wood post and beam fire protection in type VA construction

[ElArch]

Hi,
I am working on a type VA apartment building. There are some wood posts within 1 hour fire rated wall. Do I need to individually fire protect these posts? In my previous company we added 5/8" type 'x' gyp board in all side of these posts. Since these posts are within the 1hr wall. I am not sure if it is necessary. Thanks!

 

[steveray]

Hi,
I am working on a type VA apartment building. There are some wood posts within 1 hour fire rated wall. Do I need to individually fire protect these posts? In my previous company we added 5/8" type 'x' gyp board in all side of these posts. Since these posts are within the 1hr wall. I am not sure if it is necessary. Thanks!

Well that depends on a few things...

704.2​

Where columns are required to have protection to achieve a fire-resistance rating, the entire column shall be provided individual encasement protection by protecting it on all sides for the full column height, including connections to other structural members, with materials having the required fire-resistance rating. Where the column extends through a ceiling, the encasement protection shall be continuous from the top of the foundation or floor/ceiling assembly below through the ceiling space to the top of the column.

Exception: Columns that meet the limitations of Section 704.4.1.

 

[redeyedfly]

704.4.1 is a very significant exception in this case.

 

[steveray]

704.4.1 is a very significant exception in this case.

Just not sure if it is applicable in this case...

 

[ElArch]

Just not sure if it is applicable in this case...

I think that posts supporting beams are not in this exception. Posts that are part of the wall are in this exception.


704.4.1 Light-Frame Construction
Assembly
Studs, columns and boundary elements that are integral elements in walls of light-frame construction and are located entirely between the top and bottom plates or tracks shall be permitted to have required fire-resistance ratings provided by the membrane protection provided for the wall.

 

[redeyedfly]

I think that posts supporting beams are not in this exception. Posts that are part of the wall are in this exception.

704.4.1 Light-Frame Construction
Assembly
Studs, columns and boundary elements that are integral elements in walls of light-frame construction and are located entirely between the top and bottom plates or tracks shall be permitted to have required fire-resistance ratings provided by the membrane protection provided for the wall.

Why else would you have a post in a wall?

You're misreading this section of code. It only requires that the post is within the plates of the FRR assembly, it doesn't matter what it's supporting.