Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which factor is most significant when determining burn rate?
Which factor is most significant when determining burn rate?
What can be measured and predicted in degrees when evaluating surface burning characteristics of a material?
What can be measured and predicted in degrees when evaluating surface burning characteristics of a material?
Which is a type of fire-retardant coating?
Which is a type of fire-retardant coating?
What does the ASTM E-84 standard test measure?
What does the ASTM E-84 standard test measure?
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Why are fire-retardant coatings not sufficient for increasing the fire resistance of structural members or assemblies?
Why are fire-retardant coatings not sufficient for increasing the fire resistance of structural members or assemblies?
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What is the significance of a flame spread rating over 200 in occupancies?
What is the significance of a flame spread rating over 200 in occupancies?
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What does the smoke developed rating measure?
What does the smoke developed rating measure?
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What are fire partitions used for?
What are fire partitions used for?
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What is the purpose of tying walls in a steel frame or concrete construction building?
What is the purpose of tying walls in a steel frame or concrete construction building?
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In what types of facilities may fire walls not be necessary?
In what types of facilities may fire walls not be necessary?
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What is the range for parapet height above a combustible roof determined by code?
What is the range for parapet height above a combustible roof determined by code?
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What fire-resistive ratings are allowed for fire walls by the International Code Council?
What fire-resistive ratings are allowed for fire walls by the International Code Council?
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What materials must be used for constructing 4-hour fire walls?
What materials must be used for constructing 4-hour fire walls?
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What is the required enclosure rating for stairwells in buildings 4 stories or lower?
What is the required enclosure rating for stairwells in buildings 4 stories or lower?
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What are the letter designations for fire door openings in vertical shafts and 2-hour partitions?
What are the letter designations for fire door openings in vertical shafts and 2-hour partitions?
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What type of doors close under the force of gravity when a fusible link melts or a smoke detector releases the hold-open device?
What type of doors close under the force of gravity when a fusible link melts or a smoke detector releases the hold-open device?
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Where can glazing be used when a fire rating is required and visibility is desired?
Where can glazing be used when a fire rating is required and visibility is desired?
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What is the required enclosure rating for openings in exterior walls subject to moderate or light exposure from the outside?
What is the required enclosure rating for openings in exterior walls subject to moderate or light exposure from the outside?
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What is the required enclosure rating for openings in fire walls greater than a 2-hour rating?
What is the required enclosure rating for openings in fire walls greater than a 2-hour rating?
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What is the required enclosure rating for openings between rooms and corridors having resistance rating of less than 1 hour?
What is the required enclosure rating for openings between rooms and corridors having resistance rating of less than 1 hour?
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What is permitted regarding the surface temperature rise on the unexposed side of most fire doors?
What is permitted regarding the surface temperature rise on the unexposed side of most fire doors?
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Under what condition may 1/3 hour rated doors not be subjected to a hose test?
Under what condition may 1/3 hour rated doors not be subjected to a hose test?
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What is permitted after 30 minutes during the flame test for fire doors?
What is permitted after 30 minutes during the flame test for fire doors?
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Study Notes
Fire Behavior and Ratings
- Burn rate is significantly influenced by the material’s composition, structure, and environmental conditions.
- Surface burning characteristics can be evaluated and predicted in degrees using the material's flashpoint and ignition temperature.
- A common type of fire-retardant coating is intumescent paint, which expands when exposed to heat.
- The ASTM E-84 standard test measures the surface burning characteristics of building materials, specifically their flame spread and smoke development.
Structural Fire Resistance
- Fire-retardant coatings alone do not provide adequate fire resistance to structural members or assemblies due to their limited protective duration and dependency on the material underneath.
- A flame spread rating over 200 indicates a higher potential for rapid flame spread, which is significant in occupancy classifications because it can elevate the risk of fire hazards and evacuation concerns.
Smoke and Fire Partitions
- The smoke developed rating measures the amount of smoke generated in relation to flame spread, affecting visibility during a fire event.
- Fire partitions are used to limit the spread of fire and smoke between different areas of a building, contributing to occupant safety.
Construction Considerations
- Tying walls in steel frame or concrete construction buildings provides structural integrity and helps resist lateral forces from wind or seismic activity.
- In certain facilities like warehouses or industrial buildings, fire walls may not be necessary due to low occupancy risk or unoccupied spaces.
- Code determines the range for parapet height above a combustible roof, typically between 30 inches to 42 inches.
Fire Ratings and Walls
- The International Code Council allows fire walls to have fire-resistive ratings of 1-hour to 4-hours, depending on structural requirements and occupancy classifications.
- 4-hour fire walls must be constructed of non-combustible materials such as concrete or masonry.
- Stairwell enclosures in buildings with 4 stories or fewer require a 1-hour enclosure rating for safety.
Fire Door Regulations
- Fire door openings in vertical shafts and 2-hour partitions are designated with letter designations such as "D" for doors.
- Gravity-operated doors close when a fusible link melts or a smoke detector activates, ensuring closure during fire conditions.
- Glazing may be used in fire-rated assemblies where visibility is crucial, provided it complies with specific fire-resistance ratings.
Enclosure Ratings
- Openings in exterior walls subject to moderate or light exposure require a 1-hour enclosure rating to inhibit fire spread.
- Openings in fire walls with greater than a 2-hour rating demand a minimum 2-hour enclosure rating to maintain fire safety.
- For rooms and corridors with resistance ratings of less than 1 hour, openings require a 30-minute enclosure rating.
Fire Door Testing Conditions
- Permissible surface temperature rise on the unexposed side of most fire doors is limited to 250°F above ambient temperature.
- 1/3 hour rated doors may not be subjected to a hose test if installed in low-risk areas without high exposure possibilities.
- After 30 minutes during the flame test, fire doors may demonstrate a slight temperature rise, provided it remains within acceptable limits for safety.
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