Understanding the

INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE

2006 Edition
 Understanding the
INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE
 Understanding the
CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

2007 Edition, Title 24

(IBC ’06)
 Types of Construction Level of Protection

(Chapter 6) Construction Type Most Elements

Protected
Most Elements
Unprotected

Non-Combustible I A B
Exterior, interior (bearing or non-bearing) walls,
floors, roofs and structural elements to be of
non-combustible materials
II A B

III A B

Combustible IV HT
Exterior walls to be of non-combustible Heavy Timber
materials

V A B
 IBC
UBC

4 4

4
4
4
Type I is that type of construction in which the building elements are of
noncombustible construction:

Roof 1 ½ hours

Exterior
bearing
Partition
walls 3
nonrated
hours
Floor/ceiling 2 hours

Structural frame or interior

bearing wall 3 hours

Type IA
 Roof 1 hour

Exterior
bearing
Partition
walls 2
nonrated
hours
Floor/ceiling 2 hours

Structural frame or interior

bearing wall 2 hours

Type IB
Types II is that type of construction in which the building elements are of
noncombustible construction:

Roof 1 hour

Exterior
bearing
Partition
walls 1 hour
nonrated

Floor/ceiling 1 hours

Structural frame or interior

bearing wall 1 hour

Type IIA
 Roof nonrated

Exterior bearing
walls nonrated
Partition
nonrated

Floor/ceiling nonrated

Structural frame or interior

bearing wall nonrated

Type IIB
 Type III 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 the code.
Roof 1 hour

Exterior bearing
walls 2 hours
Partition
nonrated

Floor/ceiling 1 hour

Structural frame or interior

bearing wall 1 hour

Type IIIA
 Roof nonrated

Exterior bearing
walls 2 hours
Partition
nonrated

Floor/ceiling nonrated

Structural frame or interior

bearing wall nonrated

Type IIIB
 Type IV is that type of construction in which the exterior walls are of
noncombustible materials and the interior building elements are of solid
or laminated wood without concealed spaces

Roof heavy timber

Exterior bearing
walls 2 hours
Partition
nonrated

Floor/ceiling heavy timber

Structural frame heavy timber & Interior

bearing wall 1 hour or heavy timber

Type IV HT
(Heavy
Timber)
Type V is that type of construction in which the structural elements, exterior
walls and interior walls are of any materials permitted by this code.

Roof 1 hour

Exterior bearing
walls 1 hour
Partition
nonrated

Floor/ceiling 1 hour

Structural frame or interior

bearing wall 1 hour

Type VA
 Roof nonrated

Exterior bearing
walls nonrated
Partition
nonrated

Floor/ceiling nonrated

Structural frame or interior

bearing wall nonrated

Type VB
A-3 IBC
Assembly uses intended for
A-3 UBC
A building or portion of a
worship, recreation or amusement building having an assembly
and other assembly uses not
classified elsewhere in Group A room with an occupant load of
including but not limited to: less than 300 without a
•Amusement arcades legitimate stage, including
•Art galleries such buildings used for
•Bowling alleys
•Churches educational purposes and not
•Community halls classified as Group B or E
•Courtrooms
•Dance halls (no food or drink consumption)
Occupancies.
•Exhibition halls
•Funeral Parlors
•Gymnasiums (w/o spectator seating)
•Indoor swimming pools (w/o spectator seating)
•Indoor tennis courts (w/o spectator seating)
•Lecture halls
•Libraries
•Museums
•Waiting area in transportation terminals
•Pool and billiard parlors
2006
Section 304.1 Business Group B:
• Airport traffic control towers
•Animal hospitals, kennels and pounds
• Banks
• Barber and beauty shops
• Car wash
• Civic administration
• Clinic–outpatient
• Etc.
2009
Section 304.1 Business Group B:
•Airport traffic control towers
• Ambulatory health care facilities
• Animal hospitals, kennels and pounds
• Banks
• Barber and beauty shops
• Car wash
• Civic administration
• Clinic–outpatient
• Etc.
New Language:
304.1.1 Definitions. The following words and terms
shall, for the purposes of this section and as used
elsewhere in this code, have the meanings shown
herein.
CLINIC, OUTPATIENT. Buildings or portions
thereof used to provide medical care on less than a
24-hour basis to individuals who are not rendered
incapable of self-preservation by the services
provided.
 Section 422 (New Section)
AMBULATORY HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
422.1 General. Occupancies classified as Group B ambulatory heath care
facilities shall comply with the provisions of Sections 422.1 through 422.6
and other applicable provisions of this code.

422.2 Smoke Barriers.

• Greater than 10,000 SF - Minimum of two smoke compartments
• Travel distance from any point – 200 feet
• Smoke barrier wall shall be in accordance w/Section 710

422.3 Refuge area.

• Minimum of 30 net SF per patient on each side of the smoke barrier

422.4 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

422.5 Automatic sprinkler systems.

422.6 Fire alarm systems.

 Covered Mall Buildings
Section 402.6.1 (New Subsection)
Reduced Open Space
Minimum 3 hours with 3-hour
opening protectives

40’

Covered mall building

60’ including associated
parking garages and
anchor stores

Reduced open space permitted:

• Up to 75% of building perimeter
• Where exterior wall facing reduced rating has minimum 3-hour fire-resistance rating
• Openings in such walls are protected for minimum 3 hours
• Not applicable for Group E, H, I, and R occupancies
• Larger Area and Greater Heights
- Tradeoff
• Greater Use of Sprinklers
• Fire Resistance
 Area Modifications - General

A I
_______ A I
Automatic Sprinkler System Increases are allowed for
_______
t f t s
A =A + +
Height & Area - both can be attributed to the same
a t100 100
structure:

Additional Area Increases of:

where:
• 300 % (single story)
Aa = Allowable area
• 200 %per floor (square feet)
(multi-story)
Tabular area per floor in accordance with Table
At =
Additional Height
503 (square feet)& Story Increases of:
Area increase• due
20 to
Feet
If = frontage (percent) as
calculated n accordance with Section 506.2
• 1 Additional Story
Is = Area increase due to sprinkler protection (percent)
as calculated in accordance with Section 506.3
 2009 Changes
Group B Occupancy – Type IIB & IIIB Construction
Height Reduction from 4 stories to 3

Group M Occupancy – Type IIB & IIIB Construction

Height Reduction from 4 stories to 2

Group S-1 Occupancy – Type IIB & IIIB Construction

Height Reduction from 3 stories to 2

Group S-2 Occupancy – Type IIB & IIIB Construction

Height Reduction from 4 stories to 3
 Incidental Accessory Occupancies
(formerly incidental use areas)
Protected by
automatic sprinkler
system (Table
508.2.5)
Incinerator room
(Incidental accessory occupancy classified as
a portion of the Group F-1 occupancy)
Minimum 2-
hour fire barrier
(Table 508.2.5)

Group F-1 factory

 Additional Exit Stairway
403.5.2
Other than R-2 and Heights greater than 420 feet

Minimum Required Width

52.5 inches

Additional Stairway

Exception: An additional exit stairway shall not be required

to be installed in buildings having elevators used for
occupant self-evacuation in accordance with Section 3008.
403.6.1 Fire service access elevator. In buildings with an
occupied floor more than 120 feet above the lowest level of
fire department access, a minimum of one fire service access
elevator shall be provided in accordance with Section 1007.

403.6.2 Occupant Evacuation Elevators. Where installed

in accordance with Section 3008, passenger elevators for
general public use shall be permitted to used for occupant
self-evacuation.
 Area Modifications - General
Automatic Sprinkler System Increases are allowed for
Height & Area - both can be attributed to the same
structure:
A I
_______
Additional tArea A Is
_______
f Increases of:t
Aa = At + +
• 300100
% (single story) 100
• 200 % (multi-story)
where:
Additional Height & Story Increases of:
Aa = Allowable area per floor (square feet)
• 20 Feet
Tabular area per floor in accordance with Table
At = • 1 Additional Story
503 (square feet)

I Area increase due to frontage (percent) as

f = calculated
CANNOT combine both Height
n accordance &Section
with Area Sprinkler
506.2
Increases in the Following:
Is = Area increase due to sprinkler protection (percent)
as calculated in accordance
• High-Rise with Section 506.3
Buildings
• Group A, E, H, I, L & R Occupancies
 Frontage Increase

F_
__ W
__
If = 100 0.25
P 30
where:

If = Area increase due to frontage

Building perimeter which fronts on a public
F = way or open space having 20 (6096 mm) feet
open minimum width

P = Perimeter of entire building (feet)

Width of public way or open space
W= (feet) in accordance with Section
506.2.1
 General Requirements for Group A Occupancies
IBC UBC
. . .A room or space used for . . .for the gathering
assembly purposes by less together of 50 or more
than 50 persons and
persons. . .A room or
accessory to another
occupancy shall be included space used for
Not Classified as Group A (goes to B) when: assembly
as part of that occupancy. . . purposes by less than 50
Assembly areas • with
Buildings
less with < 50 people
persons and accessory to
than 750 square feet and another <occupancy shall
• Room,
which are accessory toSpace, Accessory 50 people
be included as part of
another according
• Room,toSpace,
Section Accessory < 750 S.F.
that major occupancy.
302.1 are not assembly
occupancies. Assembly
occupancies which are
accessory to Group E. . .are
not considered assembly
occupancies.
Fire-Resistance Ratings & Functional
Use of Walls & Partitions

• FIRE WALLS 706

• FIRE BARRIERS 707
• FIRE PARTITIONS 709
• SMOKE BARRIERS 710
• SMOKE PARTITIONS 711
 Fire Door & Fire Shutter Fire Protection
Ratings and Smoke & Draft Requirements are
Detailed in Section 715 of the IBC
 Essential Requirements for Opening
Protectives:
• Labeled Fire Resistance Ratings – Certified Nationally
Recognized Test Standards (Section 715.4)

• Labeled Smoke & Draft Control Compliance – Certified

Nationally Recognized Test Standards (Section 715.4.6.3)

• Oversized Certification – by an Approved Agency (Section 715.4.6.2)

• Automatic Closing – Compliance with NFPA 80 (Section 715.4.8.2)

• Smoke Activated – Shall be automatic closing by actuation

of a smoke detector in specific applications (Section 715.4.8.3)

• Opening Protectives must conform to Egress

Requirements when placed in the means of egress system
 Fire Walls – Section 706
Definition:
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. (Section 702)

Design note:
Each portion of a building separated by one or more fire walls
shall be considered a separate building. (706.1)

Fire Ratings: (Table 706.3.9) Opening Protective Ratings: (Table 715.3)

2 Hour 1 ½ Hour
3 Hour 3 Hour
4 Hour 3 Hour
 Fire Walls – Section 706

Protecting Openings: (706.8)

Non-sprinklered buildings – Openings shall not

exceed 156 square feet and the aggregate width of
openings shall not exceed 25 percent of the length
of the wall.

Sprinklered buildings – Openings may exceed 156

square feet but the aggregate width of all openings
shall not exceed 25 percent of the length of the wall.
Occupancy – A-1 (Multi-plex theater facility)
Building Type – IIIA (Rated, Single story)
Area Allowance – 14,000 Sq. Ft. (Table 503, ’09 IBC)
Actual Building Area – 22,000+ Sq. Ft. (Exceeds allowable area)
 Roof 1 hour

Exterior
bearing
walls Floor/ceiling 1 hour Partition
nonrated
2 hours

S . F .
, 00 0 IIIA
T O 14
M I T ED Structural frame or interior

LI bearing wall
1 hour

Roof 1 ½ hours

Exterior
bearing Partition
walls Floor/ceiling 2 hours nonrated
3 hours
E D
IT IA
LIM
UN Structural frame or
interior bearing walls
3 hours
2-hr Fire Wall

IIIA IIIA IIIA

IA
“Each portion of a building separated by one or more fire
walls shall be considered a separate building.” (706.1)

3 Separate Buildings
1 ½ hr. Opening
Protectives
Opening
Opening
Protection
Protection
 Fire Barriers – Section 707
(Fire Barriers vs Fire Walls)

Definition:
A fire-resistance-rated wall assembly designed to restrict the
spread of fire in which continuity is maintained. (Section 702)
(FW / Structurally Independent)

Fire Ratings: (Table 706.3.9) Opening Protective Ratings: (Table 715.3)

1 – 4 Hours (FW / 2-4 hrs) 1 – 3 Hours

Opening Protective Guidelines

• 25% rule applies (707.7) 06
• Limited to 156 Sq. Ft. (707.7)

• 25% rule DOES NOT apply if labeled under ASTM E-119 (707.7)
(FW / NOT ALLOWED)
• NOT limited to 156 Sq. Ft. (707.7)
 Fire Barriers are used in the following:
• Shaft Enclosures (Section 708.1)

• Exit Enclosures (Section 1022.1)

• Exit Passageways (Section 1023.3)

• Horizontal Exits (1025.2)

• Atriums (Section 404.6)

• Incidental Accessory Occupancies (Section 508.2.5.1)

• Control Areas (Section 414.2.1)

• Separated Occupancies (Section 508.4.4.1)

• Single-Occupancy Fire Areas (707.3.9)

 Shaft Enclosures
Shall be constructed as fire barriers
(Section 707.1)

Escalators must be enclosed unless the design meets the following

requirements: (707.2 Exceptions 2.2.1 & 2.2.2)
• Automatic Sprinkler System
• NOT a portion of the means of egress
• Floor opening between stories does not exceed twice the
horizontal projected area of the of the escalator or stairway
• Opening is protected by a draft curtain and closely spaced
sprinklers in accordance with NFPA 13
• In other than Groups B and M, this application is limited to
openings that do not connect more than four stories.
OR
• Where the opening is protected by approved power-operated
automatic shutters at every floor. . .and completely shut off the
well opening.
 Vertical Exit Enclosures
Shall be enclosed with fire barriers
(Section 1020.1)

Fire Door Fire Protection Ratings

(Table 715.4)

1 – 3 Hours

Fire resistance rating of fire

barrier walls @ stair
enclosures:
• 2 hrs connecting 4 stories
or more. . . (Section 1020.1)
• 1 hr connecting less than 4
stories (Section 1021.1)
Wide-Span Openings Wide-Span Designs

Classroom
s
Shaft Enclosures – Section 708
1 hr. Co

Classroom
s Openings through a floor/ceiling
rridor

assembly shall be protected by a

OPEN
shaft enclosure complying with
4 Floors

Classroom
this Section. (Section 708.2)
s
ience
Conven
ir - O PEN
Sta
3 Flo rs
o

OPEN
4 Floors

Classroom
s
Wide-Span Openings Wide-Span Designs

Atriums – Section 404

The optimum protection of vertical opening spaces is to
create a shaft enclosure. Since this is difficult to do with
Classroom
s conventional construction the code provides stringent
requirements and renames the space an atrium. The
following is a list of these requirements:
1 hr. Co

Classroom
s • The entire building must be sprinklered
rridor

• Adjacent spaces must be separated by 1-hour fire

barrier construction
or
OPEN Excessive water deluge and glass to ensure protection
4 Floors
• Engineered smoke control system
Classroom • Interior finishes on all walls and ceilings must be a
s
minimum of Class B
ience
Conven
Stair • Reduced travel distances

All of the above requirements can be

OPEN
4 Floors
eliminated or minimized by creating a shaft
enclosure or separating floors with wide-
Classroom
s
span opening protective technology
 Wide-Span Openings Wide-Span
Designs

Corridors
Classroom
s

Section 1018.1 Construction. Corridors

1 hr. Co

Classroom
s shall be fire-resistance rated in
rridor

accordance with Table 1018.1. The

corridor walls required to be fire-
OPEN
4 Floors resistance rated shall comply with Section
Classroom
s
709 for fire partitions.
ience
Conven
Stair

OPEN
4 Floors

Classroom
s
 Wide-Span Openings Wide-Span
Designs

Classroom
s
1 hr. Co

Classroom
s
rridor

OPEN
4 Floors

Classroom
s
ience
Conven
Stair

OPEN
4 Floors

Classroom
s
 Wide-Span Openings Wide-Span
Designs

Classroom
s
1 hr. Co

Classroom
s
rridor

OPEN
4 Floors

Classroom
s
ience
Conven
Stair

OPEN
4 Floors

Classroom
s
Means
Means of
of Egress
Egress System
System

EXIT EXIT
DISCHARGE 1006 1004
ACCESS

1005

EXIT
 Chapter
Chapter 10
10 Means
Means of
of
Egress
Egress
1001 Administrative
1002 Definitions
1003 General Means of Egress
1004 Exit Access
1005 Exits
1006 Exit Discharge
1007 Misc. Means of Egress Requirements

1008 Assembly
1009 Emergency Escape & Rescue
Means
Means of
of Egress
Egress System
System

EXIT EXIT
DISCHARGE 1024 1014
ACCESS

1018

EXIT
 Chapter
Chapter 10
10 Means
Means of
of
Egress
Egress
1004 Occupant Load
1005 Egress Width
1006 Means of Egress Illumination
1007 Accessible Means of Egress
1008 Doors, Gates and Turnstiles
1009 Stairways and Handrails
1010 Ramps
1011 Exit Signs
1012 Handrails
1013 Guards
1014 Exit Access
1015 Exit & Exit Access Doorways
1016 Exit Access Travel Distance
1017 Corridors
1018 Exits
1019 Number of Exits & Continuity
1020 Vertical Exit Enclosures
1021 Exit Passageways
1022 Horizontal Exits
1023 Exterior Exit Ramps & Stairways
1024 Exit Discharge
1025 Assembly
1026 Emergency Escape & Rescue
 Common
Common Components
Components inin the
the
Means
Means of
of Egress
Egress
Exit Access
Rooms
Corridors
Exit
Aisles
Horizontal Exit
Doors
Exit Passageway
Exit Enclosure Exit Discharge
Exterior Exit Door Exterior Exit Balcony
Exit Enclosures Exit Court
(Including elevators) Yard
Exterior Exit Stairs
Exterior Exit Ramp
 TABLE 1015.1
SPACES WITH ONE MEANS OF EGRESS

MAXIMUM OCCUPANT
OCCUPANCY
LOAD
A, B, E, F, M, U 49

H-1, H-2, H-3 3

H-4, H-5, I-1, I-3, I-4, R 10

S 29
1014.2.1 Exit or exit access doorway arrangement.
(when more than one exit is required)

W/Sprinklers

W/O-Sprinklers
1/3 The
Distance EXIT
1/2 The
Distance

EXIT EXIT
IB
C TABLE 1017.1
CORRIDOR FIRE RESISTANCE RATING
REQUIRED FIRE REQUIRED FIRE
RESISTANCE RESISTANCE
OCCUPANT RATING (hours) RATING (hours)
LOAD WITHOUT WITH SPRINKLER
SERVED BY SPRINKLER SYSTEM
OCCUPANCY CORRIDOR SYSTEM

H-1, H-2, H-3 All Not Permitted 1

H-4, H-5 Greater than 30 Not Permitted 1

A, B, E, F, M, S,
Greater than 30 1 0
U
R Greater than 10 Not Permitted .5

I-2, I-4 All Not Permitted 0

I-1, I-3 All Not Permitted 1

 B C
C TABLE 1017.1 - CORRIDOR FIRE RESISTANCE RATING
REQUIRED FIRE REQUIRED FIRE
RESISTANCE RESISTANCE
OCCUPANT RATING (hours) RATING (hours)
LOAD WITHOUT WITH SPRINKLER
SERVED BY SPRINKLER SYSTEM
OCCUPANCY CORRIDOR SYSTEM

H-1, H-2, H-3, L All Not Permitted 1

H-4, H-5 Greater than 30 Not Permitted 1

A, B, F, M, S, U Greater than 30 1 0

R Greater than 10 Not Permitted 1

I-2, I-2.1, I-4 Greater than 6 Not Permitted 1

I-1, I-3 Greater than 6 Not Permitted 1

E Greater than 10 1 1
IB
C TABLE 1017.1
CORRIDOR FIRE RESISTANCE RATING
REQUIRED FIRE REQUIRED FIRE
RESISTANCE RESISTANCE
OCCUPANT RATING (hours) RATING (hours)
LOAD WITHOUT WITH SPRINKLER
SERVED BY SPRINKLER SYSTEM
OCCUPANCY CORRIDOR SYSTEM

H-1, H-2, H-3 All Not Permitted 1

H-4, H-5 Greater than 30 Not Permitted 1

A, B, E, F, M, S,
Greater than 30 1 1
U
R Greater than 10 Not Permitted 1

I-2, I-4 All Not Permitted 1

I-1, I-3 All Not Permitted 1

 EXIT PASSAGEWAY

HORIZONTAL EXIT
ALLEY

EXIT ENCLOSURE
(Elevator)

EXIT ENCLOSURE
(Stair)

EXIT
EXIT

EXTERIOR DOORS

STREET
Horizontal Exit
Wide-Span Openings Wide-Span Designs

Terminal C
Horizontal Exit

Section 1022.1 Horizontal Exits.

3 – Fundamental Rules:
• Separation must be minimum 2-hr. Fire
Barrier Wall
• Minimum 90 minute Opening Protective
• Allowed to exit 50% of occupant load to an
area of refuge
Section 1016.1 Travel Distance
Limitations.
Terminal D
• In an A-3 Occupancy (airport
terminals) the travel distance, when
sprinklered is limited to 250 feet.
 ™ Accessible Means of Egress

The IBC concludes three general requirements:

1. Accessible egress is required in all buildings
2. Two accessible means of egress are required
for buildings with two or more floors (or single
floor buildings with an occupant load greater
than 50)
3. In buildings more than four stories, one of the
two required accessible means of egress must
be an elevator
Additionally, specifically addressing Accessible Means
of Egress issues are two definitions in Section 1002.1:
 Section 1002.1

AREA OF REFUGE. An area where persons

unable to use stairways can remain temporarily
to await instructions or assistance during
emergency evacuation.

EXIT, HORIZONTAL. A path of egress travel from

one building to an area in another building on
approximately the same level, or a path of egress
travel through or around a wall or partition to an
area on approximately the same level in the same
building, which affords safety from fire and smoke
from the area of incidence and areas
communicating therewith.
Mobile or Immobile, the requirements are the
same for individuals exiting a building:

1007.1 Accessible means of egress required.

. . .Where more than one means of egress is
required . . . from any accessible space, each
accessible portion of the space shall be served by
not less than two accessible means of egress.
1007.2.1 Elevators Required.
In buildings where a required accessible floor is four
or more stories above or below a level of exit
discharge, at least one required accessible means
of egress shall be an elevator complying with
Section 1007.4

1007.4 Elevators. An elevator to be considered

part of an accessible means of egress. . . The
elevator shall be accessed from either an area of
refuge. . .or a horizontal exit.
707.14.1 Elevator lobby. An enclosed
elevator lobby shall be provided at each floor
where an elevator shaft enclosure connects
more than three stories. The lobby shall
separate the elevator shaft enclosure doors
from each floor by fire partitions equal to the
fire-resistance rating of the corridor and the
required opening protection. Elevator lobbies
shall have at least one means of egress
complying with Chapter 10 and other
provisions within this code.
707.14.1 (Continued)

Exceptions:
3. Where additional doors are provided at the hoistway
opening in accordance with Section 3002.6. Such doors shall be
tested in accordance with UL 1784 without an artificial seal.

4. In other than Group I-3, and buildings having occupied

floors located more than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire
department vehicle access, enclosed elevator lobbies are not
required where the building is protected by an automatic sprinkler
system. . .

5. Smoke partitions shall be permitted in lieu of fire

partitions to separate the elevator lobby at each floor where the
building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system.
..
6. Enclosed elevator lobbies are not required where the
elevator hoistway is pressurized in accordance with Section 707.14.2.
 Fire Partitions – Section 708
Definition:
A vertical assembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in which
openings are protected. (Section 702)

Fire Ratings: (708.3)

1 hour

Protecting Openings:
Opening protectives in fire partitions shall have a minimum fire rating of 20
minutes and a maximum of 45 minutes. (Table 715.4) Also, these shall be
smoke tested under UL 1784.

Design Notes:
Most corridor walls fall into this category. (708.1.4 and Table 1017.1)
Corridor walls in an I-2 Occupancy (Hospital) shall be constructed as Smoke
Partitions. (407.3 & 710)

Applications:
Dwelling Units, Guestrooms in R-1, Tenant spaces in covered mall buildings,
Corridors from adjacent spaces. (708)
 Smoke Barriers – Section 709
Definition:
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. (Section 702)

Fire Ratings: (709.3)

1 hour

Protecting Openings:
Opening protectives in smoke barriers shall have a minimum 20 minute fire
rating and be UL 1784 smoke tested. (Table 715.4)

Design Notes:
Door assemblies in smoke barriers of I-2 Occupancies (Hospitals) shall
have vision panels. (709.5)

Smoke barriers constructed of minimum 0,10-inch-thick steel in I-3

Occupancies (Jails & Prisons) are not required to be 1 hour rated. (709.3)
Applications:

• In I-2 Occupancies (Hospitals) smoke barriers are required to subdivide every story
used by patients for sleeping or treatment. (407.4)

50 or more persons / minimum 2 smoke compartments

Each compartment cannot exceed 22,500 square feet
Travel distance shall not exceed 200 feet to a smoke barrier door

• In I-3 Occupancies (Jails & Prisons) smoke barriers are required to divide every story
occupied by residents for sleeping. (408.6)

50 or more persons / minimum 2 smoke compartments

Maximum number of residents in any smoke compartment is 200
Travel distance to any exit access component shall not exceed 150 feet
Travel distance to any smoke barrier door shall not exceed 200 feet
 Smoke Partitions – 710
Definition:
A partition constructed to limit the transfer or passage of smoke. (710.4)

Fire Ratings: (710.3)

Non-rated

Protecting Openings:
Door assemblies shall be UL 1784 tested and self closing by smoke detection.
(710.5)

Design Notes:
Smoke partitions and their use are very limited in the building code.

Applications:

• Corridor walls of I-2 Occupancies (Hospitals). (407.3)

• Elevator Lobbies (707.14.1 Exception #5)