Won-dor as FIREWALL

[Examiner]

Occupancy: Educational

Code: 2006 IBC

Construction Type: II-B w/ a fully automatic fire suppression system

Firewall: 2-hr per footnote a Table 795.4 (the building is too big without a firewall)

Now the issues/questions.

The designer has selected to use a Won-dor for the opening across the Corridor. The arrangement of Exit doors on either side of the firewall would allow the Won-dor opening to remain closed off and not create a Dead End if a fire occurred. So the Won-dor does not have to be used as a means of egress.

The location of the Won-dor is not directly in the cased opening of the firewall. I therefore, question the capability of the Won-dor to remain in place upon the collapse of the building on either side of the wall. The Won-dor is not exactly a barn horizontal sliding door as you have seen on other firewalls. The Won-dor is a movable partition that happens to have a fire rating.

If the designer is using the 2-hour Won-dor as a folding firewall is that permissible since the wall has to remain in place upon collapse of the building on either side of the rated firewall?

If the Won-door is 2-hour rated would the allowable opening limits in 705.8 go away? Protected openings in a 2-hour wall only have to be rated for 1 ½-hours.

For use in a firewall, would the Won-dor be acceptable as an opening protective device? And would it be required to be within the wall and not on the outside face?

 

[cda]

Re: Won-dor as FIREWALL

good question

 

[cda]

Re: Won-dor as FIREWALL

http://www.wondoor.com/images/phase_two ... 202007.pdf

check 3.5.1

not sure if that answers the question

 

[north star]

Re: Won-dor as FIREWALL

Examiner,

If they installed this Won-dor in a fully compliant type of cased opening

[ that was fully sealed off ], wouldn't this satisfy the requirements of a

firewall?

cda,

The ESR report you submitted is expired ( see the date at the top right of the page ).

Is there an updated ESR report on these type of doors?

 

[cda]

Re: Won-dor as FIREWALL

HAY close enough, won dor can't fiqure out icc web sit in order to contact icc to get an update.

back to two hour wall never thought about a normal rated door in a wall and does the door have to stay up if the wall falls down????? 705.2????

does 3.5.1 answer the question?????

 

[north star]

Re: Won-dor as FIREWALL

cda,

I would think that Section 705.2 in the `06 IBC would be in question when

using this type of door ( i.e. - maintaining the structural integrity ). Also,

[ IMO ] if the rated door is used as a MOE, then the door & frame SHOULD

remain intact long enough to serve as that MOE, even though the walls

on either side of the MOE door are falling / burning down.

 

[FyrBldgGuy]

Re: Won-dor as FIREWALL

In the long term I have never found Won-doors to withstand normal wear. They break down easily and getting the company to maintain the doors is very difficult.

I know the AHJ does not have the ability to prohibit a tested assembly. However, expect to see failed inspection/test reports on these types of doors in the future.

I am currently helping a client who has a building with 8 Won-doors used as area separation walls opening protectives. We have been unable to get all 8 doors to pass testing on any given day. These doors were installed in 1993-94 and rarely get used.

 

[RLM-Architect]

Re: Won-dor as FIREWALL

Back in the day, prior to 1990, I was a WonDoor rep and had some experience with the product and installed several thousand square feet of the product.

To verify the condition, I understand that the "wall" in question is a FIREWALL as defined in IBC Section 705.

The condition that you state regarding the building size is where the requirement for the fire wall comes from. I verify the Table 705.4 footnote (a) does permit a 2 hour firewall.

Table 715.4 requires a 90 minute opening protective in that 2 hour wall.

In my opinion, if the WonDoor assembly is properly installed IN THE WALL ASSEMBLY which would mean in a rated "frame" as designed and tested by the manufacturer in accordance with the proper testing standards (like NFPA 80), then the door should be allowed in the opening.

Where problems have been found in WonDoors, it has been typically in the maintenance and required annual testing area which also applies to hinged doors whether automatic or self closing.

Make sure you require the shop drawing to be submitted to ensure that the WonDoor company has provided the proper installation details and then verify that the installation is in compliance with the installation drawings. Field verify that the supporting beams and other required structure has been properly installed prior to ceiling installation and make sure that the contractor knows you want to see it at that stage and to call you when he is ready.

Hope this helps.

 

[TJacobs]

Re: Won-dor as FIREWALL

I agree with RLM-Architect.