Fire-Rated Separation for Data Center to Offices?

7/30/2026

A building will partially be a data center as part of a Group B Occupancy in the IBC.

Is a fire-resistance-rated separation required between the data halls and the offices?

The data center area has accessory rooms such as a sprinkler riser room and a fiber cable entry, which are rated, but I'm looking at the data hall versus office specifically. Table 509 of the IBC doesn't mention anything about data center areas specifically.

Thanks in advance.

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8 Comments

Glenn Berger

7/30/2026 08:14:33 am

A complete code analysis is required to be completed to determine the answer to your question.

Without knowing your locations or applicable codes or the complete layout including construction type, your question cannot be properly answered.

Todd Wyatt

7/30/2026 08:28:46 am

The (2) spaces/areas ... data halls and the offices ... would both be classified as Group B Business so Occupancy Classification (OC) separation would not be required.

As a potential Incidental Use, TABLE 509.1 INCIDENTAL USES may require 1-Hr or 2-Hr fire-resistance ratings (FRR) separation based on the "Electrical installations and transformers" per "See Sections 110.26 through 110.34 and Sections 450.8 through 450.48 of NFPA 70 for protection and separation requirements."

The AHJ may enforce NFPA 75 (Standard for the Fire Protection of Information Technology Equipment) which independently recommends FRR for IT equipment rooms based on risk analysis.

Jocelyn

7/30/2026 08:29:21 am

The required separation depends entirely on what occupancy the data center is classified as, which is dependent on the equipment inside and which code you are using.
Using IBC, for a very long time, data centers were considered Group B. If both the data center and offices are Group B, then no separation is required.
Due to changes and evolution in what's inside a typical data hall, there have been changes in the logic to what occupancy they are classified as. I have worked in some jurisdictions which require them to be Group S-2 or even S-1.
Beginning in 2024, the IBC also requires areas with ESS containing lithium-ion batteries to be considered F-1.
Once the occupancy is established, there are several separation strategies, assuming the offices end up being a different classification from the data halls, including separations per IBC Table 508.4, or nonseparated per IBC 508.3. There is no one answer, it will depend on the characteristics of the building (type of construction, number of stories, etc)

If the root of your question is, "If both the data hall and offices are Group B, do they have to be separated?", then the answer is no. BUT some owners elect to have a 1-hour rating around the data halls, although not explicitly required. And given the changes in how the data halls are considered, it might be a good idea to "future proof" the building and include a separation regardless.

Dan Wilder

7/30/2026 08:45:45 am

**Not a Code Consultant***

However, all the Data Centers I have done the last couple years, there was at least a one-hour rating provided around the major ITE areas with 2-Hour provided at Battery Rooms & Electric Rooms but the Data halls were not meeting the definition of "Incidental".

I would imagine that building construction, square footage, and several other factors will also play into this decision through the Building/Fire Code applicability plus any local amendments.

Looking at the Rating Chart - they do reference Table 509 for "Battery Rooms (VRLA)" so likely referencing "Electrical Installations" referencing back to NFPA 70.

Jack G

7/30/2026 09:24:03 am

So updating sprinkler design criteria does not permit omissions in fire walls ( just reduction in rating s increases allowable building area s for being sprinkered) as this is governed by the IBC chpt 7 and , section 508, govern structural compartmentalization, life safety, walls fire barriers life saftey egress separation and building area limitations..
So check your projects building code sheet ( plan made by the A&E) To find out what is specified and trade offs. And follow the IBC.

Ricardo Gonzales

7/30/2026 10:02:32 am

My recommendation is the Arch/FLS team have a sit down with the Building & Fire Departments. I've seen multiple different classifications from the B to F1(factory?) all based upon the Li-ion batteries used. No consistency and the IBC '27 doesn't help much since they mention Li-ion and assorted chemistries, but not how the racks are set up nor the HMMAs recommendations. So you still have B, S1 and F1. FDs are still in the fearful mode and work to tell the Building Department they're wrong.
The sit down and explaining how the client is planning the details and if a full-scale test has been performed and a corresponding HMMA has been written by a qualified entity.

Steve F

7/30/2026 11:36:02 am

Separation is likely not required under IBC, assuming that accessory/incidental areas (fire pump, electrical room, generator/ UPS/ESS rooms, etc.) are separated, and both areas are B/F/S occupancies or other allowed non-separated occupancies per IBC Table 509.1. However, many data centers built to FMDS 5-32 or owner specific specifications which can result in separations that are more restrictive than IBC.

Flocode55

8/3/2026 08:18:04 am

NOT A DESIGNER: It has been my experience that some sort of separation may be required based upon type of fire suppression system and areas served. It may not be fire rated but usually HVAC systems, closing doors, isolate these areas. The method of separation is the designer's, owner's, insurance companies', methodology for risk management. I have seen fire/smoke barriers, to smoke barriers, to minimal amount of protection.

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Fire-Rated Separation for Data Center to Offices?

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