When Do Fire Rated Walls Need to Run to Deck?

11/14/2019

Do all rated walls (fire partition, fire barrier, fire wall) need to run to the floor deck or roof to the next story above?

Is there any scenario where we can put a rated lid and not continue the rated partition or fire barrier up to the deck above?

This project is under IBC 2015, but I'm just looking for guidance on where I can get this answered in the future. Thanks in advance.

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3 Comments

Randy

11/14/2019 10:49:20 am

IBC defines the requirements for vertical continuity very explicitly. You need to connect to the underside. In the case of fire walls, you may even need to extend above and beyond.

I don't know what you mean by providing a 'lid' and not continuing to the deck. Your construction needs to fit an assembly detail that's tested and published. Anything else would mandate AHJ involvement/alternate means.

Nic

11/14/2019 12:58:48 pm

Fire walls, fire barriers, and fire partitions all have requirements for continuity in the IBC. Under their respective sections there are subsections on Continuity.

For example Section 708.5 is the section on Fire barrier continuity.

Steven Lopez link

11/14/2019 04:01:27 pm

I've seen where the architect provides a rated lid in rooms thus basically creating a rated horizontal shaft. There's more information here: https://www.usg.com/content/dam/USG_Marketing_Communications/canada/product_promotional_materials/finished_assets/sheetrock-wall-liner-gypsum-panels-cavity-shaft-wall-brochure-en-can.pdf

Page 6 - UL415 as shown on page 15.

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