Light-transmitting plastics shall not be used as wall panels in exterior walls in occupancies in Groups A-l, A-2, H, I-2 and I-3. In other groups, light-transmitting plastics shall be permitted to be used as wall panels in exterior walls, provided that the walls are not required to have a fire-resistance rating and the installation conforms to the requirements of this section. Such panels shall be erected and anchored on a foundation, waterproofed or otherwise protected from moisture absorption and sealed with a coat of mastic or other approved waterproof coating. Light-transmitting plastic wall panels shall also comply with Section 2606.
Exterior wall panels installed as provided for herein shall not alter the type of construction classification of the building.
Light-transmitting plastics shall not be installed more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above grade plane, except as allowed by Section 2607.5.
The maximum area of a single wall panel and minimum vertical and horizontal separation requirements for exterior light-transmitting plastic wall panels shall be as provided for in Table 2607.4. The maximum percentage of wall area of any story in light-transmitting plastic wall panels shall not exceed that indicated in Table 2607.4 or the percentage of unprotected openings permitted by Section 705.8, whichever is smaller.
Exceptions:
- In structures provided with approved flame barriers extending 30 inches (760 mm) beyond the exterior wall in the plane of the floor, a vertical separation is not required at the floor except that provided by the vertical thickness of the flame barrier projection.
- Veneers of approved weather-resistant light-transmitting plastics used as exterior siding in buildings of Type V construction in compliance with Section 1406.
- The area of light-transmitting plastic wall panels in exterior walls of greenhouses shall be exempt from the area limitations of Table 2607.4 but shall be limited as required for unprotected openings in accordance with Section 704.8.
TABLE 2607.4
AREA LIMITATION AND SEPARATION REQUIREMENTS FOR LIGHT-TRANSMITTING PLASTIC WALL PANELSa
| FIRE SEPARATION DISTANCE (feet) | CLASS OF PLASTIC | MAXIMUM PERCENTAGE AREA OF EXTERIOR WALL IN PLASTIC WALL PANELS | MAXIMUM SINGLE AREA OF PLASTIC WALL PANELS (square feet) | MINIMUM SEPARATION OF PLASTIC WALL PANELS (feet) | |
| Vertical | Horizontal | ||||
| Less than 6 | — | Not Permitted | Not Permitted | — | — |
| 6 or more but less than 11 | CC1 | 10 | 50 | 8 | 4 |
| CC2 | Not Permitted | Not Permitted | — | — | |
| 11 or more but less than or equal to 30 | CC1 | 25 | 90 | 6 | 4 |
| CC2 | 15 | 70 | 8 | 4 | |
| Over 30 | CC1 | 50 | Not Limited | 3b | 0 |
| CC2 | 50 | 100 | 6b | 3 | |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2.
- For combinations of plastic glazing and plastic wall panel areas permitted, see Section 2607.6.
- For reductions in vertical separation allowed, see Section 2607.4.
Where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, the maximum percentage area of exterior wall in any story in light-transmitting plastic wall panels and the maximum square footage of a single area given in Table 2607.4 shall be increased 100 percent, but the area of light-transmitting plastic wall panels shall not exceed 50 percent of the wall area in any story, or the area permitted by Section 705.8 for unprotected openings, whichever is smaller. These installations shall be exempt from height limitations.
Combinations of light-transmitting plastic glazing and light-transmitting plastic wall panels shall be subject to the area, height and percentage limitations and the separation requirements applicable to the class of light-transmitting plastic as prescribed for light-transmitting plastic wall panel installations.