Skip to content
ChatProjectCodes

Chapter 14 — EXTERIOR WALLS

Section 1406

California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) · 2019 edition · updated 2026-09-12 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

1406.1 General.

The provisions of this section shall govern the materials, construction and quality of metal composite materials (MCM) for use as exterior wall coverings in addition to other applicable requirements of Chapters 14 and 16.

1406.2 Exterior wall finish.

MCM used as exterior wall finish or as elements of balconies and similar projections and bay and oriel windows to provide cladding or weather resistance shall comply with Sections 1406.4 through 1406.14.

1406.3 Architectural trim and embellishments.

MCM used as architectural trim or embellishments shall comply with Sections 1406.7 through 1406.14.

1406.4 Structural design.

MCM systems shall be designed and constructed to resist wind loads as required by Chapter 16 for components and cladding.

1406.5 Approval.

Results of approved tests or an engineering analysis shall be submitted to the building official to ver

Copyright © 2019 ICC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Accessed by Kevin Day (kevin.day@dgs.ca.gov), (California Building Standards Commission) Order Number #100735044 on Jul 24, 2019 03:54 PM (PDT) pursuant to License Agreement with ICC. No further reproduction or distribution authorized. Single user only, copying and networking prohibited. ANY UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE LICENSE AGREEMENT, AND SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEREUNDER.

100735044

EXTERIOR WALLS

tance criteria of NFPA 285. Such testing shall be performed on the MCM system with the MCM in the maximum thickness intended for use.

1406.11 Alternate conditions.

MCM and MCM systems shall not be required to comply with Sections 1406.10.1 through 1406.10.4 provided that such systems comply with Section 1406.11.1, 1406.11.2, 1406.11.3 or 1406.11.4.

1406.11.1 Installations up to 40 feet in height. MCM shall not be installed more than 40 feet (12 190 mm) in height above grade where installed in accordance with Sections 1406.11.1.1 and 1406.11.1.2.

1406.11.1.1 Fire separation distance of 5 feet or less. Where the fire separation distance is 5 feet (1524 mm) or less, the area of MCM shall not exceed 10 percent of the exterior wall surface.

1406.11.1.2 Fire separation distance greater than 5 feet. Where the fire separation distance is greater than 5 feet (1524 mm), the area of exterior wall surface coverage using MCM shall not be limited.

1406.11.2 Installations up to 50 feet in height. MCM shall not be installed more than 50 feet (15 240 mm) in height above grade where installed in accordance with Sections 1406.11.2.1 and 1406.11.2.2.

1406.11.2.1 Self-ignition temperature. MCM shall have a self-ignition temperature of 650°F (343°C) or greater when tested in accordance with ASTM D1929.

1406.11.2.2 Limitations. Sections of MCM shall not exceed 300 square feet (27.9 m 2 ) in area and shall be separated by not less than 4 feet (1219 mm) vertically.

1406.11.3 Installations up to 75 feet in height (Option 1). MCM shall not be installed more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) in height above grade plane where installed in accordance with Sections 1406.11.3.1 through 1406.11.3.5.

Exception: Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 shall be exempt from the height limitation.

1406.11.3.1 Prohibited occupancies. MCM shall not be permitted on buildings classified as Group A-1, A-2, H, I-2 or I-3 occupancies. 1406.11.3.2 Nonfire-resistance-rated exterior walls. MCM shall not be permitted on exterior walls required to have a fire-resistance rating by other provisions of this code. 1406.11.3.3 Specifications. MCM shall be required to comply with all of the following:

  1. MCM shall have a self-ignition temperature of 650°F (343°C) or greater when tested in accordance with ASTM D1929.
  2. MCM shall conform to one of the following combustibility classifications when tested in accordance with ASTM D635: Class CC1: Materials that have a burning extent

of 1 inch (25 mm) or less when tested at a nominal thickness of 0.060 inch (1.5 mm) or in the thickness intended for use. Class CC2: Materials that have a burning rate of

2 1 /2 inches per minute (1.06 mm/s) or less when tested at a nominal thickness of 0.060 inch (1.5 mm) or in the thickness intended for use. 1406.11.3.4 Area limitation and separation. The maximum area of a single MCM panel and the minimum vertical and horizontal separation requirements for MCM panels shall be as provided for in Table 1406.11.3.4. The maximum percentage of exterior wall area of any story covered with MCM panels shall not exceed that indicated in Table 1406.11.3.4 or the percentage of unprotected openings permitted by Section 705.8, whichever is smaller. Exception: In buildings provided with flame barriers complying with Section 705.8.5 and extending 30 inches (760 mm) beyond the exterior wall in the plane of the floor, a vertical separation shall not be required at the floor other than that provided by the vertical thickness of the flame barrier.

TABLE 1406.11.3.4 AREA LIMITATION AND SEPARATION REQUIREMENTS FOR MCM PANELS

FIRE SEPARATION
DISTANCE
(feet)		 COMBUSTIBILITY
CLASS OF MCM		 MAXIMUM PERCENTAGE
AREA OF EXTERIOR WALL
COVERED WITH MCM
PANELS		 MAXIMUM SINGLE AREA
OF MCM PANELS
(square feet)		 MINIMUM SEPARATION
OF MCM PANELS
(feet)
FIRE SEPARATION
DISTANCE
** (feet)**		 COMBUSTIBILITY
CLASS OF MCM		 MAXIMUM PERCENTAGE
AREA OF EXTERIOR WALL
COVERED WITH MCM
PANELS		 MAXIMUM SINGLE AREA
OF MCM PANELS
** (square feet)**		 Vertical Horizontal
Less than 6 — Not Permitted Not Permitted — —
6 or more but less than 11 CC1 10 50 8 4
6 or more but less than 11 CC2 Not Permitted Not Permitted — —
11 or more but less than or
equal to 30		 CC1 25 90 6 4
11 or more but less than or
equal to 30		 CC2 15 70 8 4
More than 30 CC1 50 Not Limited 3a 0
More than 30 CC2 50 100 6a 3

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m 2 . a. For reductions in the minimum vertical separation, see Section 1406.11.3.4.

762 2019 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

Copyright © 2019 ICC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Accessed by Kevin Day (kevin.day@dgs.ca.gov), (California Building Standards Commission) Order Number #100735044 on Jul 24, 2019 03:54 PM (PDT) pursuant to License Agreement with ICC. No further reproduction or distribution authorized. Single user only, copying and networking prohibited. ANY UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE LICENSE AGREEMENT, AND SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEREUNDER.

100735044

1406.11.3.5 Automatic sprinkler system increases. Where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, the maximum percentage area of exterior wall of any story covered with MCM panels and the maximum square footage of a single area of MCM panels in Table 1406.11.3.4 shall be increased 100 percent. The area of MCM panels shall not exceed 50 percent of the exterior wall area of any story or the area permitted by Section 705.8 for unprotected openings, whichever is smaller. 1406.11.4 Installations up to 75 feet in height (Option 2). MCM shall not be installed more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) in height above grade plane where installed in accordance with Sections 1406.11.4.1 through 1406.11.4.4.

Exception: Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 shall be exempt from the height limitation. 1406.11.4.1 Minimum fire separation distance. MCM shall not be installed on any wall with a fire separation distance less than 30 feet (9 144 mm).

Exception: Where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, the fire separation distance shall be permitted to be reduced to not less than 20 feet (6096 mm). 1406.11.4.2 Specifications. MCM shall be required to comply with all of the following:

  1. MCM shall have a self-ignition temperature of 650°F (343°C) or greater when tested in accordance with ASTM D1929.
  2. MCM shall conform to one of the following combustibility classifications when tested in accordance with ASTM D635: Class CC1: Materials that have a burning extent

of 1 inch (25 mm) or less when tested at a nominal thickness of 0.060 inch (1.5 mm), or in the thickness intended for use. Class CC2: Materials that have a burning rate of

2 1 /2 inches per minute (1.06 mm/s) or less when tested at a nominal thickness of 0.060 inch (1.5 mm), or in the thickness intended for use.

1406.11.4.3 Area and size limitations. The aggregate area of MCM panels shall not exceed 25 percent of the area of any exterior wall face of the story on which those panels are installed. The area of a single MCM panel installed above the first story above grade plane shall not exceed 16 square feet (1.5 m 2 ) and the vertical dimension of a single MCM panel shall not exceed 4 feet (1219 mm).

Exception: Where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, the maximum aggregate area of MCM panels shall be increased to 50 percent of the exterior wall face of the story on which those panels are installed and there shall not be a limit on the maximum dimension or area of a single MCM panel.

EXTERIOR WALLS

1406.11.4.4 Vertical separations. Flame barriers complying with Section 705.8 and extending 30 inches (762 mm) beyond the exterior wall or a vertical separation of not less than 4 feet (1219 mm) in height shall be provided to separate MCM panels located on the exterior walls at one-story intervals.

Exception: Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

1406.12 Type V construction.

MCM shall be permitted to be installed on buildings of Type V construction.

1406.13 Foam plastic insulation.

MCM systems containing foam plastic insulation shall also comply with the requirements of Section 2603.

1406.14 Labeling.

MCM shall be labeled in accordance with Section 1703.5.

Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.

Ask AI about this code
Export this section
▸Contents — California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
  1. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
  2. Appendix G — FLOOD-RESISTANT
  3. Appendix L — EARTHQUAKE RECORDING
  4. Appendix M — TSUNAMI-GENERATED
  5. Chapter 1 — SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
  6. Chapter 3 — OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
  7. Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED
  8. Chapter 5 — GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
  9. Chapter 6 — TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
  10. Chapter 7 — FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
  11. Chapter 7A — MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION
  12. Chapter 8 — INTERIOR FINISHES
  13. Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
  14. Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS
  15. Chapter 11A — HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY
  16. Chapter 11B — ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC ACCOMM…
  17. Chapter 12 — INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
  18. ▸Chapter 14 — EXTERIOR WALLS
    Overview
    1. Section 1401
    2. Section 1402
    3. Section 1403
    4. Section 1404
    5. Section 1405
    6. Section 1406
    7. Section 1407
    8. Section 1408
    9. Section 1409
    10. Section 1410
  19. Chapter 15 — ROOF ASSEMBLIES AND ROOFTOP STRUCTURES
  20. Chapter 16 — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  21. Chapter 16A — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  22. Chapter 17 — SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
  23. Chapter 18 — SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
  24. Chapter 19 — CONCRETE
  25. Chapter 20 — ALUMINUM
  26. Chapter 21 — MASONRY
  27. Chapter 22 — STEEL
  28. Chapter 23 — WOOD
  29. Chapter 24 — GLASS AND GLAZING
  30. Chapter 25 — GYPSUM BOARD, GYPSUM PANEL PRODUCTS AND PLASTER
  31. Chapter 26 — PLASTIC
  32. Chapter 27 — ELECTRICAL
  33. Chapter 28 — MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
  34. Chapter 30 — ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS
  35. Chapter 31 — SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION
  36. Chapter 31B — PUBLIC POOLS
  37. Chapter 31C — RADIATION
  38. Chapter 31D — FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
  39. Chapter 31F — MARINE OIL TERMINALS
  40. Chapter 32 — ENCROACHMENTS INTO THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
  41. Chapter 33 — SAFEGUARDS DURING CONSTRUCTION
  42. Chapter 35 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  43. Appendix A — EMPLOYEE QUALIFICATIONS
  44. Appendix B — BOARD OF APPEALS
  45. Appendix C — GROUP U – AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS
  46. Appendix D — FIRE DISTRICTS
  47. Appendix F — RODENTPROOFING
  48. Appendix H — SIGNS
  49. Appendix I — PATIO COVERS
  50. Appendix J — GRADING
  51. Appendix K — GROUP R-3 AND GROUP R-3.1 OCCUPANCIES
  52. Appendix N — REPLICABLE BUILDINGS
  53. Appendix O — EMERGENCY HOUSING

GoCodebook provides public access, search, citation, multilingual explanation, and practical interpretation of legally adopted building regulations. It is not a substitute for the official ICC or California code publications.