CBC · California Building Code
Fire-Resistance‑Rated Construction & Ratings
Chapter 7 of the CBC sets the test methods, construction requirements and maintenance responsibilities for fire‑resistance‑rated assemblies (see §§701, 703–716).
Last reviewed: July 5, 2026
Overview
Chapter 7 (Fire and Smoke Protection Features) of the California Building Code is the primary source for requirements that establish, test and preserve fire‑resistance ratings for building elements and assemblies; Section §701 frames the chapter’s scope and purpose in safeguarding against the spread of fire and smoke within and between buildings . These provisions are the backbone of passive fire protection and work alongside active systems to protect life and property.
The code prescribes how ratings are determined (tested assemblies per §703 with ASTM E119 or UL 263, plus analytical and prescriptive methods), and how specific elements are treated — e.g., structural members (§704), exterior walls and separation distances (§705 and Table 705.5), fire walls/barriers/partitions, penetrations and joints (§714, §715), and opening protectives (§716) . The CBC also provides prescriptive (§721) and calculated (§722) design paths where testing is not used .
Maintenance and owner responsibilities for preserving the required ratings are emphasized in the fire code companion provisions (see CFC/CBC maintenance and owner duties in §701 and related sections), which require inventories, inspection and repair of rated elements to retain their intended performance over time .
In this section
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Building Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CBC § 2.1 High relevance — show source text
2.1_||||X|X||||||||||||||||||||
The state agency does not adopt sections identified with the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.
2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE 7-1
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
7-2 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
7 FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
User notes:
About this chapter: Chapter 7 provides detailed requirements for fire-resistance-rated construction, including structural members, walls, partitions and horizontal assemblies. Other portions of the code describe where certain fire-resistance-rated elements are required. This chapter specifies how these elements are constructed, how openings in walls and partitions are protected and how penetrations of such elements are protected.
SECTION 701—GENERAL
701.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall govern the materials, systems and assemblies used for structural fire resistance and fire-resistance-rated construction separation of adjacent spaces to safeguard against the spread of fire and smoke within a building and the spread of fire to or from buildings.
SECTION 702—MULTIPLE-USE FIRE ASSEMBLIES
702.1 Multiple-use fire assemblies. Fire assemblies that serve multiple purposes in a building shall comply with all of the requirements that are applicable for each of the individual fire assemblies.
SECTION 703—FIRE-RESISTANCE RATINGS AND FIRE TESTS
703.1 Scope. Materials prescribed herein for fire resistance shall conform to the requirements of this chapter.
703.2 Fire resistance. The fire-resistance rating of building elements, components or assemblies shall be determined in accordance with Section 703.2.1 or 703.2.2 without the use of automatic sprinklers or any other fire suppression system being incorporated, or in accordance with Section 703.2.3.
703.2.1 Tested assemblies. A fire-resistance rating of building elements, components or assemblies shall be determined by the test procedures set forth in ASTM E119 or UL 263. The fire-resistance rating of penetrations and fire-resistant joint systems shall be determined in accordance with Sections 714 and 715, respectively.
703.2.1.1 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 E119 or UL 263. Where 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 Section 705.5 for exterior walls).
703.2.1.2 Combustible components. Combustible aggregates are permitted in gypsum and Portland cement concrete mixtures for fire-resistance-rated construction. Any component material or admixture is permitted in assemblies if the resulting tested assembly meets the fire-resistance test requirements of this code.
CFC § 1203 High relevance — show source text
CHAPTER TOPICS Col2 PARTS AND CHAPTERS SUBJECTS Part I—Chapters 1 and 2 Administrative and definitions Part II—Chapters 3 and 4 General safety provisions Part III—Chapters 5 through 12 Building and equipment design features Part III—Chapters 13 through 19 Reserved for future use Part IV—Chapters 20 through 41_; 48 and 49_ Special occupancies and operations Part IV—Chapters 42 through_47_ Reserved for future use Part V—Chapters 50, 51 and 53 through 67 Hazardous materials Part V—Chapters_ 52,_ 68 through 79 Reserved for future use Part VI—Chapter 80 Referenced standards Part VII—Appendices A through Q Adoptable and informational appendices 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE xiii
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California Building Code Correlated Topics
The CFC requirements for fire-resistance-rated construction, interior finish, fire protection systems, means of egress and construction safeguards are directly correlated to the chapters containing parallel requirements in the CBC as follows:
CFC/CBC CORRELATED TOPICS Col2 Col3 CFC CHAPTER/SECTION CBC CHAPTER/SECTION SUBJECT Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Fire and smoke protection features (Fire-resistance-rated construction in the CBC) Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Interior finish, decorative materials and furnishings Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Fire protection and life safety systems Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Means of egress Section 1203 Chapter 27 Emergency and standby power Chapter 31 Section 3103 Temporary structures Chapter 33 Chapter 33 Construction fire safety Chapters 50–67 Sections 307, 414, 415 Hazardous materials and Group H requirements PART I—ADMINISTRATIVE
Chapter 1 Scope and Administration.
Chapter 1 establishes the limits of applicability of the code and describes how the code is to be applied and enforced. The provisions of Chapter 1 establish the authority and duties of the code official appointed by the authority having jurisdiction and also establish the rights and privileges of the design professional, contractor and property owner.
Chapter 2 Definitions.
Chapter 2 is the repository of the definitions of terms used in the body of the code. The user of the code should be familiar with and consult this chapter because the definitions are essential to the correct interpretation of the code and because the user may not be aware that a term is defined.
PART II—GENERAL SAFETY PROVISIONS
Chapter 3 General Requirements
General regulations contained in Chapter 3, are intended to improve premises safety for everyone, including construction workers, tenants, operations and maintenance personnel, and emergency response personnel.
Chapter 4 Emergency Planning and Preparedness
Chapter 4 addresses the human contribution to life safety during emergencies. Continuous training and scheduled fire, evacuation and lockdown drills can be as important as the required periodic inspections and maintenance of built-in fire protection features. The level of preparation by the occupants also improves the emergency responders’ abilities during an emergency.
PART III—BUILDING AND EQUIPMENT DESIGN FEATURES
Chapter 5 Fire Service Features
CBC § 5.1 High relevance — show source text
5.1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |705.2.3.2|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |705.5|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |Table 705.5|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |705.13|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |Table 706.4|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |Table 707.3.10|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |707.4|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |708.1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |708.3|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |709.3|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |709.5|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |709.5.1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |710.2|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |710.4|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |710.8|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |716.2.2.1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |716.2.6.6|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |716.2.9.4|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |717.5.2|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |717.5.4|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |717.5.4.1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |717.5.5|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |721.2||||X|X|||||||||||||||||||| |7_21.2.1_||||X|X||||||||||||||||||||
The state agency does not adopt sections identified with the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.
2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE 7-1
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7-2 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE
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7 FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
User notes:
About this chapter: Chapter 7 provides detailed requirements for fire-resistance-rated construction, including structural members, walls, partitions and horizontal assemblies. Other portions of the code describe where certain fire-resistance-rated elements are required. This chapter specifies how these elements are constructed, how openings in walls and partitions are protected and how penetrations of such elements are protected.
SECTION 701—GENERAL
701.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall govern the materials, systems and assemblies used for structural fire resistance and fire-resistance-rated construction separation of adjacent spaces to safeguard against the spread of fire and smoke within a building and the spread of fire to or from buildings.
SECTION 702—MULTIPLE-USE FIRE ASSEMBLIES
702.1 Multiple-use fire assemblies. Fire assemblies that serve multiple purposes in a building shall comply with all of the requirements that are applicable for each of the individual fire assemblies.
SECTION 703—FIRE-RESISTANCE RATINGS AND FIRE TESTS
703.1 Scope. Materials prescribed herein for fire resistance shall conform to the requirements of this chapter.
CBC § 5-8 High relevance — show source text
505 Mezzanines and Equipment Platforms. . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
506 Building Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
507 Unlimited Area Buildings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
508 Mixed Use and Occupancy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
509 Incidental Uses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
510 Special Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
CHAPTER 6 TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
601 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
602 Construction Classification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
603 Combustible Material in Types I and II Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
CHAPTER 7 FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES. . 7-1
701 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
702 Multiple-Use Fire Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
703 Fire-Resistance Ratings and Fire Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
704 Fire-Resistance Rating of Structural Members . . . . . 7-4
705 Exterior Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
706 Fire Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
707 Fire Barriers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
708 Fire Partitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-16
709 Smoke Barriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17
710 Smoke Partitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
711 Floor and Roof Assemblies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19
CBC § 1.11. High relevance — show source text
- The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Fire Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same. The state agency does not adopt sections identified by the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.
2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE 7-1
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7-2 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
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7 FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
User notes:
About this chapter: Chapter 7 provides requirements to maintain the fire-resistance ratings of building elements and to limit fire spread. Section 701 addresses the maintenance of and owner’s responsibility for construction elements such as fire barriers and smoke barriers. The rest of the chapter deals with various aspects that also must be maintained to achieve overall fire resistance of the main fire- and smoke-resistive features. These include penetrations, joint protection, door and window openings, and duct and air transfer opening protection.
SECTION 701—GENERAL
701.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall govern the inspection and maintenance of the materials, systems and assemblies used for structural fire resistance, fire-resistance-rated construction separation of adjacent spaces and construction installed to resist the passage of smoke to safeguard against the spread of fire and smoke within a building and the spread of fire to or from buildings. New buildings shall comply with the California Building Code.
701.2 Fire-resistance-rated construction. The fire-resistance rating of the following fire-resistance-rated construction shall be maintained:
Structural members.
Exterior walls.
Fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions.
Horizontal assemblies.
Shaft enclosures.
701.2.1 Hanging displays. The hanging and displaying of salable goods and other decorative materials from acoustical ceiling systems that are part of a fire-resistance-rated horizontal assembly shall be prohibited.
701.3 Smoke barriers. The fire-resistance rating and smoke-resistant characteristics of smoke barriers shall be maintained.
701.4 Smoke partitions. The smoke-resistant characteristics of smoke partitions shall be maintained.
701.5 Maintaining protection. Materials, systems and devices used to repair or protect breaches and openings in fire-resistance-rated construction and construction installed to resist the passage of smoke shall be maintained in accordance with Sections 703 through 707.
701.6 Owner’s responsibility. The owner shall maintain an inventory of all required fire-resistance-rated construction, construction installed to resist the passage of smoke and the construction included in Sections 703 through 707 and Sections 602.4.1 and 602.4.2 of the California Building Code . Such construction shall be visually inspected by the owner annually and properly repaired, restored or replaced where damaged, altered, breached or penetrated. Where concealed, such elements shall not be required to be visually inspected by the owner unless the concealed space is accessible by the removal or movement of a panel, access door, ceiling tile or similar movable entry to the space.
CBC § 703.1 High relevance — show source text
SECTION 703—FIRE-RESISTANCE RATINGS AND FIRE TESTS
703.1 Scope. Materials prescribed herein for fire resistance shall conform to the requirements of this chapter.
703.2 Fire resistance. The fire-resistance rating of building elements, components or assemblies shall be determined in accordance with Section 703.2.1 or 703.2.2 without the use of automatic sprinklers or any other fire suppression system being incorporated, or in accordance with Section 703.2.3.
703.2.1 Tested assemblies. A fire-resistance rating of building elements, components or assemblies shall be determined by the test procedures set forth in ASTM E119 or UL 263. The fire-resistance rating of penetrations and fire-resistant joint systems shall be determined in accordance with Sections 714 and 715, respectively.
703.2.1.1 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 E119 or UL 263. Where 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 Section 705.5 for exterior walls).
703.2.1.2 Combustible components. Combustible aggregates are permitted in gypsum and Portland cement concrete mixtures for fire-resistance-rated construction. Any component material or admixture is permitted in assemblies if the resulting tested assembly meets the fire-resistance test requirements of this code.
703.2.1.3 Restrained classification. Fire-resistance-rated assemblies tested under ASTM E119 or UL 263 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 E119 or UL 263. Restrained construction shall be identified on the construction documents.
703.2.1.4 Supplemental features. Where materials, systems or devices that have not been tested as part of a fire-resistancerated assembly are incorporated into the building element, component or assembly, sufficient data shall be made available to the building official to show that the required fire-resistance rating is not reduced.
703.2.1.5 Exterior bearing walls. In determining the fire-resistance rating of exterior bearing walls, compliance with the ASTM E119 or UL 263 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. Where the fire-resistance rating determined in accordance with this exception exceeds the fire-resistance rating determined in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL 263, the fire exposure time period, water pressure and application duration criteria for the hose stream test of ASTM E119 or UL 263 shall be based on the fire-resistance rating determined in accordance with this section.
703.2.2 Analytical methods. The fire resistance of building elements, components or assemblies established by an analytical method shall be by any of the methods listed in this section, based on the fire exposure and acceptance criteria specified in ASTM E119 or UL 263.
- Fire-resistance designs documented in approved sources.
- Prescriptive designs of fire-resistance-rated building elements, components or assemblies as prescribed in Section 721.
CBC § 7-3 High relevance — show source text
702 Multiple-Use Fire Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
703 Fire-Resistance Ratings and Fire Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
704 Fire-Resistance Rating of Structural Members . . . . . 7-4
705 Exterior Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
706 Fire Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
707 Fire Barriers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
708 Fire Partitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-16
709 Smoke Barriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17
710 Smoke Partitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
711 Floor and Roof Assemblies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19
712 Vertical Openings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-20
713 Shaft Enclosures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-21
714 Penetrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-23
715 Joints and Voids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-26
716 Opening Protectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-27
717 Ducts and Air Transfer Openings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-34
718 Concealed Spaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-40
719 Fire-Resistance Requirements for Plaster . . . . . . . . 7-42
720 Thermal- and Sound-Insulating Materials . . . . . . . . 7-42
721 Prescriptive Fire Resistance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-43
722 Calculated Fire Resistance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-66
CHAPTER 7A [SFM] MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION
METHODS FOR EXTERIOR WILDFIRE EXPOSURE . . . . . . . 7A-1
CBC § 703.7 High relevance — show source text
The test assemblies shall be identical in construction, loading and materials, other than the noncombustible protection. The two test assemblies shall be tested to the same criteria of structural failure with the following conditions:
- Test Assembly 1 shall be without protection.
- Test Assembly 2 shall include the representative noncombustible protection. The protection shall be fully defined in terms of configuration details, attachment details, joint sealing details, accessories and all other relevant details.
The noncombustible protection time contribution shall be determined by subtracting the fire-resistance time, in minutes, of Test Assembly 1 from the fire-resistance time, in minutes, of Test Assembly 2.
703.7 Sealing of adjacent mass timber elements. In buildings of Types IV-A, IV-B and IV-C construction, sealant or adhesive shall be provided to resist the passage of air in the following locations:
- At abutting edges and intersections of mass timber building elements required to be fire-resistance rated.
- At abutting intersections of mass timber building elements and building elements of other materials where both are required to be fire-resistance rated.
Sealants shall meet the requirements of ASTM C920. Adhesives shall meet the requirements of ASTM D3498.
Exception: Sealants or adhesives need not be provided where they are not a required component of a tested fire-resistance-rated assembly.
SECTION 704—FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING OF STRUCTURAL MEMBERS
704.1 Requirements. The fire-resistance ratings of structural members and assemblies shall comply with this section and the requirements for the type of construction as specified in Table 601.
704.1.1 Supporting construction. The fire-resistance ratings of supporting structural members and assemblies shall be not less than the ratings required for the fire-resistance-rated assemblies supported by the structural members.
Exception: Structural members and assemblies that support fire barriers, fire partitions, smoke barriers and horizontal assemblies as provided in Sections 707.5, 708.4, 709.4 and 711.2, respectively.
704.2 Protection of the primary structural frame. Members of the primary structural frame that are required to have protection to achieve a fire-resistance rating shall be provided individual encasement protection by protecting them on all sides for the full length, including connections to other structural members, with materials having the required fire-resistance rating. Where a column extends through a ceiling, the encasement protection shall be continuous from the top of the foundation or floor/ceiling assembly below through the ceiling space to the top of the column.
Exceptions:
- Individual encasement protection on all sides shall be permitted on all exposed sides provided that the extent of protection is in accordance with the required fire-resistance rating, as determined in Section 703.
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
Primary structural members other than columns that do not support more than two floors or one floor and roof, or a load-bearing wall or a nonload-bearing wall more than two stories high, are permitted to be protected by the membrane of a fire-resistance-rated wall or horizontal assembly where the membrane provides the required fire-resistance rating.
Columns that meet the limitations of Section 704.3.1.
CBC § 704.1.1 High relevance — show source text
704.1.1 Supporting construction. The fire-resistance ratings of supporting structural members and assemblies shall be not less than the ratings required for the fire-resistance-rated assemblies supported by the structural members.
Exception: Structural members and assemblies that support fire barriers, fire partitions, smoke barriers and horizontal assemblies as provided in Sections 707.5, 708.4, 709.4 and 711.2, respectively.
704.2 Protection of the primary structural frame. Members of the primary structural frame that are required to have protection to achieve a fire-resistance rating shall be provided individual encasement protection by protecting them on all sides for the full length, including connections to other structural members, with materials having the required fire-resistance rating. Where a column extends through a ceiling, the encasement protection shall be continuous from the top of the foundation or floor/ceiling assembly below through the ceiling space to the top of the column.
Exceptions:
- Individual encasement protection on all sides shall be permitted on all exposed sides provided that the extent of protection is in accordance with the required fire-resistance rating, as determined in Section 703.
7-4 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
Primary structural members other than columns that do not support more than two floors or one floor and roof, or a load-bearing wall or a nonload-bearing wall more than two stories high, are permitted to be protected by the membrane of a fire-resistance-rated wall or horizontal assembly where the membrane provides the required fire-resistance rating.
Columns that meet the limitations of Section 704.3.1.
704.3 Protection of secondary structural members. Secondary structural members that are required to have protection to achieve a fire-resistance rating shall be protected by individual encasement protection, or by the membrane of a fire-resistance-rated wall or horizontal assembly where the membrane provides the required fire-resistance rating.
704.3.1 Light-frame construction. Studs, columns and boundary elements that are integral elements in walls of light-frame construction and are located entirely between the top and bottom plates or tracks shall be permitted to have required fire-resistance ratings provided by the membrane protection provided for the wall.
704.3.2 Horizontal assemblies. Horizontal assemblies are permitted to be protected with a membrane or ceiling where the membrane or ceiling provides the required fire-resistance rating and is installed in accordance with Section 711.
704.4 Truss protection. The required thickness and construction of fire-resistance-rated assemblies enclosing trusses shall be based on the results of full-scale tests or combinations of tests on truss components or on approved calculations based on such tests that satisfactorily demonstrate that the assembly has the required fire resistance.
704.5 Attachments to structural members. The edges of lugs, brackets, rivets and bolt heads attached to structural members shall be permitted to extend to within 1 inch (25 mm) of the surface of the fire protection.
CBC § 716.1.2.3 High relevance — show source text
Fire-resistance-rated
glazing assemblies tested to ASTM E119 or UL 263, as specified in Section 716.1.2.3, shall be permitted.|NP = Not Permitted.
a. Not permitted except fire-resistance-rated glazing assemblies tested to ASTM E119 or UL 263, as specified in Section 716.1.2.3.
b. XXX = The fire rating duration period in minutes, which shall be equal to the fire-resistance rating required for the wall assembly.
c. Fire-protection-rated glazing is not permitted for fire barriers required by Section 1207 of the_California Fire Code_ to enclose energy storage systems. Fire-resistance-rated
glazing assemblies tested to ASTM E119 or UL 263, as specified in Section 716.1.2.3, shall be permitted.|NP = Not Permitted.
a. Not permitted except fire-resistance-rated glazing assemblies tested to ASTM E119 or UL 263, as specified in Section 716.1.2.3.
b. XXX = The fire rating duration period in minutes, which shall be equal to the fire-resistance rating required for the wall assembly.
c. Fire-protection-rated glazing is not permitted for fire barriers required by Section 1207 of the_California Fire Code_ to enclose energy storage systems. Fire-resistance-rated
glazing assemblies tested to ASTM E119 or UL 263, as specified in Section 716.1.2.3, shall be permitted.|2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE 7-29
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FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
716.1.1 Alternative methods for determining fire protection ratings. The application of any of the alternative methods specified in this section shall be based on the fire exposure and acceptance criteria specified in NFPA 252, NFPA 257, UL 9, UL 10B or UL 10C. The required fire protection rating of an opening protective shall be permitted to be established by any of the following methods or procedures:
- Designs documented in approved sources.
- Engineering analysis based on a comparison of opening protective designs having fire protection ratings as determined by the test procedures set forth in NFPA 252, NFPA 257, UL 9, UL 10B or UL 10C.
- Alternative protection methods as allowed by Section 104.2.3.
716.1.2 Glazing. Glazing used in fire door assemblies and fire window assemblies shall comply with this section in addition to the requirements of Sections 716.2 and 716.3, respectively.
716.1.2.1 Safety glazing. Fire-protection-rated glazing and fire-resistance-rated glazing installed in fire door assemblies and fire window assemblies shall comply with the safety glazing requirements of Chapter 24 where applicable.
716.1.2.2 Marking fire-rated glazing assemblies. Fire-rated glazing assemblies shall be marked in accordance with Tables 716.1(1), 716.1(2) and 716.1(3).
CBC § 701.2 High relevance — show source text
701.2 Fire-resistance-rated construction. The fire-resistance rating of the following fire-resistance-rated construction shall be maintained:
Structural members.
Exterior walls.
Fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions.
Horizontal assemblies.
Shaft enclosures.
701.2.1 Hanging displays. The hanging and displaying of salable goods and other decorative materials from acoustical ceiling systems that are part of a fire-resistance-rated horizontal assembly shall be prohibited.
701.3 Smoke barriers. The fire-resistance rating and smoke-resistant characteristics of smoke barriers shall be maintained.
701.4 Smoke partitions. The smoke-resistant characteristics of smoke partitions shall be maintained.
701.5 Maintaining protection. Materials, systems and devices used to repair or protect breaches and openings in fire-resistance-rated construction and construction installed to resist the passage of smoke shall be maintained in accordance with Sections 703 through 707.
701.6 Owner’s responsibility. The owner shall maintain an inventory of all required fire-resistance-rated construction, construction installed to resist the passage of smoke and the construction included in Sections 703 through 707 and Sections 602.4.1 and 602.4.2 of the California Building Code . Such construction shall be visually inspected by the owner annually and properly repaired, restored or replaced where damaged, altered, breached or penetrated. Where concealed, such elements shall not be required to be visually inspected by the owner unless the concealed space is accessible by the removal or movement of a panel, access door, ceiling tile or similar movable entry to the space.
701.6.1 Recordkeeping. Records of all required system inspections, testing, repairs and maintenance shall be maintained in accordance with Section 110.3.
701.7 Unsafe conditions. Where any components in this chapter are not maintained and do not function as intended or do not have the fire resistance or the resistance to the passage of smoke required by the code under which the building was constructed, remodeled or altered, such component(s) or portion thereof shall be deemed an unsafe condition, in accordance with Section 115.1.1. Components or portions thereof determined to be unsafe shall be repaired or replaced to conform to that code under which the building was constructed, remodeled or altered or this chapter, as deemed appropriate by the fire code official.
Where the condition of components is such that any building, structure or portion thereof presents an imminent danger to the occupants of the building, structure or portion thereof, the fire code official shall act in accordance with Section 115.2.
SECTION 702—DEFINITIONS
702.1 Definitions. The following terms are defined in Chapter 2:
DRAFTSTOP.
FIREBLOCKING.
MEMBRANE-PENETRATION FIRESTOP SYSTEM.
OPENING PROTECTIVE.
SMOKE BARRIER.
SMOKE PARTITION.
THROUGH-PENETRATION FIRESTOP SYSTEM.
2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE 7-3
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
SECTION 703—PENETRATIONS
CBC § 403.4.7 High relevance — show source text
Smoke exhaust 910 Smoke removal, high-rise buildings 403.4.7 Smokeproof enclosure 909.20.3, 909.20.5, 1023.12 Spray rooms and spaces 416.2.2, 416.3 Stages 410.2.5, 410.2.7 Under-floor ventilation 202.4 Vents, Penetration Protection 714 Vermiculite, Fire Resistant 721 Vertical Opening Protection Atriums 404.6
Duct penetrations 717.1 Elevators 713.14, 3007.6.1, 3008.6.1 Exceptions 1019, 1023.2 Group I-3 408.5 High-rise 403.2.1.2, 403.2.2, 403.5.1 Live/work units 508.5.6 Open parking garages 406.5.9 Permitted vertical openings 712 Shaft enclosure 713, 1019, 1023.2 Vestibules, Exit Discharge 1028.2 Vinyl Expanded 803.7, 803.8 Rigid 1404.15 Violations 114 Voice Alarm (see Alarms, Voice) Walkway 402.4.3.1, 3104 During construction 3306 Encroachment, public right-of-way 3202.3.4
Fire resistance Table 601
Live load Table 1607.1 Materials per construction type Chapter 6 Opening protection 716, 717, 1026.2 Wall, Exterior 705, 1401 Bearing Chapter 6
California Energy Code and International Energy Conservation Code Climate Zones 1404.3.3 Combustible wall covering 1405 Coverings 1404 Drawings 107.2.4 Exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) 1407 Exterior structural members 704.9
Fire district D102.2.6, D102.1 Fire-resistance ratings 703, 705.5, Table 705.5, 706.5.1, 707.4, 1402.4 Flashing, veneered walls 1404.11.1, 1404.4
Foam plastic insulation 2603.4.1.4, 2603.5 Glazing, rated 715.8 Joints 705.10, 714 Light-transmitting plastic panels 2607 Materials 705.4, 1403.1, 1405 Metal composite material (MCM) 1406 Nonbearing Chapter 6 Opening protection 705.11, 705.9, 716.2.5.4
Parapets 705.12 Performance requirements 1402 Projections 705.2 Structural stability 705.7 Vapor retarders 1404.3 Veneer (see Veneer) Weather resistance 1402.2, 1404.2, 1406.6, 1407.4 Weather-resistant barriers 1404.2 Wall, Fire (see Fire Walls) Wall, Foundation (see Foundations) Wall, Interior Finishes 803, 1210.2 Opening protection 716, 717 Wall, Interior Nonbearing (See Partitions) Wall, Masonry 202 Wood Contact 2304.12.1.3,
Frequently asked questions
How is a fire‑resistance rating established under the CBC?
Ratings are established primarily by test per §703.2.1 using ASTM E119 or UL 263; where testing is not used, analytical methods, approved designs, or the CBC’s prescriptive (§721) and calculated (§722) procedures may be used to demonstrate required fire resistance .
Who is responsible for maintaining fire‑resistance‑rated construction after occupancy?
The building owner is responsible for maintaining inventories and visually inspecting and repairing required fire‑resistance‑rated construction and smoke‑resistive elements (owner duties and recordkeeping are set out in §701 and companion fire code provisions) .
How must penetrations and joints in rated assemblies be protected?
Through‑penetrations, membrane penetrations and joints must be protected using systems tested and listed for the application; through‑penetration firestop systems are tested per ASTM E814 / UL 1479 and must provide an F‑rating at least equal to the wall or assembly penetrated (see §714 and §715) .
More in California Building Code
- Administration & Permits
- Energy Efficiency
- Existing Buildings
- Occupancy Classification & Use
- Hazardous Materials & Occupancies
- Types of Construction
- Fire-Resistance & Fire Safety
- Interior Finishes
- Means of Egress
- Accessibility
- Exterior Walls
- Roofing & Roof Assemblies
- Structural Design
- Special Inspections & Tests
- Foundations & Soils
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel
- Wood
- Elevators & Conveying Systems
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