• Welcome to the new and improved Building Code Forum. We appreciate you being here and hope that you are getting the information that you need concerning all codes of the building trades. This is a free forum to the public due to the generosity of the Sawhorses, Corporate Supporters and Supporters who have upgraded their accounts. If you would like to have improved access to the forum please upgrade to Sawhorse by first logging in then clicking here: Upgrades

Wood Furring Strips on Ceiling Type I & II Construction

See IBC Section 603.1 #18 which references to Section 803.13

803.13 Application of Interior Finish Materials to Fire-Resistance-Rated or Noncombustible Building Elements
Where interior finish materials are applied on walls, ceilings or structural elements required to have a fire-resistance rating or to be of noncombustible construction, these finish materials shall comply with the provisions of this section.

803.13.1 Direct Attachment and Furred Construction
Where walls and ceilings are required by any provision in this code to be of fire-resistance-rated or noncombustible construction, the interior finish material shall be applied directly against such construction or
to furring strips not exceeding 1 3/4 inches (44 mm), applied directly against such surfaces.

803.13.1.1 Furred Construction

If the interior finish material is applied to furring strips, the intervening spaces between such furring strips shall comply with one of the following:
  1. Be filled with material that is inorganic or noncombustible;
  2. Be filled with material that meets the requirements of a Class A material in accordance with Section 803.1.1 or 803.1.2; or
  3. Be fireblocked at a maximum of 8 feet (2438 mm) in every direction in accordance with Section 718.
 
See IBC Section 603.1 #18 which references to Section 803.13

803.13 Application of Interior Finish Materials to Fire-Resistance-Rated or Noncombustible Building Elements
Where interior finish materials are applied on walls, ceilings or structural elements required to have a fire-resistance rating or to be of noncombustible construction, these finish materials shall comply with the provisions of this section.

803.13.1 Direct Attachment and Furred Construction
Where walls and ceilings are required by any provision in this code to be of fire-resistance-rated or noncombustible construction, the interior finish material shall be applied directly against such construction or
to furring strips not exceeding 1 3/4 inches (44 mm), applied directly against such surfaces.

803.13.1.1 Furred Construction

If the interior finish material is applied to furring strips, the intervening spaces between such furring strips shall comply with one of the following:
  1. Be filled with material that is inorganic or noncombustible;
  2. Be filled with material that meets the requirements of a Class A material in accordance with Section 803.1.1 or 803.1.2; or
  3. Be fireblocked at a maximum of 8 feet (2438 mm) in every direction in accordance with Section 718.

why not use metal hat channels?
 
How are wood and metal strips treated differently? Seems like both need to meet the 3 requirements:
  1. Be filled with material that is inorganic or noncombustible;
  2. Be filled with material that meets the requirements of a Class A material in accordance with Section 803.1.1 or 803.1.2; or
  3. Be fireblocked at a maximum of 8 feet (2438 mm) in every direction in accordance with Section 718.
 
How are wood and metal strips treated differently? Seems like both need to meet the 3 requirements:
  1. Be filled with material that is inorganic or noncombustible;
  2. Be filled with material that meets the requirements of a Class A material in accordance with Section 803.1.1 or 803.1.2; or
  3. Be fireblocked at a maximum of 8 feet (2438 mm) in every direction in accordance with Section 718.
Same requirements, just different materials.
 
Ok. In #3 Tim says why not use metal hat channels, with the implication it would make a difference in codevapplication.
Yeah, I thought the same... but per my reading of 803.13.1.1, there is no differentiation, thus the same implications whether wood or hat channel.
 
Yeah, I thought the same... but per my reading of 803.13.1.1, there is no differentiation, thus the same implications whether wood or hat channel.

Isn't hat channel, hat channel and wood furring strips are 'furring' strips? The section is for furring strips, not metal framing.
(devil's advocate)
 
803.13.1.1 Furred Construction
If the interior finish material is applied to furring strips, the intervening spaces between such furring strips shall comply with one of the following:
  1. Be filled with material that is inorganic or noncombustible;
  2. Be filled with material that meets the requirements of a Class A material in accordance with Section 803.1.1 or 803.1.2; or
  3. Be fireblocked at a maximum of 8 feet (2438 mm) in every direction in accordance with Section 718.

It says 1 of the following, #1 says in organic or noncombustible, IMHO hat channel is noncombustible so no fireblocking or filling cavities is required. Be the same as a metal stud wall with nothing in it. AHH my bad does say filled with matierial. We all miss things once in a while. :eek:
 
Top