Section 230. Chapter 7 Fire and smoke protection features

A. Change Section 703.7 of the IBC to read:

703.7 Fire-resistance assembly marking. Where there is a concealed floor, floor-ceiling, or attic space, the fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions, smoke barriers, or any other wall required to have protected openings or penetrations shall be designated above ceilings and on the inside of all ceiling access doors that provide access to such fire rated assemblies by signage having letters no smaller than one inch (25.4 mm) in height. Such signage shall indicate the fire-resistance rating of the assembly and the type of assembly and be provided at horizontal intervals of no more than eight feet (2438 mm).

Note: An example of suggested formatting for the signage would be "ONE HOUR FIRE PARTITION."

B. Change the exceptions to Section 705.2 of the IBC to read:

Exceptions:

1. Buildings on the same lot and considered as portions of one building in accordance with Section 705.3 are not required to comply with this section.

2. Decks and open porches of buildings of Groups R-3 and R-4.

C. Add Exception 4 to Section 706.5.2 of the IBC to read:

4. Decks and open porches of buildings in Groups R-3 and R-4.

D. Change Section 709.5 of the IBC to read:

709.5 Openings. Openings in a smoke barrier shall be protected in accordance with Section 716.

Exceptions:

1. In Group I-1 Condition 2, Group I-2, and ambulatory care facilities where doors are installed across corridors, a pair of opposite-swinging doors without a center mullion shall be installed having vision panels with fire-protection-rated glazing materials in fire-protection-rated frames, the area of which shall not exceed that tested. The doors shall be close fitting within operational tolerances and shall not have undercuts in excess of 3/4-inch, louvers, or grilles. The doors shall have head and jamb stops, astragals, or rabbets at meeting edges and shall be automatic-closing by smoke detection in accordance with Section 716.5.9.3. Where permitted by the door manufacturer's listing, positive-latching devices are not required.

2. In Group I-1 Condition 2, Group I-2, and ambulatory care facilities, horizontal sliding doors installed in accordance with Section 1008.1.4.3 and protected in accordance with Section 716.

E. Delete Sections 713.14.1 and 713.14.1.1.

F. Change Section 716.5.3.1 of the IBC to read:

716.5.3.1 Smoke and draft control. Fire door assemblies located in smoke barrier walls shall also meet the requirements for a smoke and draft control door assembly tested in accordance with UL 1784. The air leakage rate of the door assembly shall not exceed 3.0 cubic feet per minute per square foot (0.01524 m³/s ∙ m²) of door opening at 0.10 inch (24.9 Pa) of water for both the ambient temperature and elevated temperature tests. Louvers shall be prohibited. Installation of smoke doors shall be in accordance with NFPA 105.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 22, Issue 03, eff. November 16, 2005; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 14, eff. May 1, 2008; Volume 27, Issue 02, eff. March 1, 2011; Change in Effective Date, 27:5 VA.R. 534 November 8, 2010; amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 16, eff. July 14, 2014.

Statutory Authority

§ 36-98 of the Code of Virginia.