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Chapter 7A — MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION

Section 707A

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.

707A.1 Scope.

The provisions of this section shall govern the materials and construction methods used to resist building ignition and/or safeguard against the intrusion of flames resulting from small ember and short-term direct flame con- tact exposure.

707A.2 General.

The following exterior covering materials and/or assemblies shall comply with this section:

1. Exterior wall covering material.

2. Exterior wall assembly.

3. Exterior exposed underside of roof eave overhangs.

4. Exterior exposed underside of roof eave soffits.

5. Exposed underside of exterior porch ceilings.

6. Exterior exposed underside of floor projections.

7. Exterior underfloor areas.

Exceptions:

1. Exterior wall architectural trim, embellishments, fascias, and gutters.

2. Roof or wall top cornice projections and similar assemblies.

3. Roof assembly projections over gable end walls.

4. Solid wood rafter tails and solid wood blocking installed between rafters having minimum dimen- sion 2 inch (50.8 mm) nominal.

5. Deck walking surfaces shall comply with Section 709A.4 only.

707A.3 Exterior walls.

The exterior wall covering or wall assembly shall comply with one of the following require- ments:

1. Noncombustible material.

2. Ignition-resistant material.

3. Sawn lumber or glue laminated wood with the smallest minimum nominal dimension of 4 inches (102 mm). Sawn or glue-laminated planks splined, tongue-and- groove, or set close together and well spiked.

4. Log wall construction assembly.

5. Wall assemblies that have been tested in accordance with the test procedures for a 10-minute direct flame contact exposure test set forth in ASTM E2707 with the conditions of acceptance shown in Section 707A.3.1.

6. Wall assemblies that meet the performance criteria in accordance with the test procedures for a 10-minute

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

MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR WILDFIRE EXPOSURE

direct flame contact exposure test set forth in SFM Standard 12-7A-1.

Exception: Any of the following shall be deemed to meet the assembly performance criteria and intent of this sec- tion:

1. One layer of 5 /8-inch Type X gypsum sheathing applied behind the exterior covering or cladding on the exterior side of the framing.

2. The exterior portion of a 1-hour fire resistive exte- rior wall assembly designed for exterior fire expo- sure including assemblies using the gypsum panel and sheathing products listed in the Gypsum Associ- ation Fire Resistance Design Manual.

707A.3.1 Conditions of acceptance when tested in accor- dance with ASTM E2707. The ASTM E2707 test shall be conducted on a minimum of three test specimens and the conditions of acceptance in Items 1 and 2 below shall be met. If any one of the three tests does not meet the conditions of acceptance, three additional tests shall be run. All of the additional tests shall meet the conditions of acceptance.

1. Absence of flame penetration through the wall assembly at any time.

2. Absence of evidence of glowing combustion on the interior surface of the assembly at the end of the 70- min test.

707A.3.2 Extent of exterior wall covering. Exterior wall coverings shall extend from the top of the foundation to the roof, and terminate at 2 inch (50.8 mm) nominal solid wood blocking between rafters at all roof overhangs, or in the case of enclosed eaves, terminate at the enclosure.

707A.4 Open roof eaves.

The exposed roof deck on the underside of unenclosed roof eaves shall consist of one of the following:

1. Noncombustible material.

2. Ignition-resistant material.

3. One layer of 5 /8-inch Type X gypsum sheathing applied behind an exterior covering on the underside exterior of the roof deck.

4. The exterior portion of a 1-hour fire resistive exterior wall assembly applied to the underside of the roof deck designed for exterior fire exposure including assem- blies using the gypsum panel and sheathing products listed in the Gypsum Association Fire Resistance Design Manual.

Exceptions: The following materials do not require pro- tection:

1. Solid wood rafter tails on the exposed underside of open roof eaves having a minimum nominal dimen- sion of 2 inch (50.8 mm).

2. Solid wood blocking installed between rafter tails on the exposed underside of open roof eaves having a minimum nominal dimension of 2 inch (50.8 mm).

3. Gable end overhangs and roof assembly projections beyond an exterior wall other than at the lower end of the rafter tails.

4. Fascia and other architectural trim boards.

707A.5 Enclosed roof eaves and roof eave soffits.

The exposed underside of enclosed roof eaves having either a boxed-in roof eave soffit with a horizontal underside, or slop- ing rafter tails with an exterior covering applied to the under- side of the rafter tails, shall be protected by one of the following:

1. Noncombustible material.

2. Ignition-resistant material.

3. One layer of 5 /8-inch Type X gypsum sheathing applied behind an exterior covering on the underside of the raf- ter tails or soffit.

4. The exterior portion of a 1-hour fire resistive exterior wall assembly applied to the underside of the rafter tails or soffit including assemblies using the gypsum panel and sheathing products listed in the Gypsum Association Fire Resistance Design Manual.

5. Boxed-in roof eave soffit assemblies with a horizontal underside that meet the performance criteria in Section 707A.10 when tested in accordance with the test proce- dures set forth in ASTM E2957.

6. Boxed-in roof eave soffit assemblies with a horizontal underside that meet the performance criteria in accor- dance with the test procedures set forth in SFM Stan- dard 12-7A-3.

Exceptions: The following materials do not require pro- tection:

1. Gable end overhangs and roof assembly projections beyond an exterior wall other than at the lower end of the rafter tails.

2. Fascia and other architectural trim boards.

707A.6 Exterior porch ceilings.

The exposed underside of exterior porch ceilings shall be protected by one of the fol- lowing:

1. Noncombustible material.

2. Ignition-resistant material.

3. One layer of 5 /8-inch Type X gypsum sheathing applied behind the exterior covering on the underside of the ceiling.

4. The exterior portion of a 1-hour fire resistive exterior wall assembly applied to the underside of the ceiling assembly including assemblies using the gypsum panel and sheathing products listed in the Gypsum Associa- tion Fire Resistance Design Manual.

5. Porch ceiling assemblies with a horizontal underside that meet the performance criteria in Section 707A.10 when tested in accordance with the test procedures set forth in ASTM E2957.

300 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

MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR WILDFIRE EXPOSURE

6. Porch ceiling assemblies with a horizontal underside that meet the performance criteria in accordance with the test procedures set forth in SFM Standard 12-7A-3.

Exception: Architectural trim boards.

707A.7 Floor projections.

The exposed underside of a canti- levered floor projection where a floor assembly extends over an exterior wall shall be protected by one of the following:

1. Noncombustible material.

2. Ignition-resistant material.

3. One layer of 5 /8-inch Type X gypsum sheathing applied behind an exterior covering on the underside of the floor projection.

4. The exterior portion of a 1-hour fire resistive exterior wall assembly applied to the underside of the floor pro- jection including assemblies using the gypsum panel and sheathing products listed in the Gypsum Associa- tion Fire Resistance Design Manual.

5. The underside of a floor projection assembly that meets the performance criteria in Section 707A.10 when tested in accordance with the test procedures set forth in ASTM E2957.

6. The underside of a floor projection assembly that meets the performance criteria in accordance with the test procedures set forth in SFM Standard 12-7A-3.

Exception: Architectural trim boards.

707A.8 Underfloor protection.

The underfloor area of ele- vated or overhanging buildings shall be enclosed to grade in accordance with the requirements of this chapter or the underside of the exposed underfloor shall consist of one of the following:

1. Noncombustible material.

2. Ignition-resistant material.

3. One layer of 5 /8-inch Type X gypsum sheathing applied behind an exterior covering on the underside of the floor projection.

4. The exterior portion of a 1-hour fire resistive exterior wall assembly applied to the underside of the floor including assemblies using the gypsum panel and sheathing products listed in the Gypsum Association Fire Resistance Design Manual.

5. The underside of a floor assembly that meets the per- formance criteria in Section 707A.10 when tested in accordance with the test procedures set forth in ASTM E2957.

6. The underside of a floor assembly that meets the per- formance criteria in accordance with the test proce- dures set forth in SFM Standard 12-7A-3.

Exception: Structural columns and beams do not require protection when constructed with sawn lumber or glue- laminated wood with the smallest minimum nominal dimension of 4 inches (102 mm). Sawn or glue-laminated planks splined, tongue-and-groove, or set close together and well spiked.

707A.9 Underside of appendages.

When required by the enforcing agency the underside of overhanging appendages shall be enclosed to grade in accordance with the require- ments of this chapter or the underside of the exposed under- floor shall consist of one of the following:

1. Noncombustible material.

2. Ignition-resistant material.

3. One layer of 5 /8-inch Type X gypsum sheathing applied behind an exterior covering on the underside of the floor projection.

4. The exterior portion of a 1-hour fire resistive exterior wall assembly applied to the underside of the floor including assemblies using the gypsum panel and sheathing products listed in the Gypsum Association Fire Resistance Design Manual.

5. The underside of a floor assembly that meets the per- formance criteria in accordance with the test proce- dures set forth in either of the following:

5.1. SFM Standard 12-7A-3; or

5.2. ASTM E2957.

Exception: Structural columns and beams do not require protection when constructed with sawn lumber or glue laminated wood with the smallest minimum nominal dimension of 4 inches (102 mm). Sawn or glue-laminated planks splined, tongue-and-groove, or set close together and well spiked.

707A.10 Conditions of acceptance when tested in accor-dance with ASTM E2957.

dance with ASTM E2957. The test shall be conducted on a minimum of three test specimens and the conditions of accep- tance in Items 1 through 3 below shall be met. If any one of the three tests does not meet the conditions of acceptance, three additional tests shall be run. All of the additional tests shall meet the conditions of acceptance.

1. Absence of flame penetration of the eaves or horizontal projection assembly at any time.

2. Absence of structural failure of the eaves or horizontal projection subassembly at any time.

3. Absence of sustained combustion of any kind at the conclusion of the 40-minute test.

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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
  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

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