Amendments to Chapter 7 of IBC.

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  • (1) In IBC, Section 703, a new section is added as follows: "703.8 Determination of non-combustible protection time contribution. The time, in minutes, contributed to the fire-resistance rating by the non-combustible protection of mass timber building elements, components, or assemblies, shall be established through a comparison of assemblies tested using procedures set forth in ASTM E119 or UL263. The test assemblies shall be identical in construction, loading, and materials, other than the non-combustible protection. The two test assemblies shall be tested to the same criteria of structural failure.
    • (a) Test Assembly 1 shall be without protection.
    • (b) Test Assembly 2 shall include the representative non-combustible protection. The protection shall be fully defined in terms of configuration details, attachment details, joint sealing details, accessories and all other relevant details.
      The non-combustible protection time contribution shall be determined by subtracting the fire-resistance time, in minutes, of Test Assembly 1 from the fire-resistance time, in minutes, of Test Assembly 2."
  • (2) In IBC, Section 703, a new section is added as follows: "703.9 Sealing of adjacent mass timber elements. In buildings of Type IV-A, IV-B, and IV-C construction, sealant or adhesive shall be provided to resist the passage of air in the following locations:
    1. At abutting edges and intersections of mass timber building elements required to be fire-resistance-rated.
    2. At abutting intersections of mass timber building elements and building elements of other materials where both are required to be fire-resistance-rated.
    Sealants shall meet the requirements of ASTM C920. Adhesives shall meet the requirements of ASTM D3498.
    Exception: Sealants or adhesives need not be provided where they are not a required component of a tested fire-resistance-rated assembly."
  • (3) In IBC, Section 718.2.1 is deleted and replaced with the following: "718.2.1 Fireblocking materials. Fireblocking shall consist of the following materials:
    1. Two-inch (51 mm) nominal lumber.
    2. Two thicknesses of 1-inch (25 mm) nominal lumber with broken lap joints.
    3. One thickness of 0.719-inch (18.3 mm) wood structural panels with joints backed by 0.719-inch (18.3 mm) wood structural panels.
    4. One thickness of 0.75-inch (19.1 mm) particleboard with joints backed by 0.75-inch (19 mm) particleboard.
    5. 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) gypsum board.
    6. 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) cement-based millboard.
    7. Batts or blankets of mineral wool, mineral fiber or other approved materials installed in such a manner as to be securely retained in place.
    8. Cellulose insulation installed as tested for the specific application.
    9. Mass timber complying with Section 2304.11."
  • (4) In IBC, Section 722, a new section is added as follows: "722.7 Fire-Resistance rating of mass timber. The required fire resistance of mass timber elements in Section 602.4 shall be determined in accordance with Section 703.2 or Section 703.3. The fire-resistance rating of building elements shall be as required in Tables 601 and 602 and as specified elsewhere in this code. The fire-resistance rating of the mass timber elements shall consist of the fire-resistance of the unprotected element added to the protection time of the non-combustible protection."
  • (5) In IBC, Section 722, a new section is added as follows: "722.7.1 Minimum required protection. Where required by Sections 602.4.1 through 602.4.3, non-combustible protection shall be provided for mass timber building elements in accordance with Table 722.7.1(1). The rating, in minutes, contributed by the non-combustible protection of mass timber building elements, components, or assemblies, shall be established in accordance with Section 703.8. The protection contributions indicated in Table 722.7.1(2) and Section 722.7.2 shall be deemed to comply with this requirement when installed and fastened in accordance with Section 722.7.2."
  • (6) In IBC, Section 722, a new table is added as follows: "TABLE 722.7.1(1)
    PROTECTION REQUIRED FROM NON-COMBUSTIBLE COVERING MATERIAL
    • Required Fire Resistance Rating of Building Element per Tables 601 and 602 (hours)Minimum Protection Required from Non-combustible
    • 140
    • 280
    • 3 or more120"
  • (7) In IBC, Section 722, a new table is added as follows: "TABLE 722.7.1(2)
    PROTECTION PROVIDED BY NON-COMBUSTIBLE COVERING MATERIAL
    • Non-combustible ProtectionProtection
    • (minutes)
    • 1/2 inch Type X Gypsum
    • 25
    • 5 /8 inch Type X Gypsum
    • Board40"
  • (8) In IBC, Section 722, a new section is added as follows: "722.7.2 Installation of gypsum board non-combustible protection. Gypsum board complying with Table 722.7.1(2) shall be installed in accordance with this section."
  • (9) In IBC, Section 722, a new section is added as follows: "722.7.2.1 Interior surfaces. Layers of Type X gypsum board serving as non-combustible protection for interior surfaces of wall and ceiling assemblies determined in accordance with Table 722.7.1(1) shall be installed in accordance with the following:
    1. Each layer shall be attached with Type S drywall screws of sufficient length to penetrate the mass timber at least 1 inch when driven flush with the paper surface of the gypsum board.
    Exception: The third layer, where determined necessary by Section 722.7, shall be permitted to be attached with 1 inch #6 Type S drywall screws to furring channels in accordance with ASTM C645.
    2. Screws for attaching the base layer shall be 12 inches on center in both directions.
    3. Screws for each layer after the base layer shall be 12 inches on center in both directions and offset from the screws of the previous layers by 4 inches in both directions.
    4. All panel edges of any layer shall be offset 18 inches from those of the previous layer.
    5. All panel edges shall be attached with screws sized and offset as in items 1 through 4 above and placed at least 1 inch but not more than 2 inches from the panel edge.
    6. All panels installed at wall-to-ceiling intersections shall be installed such that ceiling panels are installed first and the wall panels are installed after the ceiling panel has been installed and is fitted tight to the ceiling panel. Where multiple layers are required, each layer shall repeat this process.
    7. All panels installed at a wall-to-wall intersection shall be installed such that the panels covering an exterior wall or a wall with a greater fire resistance rating shall be installed first and the panels covering the other wall shall be fitted tight to the panel covering the first wall. Where multiple layers are required, each layer shall repeat this process.
    8. Panel edges of the face layer shall be taped and finished with joint compound. Fastener heads shall be covered with joint compound.
    9. Panel edges protecting mass timber elements adjacent to unprotected mass timber elements in accordance with Section 602.4.2.2 shall be covered with 1-1/4 inch metal corner bead and finished with joint compound."
  • (10) In IBC, Section 722, a new section is added as follows: "722.7.2.2 Exterior surfaces. Layers of Type X gypsum board serving as non-combustible protection for the outside of the exterior heavy timber walls determined in accordance with Table 722.7.1(1) shall be fastened 12 inches on center each way and 6 inches on center at all joints or ends. All panel edges shall be attached with fasteners located at least 1 inch but not more than 2 inches from the panel edge. Fasteners shall comply with one of the following:
    1. Galvanized nails of minimum 12 guage with a 7/16 inch head of sufficient length to penetrate the mass timber a minimum of 1 inch.
    2. Screws which comply with ASTM C1002 (Type S, Type W, or Type G) of sufficient length to penetrate the mass timber a minimum of 1 inch."
  • (11) In IBC, Section 1705, a new section is added as follows: "1705.19 Sealing of mass timber. Periodic special inspections of sealants or adhesives shall be conducted where sealant or adhesive required by Section 703.9 is applied to mass timber building elements as designated in the approved construction documents."
  • (12) In IBC, Section 3102.3 is deleted and replaced with the following: "3102.3 Type of construction. Non-combustible membrane structures shall be classified as Type IIB construction. Non-combustible frame or cable-supported structures covered by an approved membrane in accordance with Section 3102.3.1 shall be classified as Type IIB construction. Heavy timber frame-supported structures covered by an approved membrane in accordance with Section 3102.3.1 shall be classified as Type IV-HT construction. Other membrane structures shall be classified as Type V construction.
    Exception: Plastic less than 30 feet (9144 mm) above any floor used in greenhouses, where occupancy by the general public is not authorized, and for aquaculture pond covers is not required to meet the fire propagation performance criteria of Test Method 1 or Test Method 2, as appropriate, of NFPA 701."
  • (13) In IBC, Section 3102.6.1.1 is deleted and replaced with the following: "3102.6.1.1 Membrane. A membrane meeting the fire propagation performance criteria of Test Method 1 or Test Method 2, as appropriate, of NFPA 701 shall be permitted to be used as the roof or as a skylight on buildings of Type IIB, III, IV-HT and V construction, provided that the membrane is not less than 20 feet (6096 mm) above any floor, balcony or gallery."




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