Section 703A Standards of Quality

Building material, systems, assemblies and methods of construction used in this chapter shall be in accordance with Section 703A.

Material and material assemblies tested in accordance with the requirements of Section 703A shall be accepted for use when the results and conditions of those tests are met. Product evaluation testing of material and material assemblies shall be approved or listed by the State Fire Marshal, or identified in a current report issued by an approved agency.

Product evaluation testing shall be performed by an approved agency as defined in Section 1702. The scope of accreditation for the approved agency shall include building product compliance with this code.

Material and material assemblies tested in accordance with the requirements of Section 703A shall bear an identification label showing the fire test results. That identification label shall be issued by a testing and/or inspecting agency approved by the State Fire Marshal.

Material and material assemblies tested in accordance with the requirements of Section 703A shall maintain their fire test performance under conditions of use, when installed in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.

Fire-retardant-treated wood and fire-retardant-treated wood shingles and shakes shall meet the fire test performance requirements of this chapter after being subjected to the weathering conditions contained in the following standards, as applicable to the materials and the conditions of use.

Fire-retardant-treated wood shall be tested in accordance with ASTM D2898 (Method A) and the requirements of Section 2303.2.

Fire-retardant-treated wood shingles and shakes shall be approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal in accordance with Section 208(c), Title 19 California Code of Regulations.

The enforcing agency is permitted to modify the provisions of this chapter for site-specific conditions in accordance with Section 1.11.2.4. When required by the enforcing agency for the purposes of granting modifications, a fire protection plan shall be submitted in accordance with the California Fire Code, Chapter 49.

The State Fire Marshal standards for exterior wildfire exposure protection listed below and as referenced in this chapter are located in the California Referenced Standards Code, Part 12 and Chapter 35 of this code.

Exterior Wall Siding and Sheathing. A fire resistance test standard consisting of a 150 kW intensity direct flame exposure for a 10-minute duration.

Exterior Windows. A fire resistance test standard consisting of a 150 kW intensity direct flame exposure for an 8-minute duration.

Horizontal Projection Underside A fire resistance test standard consisting of a 300 kW intensity direct flame exposure for a 10-minute duration.

Decking. A two-part test consisting of a heat release rate (Part A) deck assembly combustion test with an under deck exposure of 80 kW intensity direct flame for a 3-minute duration, and a (Part B) sustained deck assembly combustion test consisting of a deck upper surface burning ember exposure with a 12 mph wind for 40 minutes using a 2.2lb (1kg) burning "Class A" size 12" x 12" x 2.25" (300 mm x 300 mm x 57 mm) roof test brand.

Decking Alternate Method A. A heat release rate deck assembly combustion test with an under deck exposure of 80 kW intensity direct flame for a 3-minute duration,

Ignition-resistant Material. A generic building material surface burning flame spread test standard consisting of an extended 30 minute ASTM E84 or UL 723 test method as is used for fire-retardant-treated wood.

ASTM D2898 Standard Practice for Accelerated Weathering of Fire-Retardant-Treated Wood for Fire Testing

ASTM D3909/D3909M Standard Specification for Asphalt Roll Roofing (Glass Felt) Surfaced with Mineral Granules

ASTM E84 Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials

ASTM E2632/E2632M Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Under-Deck Fire Test Response of Deck Materials

ASTM E2707 Standard Test Method for Determining Fire Penetration of Exterior Wall Assemblies Using a Direct Flame Impingement Exposure

ASTM E2726/E2726M Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Fire Test Response of Deck Structures to Burning Brands

ASTM E2886/E2886M Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Ability of Exterior Vents to Resist the Entry of Embers and Direct Flame Impingement

ASTM E2957 Standard Test Method for Resistance to Wildfire Penetration of Eaves, Soffits and Other Projections

NFPA 257 Standard on Fire Test for Window and Glass Block Assemblies

UL 723 Standard for Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials