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wood used in Type IIB construction

N

Nicole Brooks

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Sep 21, 2018
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112
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Baltimore
A tenant has gone ahead and built out their space with wood studs after being told to use metal. They are now asking if they can paint the wood with intumescent paint in order to save what they've already done. I know they could have used FRT studs for non load bearing partitions that require less than a 2hr rating. I looked at the definition of "fire retardant treated wood" and it specifically says "impregnated" with fire resistant chemicals. So, by definition, it wouldn't be "fire retardant door" but it would be protects. Anyone know if this would pass inspection?
 
There are like 30 exceptions in 601-602? maybe, and I believe there is one for <30 OL and 1 hour rated.....but I can't remember all of the details
 
Short answer, no they cannot. FR treated must be done during the manufacture of the lumber, and cannot be done on-site.

[BS] FIRE-RETARDANT-TREATED WOOD. Wood products that, when impregnated with chemicals by a pressure process or other means during manufacture, exhibit reduced surface-burning characteristics and resist propagation of fire.

2021 IBC 603.1 Allowable Materials​

Combustible materials shall be permitted in buildings of Type I or II construction in the following applications and in accordance with Sections 603.1.1 through 603.1.3:
  1. Fire-retardant-treated wood shall be permitted in:
    1. Nonbearing partitions where the required fire-resistance rating is 2 hours or less except in shaft enclosures within Group I-2 occupancies and ambulatory care facilities.
    2. Nonbearing exterior walls where fire-resistance-rated construction is not required.
    3. Roof construction, including girders, trusses, framing and decking.
      Exceptions:
      1. In buildings of Type IA construction exceeding two stories above grade plane, fire-retardant-treated wood is not permitted in roof construction where the vertical distance from the upper floor to the roof is less than 20 feet (6096 mm).
      2. Group I-2, roof construction containing fire-retardant-treated wood shall be covered by not less than a Class A roof covering or roof assembly, and the roof assembly shall have a fire-resistance rating where required by the construction type.
    4. Balconies, porches, decks and exterior stairways not used as required exits on buildings three stories or less above grade plane.
  2. Thermal and acoustical insulation, other than foam plastics, having a flame spread index of not more than 25.
    Exceptions:
    1. Insulation placed between two layers of noncombustible materials without an intervening airspace shall be allowed to have a flame spread index of not more than 100.
    2. Insulation installed between a finished floor and solid decking without intervening airspace shall be allowed to have a flame spread index of not more than 200.
  3. Foam plastics in accordance with Chapter 26.
  4. Roof coverings that have an A, B or C classification.
  5. Interior floor finish and floor covering materials installed in accordance with Section 804.
  6. Millwork such as doors, door frames, window sashes and frames.
  7. Interior wall and ceiling finishes installed in accordance with Section 803.
  8. Trim installed in accordance with Section 806.
  9. Where not installed greater than 15 feet (4572 mm) above grade, show windows, nailing or furring strips and wooden bulkheads below show windows, including their frames, aprons and show cases.
  10. Finish flooring installed in accordance with Section 805.
  11. Partitions dividing portions of stores, offices or similar places occupied by one tenant only and that do not establish a corridor serving an occupant load of 30 or more shall be permitted to be constructed of fire-retardant-treated wood, 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction or of wood panels or similar light construction up to 6 feet (1829 mm) in height.
  12. Stages and platforms constructed in accordance with Sections 410.2 and 410.3, respectively.
  13. Combustible exterior wall coverings, balconies and similar projections and bay or oriel windows in accordance with Chapter 14 and Section 705.2.3.1.
  14. Blocking such as for handrails, millwork, cabinets and window and door frames.
  15. Light-transmitting plastics as permitted by Chapter 26.
  16. Mastics and caulking materials applied to provide flexible seals between components of exterior wall construction.
  17. Exterior plastic veneer installed in accordance with Section 2605.2.
  18. Nailing or furring strips as permitted by Section 803.15.
  19. Heavy timber as permitted by Note c to Table 601 and Sections 602.4.4.4 and 705.2.3.1.
  20. Aggregates, component materials and admixtures as permitted by Section 703.2.1.2.
  21. Sprayed fire-resistant materials and intumescent and mastic fire-resistant coatings, determined on the basis of fire resistance tests in accordance with Section 703.2 and installed in accordance with Sections 1705.15 and 1705.16, respectively.
  22. Materials used to protect penetrations in fire-resistance-rated assemblies in accordance with Section 714.
  23. Materials used to protect joints in fire-resistance-rated assemblies in accordance with Section 715.
  24. Materials allowed in the concealed spaces of buildings of Types I and II construction in accordance with Section 718.5.
  25. Materials exposed within plenums complying with Section 602 of the International Mechanical Code.
  26. Wall construction of freezers and coolers of less than 1,000 square feet (92.9 m2), in size, lined on both sides with noncombustible materials and the building is protected throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
  27. Wood nailers for parapet flashing and roof cants.
 
steveray said:
#11 was the one i was thinking...worked for me one time but doesn't seem to work here...
Click to expand...
I've always taken #11 as referring to non-permanent or semi-permanent, movable wall segments such as in the following images. Note the 6' limit.
1693584314389.png 1693584438844.png
 
steveray said:
most of those are under 5'9" and don't get a permit anyway...
Click to expand...
Depends on the jurisdiction. Some places require the modular furniture to be in place for final inspection, some places won’t allow it to be installed until after final. And if there is electrical whips involved it would need a permit.
 
e hilton said:
Depends on the jurisdiction. Some places require the modular furniture to be in place for final inspection, some places won’t allow it to be installed until after final. And if there is electrical whips involved it would need a permit.
Click to expand...
Reference was to #13.

2021 IBC [A] 105.2 Work Exempt From Permit​

Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction. Permits shall not be required for the following:
Building:
  1. One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided that the floor area is not greater than 120 square feet (11 m2).
  2. Fences not over 7 feet (2134 mm) high.
  3. Oil derricks.
  4. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or IIIA liquids.
  5. Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity is not greater than 5,000 gallons (18 925 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width is not greater than 2:1.
  6. Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade, and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route.
  7. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.
  8. Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.
  9. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep, are not greater than 5,000 gallons (18 925 L) and are installed entirely above ground.
  10. Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems.
  11. Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings.
  12. Window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies, supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches (1372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
  13. Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches (1753 mm) in height.
...Continues w/ Electrical, Gas, Mechanical, and Plumbing
 
Not enough information to suggest a fix. Let them use the intumescent paint and then cover that with two layers of 5/8 Type X sheetrock.
 
Not sure if this should have been a new thread however:
Table 803.11 (FBC 2023) footnote a. allows up to 1,000 of Class C paneling in the 'lobby'. What would be the limit in other areas of a restaurant?
 
I think, when you said the wall separates "THEIR SPACE"! You immediately implied it was a Rated assembly and therefore a Non Starter idea
 
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