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2009 Mixed Use and Occupancy Section 508

nitramnaed

nitramnaed

Sawhorse
Joined
Nov 29, 2011
Messages
182
Location
L'Etolle du Nord
I have a non sprinklered 5B construction retail space that needs to have a 2 hour separation per table 508.4. "A" and a "M" occupancy. The rated demising wall has a beam running through it. We are permited and under construction and now the inspector say's we need to wrap this beam to fire proof it. This doesn't make any sense to me because we are 5B and aren't required to fire rate any structure. So why would we need to fire rate this part of the structure. I can't get any significant information on the requirements for fire barriers with this situation.

Any help here?
 
Did you look at

713.3.1 Through penetrations. Through penetrations of fire-resistance-rated walls shall comply with Section 713.3.1.1 or 713.3.1.2.

2009

Is this a fire wall or fire barrier
 
cda said:
Did you look at713.3.1 Through penetrations. Through penetrations of fire-resistance-rated walls shall comply with Section 713.3.1.1 or 713.3.1.2.

2009

Is this a fire wall or fire barrier
Click to expand...
Fire Barrier
 
713.3.1 Through penetrations. Through penetrations of fire-resistance-rated walls shall comply with Section 713.3.1.1 or 713.3.1.2.

Exception: Where the penetrating items are steel, ferrous or copper pipes, tubes or conduits, the annular space between the penetrating item and the fire-resistance-rated wall is permitted to be protected as follows:

1. 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 it is installed the full thickness of the wall or the thickness required to maintain the fire-resistance rating; or

2. 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 E 119 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.

713.3.1.1 Fire-resistance-rated assemblies. Penetrations shall be installed as tested in an approved fire-resistance-rated assembly.

713.3.1.2 Through-penetration firestop system. Through penetrations shall be protected by an approved penetration firestop system installed as tested in accordance with ASTM E 814 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.
 
I would also ask nicely what section the inspector is pulling the requirement from so it can researched
 
CBC would allow non separated occupancy if the combined SF was less than 6000 SF. nothing like that in IBC, or your over the area?
 
JPohling said:
CBC would allow non separated occupancy if the combined SF was less than 6000 SF. nothing like that in IBC, or your over the area?
Click to expand...
The non separated uses would apply, but the building would have to be designed for the most restrictive use based on fire alarm and fire sprinklers, which would be required for an A-2, which I'm assuming is the issue, of greater than 5,000 square feet or an occupant load of greater than 100. My best guess is that the fire barrier has been provided to avoid the installation of a sprinkler system.

The beam penetrating the fire barrier has to be treated as though it is a through penetration.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Per codegeek and cda, you should be able to do it, you just need to find a rating detail on it as a penetration or termination if the beam is at the roof deck.....One of the firestop manufacturers can probably assist you. (Hilti, 3M, etc....)
 
Thanks everyone. Inspector was calling this a "Fire Wall". Turns out we needed to educate the inspector on the difference between "Fire Barrier" and "Fire Wall". We are treating the beam as a through penetration and are applying fire-stop material in accordance with 713.3. Case closed. :D
 
nitramnaed said:
Inspector was calling this a "Fire Wall". Turns out we needed to educate the inspector on the difference between "Fire Barrier" and "Fire Wall".
Click to expand...
SMH ... that's "Construction Code 101" - it's a shame that any jurisdiction would put an inspector on the street without basic knowledge.

Glad to hear you got it squared away!
 
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