Does Panoramic Elevator Need a Rated Shaft?

10/20/2025

Does a panoramic or free-standing elevator have to be in a fire-rated shaft if it's not penetrating a floor assembly?

IBC 3002.1 requires shaft enclosures per Sections 712 and 713 and opening protections for the shaft, but in this photo example of an elevator in an open atrium, I wouldn't think it's penetrating a floor slab, so it would be required to be in a shaft. I believe that the wall facing the floor would need to be rated accordingly, but not the rest of the shaft.

I'm pretty sure this makes sense, but I don't see any code language that would explicitly say this is right.

Thanks in advance.

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6 Comments

Todd E Wyatt

10/20/2025 08:16:43 am

No. Elevator hoistways in compliant Atriums per the scoping Code (e.g. IBC-2024 Section 404 Atriums.) are not req'd to be fire-resistance rated.

Jesse

10/20/2025 08:18:22 am

No, this isn't required to have a fire-rated shaft

Glenn Berger

10/20/2025 08:51:27 am

The elevator in question does not need to be in a rated enclosure. The elevator does not penetrate any rated floors. Todd provided a valid reference that might be applicable to your project.

Jack G

10/20/2025 09:31:54 am

While the shaft does not require protection ,the doors on the floor side require smoke and fire protection.
Water curtin to protect fire from going up the shaft and spreading and maybe shaft pressurization to stop smoke. .
Consult your AHJ.

Todd E Wyatt

10/20/2025 09:50:06 am

I recommend they review the following as the req'd 1-Hr Fire Barrier (1FB) enclosure of the Atrium includes multiple exceptions :

IBC-2024
Chapter 4 Special Detailed Requirements Based on Occupancy and Use
404.6 Enclosure of Atriums
Atrium spaces shall be separated from adjacent spaces by a 1-hour fire barrier constructed in accordance with Section 707 or a horizontal assembly constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both.
Exceptions:
1. A fire barrier is not required where a glass wall forming a smoke partition is provided. The glass wall shall comply with all of the following:
a. 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 on the atrium side. The sprinklers shall be located between 4 inches and 12 inches (102 mm and 305 mm) away from the glass and at intervals along the glass not greater than 6 feet (1829 mm). The sprinkler system shall be designed so that the entire surface of the glass is wet upon activation of the sprinkler system without obstruction.
b. The glass wall shall be installed in a gasketed frame in a manner that the framing system deflects without breaking (loading) the glass before the sprinkler system operates.
c. Where glass doors are provided in the glass wall, they shall be either self-closing or automatic-closing.
2. A fire barrier is not required where a glass-block wall assembly complying with Section 2110 and having a 3/4-hour fire protection rating is provided.
3. A fire barrier is not required between the atrium and the adjoining spaces of up to three floors of the atrium provided that such spaces are accounted for in the design of the smoke control system.
4. In other than Group I-2 and Group I-1, Condition 2, a fire barrier is not required between the atrium and the adjoining spaces where the atrium is not required to be provided with a smoke control system.
5. In Group I-2 and Group I-1, Condition 2, a fire barrier is not required between the atrium and the adjoining spaces, other than care recipient sleeping or treatment rooms, for up to three stories of the atrium provided that such spaces are accounted for in the design of the smoke control system and do not provide access to care recipient sleeping or treatment rooms.
6. A horizontal assembly is not required between the atrium and openings for escalators complying with Section 712.1.3.
7. A horizontal assembly is not required between the atrium and openings for exit access stairways and ramps complying with Item 4 of Section 1019.3.

Jeff

10/20/2025 01:26:50 pm

All 3 levels are open to all 4 sides. Why would you protect the doors from smoke or fire as it is completely open and unobstructed around the shaft?
If there was a rated wall at each level, separating the atrium from the main floor levels, then a sprinklered smoke separation assembly around the doors would make sense.

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Does Panoramic Elevator Need a Rated Shaft?

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