HomeMy WebLinkAbout02062003 BSC Agenda Item 9 §703
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATINGS AND FIRE T S
§703.1 Scope. Mate is prescribed herein for fire resistance shall
conform to the requirements of this chapter.
§703.2 Fire-resistance ratings. The fire-resistance rating of building
elements shall be determined in accordance with the test procedures set
forth in ASTM E 119 or in accordance with §703 .3. Where materials,
systems or devices that have not been tested as part of a fire-resistance-
rated assembly are incorporated into the assembly, sufficient data shall
be made available to the building official to show that the required fire-
resistance rating is not reduced. Materials and methods of construction
used to protect joints and penetrations in fire-resistance-rated building
elements shall not reduce the required fire-resistance rating.
EXCEPTION: In determining the fire-resistance rating of exterior
bearing walls, compliance with the ASTM E 119 criteria for unexposed
surface temperature rise and ignition of cotton waste due to passage of
flame or gases is required only for a period of time corresponding to
the required fire-resistance rating of an exterior nonbearing wall with
the same fire separation distance, and in a building of the same group.
When the fire-resistance rating determined in accordance with this
exception exceeds the fire-resistance rating determined in accordance
with ASTM E 119, the fire exposure time period, water pressure, and
application duration criteria for the hose stream test of ASTM E 119
shall be based upon the fire-resistance rating determined in accordance
with this exception.
§703.2.1 Nonsymmetrical wall construction. Interior walls and
partitions of nonsymmetrical construction shall be tested with both
faces exposed to the furnace, and the assigned fire-resistance rating
shall be the shortest duration obtained from the two tests conducted in
compliance with ASTM E 119. When evidence is furnished to show that
the wall was tested with the least fire-resistant side exposed to the
furnace, subject to acceptance of the building official, the wall need
not be subjected to tests from the opposite side. See §704.5 for
exterior walls.
§703.2.2 Combustible components. Combustible aggregates are permitted
in gypsum and portland cement concrete mixtures approved for fire-
resistance-rated construction. Any approved component material or
admixture is permitted in assemblies if the resulting tested assembly
meets the fire-resistance test requirements of this code.
§703.2.3 Restrained classification. Fire-resistance-rated assemblies
tested under ASTM E 119 shall not be considered to be restrained unless
evidence satisfactory to the building official is furnished by the
registered design professional showing that the construction qualifies
for a restrained classification in accordance with ASTM E 119.
Restrained construction shall be identified on the plans.
§703.3 Alternative methods for determining fire resistance. The
application of any of the alternative methods listed in this section
shall be based on the fire exposure and acceptance criteria specified in
ASTM E 119. The required fire resistance of a building element shall be
permitted to be established by any of the following methods or procedures:
1. Fire-resistance designs documented in approved sources.
2 . Prescriptive designs of fire-resistance-rated building elements as
prescribed in §719.
3 . Calculations in accordance with §720.
4. Engineering analysis based on a comparison of building element
designs having fire-resistance ratings as determined by the test
procedures set forth in ASTM E 119.
5. Alternative protection methods as allowed by §104.11.
§703.4 Noncombust ity tests. The tests indicates §703 .4.1 and
§703 .4.2 shall se1. as criteria for acceptance of building materials as
set forth in §602.2, §602.3 and §602 .4 in Types I, II, III and IV
construction. The term "noncombustible" does not apply to the flame
spread characteristics of interior finish or trim materials. A material
shall not be classified as a noncombustible building construction
material if it is subject to an increase in combustibility or flame
spread beyond the limitations herein established through the effects of
age, moisture, or other atmospheric conditions.
§703.4.1 Elementary materials. Materials required to be noncombustible
shall be tested in accordance with ASTM E 136.
§703.4.2 Composite materials. Materials having a structural base of
noncombustible material as determined in accordance with §703.4.1 with
a surfacing not more than 0.125 inch (3.18 mm) thick that has a flame
spread index not greater than 50 when tested in accordance with ASTM E
84 shall be acceptable as noncombustible materials.