Dwelling unit separation at balcony

[cda]

Fire code does not allow

Or smoking

or candles

or patio lights

or Christmas lights year round

or a place to put fire place ashes

or

 

[Sifu]

An expert just answered my question by confirming this is a highly controversial topic that a bunch of very well respected authorities in the field can't agree on. I don't feel so bad now.

 

[tmurray]

I am in the camp of "it's not in the building, so there is no requirement to separate". Firewalls are a good example of where this is explicitly addressed by the code. One could conclude that by not including similar language in the requirements for separations between dwelling units, the same level of protection is not required by the code.

 

[ADAguy]

Touchy subject, wonder what fire insurers say?

 

[Mr. Inspector]

I will likely be working on proposals for IBC 2024 to begin this discussion at the ICC code development level.

How about starting with a definition of a "deck"

 

[Harrison Staab]

For what it's worth the AHJ did not budge on the requirement that the dwelling unit separation continue via the exterior wall dividing the balconies. He did allow that wall to stop short of the edge of the balcony slightly to maintain the visual appearance we had designed with the railings running past the divider wall. His rationalization for this was that the separation wall just extend to or beyond the main roof line (not the balcony projection beyond). Thanks all for the discussion.

 

[cda]

For what it's worth the AHJ did not budge on the requirement that the dwelling unit separation continue via the exterior wall dividing the balconies. He did allow that wall to stop short of the edge of the balcony slightly to maintain the visual appearance we had designed with the railings running past the divider wall. His rationalization for this was that the separation wall just extend to or beyond the main roof line (not the balcony projection beyond). Thanks all for the discussion.

Ok, boy now the next guy is going to get the business.

 

[Buildrightson]

Hi all,
I'm looking at a similar issue regarding the balcony projections, and unprotected openings between suites.
I just posted it in this thread, not to hijack the post, maybe they can be merged somehow.
unprotected openings between suites - balcony (scroll to ~ post 8 or so)

 

[khsmith55]

I believe your train of thought is correct.

Here it is again, fire separation for decks. Whether FSD or occupancy separation, the code is simply not equipped to handle this or provide for consistent interpretations. I will likely be working on proposals for IBC 2024 to begin this discussion at the ICC code development level. With support from the North American Deck and Railing Association, I have been able to assist in deck code development since the 2015 editions. WE WELCOME discussion, ideas, disagreement, and collaboration PRIOR to submitting our proposals. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have an interest in seeing this addressed more clearly in the IBC and IRC.

To the original poster, I am in the Denver area. These are my code peers. I appreciate you not naming (shaming) the jurisdiction, but if you would let me know which it was in a private message, I would be able to reach out to them in a positive manner to better understand their position on this interpretation. Heck, I may know the reviewer! This is simply to help better craft proposals for the future codes.

Let's look at this in a different way. I agree with other posters that separation is not required at the decks because the fire most likely won't "jump" around the corner and breach the other unit but will dissipate to the exterior. An analogy might be a covered exit balcony open on one side with stairs at each end. The exterior wall in this case is not even required to be rated because the fire will most likely dissipate out. In my simple mind, there is really no difference between the exit balcony and the unit deck as far as dwelling unit separation. Thoughts?

Ken

 

[jar546]

For what it's worth the AHJ did not budge on the requirement that the dwelling unit separation continue via the exterior wall dividing the balconies. He did allow that wall to stop short of the edge of the balcony slightly to maintain the visual appearance we had designed with the railings running past the divider wall. His rationalization for this was that the separation wall just extend to or beyond the main roof line (not the balcony projection beyond). Thanks all for the discussion.

Thank you for bringing this controversial subject to the forum for discussion. This shows an area that needs to be revisited for clarification purposes when it comes to a new code cycle.