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4.1 Scope.
The provisions of this chapter apply to high challenge (HC) fire walls, fire walls, and fire barrier walls unless modified by provisions of
Chapters 5, 6, or 7, respectively, and shall hereafter in this chapter be referred to as walls.

4.2 * Design Loads.

4.2.1
All walls and their supports shall be designed for loads in accordance with ASCE/SEI 7, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and
Other Structures, and to withstand a minimum uniform load of 5 lbf/ft2 (0.24 kPa) for allowable stress design or 8 lbf/ft2 (0.38 kPa) for
strength design. Lateral loads shall be applied perpendicular to the face of the wall from either direction.

4.2.2
Loads used in design of walls during fire exposure shall be in accordance with the requirements of Section 4.3 or Section 4.4.

4.3 Fire Resistance Ratings.

4.3.1 *
The fire resistance rating of assemblies shall be determined in accordance with ASTM E119, Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of
Building Construction and Materials; ANSI/UL 263, Standard for Safety for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials; or other
approved test methods or analytical methods in accordance with 4.3.2.

4.3.2 Analytical Methods.

4.3.2.1 General.
Analytical methods used to determine the fire resistance rating of building assemblies shall comply with 4.3.2.2 or 4.3.2.3. Gravity
design loads shall be determined and reported in accordance with requirements of ASTM E119, Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests
of Building Construction and Materials, or UL 263, Standard for Safety for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials.

4.3.2.2 * Calculations.

4.3.2.2.1
Where calculations are used to establish the fire resistance rating of structural elements or assemblies, they shall be permitted to be
performed in accordance with ASCE/SFPE 29.

4.3.2.2.2
Where calculations are used to establish the fire resistance rating of concrete or masonry elements or assemblies, the provisions of
ACI 216.1, Determining Fire Resistance of Concrete and Masonry Construction Assemblies, shall be permitted to be used.

4.3.2.3 Methods.

4.3.2.3.1
Except for the method specified in 4.3.2.2, analytical methods used to calculate the fire resistance rating of building assemblies or
structural elements shall be approved.

4.3.2.3.2
Where an approved analytical method is used to establish the fire resistance rating of a structural element or building assembly, the
calculations shall be based on the fire exposure and acceptance criteria specified in ASTM E119, Standard Test Methods for Fire
Tests of Building Construction and Materials, or UL 263, Standard for Safety for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials.

4.4 Performance­Based Design.

Analytical methods used to calculate the fire performance of building assemblies or structural elements shall be approved. All walls
and their supports shall be designed for loads in accordance with Section 2.5, Load Combinations for Extraordinary Events of
ASCE/SEI 7, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, where the lateral load associated with Ak is a uniform lateral
load of 8 lbf/ft2 (0.24 kPa) applied perpendicular to the face of the wall from either direction.

4.5 Ducts and Air­Transfer Openings.

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4.5.1 General.
The provisions of Section 4.5 shall govern the materials and methods of construction used to protect ducts and air­transfer openings
in fire walls, fire resistance–rated horizontal assemblies, and fire barrier walls.

4.5.2 * Fire Damper Requirements.

Fire dampers shall be installed to protect ducts and air­transfer openings that penetrate fire barriers and fire walls as required by
other sections of the applicable building code.

4.5.2.1
Fire dampers shall be designed and tested in accordance with the requirements of UL 555, Standard for Safety for Fire Dampers, and
shall have the minimum fire protection rating specified in Table 4.5.2.1 for the rating of the assembly penetrated.

Table 4.5.2.1 Fire Damper Rating

Fire Resistance
Rating of Minimum Damper
Wall Assembly Rating (hr)
3­hr or greater fire 3
resistance–rated assemblies
Less than 3­hr fire 1 1∕2
resistance–rated assemblies

4.5.2.2
In systems where fans continue to operate in the emergency mode, dynamic fire dampers shall be required.

4.5.2.3
Fire dampers shall be required in the following locations:

(1) Ducts and air­transfer openings penetrating walls or partitions having a fire resistance rating of 2 or more hours
(2) Ducts and air­transfer openings penetrating shaft walls having a fire resistance rating of 1 or more hours
(3) Air­transfer openings that occur in walls or partitions that are required to have a fire­resistive rating of 30 minutes or more

4.5.2.4
Fire dampers shall not be required in the following locations:

(1) In a duct system serving only one floor and used only for exhaust of air to the outside and not penetrating a wall having a
required fire resistance rating of 2 hours or more or passing entirely through the system and contained within its own
dedicated shaft
(2) Where branch ducts connect to enclosed exhaust risers in which the airflow is upward, and steel subducts at least 22 in.
(560 mm) in length are carried up inside the riser at each inlet

4.5.3 Installation.

4.5.3.1
Air­conditioning, heating, and ventilating ductwork and related equipment, including fire dampers, smoke dampers, combination fire
and smoke dampers, and ceiling radiation dampers, shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 90A or NFPA 90B, where applicable.

4.5.3.2
The equipment specified in 4.5.3.1 shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of Section 4.5, the manufacturer's
installation instructions, its listing, and the applicable mechanical code as specified in Chapter 50 of NFPA 5000.

4.5.4 Access and Identification.

4.5.4.1 Access.
Fire and smoke dampers shall be provided with an approved means of access, as follows:

(1) The means of access shall be large enough to allow inspection and maintenance of the damper and its operating parts.
(2) The access shall not affect the integrity of fire resistance–rated assemblies.
(3) The access openings shall not reduce the fire resistance rating of the assembly.

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(4) Access doors in ducts shall be tight­fitting and suitable for the required duct construction.
(5) Access and maintenance shall comply with the requirements of the mechanical code.

4.5.4.2 Identification.
Access points to fire and smoke dampers shall be permanently identified by one of the following:

(1) A label having letters not less than 1∕2 in. (13 mm) in height reading as follows in (a), (b), or (c):
(a) FIRE/SMOKE DAMPER
(b) SMOKE DAMPER
(c) FIRE DAMPER
(2) Symbols as approved by the authority having jurisdiction.

4.5.5 * Fire Damper Actuation Device.

The operating temperature of the heat­actuating device shall be approximately 50°F (27.8°C) above the normal temperature within
the duct system, but not less than 160°F (71°C); or it shall be not more than 286°F (141°C) where located in a required smoke control
system; or, where a combination fire and smoke damper is installed, it shall not exceed 350°F (177°C) where located in a smoke
control system.

4.6 * Double Wall Assemblies.

Where either wall of a double wall is laterally supported by a building frame with a fire resistance rating less than that required for the
wall, double wall assemblies shall be considered to have a combined assembly fire resistance rating as specified in Table 4.6.

Table 4.6 Fire Resistance Ratings

for Double Wall Assemblies
Fire Resistance
Rating of Equivalent to
Each Wall (hr) Single Wall (hr)
3 4
2 3
1 2

4.7 * Impact Damage.

4.7.1
Where the wall is subject to impact damage from moving vehicles or the handling of merchandise or other activity, protection against
impact damage shall be provided for an appropriate height but not less than 60 in. (1525 mm) from the finished floor.

4.7.2
Where the fire­protective covering of a structural element required to have a fire resistance rating by Section 5.4 or Section 6.4 is
subject to impact damage from moving vehicles, the handling of merchandise, or other activity, protection against impact damage
shall be provided for an appropriate height but not less than 60 in. (1525 mm) from the finished floor.

4.8 * Joints.
The provisions of Section 4.8 shall govern the materials and methods of construction used to protect joints within or between walls in
accordance with 4.8.1.

4.8.1 Joint System Required.

4.8.1.1
Joints made within or between fire resistance–rated assemblies shall be protected with a joint system that is designed and tested to
prevent the spread of fire for a time period equal to that of the assembly in which the joint is located.

4.8.1.2
The materials, systems, or devices specified in 4.8.1.1 shall be tested as part of the assembly in accordance with the requirements of
ASTM E1966, Standard Test Method for Fire­Resistive Joint Systems, or ANSI/UL 2079, Standard for Safety for Tests for Fire
Resistance of Building Joint Systems.

4.8.1.2.1
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Testing of the joint system shall be representative of the actual installation.

4.8.1.2.2
All joint systems shall be tested at their maximum joint width in accordance with the requirements of ASTM E1966, Standard Test
Method for Fire­Resistive Joint Systems, or ANSI/UL 2079, Standard for Safety for Tests for Fire Resistance of Building Joint System,
under a minimum positive pressure differential of 0.01 in. of water column (2.5 Pa) for a time period equal to that of the assembly.

4.8.1.2.3
All test specimens shall comply with the minimum height or length required by the standard.

4.8.1.2.4
Wall assemblies shall be subjected to a hose stream test in accordance with ASTM E119, Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of
Building Construction and Materials, or UL 263, Standard for Safety for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials.

4.9 Opening Protectives.

4.9.1
Openings in walls shall be equipped with opening protectives.

4.9.2 Minimum Fire Protection Rating.

Unless required otherwise by the applicable building code, opening protectives shall have a minimum fire protection rating as
specified in Table 4.9.2.

Table 4.9.2 Minimum Fire Protection Ratings for Opening Protectives in Fire Resistance–Rated
Assemblies
Fire Resistance
Rating Fire Protection Rating
Walls and Fire Door Fire Window
Component Partitions (hr) Assemblies (hr) Assemblies (hr)
Elevator hoistways 2 1 1∕2 NP

1 1 NP

Vertical shafts (including stairways, exits, and 2 1 1∕2 NP

refuse chutes)
1 1 NP

HC fire walls and fire walls 4 See Sections 5.8 and NP

6.10
3 3 NP
2 1
1 ∕2 NP

Fire barrier 4 3 NP
3 3 NP
2 1 1∕2 NP

1 ¾ ¾
Horizontal exits 2 1 1∕2 NP

Horizontal exits served by bridges between 2 ¾ ¾

buildings

Corridors, exit access 1 1

∕3 ¾
1 1 1
∕2 ∕3 ∕3

NP: Not permitted.

4.9.3 Fire Door Assemblies and Fire Window Assemblies.

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4.9.3.1
Openings required to have a fire protection rating by Table 4.9.2 shall be protected by approved, listed, and labeled fire door
assemblies and fire window assemblies and their accompanying hardware, including all frames, closing devices, anchorage and sills
in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 80.

4.9.3.2
Fire protection ratings for products intended to comply with 4.9.3 shall be as determined and reported by a nationally recognized
testing agency in accordance with NFPA 252 or NFPA 257.

4.9.3.2.1
NFPA 257 shall evaluate fire protection–rated glazing under positive pressure.

4.9.3.2.2
NFPA 252 or UL 10C shall evaluate side­hinged or pivoted­swinging doors under positive pressure.

4.9.3.2.3
NFPA 252 shall evaluate doors, other than side­hinged or pivoted­swinging doors, with the neutral pressure plane no higher than the
top of the door.

4.9.3.2.4
All fire door assemblies and fire window assemblies shall bear an approved label.

4.9.4 * Fire Door Closers.

4.9.4.1
Unless otherwise specified, fire doors shall be self­closing or automatic closing.

4.9.4.2
Fire doors used to protect the means of egress shall be self­closing or automatic­closing in accordance with 4.9.4.2.1.

4.9.4.2.1
In any building of low or ordinary hazard contents, as defined in 3.3.1, or where approved by the authority having jurisdiction, door
leaves shall be permitted to be automatic­closing, provided that the following criteria are met:

(1) Upon release of the hold­open mechanism, the door leaf becomes self­closing.
(2) The release device is designed so that the door leaf instantly releases manually and, upon release, becomes self­closing, or
the leaf can be readily closed.
(3) The automatic releasing mechanism or medium is activated by the operation of approved smoke detectors in​ stalled in
accordance with the requirements for smoke detectors for door leaf release service in NFPA 72.
(4) Upon loss of power to the hold­open device, the hold­open mechanism is released, and the door leaf becomes self­closing.
(5) The release by means of smoke detection of one door leaf in a stair enclosure results in closing all door leaves serving that
stair.

4.9.4.3 Initiating Devices.

Detection devices activating the closer shall conform to NFPA 72.

4.9.5 Use of Wired Glass.

4.9.5.1
Wired glass that is 1∕4 in. (6.3 mm) thick and labeled for fire protection purposes shall be permitted to be used in approved opening
protectives, with the maximum sizes in accordance with their listing.

4.9.5.2
Other glazing materials that have been tested and labeled to indicate the type of opening to be protected for fire protection purposes
shall be permitted to be used in approved opening protectives in accordance with their listing and with the maximum sizes tested.

4.9.6 Nonsymmetrical Glazing Systems.

Nonsymmetrical fire protection–rated glazing systems shall be tested with each face exposed to the furnace, and the assigned fire
protection rating shall be the shortest duration obtained from the two tests conducted in compliance with NFPA 257.

4.10 Penetrations.
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4.10.1 General.
The provisions of Section 4.10 shall govern the materials and methods of construction used to protect through­penetrations and
membrane penetrations.

4.10.2 Firestop Systems and Devices Required.

Penetrations for cables, cable trays, conduits, pipes, tubes, combustion vents and exhaust vents, wires, and similar items to
accommodate electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and communications systems that pass through a wall, assembly constructed as a
fire barrier shall be protected by a firestop system or device.

4.10.2.1 Testing.
The firestop system or device shall be tested in accordance with ASTM E814 or UL 1479, under a minimum positive pressure
differential of 0.01 in. water column (2.5 Pa) between the exposed and the unexposed surface of the test assembly.

4.10.2.2 Alternative Requirements.

4.10.2.2.1
The requirements of 4.10.2 and 4.10.2.1 shall not apply where otherwise permitted by any one of the following:

(1)* Where penetrations are tested and installed as part of an assembly in accordance with the ASTM E119, Standard Test
Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials or UL 263, Standard for Safety for Fire Tests of Building
Construction and Materials, rated assembly
(2) Where penetrations through floors are enclosed in a shaft enclosure designed as a fire barrier
(3) Where concrete, grout, or mortar has been used to fill the annular spaces around cast­iron, copper, or steel piping, or steel
conduit or tubing, that penetrates one or more concrete or masonry fire resistance–rated assemblies and the following also
applies:
(a) The nominal diameter of each penetrating item shall not exceed 6 in. (150 mm).
(b) The opening size shall not exceed 144 in.2 (92,909 mm2).
(c) Thickness of the concrete, grout, or mortar shall be the full thickness of the assembly.
(4) Where firestopping materials are used with the following penetrating items, the penetration is limited to one floor, and the
firestopping material is capable of preventing the passage of flame and hot gases sufficient to ignite cotton waste when
subjected to the time–temperature fire conditions of ASTM E119, Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building
Construction and Materials, or UL 263, Standard for Safety for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials, under a
minimum positive pressure differential of 0.01 in. water column (2.5 Pa) at the location of the penetration for the time period
equivalent to the required fire resistance rating of the assembly penetrated:
(a) Steel, ferrous, or copper cables
(b) Cable or wire with steel jackets
(c) Cast­iron, steel, or copper pipes
(d) Steel conduit or tubing

4.10.2.3 F Ratings.
Firestop systems and devices shall have an F rating of at least 1 hour, but not less than the required fire resistance rating of the fire
barrier penetrated.

4.10.3 Use of Sleeves for Penetration.

Where the penetrating item uses a sleeve to penetrate the wall the sleeve shall be securely set in the wall and the space between the
item and the sleeve shall be filled with a material that complies with 4.10.2 and 4.10.2.1.

4.10.4 Insulation Coverings.

Insulation and coverings for penetrating items shall not pass through the wall unless the insulation or covering has been tested as
part of the firestop system or device.

4.10.5 Vibration Isolation.

Where designs take transmission of vibrations into consideration, any vibration isolation shall meet one of the following conditions:

(1) It shall be made on either side of the wall

(2) It shall be designed for the specific purpose.

4.10.6 Transitions.

4.10.6.1

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Where piping penetrates a fire resistance–rated wall assembly, combustible piping shall not connect to noncombustible piping within
36 in. (915 mm) of the firestop system or device, unless it can be demonstrated that the transition will not reduce the fire resistance
rating.

4.10.6.2
Unshielded couplings shall not be used to connect noncombustible piping to combustible piping, unless it can be demonstrated that
the transition complies with the fire­resistive protection requirements of 4.10.2 and 4.10.2.1.

4.10.7 Membrane Penetrations.

Membrane penetrations for cables, cable trays, conduits, pipes, tubes, combustion vents, exhaust vents, wires, and similar items to
accommodate electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and communications systems that pass through a membrane of a wall assembly
constructed as a fire barrier shall be protected by a firestop system or device and shall comply with 4.10.2 through 4.10.6.2.

4.10.7.1
The firestop system or device shall be tested in accordance with ASTM E814 or UL 1479 under a minimum positive pressure
differential of 0.01 in. water column (2.5 Pa) between the exposed and the unexposed surface of the test assembly, unless one of the
following criteria is met:

(1) Membrane penetrations for electrical outlet boxes and fittings, provided that such devices are listed for use in fire resistance–
rated assemblies and are installed in accordance with their listing
(2) Annular space created by the membrane penetration of a fire sprinkler, provided that the space is covered by a metal
escutcheon plate

4.10.7.2
Where walls or partitions are required to have a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hour, recessed fixtures shall be installed in the
wall or partition in such a manner that the required fire resistance is not reduced, unless one of the following criteria is met:

(1)* Any steel electrical box not exceeding 16 in.2 (10,300 mm2) in area shall be permitted where the aggregate area of the
openings provided for the boxes does not exceed 100 in.2 (64,520 mm2) in any 100 ft2 (9.3 m2) of wall area, and where outlet
boxes are installed on opposite sides of the wall, the boxes shall be separated by one of the following means:
(a) By a horizontal distance of not less than 24 in. (610 mm)
(b) By a horizontal distance of not less than the depth of the wall cavity where the wall cavity is filled with cellulose loose­
fill, rock wool, or slag wool insulation
(c) By solid fireblocking in accordance with the applicable building code
(d) By other listed materials and methods
(2) Membrane penetrations for any listed electrical outlet box made of any material shall be permitted, provided that such boxes
have been tested for use in fire resistance–rated assemblies and are installed in accordance with the instructions included in
the listing.
(3) The annular space created by the membrane penetration of a fire sprinkler shall be permitted, provided that the space is
covered by a metal escutcheon plate.

4.11 Grade Plane.

A grade plane shall be a reference plane representing the average of the finished ground level adjoining the building at all exterior
walls and measured as follows:

(1) When the finished ground level slopes down from the exterior walls, the grade plane shall be established by the lowest points
within the area between the building and the lot line.
(2) When the lot line is more than 6 ft (1830 mm) from the building, the grade plane shall be established between the building and
a point 6 ft (1830 mm) from the building.

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