jar546
CBO
In a recent analysis, I explored whether support beams within a stair enclosure in a Type IA building require fire protection. This building features an interior exit stairway positioned at a corner, with the exterior composed of non-rated curtain walls. Notably, inside these walls, HSS steel beams are exposed, providing support to the curtain wall and the intermediate stair landings. It's important to highlight that these beams don't bear the load of any floors, the roof, or the 2-hour fire barriers that form the interior side of the stair enclosure.
According to my understanding, based on the 2018 International Building Code (IBC) Section 704.1, fireproofing these beams isn't necessary. This is because they are located within the rated stair enclosure and don't support floor landings. However, I sought to confirm this interpretation to ensure accuracy.
An official opinion from the International Code Council (ICC) provided clarity on this matter. The ICC stressed that the stairway walls must be rated in accordance with the building's construction type, as outlined in 2018 IBC Table 601. Furthermore, Section 1011.7 of the IBC mandates that all stairways should be constructed from materials suitable for the building's construction type. The key takeaway here is that while structures supporting the stairway and its enclosure must adhere to fire-resistance ratings consistent with the building type, the stairway components inside the enclosure, such as intermediate landings, aren't held to these same requirements. In essence, intermediate landings aren't regulated like floor construction, and there's no code stipulating that they need to be rated.
The ICC's perspective is that the exposed HSS steel beams don't require individual protection, as they aren't serving as primary or secondary frame members. However, it's important to note that if beams are directly attached to columns that support the stairway stringers and the floor, then they are considered part of the primary structural frame. In such cases, as defined in Section 202, these beams and columns must have a fire-resistance rating that aligns with the building's construction type.
On the other hand, if beams and columns solely support the intermediate stairway landings, they aren't required to have a fire-resistance rating for the landing or its supports. This information provides a comprehensive understanding of the fire protection requirements for support beams within a rated stair enclosure, particularly in the context of a Type IA building.
According to my understanding, based on the 2018 International Building Code (IBC) Section 704.1, fireproofing these beams isn't necessary. This is because they are located within the rated stair enclosure and don't support floor landings. However, I sought to confirm this interpretation to ensure accuracy.
An official opinion from the International Code Council (ICC) provided clarity on this matter. The ICC stressed that the stairway walls must be rated in accordance with the building's construction type, as outlined in 2018 IBC Table 601. Furthermore, Section 1011.7 of the IBC mandates that all stairways should be constructed from materials suitable for the building's construction type. The key takeaway here is that while structures supporting the stairway and its enclosure must adhere to fire-resistance ratings consistent with the building type, the stairway components inside the enclosure, such as intermediate landings, aren't held to these same requirements. In essence, intermediate landings aren't regulated like floor construction, and there's no code stipulating that they need to be rated.
The ICC's perspective is that the exposed HSS steel beams don't require individual protection, as they aren't serving as primary or secondary frame members. However, it's important to note that if beams are directly attached to columns that support the stairway stringers and the floor, then they are considered part of the primary structural frame. In such cases, as defined in Section 202, these beams and columns must have a fire-resistance rating that aligns with the building's construction type.
On the other hand, if beams and columns solely support the intermediate stairway landings, they aren't required to have a fire-resistance rating for the landing or its supports. This information provides a comprehensive understanding of the fire protection requirements for support beams within a rated stair enclosure, particularly in the context of a Type IA building.
