Penetrations on non-rated walls

[jar546]

Are non-rated walls that are spec'd to have gypsum on them allowed to have openings?
If not, do you have a code section that covers your concern?
Let's discuss:

 

[Mr. Inspector]

Not required. They could have windows and doorways too.

 

[RLGA]

Penetrations in a non-rated wall are not required to be protected. Even if the wall is required to be protected per the construction type (e.g., Type VA, which requires 1-hour construction for bearing walls), it is not required to have protected penetrations or openings (this, however, does not apply to horizontal assemblies)--only the four rated wall assemblies (fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions, and smoke barriers) are required to have protected openings. Smoke partitions will only need to have systems that meet the leakage requirements of Section 710.

 

[classicT]

I agree with Rick and Ron for the most part. While the pictures posted by Jar appear to be of an attic, I'd add that interior spaces may have requirements for interior finishes that will require combustibles be treated or covered. See Chapter 8, specifically Section 803 and Table 803.11.

803.1 General
Interior wall and ceiling finish materials shall be classified for fire performance and smoke development in accordance with Section 803.1.1 or 803.1.2, except as shown in Sections 803.2 through 803.13. Materials tested in accordance with Section 803.1.2 shall not be required to be tested in accordance with Section 803.1.1.

803.1.1 Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish Materials
Interior wall and ceiling finish materials shall be classified in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723. Such interior finish materials shall be grouped in the following classes in accordance with their flame spread and smoke-developed indexes.
Class A: = Flame spread index 0-25; smoke-developed index 0-450.
Class B: = Flame spread index 26-75; smoke-developed index 0-450.
Class C: = Flame spread index 76-200; smoke-developed index 0-450.

Exception: Materials tested in accordance with Section 803.1.2.
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803.11 Interior Finish Requirements Based on Group
Interior wall and ceiling finish shall have a flame spread index not greater than that specified in Table 803.11 for the group and location designated. Interior wall and ceiling finish materials tested in accordance with NFPA 286 and meeting the acceptance criteria of Section 803.1.2.1, shall be permitted to be used where a Class A classification in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723 is required.​

 

[kilitact]

Additionally energy code requirements for openings in attics and exterior will need to be addressed.