Chapter 7A — MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION

METHODS FOR EXTERIOR WILDFIRE EXPOSURE

(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user.

See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)

CHAPTER 7A [SFM]

MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS

FOR EXTERIOR WILDFIRE EXPOSURE

Building permit appli- cations and final completion approvals for buildings within the scope and application of this chapter shall comply with the following:

1. Building permit issuance. The local building official shall, prior to construction, provide the owner or applicant a certification that the building as proposed to be built complies with all applicable state and local building standards, including those for materials and construction methods for wildfire exposure as described in this chapter. Issuance of a building per- mit by the local building official for the proposed building shall be considered as complying with this section.

2. Building permit final. The local building official shall, upon completion of construction, provide the owner or applicant with a copy of the final inspection report that demonstrates the building was con- structed in compliance with all applicable state and local building standards, including those for materi- als and construction methods for wildfire exposure as described in this chapter. Issuance of a certificate of occupancy by the local building official for the pro- posed building shall be considered as complying with this section.

Prior to building permit final approval, the property shall be in com- pliance with the vegetation management requirements pre- scribed in California Fire Code Section 4906, including California Public Resources Code 4291 or California Gov- ernment Code Section 51182. Acceptable methods of com- pliance inspection and documentation shall be determined by the enforcing agency and shall be permitted to include any of the following:

1. Local, state or federal fire authority or designee authorized to enforce vegetation management requirements. 2. Enforcing agency. 3. Third party inspection and certification authorized to enforce vegetation management requirements. 4. Property owner certification authorized by the enforc- ing agency.

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Copyright © 2022 by, or licensed to, International Code Council, Inc. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to California Building Standards Commission pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions is authorized. 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.

MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR WILDFIRE EXPOSURE

listed by the State Fire Marshal, or identified in a current report issued by an approved agency.

Product evaluation testing shall be performed by an approved agency as defined in Section 1702. The scope of accreditation for the approved agency shall include building product compliance with this code.

Material and material assemblies tested in accordance with the requirements of Section 703A shall bear an identification label showing the fire test results. That iden- tification label shall be issued by a testing and/or inspecting agency approved by the State Fire Marshal.

1. Identification mark of the approved testing and/or inspecting agency. 2. Contact and identification information of the manufac- turer. 3. Model number or identification of the product or mate- rial. 4. Pre-test weathering specified in this chapter. 5. Compliance standard as described under Section 703A.7.

703A.5.1 General. Material and material assemblies tested in accordance with the requirements of Section 703A shall maintain their fire test performance under con- ditions of use, when installed in accordance with the man- ufacturers instructions.

703A.5.2 Weathering. Fire-retardant-treated wood and fire-retardant-treated wood shingles and shakes shall meet the fire test performance requirements of this chapter after being subjected to the weathering conditions con- tained in the following standards, as applicable to the materials and the conditions of use.

703A.5.2.1 Fire-retardant-treated wood. Fire-retar- dant-treated wood shall be tested in accordance with ASTM D2898 (Method A) and the requirements of Sec- tion 2303.2.

703A.5.2.2 Fire-retardant-treated wood shingles and shakes. Fire-retardant-treated wood shingles and shakes shall be approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal in accordance with Section 208(c), Title 19 California Code of Regulations. 703A.5.3 Surface treatment protection. The use of paints, coatings, stains or other surface treatments are not an approved method of protection as required in this chapter.

of construction. The enforcing agency is permitted to modify the provisions of this chapter for site-specific conditions in accordance with Section 1.11.2.4. When required by the enforcing agency for the purposes of granting modifications, a fire protection plan shall be submitted in accordance with the California Fire Code, Chapter 49.

The State Fire Marshal stan- dards for exterior wildfire exposure protection listed below and as referenced in this chapter are located in the Califor-

IGNITION-RESISTANT MATERIAL. A type of building material that complies with the requirements in Section 704A.2.

LOCAL RESPONSIBILITY AREA (LRA). Areas of the state in which the financial responsibility of preventing and suppressing fires is the primary responsibility of a city, county, city and county, or district.

LOG WALL CONSTRUCTION. A type of construction in which exterior walls are constructed of solid wood members and where the smallest horizontal dimension of each solid wood member is at least 6 inches (152 mm).

RAFTER TAIL. The portion of roof rafter framing in a slop- ing roof assembly that projects beyond and overhangs an exterior wall.

ROOF EAVE. The lower portion of a sloping roof assembly that projects beyond and overhangs an exterior wall at the lower end of the rafter tails. Roof eaves may be either “open” or “enclosed.” Open roof eaves have exposed rafter tails and an unenclosed space on the underside of the roof deck. Enclosed roof eaves have a boxed-in roof eave soffit with a horizontal underside or sloping rafter tails with an exterior covering applied to the underside of the rafter tails.

ROOF EAVE SOFFIT. An enclosed boxed-in soffit under a roof eave with exterior covering material applied to the soffit framing creating a horizontal surface on the exposed under- side.

STATE RESPONSIBILITY AREA (SRA). Lands that are classified by the Board of Forestry pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 4125 where the financial responsi- bility of preventing and suppressing forest fires is primarily the responsibility of the state.

WILDFIRE. Any uncontrolled fire spreading through vegeta- tive fuels that threatens to destroy life, property or resources as defined in Public Resources Code Sections 4103 and 4104.

WILDFIRE EXPOSURE. One or a combination of radiant heat, convective heat, direct flame contact and burning embers being projected by vegetation fire to a structure and its immediate environment.

WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE (WUI). A geographical area identified by the state as a “Fire Hazard Severity Zone” in accordance with the Public Resources Code Sections 4201 through 4204 and Government Code Sections 51175 through 51189, or other areas designated by the enforcing agency to be at a significant risk from wildfires.

Where valley flashing is installed, the flashing shall be not less than 0.019-inch (0.48 mm) No. 26 gage galvanized sheet corrosion-resistant metal installed over not less than one layer of minimum 72 pound (32.4 kg) mineral-surfaced nonperforated cap sheet complying with ASTM D3909, at least 36-inch-wide (914 mm) running the full length of the valley.

Roof gutters shall be provided with the means to prevent the accumulation of leaves and debris in the gutter.

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 or more of the following:

1. Noncombustible material.

2. Ignition-resistant material. The ignition-resistant mate- rial shall be labeled for exterior use and shall meet the requirements of Section 704A.2.

3. Fire-retardant-treated wood. The fire-retardant- treated wood shall be labeled for exterior use and shall meet the requirements of Section 2303.2. 4. Materials approved for not less than 1-hour fire-resis- tance-rated construction on the exterior side, as tested in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL 263.

5. One layer of ⁵ /8-inch (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum sheath- ing applied behind the exterior covering or cladding on the underside of the rafter tails or soffit.

6. The exterior portion of a 1-hour fire-resistive exterior 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.

7. Boxed-in roof eave soffit assemblies with a horizontal underside that meet the performance criteria in Section 707A.11 when tested in accordance with the test proce- dures set forth in ASTM E2957.

8. 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.

Exception to Section 707A.6: The following materials do not require protection:

Fascia and other architectural trim boards.

The exposed underside of exterior porch ceilings shall be protected by one or more of the following:

1. Noncombustible material.

2. Ignition-resistant material. The ignition-resistant mate- rial shall be labeled for exterior use and shall meet the requirements of Section 704A.2.

3. Fire-retardant-treated wood. The fire-retardant- treated wood shall be labeled for exterior use and shall meet the requirements of Section 2303.2.

4. Materials approved for not less than 1-hour fire-resis- tance-rated construction on the exterior side, as tested in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL 263.

5. One layer of ⁵ /8-inch (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum sheath- ing applied behind the exterior covering or cladding on the underside of the rafter tails or soffit.

3. Assembly that has been tested in accordance with the test procedures for a 10-minute direct flame contact exposure test set forth in ASTM E2707 with the condi- tions of acceptance shown in Section 707A.4.1.

4. Assembly that meets the performance criteria in accor- dance with the test procedures for a 10-minute direct flame contact exposure test set forth in SFM Standard 12-7A-1.

5. Assembly suitable for exterior fire exposure with a 1- hour fire-resistance rating, rated from the exterior side, as tested in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL 263.

6. Assembly suitable for exterior fire exposure containing one layer of ⁵ /8-inch (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum sheath- ing applied behind the exterior wall covering or clad- ding on the exterior side of the framing.

7. Assembly suitable for exterior fire exposure containing any of the gypsum panel and sheathing products listed in the Gypsum Association Fire Resistance Design Manual as complying with a 1-hour fire-resistance rat- ing, as tested in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL 263. 707A.4.1 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 do not meet the conditions of acceptance, three additional tests shall be run. All 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- minute test.

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

1. Noncombustible material. 2. Ignition-resistant material. The ignition-resistant mate- rial shall be labeled for exterior use and shall meet the requirements of Section 704A.2. 3. Fire-retardant-treated wood. The fire-retardant- treated wood shall be labeled for exterior use and shall meet the requirements of Section 2303.2. 4. Materials approved for not less than 1-hour fire-resis- tance-rated construction on the exterior side, as tested in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL 263.

5. One layer of ⁵ /8-inch (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum sheath- ing applied behind an exterior covering on the under- side of the roof deck.

6. The exterior portion of a 1-hour fire-resistance-rated exterior assembly, as tested in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL 263, applied to the underside of the roof deck designed for exterior fire exposure, including assemblies using the gypsum panel and sheathing prod- ucts listed in the Gypsum Association Fire Resistance Design Manual.

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Copyright © 2022 by, or licensed to, International Code Council, Inc. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to California Building Standards Commission pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions is authorized. 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.

MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR WILDFIRE EXPOSURE

2. Ignition-resistant material. The ignition-resistant mate- rial shall be labeled for exterior use and shall meet the requirements of Section 704A.2.

3. Fire-retardant-treated wood. The fire-retardant- treated wood shall be labeled for exterior use and shall meet the requirements of Section 2303.2.

4. Materials approved for not less than 1-hour fire-resis- tance-rated construction on the exterior side, as tested in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL 263.

5. One layer of ⁵ /8-inch (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum sheath- ing applied behind an exterior covering on the under- side of the floor projection.

6. The exterior portion of a 1-hour fire-resistance-rated exterior assembly, as tested in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL 263, 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.

7. The underside of a floor assembly that meets the per- formance criteria in Section 707A.11 when tested in accordance with the test procedures set forth in ASTM E2957.

8. 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 to Section 707A.9: 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 shall be splined, tongue-and- groove, or set close together and well spiked.

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 be protected by one or more of the following:

1. Noncombustible material.

2. Ignition-resistant material. The ignition-resistant mate- rial shall be labeled for exterior use and shall meet the requirements of Section 704A.2.

3. Fire-retardant-treated wood. The fire-retardant- treated wood shall be labeled for exterior use and shall meet the requirements of Section 2303.2.

4. Materials approved for not less than 1-hour fire-resis- tance-rated construction on the exterior side, as tested in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL 263.

5. One layer of ⁵ /8-inch (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum sheath- ing applied behind the exterior covering on the under- side of the appendage projection.

6. The exterior portion of a 1-hour fire-resistance-rated exterior assembly, as tested in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL 263, applied to the underside of the appendage, including assemblies using the gypsum panel and sheathing products listed in the Gypsum Association Fire Resistance Design Manual.

6. The exterior portion of a 1-hour fire-resistance-rated exterior assembly, as tested in accordance with ASTM E119, applied to the underside of the ceiling assembly, including assemblies using the gypsum panel and sheathing products listed in the Gypsum Association Fire Resistance Design Manual.

7. Porch ceiling assemblies with a horizontal underside that meet the performance criteria in Section 707A.11 when tested in accordance with the test procedures set forth in ASTM E2957.

8. 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 to Section 707A.7: Architectural trim boards do not require protection.

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

1. Noncombustible material.

2. Ignition-resistant material. The ignition-resistant mate- rial shall be labeled for exterior use and shall meet the requirements of Section 704A.2.

3. Fire-retardant-treated wood. The fire-retardant- treated wood shall be labeled for exterior use and shall meet the requirements of Section 2303.2.

4. Materials approved for not less than 1-hour fire-resis- tance-rated construction on the exterior side, as tested in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL 263.

5. One layer of ⁵ /8-inch (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum sheath- ing applied behind the exterior covering on the under- side of the ceiling.

6. The exterior portion of a 1-hour fire-resistance-rated exterior assembly, as tested in accordance with ASTM E119, applied to the underside of the ceiling assembly, including assemblies using the gypsum panel and sheathing products listed in the Gypsum Association Fire Resistance Design Manual.

7. 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.

8. 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 to Section 707A.8: Architectural trim boards do not require 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 be protected by one or more of the following:

1. Noncombustible material.

Copyright © 2022 by, or licensed to, International Code Council, Inc. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to California Building Standards Commission pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions is authorized. 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.

MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR WILDFIRE EXPOSURE

7. The underside of an appendage assembly that meets the performance criteria in Section 707A.11 when tested in accordance with the test procedures set forth in ASTM E2957.

8. The underside of an appendage assembly that meets the performance criteria in accordance with the test proce- dures set forth in SFM Standard 12-7A-3.

Exception to Section 707A.10: 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 shall be splined, tongue-and- groove, or set close together and well spiked.

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.

709A.3, Item 7. The material shall be tested in accordance with ASTM E2632 and shall comply with the following condi- tion of acceptance. The ASTM E2632 test shall be conducted on a minimum of three test specimens and the peak heat release rate shall be less than or equal to 25 kW/ft ² (269 kW/ m ² ). If any one of the three tests does not meet the conditions of acceptance, three additional tests shall be run. All the additional tests shall meet the condition of acceptance.

Miscellaneous structures that require a permit, and accessory buildings of any size, when separated from an applicable building on the same lot by a distance of less than 3 feet (914 mm), shall comply with Sec- tion 710A.3.1. Accessory buildings that are greater than 120 square feet (11.15 m ² ), when separated from an applicable building on the same lot by a distance of 3 feet (914 mm) or more but less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) shall comply with Section 710A.3.2.

When required by the enforcing agency, miscellaneous structures that require a permit, and accessory buildings that are 120 square feet (11.15 m ² ) or less, when separated from an applicable building on the same lot by a distance of 3 feet (914 mm) or more but less than 50 feet (15 240 mm), shall comply with either Section 710A.3.4 or Section 710A.3.3, respectively.

No requirements shall apply to accessory buildings or miscellaneous structures when located 50 feet (15 240 mm) or more from an applicable building on the same lot.

710A.3.1 Structures and accessory buildings within 3 feet (914 mm). Miscellaneous structures that require a permit, and accessory buildings, attached to or separated from an applicable building on the same lot by a distance of less than 3 feet (914 mm), shall be constructed of non- combustible materials or of ignition-resistant materials as described in Section 704A.2.

710A.3.2 Accessory buildings greater than 120 square feet (11.15 m ² ), located 3 feet (914 mm) or more but less than 50 feet (15 240 mm). Accessory buildings that are greater than 120 square feet (11.15 m ² ) in size and sepa- rated from an applicable building on the same lot by a distance of 3 feet (914 mm) or more but less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) shall be constructed of noncombustible materials or of ignition-resistant materials as described in Section 704A.2.

710A.3.3 Accessory buildings 120 square feet (11.15 m ² ) or less, located 3 feet (914 mm) or more but less than 50 feet (15 240 mm). When required by the enforcing agency, accessory buildings 120 square feet (11.15 m ² ) or less and separated from an applicable building on the same lot by a distance of 3 feet (914 mm) or more but less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) shall be constructed of noncombustible mate- rials or of ignition-resistant materials as described in Sec- tion 704A.2.

710A.3.4 Miscellaneous structures located 3 feet (914 mm) or more but less than 50 feet (15 240 mm). When required by the enforcing agency, miscellaneous struc- tures that require a permit and are separated from an applicable building on the same lot by a distance of 3 feet (914 mm) or more but less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) shall be constructed of noncombustible materials or of ignition- resistant materials as described in Section 704A.2.

Roofs of accessory buildings required to be constructed entirely of noncombustible materi- als or of ignition-resistant materials shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 7A and Chapter 15. Roofs shall have

7A-10 2022 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

Copyright © 2022 by, or licensed to, International Code Council, Inc. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to California Building Standards Commission pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions is authorized. 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.

CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE