- During the 40 kW exposure, flames shall not spread to the ceiling.
- The flame shall not spread to the outer extremity of the sample on any wall or ceiling.
- Flashover, as defined in NFPA 286, shall not occur.
- The peak heat release rate throughout the test shall not exceed 800 kW.
- The total smoke released throughout the test shall not exceed 1,000 m2.
Interior wall and ceiling finish materials shall be classified in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723. Such interior finish materials shall be grouped in the following classes in accordance with their flame spread and smoke-developed indices.
Class A | = | Flame spread index 0—25; smoke-developed index 0—450. |
Class B | = | Flame spread index 26—75; smoke- developed index 0—450. |
Class C | = | Flame spread index 76—200; smoke- developed index 0—450. |
Exception: Materials tested in accordance with Section 803.1.1 and as indicated in Sections 803.1.3 through 803.13.
- During the 40 kW exposure, flames shall not spread to the ceiling.
- The flame shall not spread to the outer extremities of the samples on the 8-foot by 12-foot (203 by 305 mm) walls.
- Flashover, as defined in NFPA 265, shall not occur.
- The total smoke release throughout the test shall not exceed 1,000 m2.
- The laminated product shall meet the criteria of Section 803.1.1.1 when tested in accordance with NFPA 286 using the product-mounting system, including adhesive, as described in Section 5.8 of NFPA 286.
- The laminated product shall have a Class A, B, or C flame spread index and smoke-developed index, based on the requirements of Table 803.13, in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723. Test specimen preparation and mounting shall be in accordance with ASTM E2579.
- The facing or veneer shall meet the criteria of Section 803.1.1.1 when tested in accordance with NFPA 286 using the product mounting system, including adhesive, as described in Section 5.9 of NFPA 286.
- The facing or veneer shall have a Class A, B or C flame spread index and smoke-developed index, based on the requirements of Table 803.13, in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723. Test specimen preparation and mounting shall be in accordance with ASTM E2404.
GROUP | SPRINKLEREDl | NONSPRINKLERED | ||||
Interior exit stairways and ramps and exit passagewaysa, b |
Corridors and enclosure for exit access stairways and ramps |
Rooms and enclosed spacesc |
Interior exit stairways and ramps and exit passagewaysa, b |
Corridors and enclosure for exit access stairways and ramps |
Rooms and enclosed spacesc |
|
A-1 & A-2 | B | B | C | A | Ad | Be |
A-3f, A-4, A-5 | B | B | C | A | Ad | C |
B, E, M, R-1 | B | Cm | C | A | B | C |
R-4 | B | C | C | A | B | B |
F | C | C | C | B | C | C |
H | B | B | Cg | A | A | B |
I-1 | B | C | C | A | B | B |
I-2 | B | B | Bh, i | A | A | B |
I-3 | A | Aj | C | A | A | B |
I-4 | B | B | Bh, i | A | A | B |
R-2 | C | C | C | B | B | C |
R-3 | C | C | C | C | C | C |
S | C | C | C | B | B | C |
U | No restrictions | No restrictions |
- Class C interior finish materials shall be permitted for wainscotting or paneling of not more than 1,000 square feet of applied surface area in the grade lobby where applied directly to a noncombustible base or over furring strips applied to a noncombustible base and fireblocked as required by Section 803.15.1.
- In other than Group I-3 occupancies in buildings less than three stories above grade plane, Class B interior finish for nonsprinklered buildings and Class C interior finish for sprinklered buildings shall be permitted in interior exit stairways and ramps.
- Requirements for rooms and enclosed spaces shall be based on spaces enclosed by partitions. Where a fire-resistance rating is required for structural elements, the enclosing partitions shall extend from the floor to the ceiling. Partitions that do not comply with this shall be considered to be enclosing spaces and the rooms or spaces on both sides shall be considered to be one room or space. In determining the applicable requirements for rooms and enclosed spaces, the specific occupancy thereof shall be the governing factor regardless of the group classification of the building or structure.
- Lobby areas in Group A-1, A-2 and A-3 occupancies shall be not less than Class B materials.
- Class C interior finish materials shall be permitted in places of assembly with an occupant load of 300 persons or less.
- For places of religious worship, wood used for ornamental purposes, trusses, paneling or chancel furnishing shall be permitted.
- Class B material is required where the building exceeds two stories.
- Class C interior finish materials shall be permitted in administrative spaces.
- Class C interior finish materials shall be permitted in rooms with a capacity of four persons or less.
- Class B materials shall be permitted as wainscotting extending not more than 48 inches above the finished floor in corridors and exit access stairways and ramps.
- Finish materials as provided for in other sections of this code.
- Applies when protected by an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.
- Corridors in ambulatory care facilities shall be provided with Class A or B materials.
If the interior finish material is applied to furring strips, the intervening spaces between such furring strips shall comply with one of the following:
- Be filled with material that is inorganic or noncombustible.
- Be filled with material that meets the requirements of a Class A material in accordance with Section 803.1.1 or 803.1.2.
- Be fireblocked at not greater than 8 feet (2438 mm) in every direction in accordance with Section 718.
Exception: Compliance with Item 1, 2 or 3 is not required where the materials used to create the concealed space are noncombustible.
Where walls and ceilings are required to be of fire-resistance-rated or noncombustible construction and walls are set out or ceilings are dropped distances greater than specified in Section 803.15.1, Class A finish materials, in accordance with Section 803.1.1 or 803.1.2, shall be used.
Exceptions:
- Where interior finish materials are protected on both sides by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.
- Where interior finish materials are attached to noncombustible backing or furring strips installed as specified in Section 803.15.1.1.
- Where the combustible void is filled with a noncombustible material.
The hangers and assembly members of such dropped ceilings that are below the horizontal fire-resistance-rated floor or roof assemblies shall be of noncombustible materials. The construction of each set-out wall and horizontal fire-resistance-rated floor or roof assembly shall be of fire-resistance-rated construction as required elsewhere in this code.
Exception: In Type III and V construction, fire-retardant-treated wood shall be permitted for use as hangers and assembly members of dropped ceilings.
An interior wall or ceiling finish material that is not more than 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) thick shall be applied directly onto the wall, ceiling or structural element without the use of furring strips and shall not be suspended away from the building element to which that finish material it is applied.
Exceptions:
- Noncombustible interior finish materials.
- Materials that meet the requirements of Class A materials in accordance with Section 803.1.1 or 803.1.2 where the qualifying tests were made with the material furred out from the noncombustible backing shall be permitted to be used with furring strips.
- Materials that meet the requirements of Class A materials in accordance with Section 803.1.1 or 803.1.2 where the qualifying tests were made with the material suspended away from the noncombustible backing shall be permitted to be used suspended away from the building element.
Interior floor finish and floor covering materials shall comply with Sections 804.2 through 804.4.2.
Exception: Floor finishes and coverings of a traditional type, such as wood, vinyl, linoleum or terrazzo, and resilient floor covering materials that are not comprised of fibers.
In all occupancies, interior floor finish and floor covering materials in enclosures for stairways and ramps, exit passageways, corridors and rooms or spaces not separated from corridors by partitions extending from the floor to the underside of the ceiling shall withstand a minimum critical radiant flux. The minimum critical radiant flux shall be not less than Class I in Groups I-1, I-2 and I-3 and not less than Class II in Groups A, B, E, H, I-4, M, R-1, R-2 and S.
Exception: Where a building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2, Class II materials are permitted in any area where Class I materials are required, and materials complying with DOC FF-1 "pill test" (CPSC 16 CFR Part 1630) or with ASTM D2859 are permitted in any area where Class II materials are required.
The following requirements shall apply to all occupancies:
- Furnishings or decorative materials of an explosive or highly flammable character shall not be used.
- Fire-retardant coatings in existing buildings shall be maintained so as to retain the effectiveness of the treatment under service conditions encountered in actual use.
- Furnishings or other objects shall not be placed to obstruct exits, access thereto, egress therefrom or visibility thereof.
- The permissible amount of decorative vegetation and noncombustible decorative materials shall not be limited.
Fixed or movable walls and partitions, paneling, wall pads and crash pads applied structurally or for decoration, acoustical correction, surface insulation or other purposes shall be considered to be interior finish, shall comply with Section 803 and shall not be considered to be decorative materials or furnishings.
- In auditoriums in Group A, the permissible amount of curtains, draperies, fabric hangings and similar combustible decorative materials suspended from walls or ceilings shall not exceed 75 percent of the aggregate wall area where the building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, and where the material is installed in accordance with Section 803.15 of this code.
- In Group R-2 dormitories, within sleeping units and dwelling units, the permissible amount of curtains, draperies, fabric hangings and similar decorative materials suspended from walls or ceiling shall not exceed 50 percent of the aggregate wall areas where the building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.
- In Group B and M occupancies, the amount of combustible fabric partitions suspended from the ceiling and not supported by the floor shall comply with Section 806.4 and shall not be limited.
- The 10-percent limit shall not apply to curtains, draperies, fabric hangings and similar combustible decorative materials used as window coverings.
Interior floor-wall base that is 6 inches (152 mm) or less in height shall be tested in accordance with Section 804.2 and shall be not less than Class II. Where a Class I floor finish is required, the floor-wall base shall be Class I.
Exception: Interior trim materials that comply with Section 806.7.