.3.1.4,
plus the equivalent thickness of finishes, Tef, determined in accordance with Section 722.3.2:
Tea = Te + Tef
(Equation 7-6)
722.3.2.3 Nonsymmetrical assemblies. For a wall
without finish on one side or having different types or
thicknesses of finish on each side, the calculation
procedures of this section shall be performed twice,
assuming either side of the wall to be the fire-exposed
side. The fire-resistance rating of the wall shall not
exceed the lower of the two values calculated.
722.3.1.2 Ungrouted or partially grouted construction. Te shall be the value obtained for the concrete
masonry unit determined in accordance with ASTM
C140.
722.3.1.3 Solid grouted construction. The equivalent
thickness, Te, of solid grouted concrete masonry units
is the actual thickness of the unit.
Exception: For exterior walls with a fire separation
distance greater than 5 feet (1524 mm), the fire shall
be assumed to occur on the interior side only.
722.3.1.4 Airspaces and cells filled with loose-fill
material. The equivalent thickness of completely
filled hollow concrete masonry is the actual thickness
of the unit where loose-fill materials are: sand, pea
gravel, crushed stone, or slag that meet ASTM C33
requirements; pumice, scoria, expanded shale,
expanded clay, expanded slate, expanded slag,
expanded fly ash, or cinders that comply with ASTM
C331; or perlite or vermiculite meeting the requirements of ASTM C549 and ASTM C516, respectively.
722.3.2.4 Minimum concrete masonry fire-resistance rating. Where the finish applied to a concrete
masonry wall contributes to its fire-resistance rating,
the masonry alone shall provide not less than one-half
the total required fire-resistance rating.
722.3.2.5 Attachment of finishes. Installation of
finishes shall be as follows:
1.
722.3.2 Concrete masonry walls. The fire-resistance
rating of walls and partitions constructed of concrete
masonry units shall be determined from Table 722.3.2.
The rating shall be based on the equivalent thickness of
the masonry and type of aggregate used.
Gypsum wallboard and gypsum lath applied to
concrete masonry or concrete walls shall be
secured to wood or steel furring members
spaced not more than 16 inches (406 mm) on
center (o.c.).
TABLE 722.3.2
MINIMUM EQUIVALENT THICKNESS (inches) OF BEARING OR NONBEARING CONCRETE MASONRY WALLSa, b, c, d
TYPE OF AGGREGATE
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING (hours)
1
/2
3
/4
1
11/4
11/2
13/4
2
21/4
21/2
23/4
3
31/4
31/2
33/4
4
Pumice or expanded slag
1.5
1.9
2.1
2.5
2.7
3.0
3.2
3.4
3.6
3.8
4.0
4.2
4.4
4.5
4.7
Expanded shale, clay or slate
1.8
2.2
2.6
2.9
3.3
3.4
3.6
3.8
4.0
4.2
4.4
4.6
4.8
4.9
5.1
Limestone, cinders or unexpanded slag
1.9
2.3
2.7
3.1
3.4
3.7
4.0
4.3
4.5
4.8
5.0
5.2
5.5
5.7
5.9
Calcareous or siliceous gravel
2.0
2.4
2.8
3.2
3.6
3.9
4.2
4.5
4.8
5.0
5.3
5.5
5.8
6.0
6.2
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
a. Values between those shown in the table can be determined by direct interpolation.
b. Where combustible members are framed into the wall, the thickness of solid material between the end of each member and the opposite face of the wall, or
between members set in from opposite sides, shall be not less than 93 percent of the thickness shown in the table.
c. Requirements of ASTM C55, ASTM C73, ASTM C90 or ASTM C744 shall apply.
d. Minimum required equivalent thickness corresponding to the hourly fire-resistance rating for units with a combination of aggregate shall be determined by
linear interpolation based on the percent by volume of each aggregate used in manufacture.
2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®
@Seismicisolation
@Seismicisolation
7-73
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
2.
Gypsum wallboard shall be installed with the
long dimension parallel to the furring members
and shall have all joints finished.
Other aspects of the installation of finishes
shall comply with the applicable provisions of
Chapters 7 and 25.
3.
ratings of clay brick and tile masonry are established by
calculations.
722.4.1 Masonry walls. The fire-resistance rating of
masonry walls shall be based on the equivalent thickness
as calculated in accordance with this section. The calculation shall take into account finishes applied to the wall
and airspaces between wythes in multiwythe construction.
722.3.3 Multiwythe masonry walls. The fire-resistance
rating of wall assemblies constructed of multiple wythes
of masonry materials shall be permitted to be based on the
fire-resistance rating period of each wythe and the continuous airspace between each wythe in accordance with the
following formula:
TABLE 722.4.1(3)
VALUES OF Rn0.59
Rn 0.59
R (hours)
1
1.0
RA = (R10.59 + R20.59 + ... + Rn0.59 + A1 + A2 + ... + An)1.7
(Equation 7-7)
2
1.50
3
1.91
where:
4
2.27
RA = Fire-resistance rating of the assembly (hours).
R1, R2, ..., Rn = Fire-resistance rating of wythes for 1,
2, n (hours), respectively.
A1, A2, ..., An = 0.30, factor for each continuous airspace
for 1, 2, ...n, respectively, having a
depth of 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) or more
between wythes.
722.3.4 Concrete masonry lintels. Fire-resistance
ratings for concrete masonry lintels shall be determined
based on the nominal thickness of the lintel and the minimum thickness of concrete masonry or concrete, or any
combination thereof, covering the main reinforcing bars,
as determined in accordance with Table 722.3.4, or by
approved alternate methods.
TABLE 722.3.4
MINIMUM COVER OF LONGITUDINAL
REINFORCEMENT IN FIRE-RESISTANCE-RATED
REINFORCED CONCRETE MASONRY LINTELS (inches)
NOMINAL WIDTH OF LINTEL
(inches)
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING (hours)
1
2
3
4
TABLE 722.4.1(4)
COEFFICIENTS FOR PLASTER, pl a
THICKNESS OF
PLASTER (inch)
11/2
2
—
—
8
11/2
11/2
13/4
3
10 or greater
11/2
11/2
11/2
13/4
722.3.5 Concrete masonry columns. The fire-resistance
rating of concrete masonry columns shall be determined
based on the least plan dimension of the column in accordance with Table 722.3.5 or by approved alternate
methods.
TABLE 722.3.5
MINIMUM DIMENSION OF CONCRETE
MASONRY COLUMNS (inches)
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING (hours)
3
4
8 inches
10 inches
12 inches
14 inches
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
722.4 Clay brick and tile masonry. The provisions of this
section contain procedures by which the fire-resistance
7-74
1
0.3
0.6
5
0.37
0.75
3
0.45
0.90
/2
/8
/4
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
a. Values specified in the table are for 1:3 sanded gypsum plaster.
TABLE 722.4.1(5)
REINFORCED MASONRY LINTELS
MINIMUM LONGITUDINAL REINFORCEMENT COVER FOR FIRE RESISTANCE
(inches)
NOMINAL LINTEL WIDTH
(inches)
1 hour
2 hours
3 hours
4 hours
6
11/2
2
NP
NP
8
1
1 /2
1
1 /2
3
1 /4
3
1
1
1
13/4
1 /2
1 /2
1 /2
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
NP = Not Permitted.
TABLE 722.4.1(6)
REINFORCED CLAY MASONRY COLUMNS
For SI:1 inch = 25.4 mm.
2
TWO SIDES
10 or more
6
1
ONE SIDE
COLUMN SIZE
Minimum column dimension (inches)
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING
(hours)
1
2
3
4
8
10