Separation requirement in existing condo unit?

[Emily F]

I'm remodeling my 700 sq.ft. unit in an 8 unit, old condo building, ground floor with its own egress. IBC 706.4 requires a 2 hour vertical and horizontal separation between units. That is nearly impossible, given that all construction would have to be done on my side of the wall / floor assembly. Am I reading this right, or are there exceptions to go down to one hour, given existing building and small footprint? Thanks

 

[RLGA]

IBC 706.4 requires a 2 hour vertical and horizontal separation between units.

No, it does not. Section 706 applies to fire walls that separate large buildings into smaller buildings while staying within the allowable area requirements for the selected (or existing) construction type.

Dwelling units in multi-unit buildings only require 1-hour fire partitions per IBC Section 708 for dwelling unit separation as required by IBC Section 420.2. If your unit is located above another unit, then the floor assembly between units must also be separated by a 1-hour horizontal assembly per IBC Section 711 as required by IBC Section 420.3.

If the building is of Type IIB, IIIB, or VB construction and sprinklered throughout in accordance with the NFPA 13 sprinkler system, the walls and floor only need to be 30-minute fire partitions or horizontal assemblies.

If the walls have at least a single layer of 5/8-inch Type X gypsum board on each side, then you are probably okay. If you are not affecting any of the walls separating your unit from other units, then the existing walls are grandfathered and you need not worry about it.

 

[Emily F]

Thank you for the clarification! That helps a lot!

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

I'm remodeling my 700 sq.ft. unit in an 8 unit, old condo building, ground floor with its own egress. IBC 706.4 requires a 2 hour vertical and horizontal separation between units. That is nearly impossible, given that all construction would have to be done on my side of the wall / floor assembly. Am I reading this right, or are there exceptions to go down to one hour, given existing building and small footprint? Thanks

Why are you looking at section 706 of the IBC? Louisiana adopts the IEBC. Start there, decide whether you want to follow the Prescptive Method, the Work Area Method, or the Performance Method, then follow the IEBC provisions for the chosen method. Only open the IBC to those sections the IEBC sends you to.