Asking Building Code Related Questions During
the Bidding Process
Learn where fire resistance rated walls may
occur as required by code so you can know
when to submit an RFI.
Hal Cohen, PE,
HCC & ASSOCIATES, INC.
HCC FIRE BARRIER MANAGMENT
SOCIETY OF FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERS
ROOTS STARTED IN 1950
ADVANCE THE SCIENCE AND PRACTICE OF
FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERING
75 CHAPTERS
Texas
DALLAS-FT. WORTH CHAPTER
President: Mark Hasenmyer, P.E.
Chapter Support Council Liaison: Michael Shannon
Board Of Directors Liaison: Jack Poole
HOUSTON CHAPTER
President: Robert S. Hicks, P.E.
Chapter Support Council Liaison: Michael Shannon
Board Of Directors Liaison: Jack Poole
AUSTIN / SAN ANTONIO CHAPTER
President: Scott Stookey
Chapter Support Council Liaison: Michael Shannon
Board Of Directors Liaison: Jim Begley
Student Chapters
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, California, USA
Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Kentucky USA
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma USA
The University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland USA
The University of New Haven, West Haven, Connecticut USA
The University of North Carolina Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina USA
The University Of Texas At Austin, Austin, Texas USA
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Blacksburg, Virginia USA
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts USA
QUALITY ASSURANCE
• FM APPROVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH FM
STANDARD 4991 – APPROVAL OF FIRESTOP
CONTRACTORS
• UL QUALIFIED FIRESTOP CONTRACTOR
• FCIA MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING
• TAKE OUT “BY TRADE” IN THE SPECS (UNION
ISSUES)
AIA CHAPTERS IN TEXAS (PARTIAL)
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AIA Abilene
Web: https://texasarchitects.org/v/chapter-detail/AIA-Abilene/4n/
AIA Amarillo
Web: www.aia-amarillo.org
AIA Austin
Phone: 512-452-4332
E-mail: sally@aiaaustin.org
Web: www.aiaaustin.org
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AIA Corpus Christi
(361) 887-2124
Web: www.aiacorpuschristi.org
AIA Dallas
214-742-3242
E-mail: info@aiadallas.org Web: www.aiadallas.org
AIA San Antonio
210-226-4979
210-226-3062
torrey@aiasa.org Web: www.aiasa.org
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS
• Based in Washington, D.C., the AIA has been
the leading professional membership
association for licensed architects, emerging
professionals, and allied partners since 1857.
• With nearly 300 state and local chapters, the
AIA serves as the voice of the architecture
profession and the resource for our members in
service to society.
• he American Council of Engineering Companies
(ACEC) is the voice of America's engineering industry.
Council members – numbering more than 5,000 firms
representing more than 500,000 employees throughout
the country – are engaged in a wide range of
engineering works that propel the nation's economy,
and enhance and safeguard America's quality of life.
These works allow Americans to drink clean water,
enjoy a healthy life, take advantage of new
technologies, and travel safely and efficiently. The
Council's mission is to contribute to America's
prosperity and welfare by advancing the business
interests of member firms.
ACEC TEXAS (PARTIAL)
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•
•
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•
ACEC Central Texas Chapter Meeting
ACEC Dallas Chapter Meeting
ACEC El Paso Chapter Meeting
ACEC Houston
ACEC San Antonio Chapter
Meeting/Holiday Reception
• ACEC Tarrant County Chapter Meeting
NFPA CODE/
STANDARD
IDENTIFYING AREA
SAMPLE REQUEST FOR
INFORMATION (RFI)
WORDING
NFPA 13,
Standard for
the Installation
of Sprinkler
Systems
Look for notes on the fire
protection, plumbing, and/or
sprinkler drawings that state
that sprinkler protection is not
to be provided in a certain area.
These areas might include high
voltage electrical equipment
rooms or vaults or concealed
spaces that do not require
sprinkler protection but might
require enclosure in fire rated
construction.
The note on sheet “x” states that
sprinkler protection is not
required in area “y”. Is area “y”
enclosed in fire rated construction
and do the penetrations need to be
properly firestopped?
NFPA CODE/
STANDARD
IDENTIFYING AREA
NFPA 20,
Standard for the
Installation of
Stationary Pumps
for Fire Protection
Some designers are not
aware that the room
containing the fire pump
needs enclosure in fire
rated construction.
SAMPLE REQUEST FOR
INFORMATION (RFI) WORDING
Does the fire pump room need enclosure
in fire rated construction in accordance
with NFPA 20, Standard for the
Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire
Protection, and do the penetrations need
to be properly firestopped?
4.12.1.1.1 Fire pump units serving high-rise buildings shall be protected from surrounding
occupancies by a minimum of 2-hour fire-rated construction or physically separated from
the protected building by a minimum of 50 ft (15.3 m).
NFPA CODE/
STANDARD
NFPA 30,
Flammable and
Combustible
Liquids Code
IDENTIFYING AREA
Look for room descriptions that
suggest flammable and combustible
liquids might be stored in them. These
rooms might include engineering
maintenance shops, hazardous waste
collection rooms, and chemical, fuel,
or paint storage rooms, and might
require enclosure in fire rated
construction.
SAMPLE REQUEST FOR
INFORMATION (RFI) WORDING
Room “x” might include the storage and
use of flammable and combustible
liquids. Does the room need enclosure in
fire rated construction as required by
NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible
Liquids Code, and do the penetrations
need be properly firestopped?
NFPA CODE/
STANDARD
NFPA 30A: Code
for Motor Fuel
Dispensing
Facilities
and
Repair Garages
IDENTIFYING AREA
Some parking garages and/or vehicle
maintenance bays might include fuel
dispensing capabilities or the repair
of equipment.
These rooms
sometimes require enclosure in fire
rated construction.
SAMPLE REQUEST FOR
INFORMATION (RFI) WORDING
Room “x” might be used for fuel
dispensing or vehicular maintenance and
repair. Does the room need enclosure in
fire rated construction in accordance
with NFPA 30A: Code for Motor Fuel
Dispensing Facilities and Repair
Garages, and do the penetrations need to
be properly firestopped?
7.3.6 Fuel Dispensing Areas Inside Buildings.
7.3.6.1 The fuel dispensing area shall be separated from all other portions of the building by walls,
partitions, floors, and floor–ceiling assemblies having a fire resistance rating of not less than 2
hours.
7.3.6.4 Openings for ducts in fire-rated interior partitions and walls shall be protected by listed fire
dampers. Openings for ducts in fire-rated floor or floor–ceiling assemblies shall be protected with
enclosed shafts. Enclosure of shafts shall be with wall or partition assemblies having a fire
resistance rating of not less than 2 hours. Openings for ducts into enclosed shafts shall be protected
with listed fire dampers.
NFPA CODE/
STANDARD
IDENTIFYING AREA
SAMPLE REQUEST FOR
INFORMATION (RFI) WORDING
Room “x” is identified as a laboratory.
Does the expected quantities of
flammable and combustible liquids
warrant the need to enclose the room in
fire rated construction as required by
NFPA 45, Standard on Fire Protection for
Laboratories Using Chemicals, and do
the penetrations need to be properly
firestopped?
5.2 Maximum Area of Laboratory Units. The maximum area of a laboratory unit shall be determined
by the fire hazard classification and the construction of the laboratory unit, as shown in Table 5.1.1.
NFPA 45,
Standard on Fire
Protection for
Laboratories
Using Chemicals
Look for room descriptions that state
“laboratory.” The quantities of
flammable and combustible liquids
that are stored and used in a
laboratory typically determine those
areas that might require enclosure in
fire rated construction.
NFPA CODE/
STANDARD
NFPA 58,
Liquefied
Petroleum Gas
Code
IDENTIFYING AREA
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is
not typically stored inside rooms.
However, these rooms typically
require enclosure in fire rated
construction.
SAMPLE REQUEST FOR
INFORMATION (RFI) WORDING
Room “x” is identified as storing
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Does the room need enclosure in
fire rated construction as required
by NFPA 58, Liquefied Petroleum
Gas Code, and do the penetrations
need to be properly firestopped?
Construction of Attached Structures.
10.3.1.3 Common walls of structures shall have the following features:
Construction of Rooms Within Structures.
10.3.2.6 Fire resistance rating of at least 1 hour
NFPA CODE/
STANDARD
IDENTIFYING AREA
NFPA 70,
Rooms that are identified as
National
electrical vaults and high voltage
Electrical Code® equipment rooms typically require
enclosure in fire rated construction.
Although oftentimes seen, typical
electrical equipment rooms do not
need enclosure in fire rated
construction if the floor penetrations
are properly firestopped.
The
deciding factor is typically the size
and type of transformer that might be
installed in the room.
SAMPLE REQUEST FOR
INFORMATION (RFI) WORDING
Does the electrical equipment require
enclosure in fire rated construction?
NFPA 70 requires the room to be
enclosed in the electrical equipment
room if the room’s transformer is rated
over 112½-kVA, unless
(1) The transformer includes a Class
155 or higher insulation system and
is separated from combustible
material by a fire-resistant, heatinsulating barrier or by not less than
six feet horizontally and twelve feet
vertically, or,
(2) The transformer includes a Class
155 or higher insulation system and
is completely enclosed except for
ventilating openings.
A Electrical Vaults. Where an electrical vault is required or specified for conductors
and equipment operating at over 600 volts, nominal, the following shall apply.
1 Walls and Roof. The walls and roof shall be constructed of materials that have
adequate structural strength for the conditions, with a minimum fire rating of 3 hours.
For the purpose of this section, studs and wallboard construction shall not be permitted.
NFPA CODE/
STANDARD
NFPA 72,
National Fire
Alarm and
Signaling Code
IDENTIFYING AREA
Fire command centers and
similar rooms that include full
time personnel who monitor fire
and security rooms typically
need enclosure in fire rated
construction.
SAMPLE REQUEST FOR
INFORMATION (RFI) WORDING
Does the fire/security command
center need enclosure in fire rated
construction in accordance with
NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and
Signaling Code, and do the
penetrations need to be properly
firestopped?
26.4.3 Facilities
26.4.3.1The proprietary supervising station shall be located in either of the following:
(1) Fire-resistive, detached building
(2) A fire-resistive room protected from the hazardous parts of the building
NFPA CODE/
STANDARD
NFPA 75:
Standard for
the Fire
Protection of
Information
Technology
Equipment
IDENTIFYING AREA
SAMPLE REQUEST FOR
INFORMATION (RFI) WORDING
Computer equipment rooms and Room “x” is identified as a
similar rooms might need computer equipment room. Does
enclosure
in
fire
rated the room need enclosure in fire
construction. Risk analysis is rated construction as required by
oftentimes used to determine NFPA 75, Standard for the Fire
those walls requiring a fire Protection
of
Information
rating.
Technology Equipment, and do the
penetrations need to be properly
firestopped?
5.1.2 Protection for the building housing the information technology equipment area
shall be provided where it is subject to damage from external exposure.
5.1.3 The information technology equipment area shall be separated from other
occupancies within the building, including atria or other open-space construction, by
fire-resistant-rated construction.
5.1.3.1 The information technology equipment room shall be separated from other
occupancies in the information technology equipment area by fire-resistant-rated
construction.
5.1.3.2 The fire resistance rating shall be commensurate with the exposure but not less
than 1 hour for both.
5.1.3.3 The fire-resistant-rated enclosures shall extend from the structural floor to the
structural floor above or to the roof.
NFPA CODE/
STANDARD
NFPA 82,
Standard on
Incinerators
and Waste and
Linen
Handling
Systems and
Equipment
IDENTIFYING AREA
Chutes, the rooms at the top and
bottom of the chutes, and chute
loading rooms might require
enclosure
in
fire
rated
construction.
These include
trash and linen chutes. The size
of the room (i.e., used for storage
or some other use) is an indicator
of an area that might need
enclosure
in
fire
rated
construction.
SAMPLE REQUEST FOR
INFORMATION (RFI) WORDING
Does the collection room at the
bottom of the linen chute and any
chute loading room need enclosure
in fire rated construction in
accordance
with
NFPA 82,
Standard on Incinerators and Waste
and Linen Handling Systems, and
do the penetrations need to be
properly firestopped?
5.2.7.1 Incinerators shall be enclosed within a room separated from other parts of the building by
walls, partitions, floor, and floor-ceiling assemblies constructed of noncombustible material and
having a fire resistance rating of not less than 2 hours and used for no other purpose.
6.2.5.1.1 Every chute intake shall be in a room that is separated from the other parts of the building
by walls, partitions, floors, and floor-ceiling assemblies having a fire resistance rating of not less
than the required rating of the chute enclosure as specified in 6.2.3.1.
6.2.5.1.3 Where chute intake rooms are protected by automatic sprinklers, the room shall be
enclosed in a minimum of 1-hour fire resistance-rated construction.
NFPA CODE/
STANDARD
NFPA 88A,
Standard for
Parking
Structures
IDENTIFYING AREA
SAMPLE REQUEST FOR
INFORMATION (RFI) WORDING
Do the parking areas that are
connected to the building need
enclosure in fire rated construction
in accordance with NFPA 88A,
Standard for Parking Structures,
and do the penetrations need to be
properly firestopped?
Parking structures are sometimes
attached or located below
buildings that are used for other
purposes (i.e., office or stores).
The parking area sometimes
needs to be separated from the
remaining
building
areas
(including the elevator lobby) by
fire rated construction.
5.2.1 Those parts of parking structures located within, immediately below, attached to,
or less than 120 inches from a building used for any other purpose shall be separated by
walls, partitions, floors, or floor–ceiling assemblies having fire resistance ratings of not
less than 2 hours.
5.2.4 Offices or other similar spaces that are related to the operation of the parking
structure and are less than 3000 ft2 in area, other than cashier or attendant booths, shall
be separated from parking areas by walls or partitions that resist the passage of smoke.
38.1.3.2.2 Openings in the fire barrier shall not be required to be protected with fire
protection–rated opening protectives in enclosed parking structures that are protected
throughout by an automatic sprinkler system, or in open parking structures, provided
that all of the following conditions are met:
IDENTIFYING AREA
NFPA CODE/
SAMPLE REQUEST FOR
STANDARD
INFORMATION (RFI) WORDING
NFPA 101,
As a general rule, an area that is Room “x” appears to have a degree
Life Safety
considered a “greater hazard” of hazard greater than the generally
Code®
than
the
surrounding building occupancy.
Does the
predominant area might require
room need to be enclosed in fire
enclosure
in
fire
rated
construction especially if the rated construction in accordance
areas are not sprinkler protected. with NFPA 101, Life Safety
These areas might include boiler Code®, and do the penetrations
equipment rooms or other room need to be properly firestopped?
where fuel-fired equipment
exists, large storage rooms, etc.
8.7 Special Hazard Protection.
8.7.1.1 Protection from any area having a degree of hazard greater than that normal to
the general occupancy of the building or structure shall be provided by one of the
following means:
(1) Enclosing the area with a fire barrier without windows that has a 1-hour fire
resistance rating in accordance with Section 8.3
(2) Protecting the area with automatic extinguishing systems in accordance with Section
9.7
(3) Applying both 8.7.1.1(1) and (2) where the hazard is severe or where otherwise
specified by Chapters 11 through 43
NFPA CODE/
STANDARD
NFPA 110,
Standard for
Emergency and
Standby Power
Systems
IDENTIFYING AREA
SAMPLE REQUEST FOR
INFORMATION (RFI) WORDING
Rooms that include emergency Room “x” appears to include the
generators
might
require emergency generator.
Does the
enclosure
in
fire
rated room need enclosure in fire rated
construction.
construction in accordance with
NFPA 110, Standard for Emergency
and Standby Power Systems, and
do the penetrations need to be
properly firestopped?
7.2.1.1 The EPS room shall be separated from the rest of the building by construction
with a 2-hour fire resistance rating.
NFPA CODE/
STANDARD
NFPA 232,
Standards for
the Protection
of Records
IDENTIFYING AREA
Rooms that are contain rolling
file storage units, computer tape
storage equipment, and similar
rooms that appear to be used for
the long term storage of records
might need enclosure in a fire
rated construction.
SAMPLE REQUEST FOR
INFORMATION (RFI) WORDING
Room “x” appears to be used for
long term or permanent storage of
records.
Does the room need
enclosure in accordance with NFPA
232, Standards for the Protection of
Records, and do the penetrations
need to be properly firestopped?
4.2.1 The responsible party shall establish an acceptable level of risk tolerance for both
limited and catastrophic events.
4.5.1 As part of the fire risk evaluation of Section 4.4, the responsible party shall include
the potential for the records to be destroyed by a fire that initiates in an area external to
the operations.
IDENTIFYING AREA
NFPA CODE/
SAMPLE REQUEST FOR
STANDARD
INFORMATION (RFI) WORDING
NFPA 909,
Some designers are not aware The building is used as a museum,
Code for the
that this code exists. The library or place of worship. Is
Protection of
requirements for fire rated NFPA 909, Code for the Protection
Cultural
construction vary and are of Cultural Resource Properties —
Resource
oftentimes determined through a Museums, Libraries, and Places of
Properties —
risk analysis. As the name Worship, applicable and is any
Museums,
implies, the code is applicable to additional fire rated construction
Libraries, and museums, libraries and places of required?
Places of
worship.
Worship
4.1 General. The governing body of the cultural resource property shall adopt protection
goals and objectives that reflect the acceptable level of loss for both of the following:
(1)Items of cultural significance; (2) Interruption of service to the client community