Fire Walls, Fire Barriers, Partitions, Shafts & Vertical Openings

Grounded in the retrieved California Building Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:

• CBC § 0.5 High relevance — show source text

  in.|≤ 100 sq. in. =
  D-H-90
  >100 sq. in.=
  D-H-W-90|Not
  Permitted|2|Not
  Permitted|W-120| |Double fire walls
  constructed in
  accordance with
  NFPA 221|2|1|1|100 sq. in.|≤ 100 sq. in. =
  D-H-60
  > 100 sq. in. =
  D-H-W-60|Not
  Permitted|1|Not
  Permitted|W-60| |Enclosures for
  shafts, interior exit
  stairways and inte-
  rior exit ramps.|2|2|11/ 2|100 sq. in.b|≤100 sq. in. =
  D-H-90
  > 100 sq. in.=
  D-H-T-W-90|Not
  Permitted|2|Not
  Permitted|W-120| |Horizontal exits in
  fire wallsg|4|4|3|100 sq. in.|≤100 sq. in. =
  D-H-180
  > 100 sq. in.=
  D-H-W-240|Not
  Permitted|4|Not
  Permitted|W-240| |Horizontal exits in
  fire wallsg|3|3|3d|100 sq. in.|≤100 sq. in. =
  D-H-180
  > 100 sq. in.=
  D-H-W-180|Not
  Permitted|3|Not
  Permitted|W-180| |Fire barriers having
  a required fire-
  resistance rating of
  1 hour: Enclosures
  for shafts, exit
  access stairways,
  exit access ramps,
  interior exit stair-
  ways and interior
  exit ramps; and exit
  passageway walls|1|1|1|100 sq. in.|≤100 sq. in. =
  D-H-60
  >100 sq. in.=
  D-H-T-W-60|Not
  Permitted|1|Not
  Permitted|W-60| |||||||Fire protection|Fire protection||| |Other fire barriers|1|1|3/ 4|Maximum
  size tested|D-H-45|3/ 4
  h|3/ 4
  h|D-H-45h|D-H-45h| |Fire partitions:
  Corridor walls|1|1|1/ 3
  a|Maximum
  size tested|D-20|3/ 4
  a|3/ 4
  a|D-H-OH-45|D-H-OH-45| |Fire partitions:
  Corridor walls|0.5|0.5|1/ 3
  a|Maximum
  size tested|D-20|1/ 3|1/ 3|D-H-OH-20|D-H-OH-20|

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  FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES

  |TABLE 716.1(2)—OPENING FIRE PROTECTION ASSEMBLIES,

• CBC § 712.1.16 High relevance — show source text

  712.1.16 Openings otherwise permitted. Vertical openings shall be permitted where allowed by other sections of this code.

  SECTION 713—SHAFT ENCLOSURES

  713.1 General. The provisions of this section shall apply to shafts required to protect openings and penetrations through floor/ceiling and roof/ceiling assemblies. Interior exit stairways and ramps shall be enclosed in accordance with Section 1023.

  713.2 Construction. Shaft enclosures shall be constructed as fire barriers in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies in accordance with Section 711, or both.

  713.3 Materials. Shaft enclosures shall be of materials permitted by the building type of construction.

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  FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES

  713.4 Fire-resistance rating. Shaft enclosures shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours where connecting four stories or more, and not less than 1 hour where connecting less than four stories. The number of stories connected by the shaft enclosure shall include any basements but not any mezzanines. Shaft enclosures shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than the floor assembly penetrated, but need not exceed 2 hours. Shaft enclosures shall meet the requirements of Section 703.2.1.1.

  Exception: Shafts having a reduced fire-resistance rating in high-rise buildings in accordance with Section 403.2.1.2.

  713.5 Continuity. Shaft enclosures shall be constructed as fire barriers in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both, and shall have continuity in accordance with Section 707.5 for fire barriers or Section 711.2.2 for horizontal assemblies, as applicable.

  713.6 Exterior walls. Where exterior walls serve as a part of a required shaft enclosure, such walls shall comply with the requirements of Section 705 for exterior walls and the fire-resistance-rated enclosure requirements shall not apply.

  Exception: Exterior walls required to be fire-resistance rated in accordance with Section 1021.2 for exterior egress balconies, Section 1023.7 for interior exit stairways and ramps and Section 1027.6 for exterior exit stairways and ramps.

  713.7 Openings. Openings in a shaft enclosure shall be protected in accordance with Section 716 as required for fire barriers. Doors shall be self- or automatic-closing by smoke detection in accordance with Section 716.2.6.6.

  713.7.1 Prohibited openings. Openings other than those necessary for the purpose of the shaft shall not be permitted in shaft enclosures.

  713.8 Penetrations. Penetrations in a shaft enclosure shall be protected in accordance with Section 714 as required for fire barriers or horizontal assemblies or both. Structural elements, such as beams or joists, where protected in accordance with Section 714 shall be permitted to penetrate a shaft enclosure.

  713.8.1 Prohibited penetrations. Penetrations other than those necessary for the purpose of the shaft shall not be permitted in shaft enclosures.

  Exception: Membrane penetrations shall be permitted on the outside of shaft enclosures. Such penetrations shall be protected in accordance with Section 714.4.2.

  713.9 Joints. Joints in a shaft enclosure shall comply with Section 715.

• CBC § 708.5 High relevance — show source text

  708.5 Exterior walls. Where exterior walls serve as a part of a required fire-resistance-rated separation, such walls shall comply with the requirements of Section 705 for exterior walls, and the fire-resistance-rated separation requirements shall not apply.

  Exception: Exterior walls required to be fire-resistance rated in accordance with Section 1021.2 for exterior egress balconies, Section 1023.7 for interior exit stairways and ramps and Section 1027.6 for exterior exit stairways and ramps.

  708.6 Openings. Openings in a fire partition shall be protected in accordance with Section 716.

  708.7 Penetrations. Penetrations of fire partitions shall comply with Section 714.

  708.8 Joints. Joints made in or between fire partitions shall comply with Section 715.

  708.9 Ducts and air transfer openings. Penetrations in a fire partition by ducts and air transfer openings shall comply with Section 717.

  SECTION 709—SMOKE BARRIERS

  709.1 General. Vertical and horizontal smoke barriers shall comply with this section.

  709.2 Materials. Smoke barriers shall be of materials permitted by the building type of construction.

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  FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES

  709.3 Fire-resistance rating. A 1-hour fire-resistance rating is required for smoke barriers.

  Exception: Smoke barriers constructed of minimum 0.10-inch-thick (2.5 mm) steel in Group I-3 buildings.

  709.4 Continuity. Smoke barriers shall form an effective membrane continuous from the top of the foundation or floor/ceiling assembly below to the underside of the floor or roof sheathing, deck or slab above, including continuity through concealed spaces, such as those found above suspended ceilings, and interstitial structural and mechanical spaces. The supporting construction shall be protected to afford the required fire-resistance rating of the wall or floor supported in buildings of other than Type IIB, IIIB or VB construction. Smoke-barrier walls used to separate smoke compartments shall comply with Section 709.4.1. Smoke-barrier walls used to enclose areas of refuge in accordance with Section 1009.6.4 or to enclose elevator lobbies in accordance with Section 405.4.3, 3007.6.2, or 3008.6.2 shall comply with Section 709.4.2.

  Exception: Smoke-barrier walls are not required in interstitial spaces where such spaces are designed and constructed with ceilings or exterior walls that provide resistance to the passage of fire and smoke equivalent to that provided by the smoke-barrier walls.

  709.4.1 Smoke-barrier assemblies separating smoke compartments. Smoke-barrier assemblies used to separate smoke compartments shall form an effective membrane enclosure that is continuous from an outside wall or smoke barrier wall to an outside wall or another smoke barrier wall and to the horizontal assemblies.

• CBC § 1231.4 High relevance — show source text

  1231.4 Enclosure of vertical openings. Elevator shafts, vent shafts and other vertical openings shall be enclosed, and the enclosure shall be as set forth in Chapter 7.

  1231.5 Fire-extinguishing systems. Automatic fire-extinguishing systems, standpipes and basement pipe inlets shall be installed when and as required by Chapter 9.

  1231.6 Existing Group I occupancies. Existing buildings housing existing protective social-care homes or facilities established prior to the effective date of these regulations may have their use continued if they conform, or are made to conform, to the following provisions.

  1231.6.1 Use of floors. The use of floor levels in buildings of Type III, IV or V nonfire-rated construction may be as follows:

  Nonambulatory—first floor only;

  Ambulatory—not higher than the third-floor level, provided walls and partitions are constructed of materials equal in fire- resistive quality to that of wood lath and plaster in good repair and all walls are firestopped at each floor level.

  1231.6.2 Enclosure of exits and vertical openings. Except for two-story structures housing ambulatory guests, all interior stairs shall be enclosed in accordance with Chapter 10. In lieu of stairway enclosures, floor separations or smoke barriers may be provided in such a manner that fire and smoke will not spread rapidly to floors above or otherwise impair exit facilities. In these instances, floor separations or smoke barriers shall have a fire resistance equal to not less than [1] / 2 -inch (12.7 mm) gypsum wall board on each side of wood studs with openings protected by not less than a 1 [3] / 4 -inch (44 mm) solid bonded wood-core door of the self-closing type. All other vertical openings shall be enclosed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 7.

  1231.6.3 Exit access. Each floor or portion thereof of buildings used for the housing of existing protective social-care homes or facili- ties shall have access to not less than two exits in such a manner as to furnish egress from the building or structure in the event of an emergency substantially equivalent to the provisions of Chapter 10. 1231.6.4 Corridor openings. Openings from rooms to interior corridors shall be protected by not less than 1 [3] / 4 -inch (44 mm) solid- bonded wood-core doors. Transoms and other similar openings shall be sealed with materials equivalent to existing corridor wall construction.

  1231.6.5 Interior wall and ceiling finishes shall conform to the requirements for a Group R, Division 1 occupancy as specified in Chap- ter 8.

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  INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT

  1231.6.6 Automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed in existing protective social-care occupancies in accordance with the provi- sions of Chapter 9.

  1231.6.7 Fire alarm systems. Automatic fire alarm systems shall be installed in existing protective social-care homes or facilities in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 9.

• CBC § 1023.3.1. High relevance — show source text

  5. Openings shall not be limited to 156 square feet (15 m [2] ) or an aggregate width of 25 percent of the length of the wall where the opening protective is a fire door assembly in a fire barrier separating an enclosure for exit access stairways and ramps, and interior exit stairways and ramps from an exit passageway in accordance with Section 1023.3.1.

  6. Openings providing entrance to an elevator car shall not be limited to 156 square feet (15 m [2] ) or an aggregate width of 25 percent of the length of the wall where the opening protective is a fire door assembly in a fire barrier that is an elevator hoistway enclosure.

  7. Openings shall not be limited to an aggregate width of 25 percent of the length of the wall where opening serves a shaft enclosure in accordance with Section 713.

  8. Openings shall not be limited to an aggregate width of 25 percent of the length of the wall where opening serves a chute access room in accordance with Section 713.13.3 or a chute discharge room in accordance with Section 713.13.4.

  707.7 Penetrations. Penetrations of fire barriers shall comply with Section 714.

  707.7.1 Prohibited penetrations. Penetrations into enclosures for shafts, interior exit stairways and ramps, and exit passageways shall be allowed only where permitted by Sections 713.8.1, 1023.5 and 1024.6, respectively.

  707.8 Joints. Joints made in or between fire barriers, and joints made at the intersection of fire barriers with the underside of a fireresistance-rated floor or roof sheathing, slab or deck above, and with other fire-resistance-rated wall assemblies shall comply with Section 715.

  707.9 Voids at intersections. The voids created at the intersection of a fire barrier and a nonfire-resistance-rated roof assembly or a nonfire-resistance-rated exterior wall assembly shall comply with Section 715.

  707.10 Ducts and air transfer openings. Penetrations in a fire barrier by ducts and air transfer openings shall comply with Section 717.

  SECTION 708—FIRE PARTITIONS

  708.1 General. The following wall assemblies shall comply with this section:

  1. Separation walls as required by Section 420.2 for Group R occupancies.

  2. Walls separating tenant spaces in covered and open mall buildings as required by Section 402.4.2.1.

  3. Corridor walls as required by Section 1020.2 and in Group I-2 as required by Section 407.3.

  4. Enclosed elevator lobby separation as required by Section 3006.3.

  5. Egress balconies as required by Section 1021.2

  6. Walls separating ambulatory care facilities from adjacent spaces, corridors or tenants as required by Section 422.2.

  7. Walls separating dwelling and sleeping units in Groups R-1 and R-2 in accordance with Sections 907.2.8.1 and 907.2.9.1.

  8. Vestibules in accordance with Section 1028.2.

  9. Walls separating enclosed tenant spaces in high-rise buildings and in buildings of Types I, IIA, IIIA, IV or VA construction of Group A, E, H, I, L and R-2.1 occupancies and other applications listed in Section 1.11 regulated by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

  708.2 Materials. The walls shall be of materials permitted by the building type of construction.

• CBC § 708.4.3 High relevance — show source text

  Exception: In buildings of Types IIB, IIIB and VB construction, the supporting construction requirement shall not apply to fire partitions separating tenant spaces in covered and open mall buildings, fire partitions separating dwelling units, fire partitions separating sleeping units, fire partitions serving as corridor walls, fire partitions separating ambulatory care facilities from adjacent spaces or corridors, fire partitions separating dwelling and sleeping units from Group R-1 and R-2 occupancies and fire partitions separating vestibules from the level of exit discharge.

  708.4.3 Fireblocks and draftstops in combustible construction. In combustible construction where fire partitions do not extend to the underside of the floor or roof sheathing, deck or slab above, the space above and along the line of the fire partition shall be provided with one of the following:

  1. Fireblocking up to the underside of the floor or roof sheathing, deck or slab above using materials complying with Section 718.2.1.

  2. Draftstops up to the underside of the floor or roof sheathing, deck or slab above using materials complying with Section 718.3.1 for floors or Section 718.4.1 for attics.

  Exceptions:

  1. Buildings equipped with an automatic sprinkler system installed throughout in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, or in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2 provided that protection is provided in the space between the top of the fire partition and underside of the floor or roof sheathing, deck or slab above as required for systems complying with Section 903.3.1.1.

  2. Where corridor walls provide a sleeping unit or dwelling unit separation, draftstops shall only be required above one of the corridor walls.

  3. In Group R-2 occupancies with fewer than four dwelling units, fireblocking and draftstops shall not be required.

  4. In Group R-2 occupancies up to and including four stories in height in buildings not exceeding 60 feet (18 288 mm) in height above grade plane, the attic space shall be subdivided by draftstops into areas not exceeding 3,000 square feet (279 m [2] ) or above every two dwelling units, whichever is smaller.

  5. In Group R-3 occupancies with fewer than three dwelling units, fireblocking and draftstops shall not be required in floor assemblies.

  708.5 Exterior walls. Where exterior walls serve as a part of a required fire-resistance-rated separation, such walls shall comply with the requirements of Section 705 for exterior walls, and the fire-resistance-rated separation requirements shall not apply.

  Exception: Exterior walls required to be fire-resistance rated in accordance with Section 1021.2 for exterior egress balconies, Section 1023.7 for interior exit stairways and ramps and Section 1027.6 for exterior exit stairways and ramps.

  708.6 Openings. Openings in a fire partition shall be protected in accordance with Section 716.

  708.7 Penetrations. Penetrations of fire partitions shall comply with Section 714.

  708.8 Joints. Joints made in or between fire partitions shall comply with Section 715.

  708.9 Ducts and air transfer openings. Penetrations in a fire partition by ducts and air transfer openings shall comply with Section 717.

  SECTION 709—SMOKE BARRIERS

  709.1 General. Vertical and horizontal smoke barriers shall comply with this section.

  709.2 Materials. Smoke barriers shall be of materials permitted by the building type of construction.

  2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE 7-17

• CBC § 1.4. High relevance — show source text

  1.4. The penetrations are in parking garage exhaust or supply shafts that are separated from other building shafts by not less than 2-hour fire-resistance-rated construction. 2. In Group B and R occupancies equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, smoke dampers are not required at penetrations of shafts where all of the following criteria are met: 2.1. Kitchen, clothes dryer, bathroom and toilet room exhaust openings are installed with steel exhaust subducts, having a wall thickness of not less than 0.0187 inch (0.4712 mm). 2.2. The subducts extend not less than 22 inches (559 mm) vertically. 2.3. An exhaust fan is installed at the upper terminus of the shaft that is powered continuously in accordance with the provisions of Section 909.11, so as to maintain a continuous upward airflow to the outdoors. 3. Smoke dampers are not required at penetration of exhaust or supply shafts in parking garages that are separated from other building shafts by not less than 2-hour fire-resistance-rated construction. 4. Smoke dampers are not required at penetrations of shafts where ducts are used as part of an approved mechanical smoke control system designed in accordance with Section 909 and where the smoke damper will interfere with the operation of the smoke control system. 5. Fire dampers and combination fire/smoke dampers are not required in kitchen and clothes dryer exhaust systems where dampers are prohibited by the California Mechanical Code .

  717.5.3.1 Continuous upward airflow. Fire dampers and smoke dampers shall not be installed in shafts that are required to maintain a continuous upward airflow path where closure of the damper would result in the loss of the airflow.

  717.5.4 Fire partitions. In other than Group A, E, I and R occupancies, high-rise buildings, and other applications listed in Section 1.11 regulated by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, ducts and air transfer openings that penetrate fire partitions shall be protected with listed fire dampers installed in accordance with their listing.

  Exceptions: In occupancies other than Group H and L, fire dampers are not required where any of the following apply:

  1. Corridor walls in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 and the duct is protected as a through penetration in accordance with Section 714.
  2. Tenant partitions in covered and open mall buildings where the walls are not required by provisions elsewhere in the code to extend to the underside of the floor or roof sheathing, slab or deck above.
  3. The duct system is constructed of approved materials in accordance with the California Mechanical Code and the duct penetrating the wall complies with all of the following requirements: 3.1. The duct shall not exceed 100 square inches (0.06 m [2] ). 3.2. The duct shall be constructed of steel not less than 0.0217 inch (0.55 mm) in thickness.

  3.3. The duct shall not have openings that communicate the corridor with adjacent spaces or rooms. 3.4. The duct shall be installed above a ceiling. 3.5. The duct shall not terminate at a wall register in the fire-resistance-rated wall. 3.6. A minimum 12-inch-long (305 mm) by 0.060-inch-thick (1.52 mm) steel sleeve shall be centered in each duct opening.

• CBC § 716.2.6.3 High relevance — show source text

  716.2.6.3 Chute intake door latching. Chute intake doors shall be positive latching, remaining latched and closed in the event of latch spring failure during a fire emergency.

  716.2.6.4 Automatic-closing fire door assemblies. Automatic-closing fire door assemblies shall be self-closing in accordance with NFPA 80.

  716.2.6.5 Delayed-action closers. Doors required to be self-closing and not required to be automatic closing shall be permitted to be equipped with delayed-action closers.

  716.2.6.6 Smoke-activated doors. Automatic-closing doors installed in the following locations shall be permitted to have hold-open devices. Doors shall automatically close by the actuation of smoke detectors installed in accordance with Section 907.3 or by loss of power to the smoke detector or hold-open device. Doors that are automatic-closing by smoke detection shall not have more than a 10-second delay before the door starts to close after the smoke detector is actuated. Automaticclosing doors that protect openings installed in the following locations shall comply with this section:

  1. In walls that separate incidental uses in accordance with Section 509.4.

  2. In fire walls in accordance with Section 706.8.

  3. In fire barriers in accordance with Section 707.6.

  4. In fire partitions in accordance with Section 708.6.

  5. In smoke barriers in accordance with Section 709.5.

  6. In smoke partitions in accordance with Section 710.5.2.3.

  7. In shaft enclosures in accordance with Section 713.7.

  8. In waste and linen chutes, discharge openings and access and discharge rooms in accordance with Section 713.13. Loading doors installed in waste and linen chutes shall meet the requirements of Sections 716.2.6.1 and 716.2.6.3. 9. [SFM] Doors installed in walls required to be fire rated in accordance with Section 509.4. 10. [SFM] Doors installed in walls required to be fire rated in accordance with Section 508.4.

  In Group I-2 occupancies smoke activated doors installed in the above locations shall be automatic closing by actuation of the fire alarm system, or actuation of smoke detectors installed in accordance with Section 907.3, or activation of the sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.1.

  716.2.6.7 Doors in pedestrian ways. Vertical sliding or vertical rolling steel fire doors in openings through which pedestrians travel shall be heat activated or activated by smoke detectors with alarm verification.

  716.2.7 Swinging fire shutters. Where fire shutters of the swinging type are installed in exterior openings, not less than one row in every three vertical rows shall be arranged to be readily opened from the outside, and shall be identified by distinguishing marks or letters not less than 6 inches (152 mm) high.

  716.2.8 Rolling fire shutters. Where fire shutters of the rolling type are installed, such shutters shall include approved automaticclosing devices.

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  FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES

  716.2.9 Labeled protective assemblies. Fire door assemblies shall be labeled by an approved agency. The labels shall comply with NFPA 80, and shall be permanently affixed to the door or frame.

• CBC § 714.3 High relevance — show source text

  714.3 Sleeves. Where sleeves are used, they shall be securely fastened to the assembly penetrated and installed in accordance with the sleeve manufacturer’s installation instructions. Where listed systems are used, the sleeve shall be installed in accordance with the listing criteria for the system. The space between the item contained in the sleeve and the sleeve itself and any space between the sleeve and the assembly penetrated shall be protected in accordance with this section. Insulation and coverings on or in the penetrating item shall not penetrate the assembly unless the specific material used has been tested as part of the assembly in accordance with this section.

  714.4 Fire-resistance-rated walls. Penetrations into or through fire walls, fire barriers, smoke barrier walls and fire partitions shall comply with Sections 714.4.1 through 714.4.3. Penetrations in smoke barrier walls shall also comply with Section 714.5.4.

  714.4.1 Through penetrations. Through penetrations of fire-resistance-rated walls shall comply with Section 714.4.1.1 or 714.4.1.2.

  Exception: Where the penetrating items are steel, ferrous or copper pipes, tubes or conduits, the annular space between the penetrating item and the fire-resistance-rated wall is permitted to be protected by either of the following measures:

  1. In concrete or masonry walls where the penetrating item is a maximum 6-inch (152 mm) nominal diameter and the area of the opening through the wall does not exceed 144 square inches (0.0929 m [2] ), concrete, grout or mortar is permitted where installed the full thickness of the wall or the thickness required to maintain the fire-resistance rating.
  2. The material used to fill the annular space shall prevent the passage of flame and hot gases sufficient to ignite cotton waste when subjected to ASTM E119 or UL 263 time-temperature fire conditions under a minimum positive pressure

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  FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES

  differential of 0.01 inch of water (2.49 Pa) at the location of the penetration for the time period equivalent to the fireresistance rating of the construction penetrated.

  714.4.1.1 Fire-resistance-rated assemblies. Through penetrations shall be protected using systems installed as tested in the approved fire-resistance-rated assembly.

  714.4.1.2 Through-penetration firestop system. Through penetrations shall be protected by an approved penetration firestop system installed as tested in accordance with ASTM E814 or UL 1479, with a minimum positive pressure differential of 0.01 inch of water (2.49 Pa) and shall have an F rating of not less than the required fire-resistance rating of the wall penetrated.

  714.4.2 Membrane penetrations. Membrane penetrations shall comply with Section 714.4.1. Where walls or partitions are required to have a fire-resistance rating, recessed fixtures shall be installed such that the required fire resistance will not be reduced.

  Exceptions: 1.

• CBC § 1010.1.1. High relevance — show source text

  Positive latching devices are not required. Factory-applied or field-applied protective plates are not required to be labeled. Doors installed across corridors shall comply with Section 1010.1.1. 2. In Group I- 2, R-2.1 and ambulatory care facilities, special purpose horizontal sliding, accordion or folding doors installed in accordance with Section 1010.3.3 and protected in accordance with Section 716. Doors installed across corridors shall comply with Section 1010.1.1.

  709.5.1 Group I-2, R-2.1 and ambulatory care facilities. In Group I-2, R-2.1 and ambulatory care facilities, where doors protecting openings in smoke barriers are installed across a corridor and have hold-open devices, the doors shall be automatic-closing in accordance with Section 716.2.6.6. Such doors shall have a vision panel with fire-protection-rated glazing materials in fire-protection-rated frames, the area of which shall not exceed that tested. In Group I-2, where swinging doors are installed across a corridor, such doors shall be opposite swinging pairs.

  709.6 Penetrations. Penetrations of smoke barriers shall comply with Section 714.

  709.7 Joints. Joints made in or between smoke barriers shall comply with Section 715.

  709.8 Ducts and air transfer openings. Penetrations in a smoke barrier by ducts and air transfer openings shall comply with Section 717.

  SECTION 710—SMOKE PARTITIONS

  710.1 General. Smoke partitions installed as required elsewhere in the code shall comply with this section.

  710.2 Materials. The walls shall be of materials permitted by the building type of construction. In Group I-2, smoke partitions shall have framing covered with noncombustible materials having an approved thermal barrier with an index of not less than 15 in accor- dance with FM 4880, UL 1040, NFPA 286 or UL 1715.

  710.3 Fire-resistance rating. Unless required elsewhere in the code, smoke partitions are not required to have a fire-resistance rating.

  710.4 Continuity. Smoke partitions shall extend from the top of the foundation or floor below to the underside of the floor or roof sheathing, deck or slab above or to the underside of the ceiling above where the ceiling membrane is constructed to limit the transfer of smoke.

  Exception: In Group I-2, a lay-in ceiling system shall be considered capable of limiting the transfer of smoke where the ceiling tiles weigh not less than 1 pound per square foot (4.882 kg/m2) and where the HVAC system is fully ducted in accordance with the Cali- fornia Mechanical Code.

  710.4.1 Smoke partition walls enclosing elevator lobbies. Smoke partition walls used to enclose elevator lobbies in accordance with Section 3006.3 shall form an enclosure that terminates at a fire barrier having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour, another smoke partition or an outside wall.

  710.5 Openings. Openings in smoke partitions shall comply with Sections 710.5.1 through 710.5.3.

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  FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES

• CBC § 1103.3.3 High relevance — show source text

  1103.3.3 Medical emergency elevator. For existing hoistways with elevator alterations, or replacements, where the elevator car dimensions do not comply with Section 3002.4.1a of the California Building Code. The elevator car dimensions and/or the clear entrance opening dimensions may be altered where it can be demonstrated to the local jurisdictional authority’s satisfaction that the proposed configuration will accommodate the designated gurney or stretcher with equivalent ease to the existing car and/or clear entrance conditions. Written documentation from the local authority shall be provided to the California Occupational Safety and Health Elevator Unit.

  1103.4 Vertical openings. Interior vertical openings, including but not limited to stairways, elevator hoistways, service and utility shafts, that connect two or more stories of a building shall be enclosed or protected as specified in Sections 1103.4.1 through 1103.4.10.

  1103.4.1 Group I-2 and I-3 occupancies. In Group I-2 and I-3 occupancies, interior vertical openings connecting two or more stories shall be protected with 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction.

  Exceptions:

  1. In Group I-2, unenclosed vertical openings not exceeding two connected stories and not concealed within the building construction shall be permitted as follows: 1.1. The unenclosed vertical openings shall be separated from other unenclosed vertical openings serving other floors by a smoke barrier. 1.2. The unenclosed vertical openings shall be separated from corridors by smoke partitions. 1.3. The unenclosed vertical openings shall be separated from other fire or smoke compartments on the same floors by a smoke barrier. 1.4. On other than the lowest level, the unenclosed vertical openings shall not serve as a required means of

  egress. 2. In Group I-2, atriums connecting three or more stories shall not require 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3, and all of the following conditions are met: 2.1. For other than existing approved atriums with a smoke control system, where the atrium was constructed and is maintained in accordance with the code in effect at the time the atrium was created, the atrium shall have a smoke control system that is in compliance with Section 909. 2.2. Glass walls forming a smoke partition or a glass-block wall assembly shall be permitted where in compliance with Condition 2.2.1 or 2.2.2.

  2.2.1. Glass walls forming a smoke partition shall be permitted where all of the following conditions are met:

  2.2.1.1. Automatic sprinklers are provided along both sides of the separation wall and doors, or on the room side only if there is not a walkway or occupied space on the atrium side.

  2.2.1.2. The sprinklers shall be not more than 12 inches (305 mm) away from the face of the glass and at intervals along the glass of not greater than 72 inches (1829 mm).

  2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE 11-5

  on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

  CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS

  2.2.1.3. Windows in the glass wall shall be nonoperating type. 2.2.1.4.

• CBC § 12.7 High relevance — show source text

  All such padded cells must be equipped with a tamper-resistant fire sprinkler as approved by the State Fire Marshal. All padding must be:

  1. Approved for use by the State Fire Marshal; 2. Nonporous to facilitate cleaning; 3. At least [1] / 2 -inch (12.7 mm) thick; 4. Of a unitary or laminated construction to prevent its destruction by teeth, hand tearing or small metal objects; 5. Firmly bonded to all padded surfaces to prevent tearing or ripping; and 6. Without any exposed seams susceptible to tearing or ripping.

  1231.3.9 Mirrors. A mirror of a material appropriate to the level of security must be provided near each wash basin specified in these regulations.

  1231.3.10 Seating. In temporary holding and temporary staging cells, seating must be securely fixed to the floor or wall. When bench seating is used, 18 inches (457 mm) of bench width and no less than 12 inches depth is seating for one person.

  1231.3.11 Desk/seat. In single and double occupancy cells, a desk and seat for the purpose of writing and dining shall be provided.

  Exception: A Type I facility does not require a desk and a seat.

  1231.3.12 Weapons locker. A secure weapons locker shall be located outside the security perimeter of the facility. Such weapons lockers shall be equipped with individual compartments, each with an individual locking device. Weapons lockers are required in temporary and court holding facilities and in all facilities of higher than minimum security.

  Exception: The design of court holding and temporary holding facilities shall include the design criteria for furnishings and equip- ment from Sections 1231.3.1, 1231.3.2, 1231.3.3, 1231.3.6, 1231.3.10 and 1231.3.12.

  1231.4 Enclosure of vertical openings. Elevator shafts, vent shafts and other vertical openings shall be enclosed, and the enclosure shall be as set forth in Chapter 7.

  1231.5 Fire-extinguishing systems. Automatic fire-extinguishing systems, standpipes and basement pipe inlets shall be installed when and as required by Chapter 9.

  1231.6 Existing Group I occupancies. Existing buildings housing existing protective social-care homes or facilities established prior to the effective date of these regulations may have their use continued if they conform, or are made to conform, to the following provisions.

  1231.6.1 Use of floors. The use of floor levels in buildings of Type III, IV or V nonfire-rated construction may be as follows:

  Nonambulatory—first floor only;

  Ambulatory—not higher than the third-floor level, provided walls and partitions are constructed of materials equal in fire- resistive quality to that of wood lath and plaster in good repair and all walls are firestopped at each floor level.

  1231.6.2 Enclosure of exits and vertical openings. Except for two-story structures housing ambulatory guests, all interior stairs shall be enclosed in accordance with Chapter 10. In lieu of stairway enclosures, floor separations or smoke barriers may be provided _in such a manner that fire and smoke will not spread rapidly to floors above or otherwise impair exit facilities.