Recessed Building Entry Ceiling 2-Hr in Type III-B?

5/21/2025

We have a building that's Type III-B construction.

Does a recessed building entry's ceiling need to also be 2-hour fire resistance rated, and non-combustible?

Thanks in advance.

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3 Comments

Glenn Berger

5/21/2025 08:12:52 am

Need more details!

Is the project entry recessed by 1 foot or 20 feet? Is there an exit corridor? etc.

Todd E Wyatt

5/21/2025 08:32:42 am

The Type of Construction (TC) per the scoping Code (e.g. IBC-2024) prescribes the minimum fire-resistance rating (FRR) of the Building Elements (A fundamental component of building construction, specified in Table 601, which may or may not be of fire-resistance-rated construction and is constructed of materials based on the building type of construction) including primary structural frame, bearing walls (interior & exterior), nonbearing walls and partitions (interior & exterior), floor construction and associated secondary structural members, roof construction and associated secondary structural members. Each of these Building Elements are defined in IBC-2024 Chapter 2.

Type III-B is "that type of construction in which the exterior walls are of noncombustible materials and the interior building elements are of any material permitted by this code. Fire-retardant-treated wood framing and sheathing complying with Section 2303.2 shall be permitted within exterior wall assemblies of a 2-hour rating or less." Per TABLE 601 FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDING ELEMENTS (HOURS), Type III-B's Building Elements are all 0-Hr FRR except for Bearing Walls (Exterior) which require 2-Hr FRR.

There are other requirements for fire-resistance-rated construction, including structural members, walls, partitions and horizontal assemblies. Chapter 7 Fire and Smoke Protection Features specifies how these elements are constructed, how openings in walls and partitions are protected and how penetrations of such elements are protected.

Based on your question ... Does a recessed building entry's ceiling need to also be 2-hour fire resistance rated, and non-combustible? ... The answer is probably NO since it is not part of 2-Hr Bearing Walls (Exterior).

This portion of the Means of Egress may be an Exit Passageway (EP) which may be required to be 1-Hr or 2-Hr FRR depending on the FRR of the Interior Exit Stairway (IES) that it connects.

I recommend requesting the FRR Drawing (and/or Life Safety Plan) from the Design Professional (e.g. Architect) to verify that the recessed building entry's ceiling is NOT part of another FRR assembly as required by Chapter 7 or Chapter 10.

Jack G

5/21/2025 12:21:34 pm

Per IBC table 601, a building classified as 3-b requires all bearing exterior walls to be 2 hr rated.
The ceiling of the entryway would qualify as 2 hour since there are rooms and / or exterior walls above it.

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Recessed Building Entry Ceiling 2-Hr in Type III-B?

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