MeyerFire
  • Blog
  • Forum
  • TOOLKIT
    • ALL TOOLS
    • BUY THE TOOLKIT
  • UNIVERSITY
    • ALL COURSES
    • JOIN THE UNIVERSITY
  • PE Exam
    • PE Forum & Errata
    • PE Store
    • PE Tools
    • PE PREP SERIES
    • PE 100-Day Marathon
  • LOGIN
    • TOOLKIT-ONLY LOGIN
    • UNIVERSITY LOGIN
  • PRICING
    • SOFTWARE & TRAINING
    • STORE
  • OUR CAUSE
    • ABOUT MEYERFIRE
    • JOB OPENINGS
    • BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR
    • HELP/SUPPORT
Picture

Does Stair Structure Have to be Fire-Rated?

6/8/2023

7 Comments

 
If a stair structure is supporting the fire barriers that enclose the exit enclosure, does the stair structure have to be fire rated as well?

Looking specifically at IBC 2018 Section 707.5.1 and NFPA 101 (2018) Section 7.1.3.2.

If there is a fire inside a stair, the means of egress is no longer usable and at that point are you protecting the interior of the building from the fire inside the exit enclosure?

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
7 Comments
Glenn Berger
6/8/2023 08:14:51 am

You always want the exit stair to be a safe, protected enclosure. If the event happens within one of the enclosures, then the other exit is used.

Reply
SCHULMAN
6/8/2023 08:22:43 am

any structure supporting rated construction also has to be constructed of materials rated to the same (fire resisting) duration as the enclosure ... any steel stair should do the job if I understand the question correctly. If someone is trying to build a rated egress stair out of wood I would question the method ...

Reply
Todd E Wyatt
6/8/2023 08:52:30 am

SUMMARYIf the "stairway" is an Interior Exit Stairway (IES) or an Exit Access Stairway (EAS), it is required to be protected by fire-resistance rated (FRR) Fire Barriers (FB) and the supporting construction (floor construction & primary structure) is also required to have the same FRR as the FBs. 
EXPLANATIONInterior Exit Stairway (IES) are required to be "not less than 2 hours where connecting four stories or more and not less than 1 hour where connecting less than four stories." If the IES penetrates a Floor Construction (based on the building's Type of Construction) of 2-hours or greater, the IES shall be protected by 2-Hour Fire Barriers (2FB) regardless of the stories connected.
Exit Access Stairways (EAS) in other than Groups I-2 and I-3 "shall be enclosed with a shaft enclosure constructed in accordance with Section 713" unless it meets one of the exceptions in 2021 IBC 1019.3. Like IES, shafts "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." EAS that "serve floor levels within a single story are not required to be enclosed" however.
In buildings of Types IIB, IIIB and VB construction, supporting construction is NOT required to be FRR IF it supports 1FBs per Section 718.2 Exception 2. In buildings of Types IIB, IIIB and VB construction, supporting construction IS required to be FRR IF it supports 2FBs.

Reply
Todd E Wyatt
6/8/2023 08:54:12 am

REFERENCES
2021 IBC
Chapter 7 Fire and Smoke Protection Features
Section 707 Fire Barriers
707.3 Fire-Resistance Rating
The fire-resistance rating of fire barriers shall comply with this section.707.3.2 Interior Exit Stairway and Ramp Construction
The fire-resistance rating of the fire barrier separating building areas from an interior exit stairway or ramp shall comply with Section 1023.1.
707.3.3 Enclosures for Exit Access Stairways
The fire-resistance rating of the fire barrier separating building areas from an exit access stairway or ramp shall comply with Section 713.4.
707.5 Continuity
Fire barriers shall extend from the top of the foundation or floor/ceiling assembly below to the underside of the floor or roof sheathing, slab or deck above and shall be securely attached thereto. Such fire barriers shall be continuous through concealed space, such as the space above a suspended ceiling. Joints and voids at intersections shall comply with Sections 707.8 and 707.9
Exceptions:
2. Interior exit stairway and ramp enclosures required by Section 1023 and exit access stairway and ramp enclosures required by Section 1019 shall be permitted to terminate at a top enclosure complying with Section 713.12.
707.5.1 Supporting Construction
The supporting construction for a fire barrier shall be protected to afford the required fire-resistance rating of the fire barrier supported. Hollow vertical spaces within a fire barrier shall be fireblocked in accordance with Section 718.2 at every floor level.
Exceptions:
2. Supporting construction for 1-hour fire barriers required by Table 509.1 in buildings of Types IIB, IIIB and VB construction is not required to be fire-resistance rated unless required by other sections of this code.

Section 713 Shaft Enclosures
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.
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.

Chapter 10 Means of Egress
Section 1011 Stairways

Section 1019 Exit Access Stairways and Ramps
1019.1 General
Exit access stairways and ramps serving as an exit access component in a means of egress system shall comply with the requirements of this section. The number of stories connected by exit access stairways and ramps shall include basements, but not mezzanines.
1019.2 All Occupancies
Exit access stairways and ramps that serve floor levels within a single story are not required to be enclosed.
1019.3 Occupancies Other Than Groups I-2 and I-3
In other than Group I-2 and I-3 occupancies, floor openings containing exit access stairways or ramps shall be enclosed with a shaft enclosure constructed in accordance with Section 713.
Exceptions:
Exit access stairways and ramps that serve or atmospherically communicate between only two adjacent stories. Such interconnected stories shall not be open to other stories.In Group R-1, R-2 or R-3 occupancies, exit access stairways and ramps connecting four stories or less serving and contained within an individual dwelling unit or sleeping unit or live/work unit.Exit access stairways serving and contained within a Group R-3 congregate residence or a Group R-4 facility are not required to be enclosed.Exit access stairways and ramps in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, where the area of the vertical opening between stories does not exceed twice the horizontal projected area of the stairway or ramp and the opening is protected by a draft curtain and closely spaced sprinklers in accordance with NFPA 13. In other than Group B and M occupancies, this provision is limited to openings that do not connect more than four stories.Exit access stairways and ramps within an atrium complying with the provisions of Section 404.Exit access stairways and ramps in open parking garages that serve only the parking garage.Exit access stairways and ramps serving smoke-protected or open-air assembly seating complying with the exit access travel distance requirements of Section 1030.7.Exit access stairways and ramps between the balcony, gallery or press box and the main assembly floor in occupancies such as theaters, places of religious worship, auditoriums and sports facilities.Exterior exit access stairways or ramps between occupied roofs.
Section 1023 Interior Exit Stairways and Ramps
1023.2 Constructio

Reply
Capone
6/19/2024 12:34:16 pm

What if the exit access stairway complies with an exception to omit enclosing the stair in a shaft? Would an exit access stair frame, treads and landing need to be rated in an atrium? Is it as simple as the elements must comply with Table 601 for structural frame and floor assembly rating?

JP link
6/8/2023 12:26:30 pm

Todd I believe nailed it. Overall the intention of the code is for the entire means of egress to meet the minimum required fire resistance rating (i.e. 1 or two hours usually). The code typically assumes that a fire will not be located in the exit enclosure especially with other requirements limiting combustibles and non essential penetrations into the stair enclosure. A fire in the exit enclosure leans toward arson. The requirements are not typically meant to deal with intentional fires.

Reply
T
6/6/2024 02:55:36 pm

Tom,

Which sections states that the supporting construction doesn't need to be rated. The section you referred to, 718.2, is for concealed spaces and doesn't have any language regarding that.

Per Section 707 Fire Barriers, the supporting construction must match unless it is for an incidental use.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    SUBMIT A QUESTION
    Picture
    Why Sponsor?

    ALL-ACCESS

    Picture
    GET ALL OUR TOOLS

    SUBSCRIBE

    Subscribe and learn something new each day:
    I'm Interested In:

    COMMUNITY

    Top May '25 Contributors
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    SEE LEADERBOARD

    YOUR POST

    SUBMIT A QUESTION

    PE EXAM

    Get 100 Days of Free Sample Questions right to you!
    SIGN ME UP!

    FILTERS

    All
    A1171
    ABA
    ADA
    ASCE 7
    ASME A17.1
    ASTM E1354
    Blog Thread
    Daily Discussion
    Design-documents
    EN 12845
    Explosion Protection
    Explosion-protection-prevention
    Fire Detection And Alarm Systems
    Fire Dynamics
    Flammable And Combustible Liquids
    Flammable-combustible-liquids
    FM Global
    Human-behavior
    IBC
    ICC 500
    IEBC
    IFC
    IMC
    IPC
    IRC
    ISO
    Means Of Egress
    NBC
    NFPA 1
    NFPA 10
    NFPA 101
    NFPA 11
    NFPA 110
    NFPA 1142
    NFPA 1221
    NFPA 13
    NFPA 13D
    NFPA 13R
    NFPA 14
    NFPA 15
    NFPA 16
    NFPA 17A
    NFPA 20
    NFPA 2001
    NFPA 214
    NFPA 22
    NFPA 220
    NFPA 24
    NFPA 241
    NFPA 25
    NFPA 291
    NFPA 30
    NFPA 307
    NFPA 30B
    NFPA 31
    NFPA 33
    NFPA 37
    NFPA 400
    NFPA 409
    NFPA 415
    NFPA 45
    NFPA 495
    NFPA 497
    NFPA 5000
    NFPA 502
    NFPA 54
    NFPA 55
    NFPA 654
    NFPA 68
    NFPA 70
    NFPA 701
    NFPA 72
    NFPA 75
    NFPA 770
    NFPA 82
    NFPA 855
    NFPA 90A
    NFPA 92
    NFPA 96
    NICET
    OBC
    OSHA
    Passive Building Systems
    PE Prep Guide
    PE Prep Series
    PE Sample Problems
    Poll
    Smoke Management
    Special Hazard Systems
    UFC 3-600-01
    UFC 4-021-01
    UFC 4-211-01
    UPC
    Updates
    Water Based Fire Suppression
    Weekly Exams


    ARCHIVES

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016


    PE PREP SERIES

    SEE LEADERBOARD

    RSS Feed

Picture
​Home
Our Cause
The Blog
The Forum
PE Exam Prep
The Toolkit

MeyerFire University
​Pricing
Login
​Support
Contact Us
Picture

MeyerFire.com is a startup community built to help fire protection professionals shine.
Our goal is to improve fire protection practices worldwide. We promote the industry by creating helpful tools and resources, and by bringing together industry professionals to share their expertise.

​MeyerFire, LLC is a NICET Recognized Training Provider and International Code Council Preferred Education Provider.

All text, images, and media ​Copyright © 2016-2025 MeyerFire, LLC

We respect your privacy and personal data. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. 
The views, opinions, and information found on this site represent solely the author and do not represent the opinions of any other party, nor does the presented material assume responsibility for its use. Fire protection and life safety systems constitute a critical component for public health and safety and you should consult with a licensed professional for proper design and code adherence.

Discussions are solely for the purpose of peer review and the exchange of ideas. All comments are reviewed. Comments which do not contribute, are not relevant, are spam, or are disrespectful in nature may be removed. Information presented and opinions expressed should not be relied upon as a replacement for consulting services. Some (not all) outbound links on this website, such as Amazon links, are affiliate-based where we receive a small commission for orders placed elsewhere.

  • Blog
  • Forum
  • TOOLKIT
    • ALL TOOLS
    • BUY THE TOOLKIT
  • UNIVERSITY
    • ALL COURSES
    • JOIN THE UNIVERSITY
  • PE Exam
    • PE Forum & Errata
    • PE Store
    • PE Tools
    • PE PREP SERIES
    • PE 100-Day Marathon
  • LOGIN
    • TOOLKIT-ONLY LOGIN
    • UNIVERSITY LOGIN
  • PRICING
    • SOFTWARE & TRAINING
    • STORE
  • OUR CAUSE
    • ABOUT MEYERFIRE
    • JOB OPENINGS
    • BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR
    • HELP/SUPPORT