Toilet Partition Ratings

[BayPointArchitect]

Looking at Table 803.9 Interior Wall Finish Requirements by Occupancy and footnote "i"...

I am thinking that the minimum finish material for toilet partitions could be Class "C" in every case. In other words, the flame spread index could be limited to a maximum 200 regardless of the occupancy type of the overall building.

A more strict interpretation would require something a little more stringent if the toilet fixture count was more than four fixtures or if the toilet partition was located inside a jail.

And are there jurisdictions out there that really care what the flame spread rating is for toilet partitions?

 

[Examiner]

I agree with the Class C but I am curious as to why you mentioned a number of fixtures regarding flamspread of the material?

 

[BayPointArchitect]

footnote "i" under the 2009 Table 803.9 reads like this:

Class C interior finish materials shall be permitted in rooms with a capacity of four persons or less.

Alright then.

How can anyone assign an occupant load to a restroom? Typically, I consider these areas as accessory with an occupant load of zero. But I can imagine that someone could base the number according to the number of poopers.

 

[mark handler]

Looking at Table 803.9 Interior Wall Finish Requirements by Occupancy and footnote "i"...I am thinking that the minimum finish material for toilet partitions could be Class "C" in every case. In other words, the flame spread index could be limited to a maximum 200 regardless of the occupancy type of the overall building.

A more strict interpretation would require something a little more stringent if the toilet fixture count was more than four fixtures or if the toilet partition was located inside a jail. And are there jurisdictions out there that really care what the flame spread rating is for toilet partitions?

Toilet partitions inside a jail?

 

[brudgers]

footnote "i" under the 2009 Table 803.9 reads like this:Class C interior finish materials shall be permitted in rooms with a capacity of four persons or less.

Alright then.

How can anyone assign an occupant load to a restroom? Typically, I consider these areas as accessory with an occupant load of zero. But I can imagine that someone could base the number according to the number of poopers.

Capacity would be based on number of fixtures. The question is does each lava add a person of capacity. This would appear to be the case in the real world.

 

[Frank]

This is being driven by competition between toilet partition manufacturer's the HDPE partitions provide a large fuel load in an area that was generally considered a low risk area due to low fuel loadings. The traditional materials of metal and stone are generally noncombustible.

There were a number of code change proposals in the last code change cycle regarding these partitions, I dont remember all the outcomes, but I suspect they will be back for the next.

 

[mark handler]

footnote "i" under the 2009 Table 803.9 reads like this:Class C interior finish materials shall be permitted in rooms with a capacity of four persons or less.

Alright then.

How can anyone assign an occupant load to a restroom? Typically, I consider these areas as accessory with an occupant load of zero. But I can imagine that someone could base the number according to the number of poopers.

In my copy of the 2009 TABLE 803.9, I-3 does not have that footnote. Partitions would be a class B

 

[BayPointArchitect]

In my copy of the 2009 TABLE 803.9, I-3 does not have that footnote. Partitions would be a class B

Ahhh, I missed the fact that footnote "i" applies only to I-2 and I-4 occupancies. In any case, we can assume that if the scenario is an institutional occupancy, then the building area is sprinkled in accordance with IBC 903.2.6

Therefore the columns and rows where I-1, I-2, I-3, I-4 occupancies intersect with Nonsprinkled conditions should be blacked out as not applicable. Then it is possible that the toilet partitions could be class C.

I was told just a few minutes ago that this question is coming from someone who is designing a school or "E" occupancy.

 

[Examiner]

I was told by a fireman many years ago that most fires in schools occur in the Restrooms. Trash cans were some but peeling the formica back on toilet partitions and setting the glue on fire was another method.

 

[peach]

so... we allow cloth partitions between toilets? It still needs to be smooth and non absorbent. Don't look at the flame spread rating.