From 09
715.2 Fire-resistance-rated glazing. Fire-resistance-rated glazing tested as part of a fire-resistance-rated wall assembly in accordance with ASTM E 119 or UL 263 and labeled in accordance with Section 703.5 shall be permitted in fire doors and fire window assemblies in accordance with their listings and shall not otherwise be required to comply with this section.
There are glazing materials used and tested as a wall assembly under ASTM E 119 or UL 263 and NFPA 251, Standard Methods of Tests of Fire Endurance of Building Construction and Materials, that are not covered by Section 715. Because these materials can meet the same fire-resistance requirements of the wall, they are not required to be regulated as an opening that would require the lower level of protection that a fire protection rating provides.
715.5 Fire-protection-rated glazing. Glazing in fire window assemblies shall be fire-protection rated in accordance with this section and Table 715.5. Glazing in fire door assemblies shall comply with Section 715.4.7. Fire-protection-rated glazing shall be tested in accordance with and shall meet the acceptance criteria of NFPA 257 or UL 9. Fire-protection-rated glazing shall also comply with NFPA 80. Openings in nonfire-resistance-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.
Exceptions:
1. Wired glass in accordance with Section 715.5.4.
2. Fire protection-rated glazing in 0.5-hour fire-resistance-rated partitions is permitted to have an 0.33-hour fire-protection rating.
The appropriate test standards referenced for fire windows (fire protection-rated glazing) are NFPA 257 or UL 9, which are pass/fail tests with a specified time of exposure. It is important to realize that this section only applies to materials that are tested in accordance with the two identified standards and that are intended as an opening protective in a wall that requires openings with a fire protection rating. The distinction between a fire protection rating and a fire-resistance rating must be understood. Glazing that has a fire-resistance rating is exempted from the requirements of Section 715 (see Section 715.2). In general, the location where fire protection-rated openings may be used includes exterior walls, certain fire barriers, fire partitions and smoke barriers. Other specific sections of the code, such as Section 706.5.2, Exception 1, and Section 1022.6, may also require fire window assemblies to comply with this section, while fire windows are prohibited by Sections 1022.3 and 1023.5 even though they are a rated assembly. The basic premise of the referenced standard is that it evaluates the effectiveness of windows when used as opening protectives to remain in place during the specified time of exposure. In addition to being subjected to a predetermined fire condition, the assembly is also subjected to a hose stream impact test. The test procedure does not measure or evaluate heat transmission or radiation through the assembly.
The first exception not only provides a cross reference to the wired glass provisions of Section 715.5.4, but it also establishes that the wired glass assemblies are deemed to be acceptable where a fire window requires a 3/4-hour rating (see Section 715.5.4). There is also an exception that would allow a 1/3-hour rating for openings in 1/2-hour-rated fire partitions. Fire partitions are only allowed to be 1/2-hour rated in accordance with the exceptions to Section 709.3 and Table 1018.1.
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exposure. In addition to being subjected to a predetermined fire condition, the assembly is also subjected to a hose stream impact test. The test procedure does not measure or evaluate heat transmission or radiation through the assembly. """""
