Removable wood constructed display walls Class B Occupancy

[baroncasey1955]

What I can gather from my findings is that it is a Type 2 construction building the retail space had sprinklers and the occupancy classification will be probably B for a small medical facility. Creating modular wood display walls that makeup patent rooms within the space not attached to the existing structure. The walls will be sprayed with Fire Protection coating giving it a 1-hour class A coating. Do you see any red flags this might be for the building inspector or fire marshal? Thanks!

 

[fatboy]

Is the Coating tested and listed by an approved agency for the purpose?

 

[Mr. Inspector]

I would think that these modular walls to be furniture and not in the codes.

 

[baroncasey1955]

Is the Coating tested and listed by an approved agency for the purpose?

Yes

 

[RLGA]

If they are not load-bearing, then they do not need a fire-resistance rating. However, they would need a flame spread and smoke-developed classification per ASTM E84 or UL 723. If the occupancy group is B and the building is sprinklered, the finish classification needs to only be Class C. Many types of solid wood will provide Class C and some even Class B. Nearly all panel products provide at least a Class C (Reference: https://www.awc.org/pdf/codes-standards/publications/dca/AWC-DCA1-FlameSpreadPerformance-1906.pdf).

One thing to keep in mind is HIPAA privacy. Although the HIPAA requirements do not require structural changes to facilities, it would be wise to provide some level of acoustic separation that would prevent normal speech from being clearly understood in an adjacent room.

 

[baroncasey1955]

If they are not load-bearing, then they do not need a fire-resistance rating. However, they would need a flame spread and smoke-developed classification per ASTM E84 or UL 723. If the occupancy group is B and the building is sprinklered, the finish classification needs to only be Class C. Many types of solid wood will provide Class C and some even Class B. Nearly all panel products provide at least a Class C (Reference: https://www.awc.org/pdf/codes-standards/publications/dca/AWC-DCA1-FlameSpreadPerformance-1906.pdf).

One thing to keep in mind is HIPAA privacy. Although the HIPAA requirements do not require structural changes to facilities, it would be wise to provide some level of acoustic separation that would prevent normal speech from being clearly understood in an adjacent room.

thanks for the clarification. we did spray all the panels down with fire protection spray that give it a class A rating.

 

[cda]

thanks for the clarification. we did spray all the panels down with fire protection spray that give it a class A rating.

Just because you sprayed it,,, does not mean it took

Some materials will not absorb the treatment.

You should ask the local building official if it is even needed.

Not my area, so can not say yes or no

 

[steveray]

Sounds like a non-bearing partition and would have to be non-combustible or meet an exception in IBC 603...Calling it a "display wall" doesn't change what it is, but it is splitting hairs.

 

[baroncasey1955]

found this:
603.1 Allowable Materials

Combustible materials shall be permitted in buildings of Type I or II construction in the following applications and in accordance with Sections 603.1.1 through 603.1.3:

1. Fire-retardant-treated wood shall be permitted in:
   1. Nonbearing partitions where the required fire-resistance rating is 2 hours or less.
   2. Nonbearing exterior walls where fire-resistance rated construction is not required.
   3. Roof construction, including girders, trusses, framing and decking.

 

[steveray]

Fire-retardant-treated wood. Wood products that, when
impregnated with chemicals by a pressure process or other
means during manufacture, exhibit reduced surface-burning
characteristics and resist propagation of fire.

 

[cda]

Or if meets non or limited combustible?