Section 27-339
§ 27-339 Fire segregation of occupancies. (a) Segregation by fire
divisions. When different occupancies are to be segregated by fire
divisions under the provisions of section 27-240 of subchapter three of
this chapter, the occupancies shall be separated from each other,
vertically and horizontally, by fire divisions having at least the
fire-resistance ratings listed in table 5-2 for the occupancy groups
involved. Every building section shall be constructed of elements having
at least the fire-resistance rating of a construction class required for
the area and height of the building section as listed in tables 4-1 and
4-2.
(b) Segregation by fire separations. When different spaces are to be
segregated by fire separations under the provisions of section 27-240 of
subchapter three of this chapter, the occupancies shall be separated
from each other, vertically and horizontally, by fire separations having
at least the fire-resistance ratings listed in table 5-1. In buildings
of construction group I, fire separations shall be constructed of
noncombustible materials.
(For Tables 5-1 and 5-2 see chapter 839 of the laws of 1986)
Key: Fire-resistance ratings are given in hours. For Table 5-1, read
above heavy line. For Table 5-2, read below heavy line. NR means No
requirement.
NOTES FOR TABLES 5-1 AND 5-2
a. An office, or group of offices, whose use is accessory to an
occupancy, and totals four hundred square feet or less in area shall not
be required to have a fire separation. Such office, or group of offices,
totalling more than four hundred square feet in area shall not be
required to have a fire separation if such offices exit directly,
without having to pass through the area of the related occupancy.
b. Counters and backbars for the sale of publications, tobacco prod-
ucts, liquors, or candies, or for making of reservations for travel, car
rental, or theatre, or otherwise involving similar business and
mercantile activities that are accessory to an occupancy and are limited
in area to one hundred square feet, within the area of the occupancy,
need not comply with the requirements of this table.
c. The provisions of this table shall not apply to closets
seventy-five square feet or less in area.
d. Nonresidential kitchens need not be separated by fire separations
from adjoining dining spaces, provided:
(1) The cooking equipment is vented directly to the outdoors, and
(2) 2 draft curtain of noncombustible material, at least twenty-four
inches down from the ceiling, is provided to separate the cooking
facilities from dining spaces, and
(3) Sprinkler heads constructed in accordance with the provisions of
subchapter seventeen of this chapter, are provided on the cooking
facilities side of the curtain, or any opening between the kitchen and
dining space, located within twenty-four inches of the curtain or
opening, and spaced not more than forty-eight inches on centers if the
opening is more than sixty inches wide. When fire separations are
provided double-action doors may be permitted.
e. Kitchens having a floor area of fifty-nine square feet or less
located within dwelling units shall be separated from adjacent spaces by
partitions having a fire-resistance rating of at least one hour except
for the entrances thereto which need comply with section 27-342 of this
article. If doors are provided they may be of wood.
f. In buildings or spaces classified in occupancy group J-1 or J-2 all
partitions in dwelling units located in cellars shall have a minimum
fire-resistance rating of one hour.
(c) Compartmentation. Notwithstanding the provisions of table 4-1, in
existing office buildings one hundred feet or more in height having
air-conditioning and/or mechanical ventilation systems that serve more
than the floor on which the equipment is located, unsprinklered floor
areas, more than forty feet above curb level, shall be subdivided by
fire separations into spaces or compartments of the size required by
paragraphs one through five of this subdivision. Floor area shall be
defined as the area within exterior walls and excluding any areas
enclosing stairs, corridors, elevators and shafts:
(1) Unless otherwise provided below, all unsprinklered floor areas
shall be segregated by one-hour fire separations into spaces or
compartments not to exceed seventy-five hundred square feet.
(2) Where the floor area exceeds ten thousand square feet, at least
one of the subdividing fire separations shall be of two-hour
fire-resistive construction, creating areas of refuge, complying with
section 27-372 of article five of subchapter six of this code except
that the requirement for an elevator in each area shall not apply.
(3) The floor area or any subdivided area may be increased to not more
than fifteen thousand square feet if complete area protection by
approved devices for the detection of products of combustion other than
heat is provided within such increased area and provided further than at
least one of the subdividing fire separations shall be of two-hour
fire-resistive construction where the floor area exceeds fifteen
thousand square feet, creating areas of refuge in the same manner and
under the same conditions as provided in two of this subdivision. The
activation of any such detectors shall have the same effect as provided
in subdivision (f) of section 27-972 of article five of subchapter
seventeen of this code.
(4) In existing buildings, existing fire separations of one-hour
fire-resistive construction may be accepted in lieu of the fire
separation of two hour fire-resistive construction providing all other
requirements of paragraphs two and three of this subdivision are
complied with.
(5) Regardless of the floor area, no subdivision of the floor area
shall be required under this subdivision when complete sprinkler
protection is provided in accordance with the construction provisions of
subchapter seventeen of this chapter.
(6) Existing office buildings one hundred feet or more in height shall
comply with the requirements of this subdivision as follows:
a. Whenever an alteration is performed involving partition changes,
compliance with this subdivision shall be required in that portion of
the building being altered.
b. At least one-third of the total floor area of the building not in
compliance with the requirements of this subdivision on February
seventh, nineteen hundred seventy-three, shall comply with such
requirements on or before December thirteenth, nineteen hundred
eighty-one. Complete plans showing such compliance for the phase of the
work to be done shall be filed with, and a permit secured from, the
commissioner on or before September thirteenth, nineteen hundred eighty.
c. At least two-thirds of the total floor area of the building not in
compliance with the requirements of this subdivision on February
seventh, nineteen hundred seventy-three, shall comply with such
requirements on or before August seventh, nineteen hundred eighty-four.
d. Full compliance shall be provided on or before February seventh,
nineteen hundred eighty-eight.
(7) In existing office buildings one hundred feet or more in height
where compliance would cause practical difficulty or undue hardship, the
commissioner may waive or modify the requirements of paragraphs one
through five of this subdivision and accept alternatives fulfilling the
intent of these requirements. Where compliance with the time
requirements of paragraph six of this subdivision would cause undue
hardship, the commissioner, with the approval of the fire commissioner,
may extend the time for compliance, in accordance with rules and
regulations to be promulgated. Before such application for a time
extension shall be considered all required applications and plans must
be filed and approved, permits obtained and a good faith effort towards
completion of the work shall have been made.
Section 27-340
§ 27-340 Fire divisions. Fire divisions shall be constructed of
non-combustible materials or assembly of noncombustible materials to
provide the fire-resistance ratings required by table 5-2. Vertical fire
divisions shall be continuous between foundation, roof, or horizontal
fire divisions, and through any concealed space in floor or roof
construction. Horizontal fire divisions shall be continuous between
exterior walls and/or vertical fire divisions.
(a) When roof construction is combustible on both sides of a vertical
fire division, the vertical fire division shall extend through the roof
construction to a height of at least four inches above the high point at
the roof framing. Decking shall tightly butt the fire division. Above
the decking of roofs that are flatter than twenty degrees to the
horizontal, blocking shall be constructed to form cants on both sides of
the fire division with slopes not steeper than 1:4. Combustible decking
shall not extend over the top of the fire division.
(b) Except as required in subdivision (c) of this section, when roof
construction is noncombustible on one or both sides of a vertical fire
division, the vertical fire division may terminate at the underside of
the noncombustible roof construction provided the junction of the wall
and roof construction is made smoke tight.
(c) When a vertical fire division is required by table 5-2 to have a
fire-resistance rating of three or four hours, and the roof construction
has a fire-resistance rating of less than two hours, the fire division
shall extend above the roof construction to form a parapet at least
three feet high.
(d) Fire divisions shall be so constructed that the removal or
collapse of construction on one side will not endanger the support of
construction on the other side.
(e) Fire divisions shall be made smoketight at their junction with
exterior walls. In buildings of construction class II-D and II-E,
exterior walls shall be constructed of noncombustible materials for a
distance of at least eighteen inches on each side of the fire division,
or the fire division shall project at least twelve inches through the
exterior wall.
(f) Fire divisions may be offset if the construction between the
offset divisions, including their supports, has at the same
fire-resistance rating as the fire division, with all hollow spaces
within the construction firestopped with noncombustible material.
(g) Where combustible members such as joists, beams, or girders bear
on, or frame into, vertical fire divisions, such members shall not
extend through the wall and shall have at least four inches of solid
noncombustible material below, at the sides, and at the ends of each
such member.
(h) Chases or recesses shall not be cut into fire divisions so as to
reduce their thickness below that required for the fire-resistance
rating.
(i) Vertical fire divisions that are hollow shall be firestopped with
at least four inches of noncombustible material so as to prevent passage
of flame, smoke, or hot gases through the hollow spaces to the story
above or below, or to hollow spaces within connecting floor or roof
construction.
Section 27-341
§ 27-341 Fire separations. Fire separations shall be constructed of
materials or assembly of materials having at least the fire-resistance
ratings required by table 5-1.
(a) Different tenancies. Different tenant apartments, suites, stores,
offices, or other spaces that are not separated from each other by fire
divisions, shall be separated from each other by fire separations having
at least the fire-resistance rating prescribed in table 5-1, but in no
case less than one hour, and shall continue through any concealed spaces
of the floor or roof construction above.
Section 27-342
§ 27-342 Openings in fire divisions and separations. Openings in fire
divisions and fire separations that are required to have a
fire-resistance rating, shall be protected by opening protectives having
the fire-resistance ratings prescribed in table 5-3, shall not exceed
the limits in size and area herein prescribed, and shall comply with the
provisions of section 27-329 of article three of this subchapter. Door
and other openings in enclosures of vertical exits, exit passageways,
corridors, and places of assembly shall be protected by opening
protectives as required by the provisions of subchapters six and eight
of this chapter. When such enclosures also serve as fire divisions or
fire separations, openings therein shall be protected as required by the
provisions of this subchapter.
(a) Size of opening. In buildings that are not sprinklered no opening
through a fire division or fire separation shall exceed one hundred
twenty square feet in area, with no dimension greater than twelve feet,
and the aggregate width of all openings at any level shall not exceed
twenty-five percent of the length of the wall. Where the areas on both
sides of a fire division or fire separation are sprinklered in
accordance with the construction provisions of subchapter seventeen of
this chapter, the size of the opening may be one hundred fifty square
feet in area, with no dimension greater than fifteen feet. In buildings
fully sprinklered in compliance with the provisions of subchapter
seventeen of ths chapter, the size and aggregate width of openings
through fire divisions or fire separations shall be unlimited. When a
fire division or fire separation serves as a horizontal exit also, it
shall have no opening other than door openings not exceeding fifty-six
square feet in area, the aggregate width of all openings at any level
shall not exceed twenty-five percent of the length of the wall, and
shall comply with the provisions of section 27-373 of article five of
subchapter six of this chapter.
(b) Conveyor openings. Where fire doors or shutters are impractical
for the protection of conveyor openings in fire divisions or fire
separations, a system of water spray nozzles may be used. At least four
nozzles shall be provided on each side of the opening so as to give
complete coverage of the opening. Nozzles shall be controlled by an
automatic valve actuated by a heat detector. Nozzles shall be located
at an angle not more than thirty degrees between the centerline of
nozzle discharge and a line perpendicular to the plane of the opening.
The water discharge rate shall be at least three gallons per square foot
per minute. When conveyor openings through floors are protected by this
method, the openings shall also be provided with a noncombustible
enclosure constructed around the conveyor from the floor up to or
slightly beyond the spray nozzles, and draft curtains shall be provided
extending twenty-four inches below and around the floor opening.
Table 5-3
Opening Protectives for Fire Divisions and Fire Separations
Fire-Resistance Rating of Fire Fire Protection Rating
Division or Fire Separation of Opening Protective
in which Opening Occurs (hr.)
3 or 4 3 hr. (Class A)*
2 or 1-1/2 1-1/2 hr. (Class B)
1 3/4 hr. (Class C)
* Note--Shall consist of two one and one-half hour (class B) opening
protectives, with one protective installed on each face of a fire
division or fire separation.
Section 27-343
§ 27-343 Ducts, pipes and conduits through rated construction. (a)
Installation of ducts which pass through construction required to have a
fire-resistance rating shall comply with the requirements of subchapter
thirteen, provided that, notwithstanding the provisions of subchapter
thirteen or reference standard RS 13-1, noncombustible ducts which pass
through construction required to have a fire-resistance rating of one
hour must be provided with fire dampers unless:
(1) The building is classified in occupancy group C, E, or H-2; and
(2) Complete sprinkler protection is provided for the floor in
accordance with subchapter seventeen; or
(3) The openings for the ventilation ducts do not exceed three square
feet in area; or
(4) The duct is protected on both sides of the partition for a
distance equal to the maximum duct dimension by a sleeve affording one
hour fire separation for such horizontal distance.
(b) Noncombustible pipes and conduits. Noncombustible pipes and
conduits may pass through construction required to have a
fire-resistance rating provided that the space between the pipe or
conduit and its sleeve or opening does not exceed one-half inch and is
completely packed with mineral wool or equivalent noncombustible
material and is closed off by close-fitting metal escutcheons on both
sides of the construction; and provided further that the aggregate net
area of such openings does not exceed twenty-five square inches in any
one hundred square feet of wall or floor area (excluding the areas of
openings for sleeves which are firestopped in conformance with this
section and section 27-345).
(c) Openings for passage of pipe and ducts whose aggregate net area
exceeds twenty-five square inches in any one hundred square feet of wall
or floor area (excluding opening for sleeves which are firestopped in
conformance with this section and section 27-345) may pierce
constructions required to have a fire-resistance rating only when the
type of construction to be used has been tested with such types of
facilities installed in place and the proportionate area of openings of
such facilities to be installed in the construction does not exceed the
proportionate area of openings in the assembly tested, and provided no
opening is larger than that in the assembly tested. Protection of such
openings shall be the same as provided in the test. All openings through
hollow fire rated construction shall be sleeved with sheet metal least
No. 14 U.S. std. gage thick.
(d) The installation and proper functioning of required fire dampers
shall be subject to the controlled inspection requirements of section
27-132 of this code, except that it shall not be required that the
architect or engineer be in the employ of the owner.
Section 27-344
§ 27-344 Shafts. The requirements of this section shall apply to all
shafts, except that floor openings accommodating a slide pole in a fire
house and openings other than for ventilation, chimneys or gas vents in
buildings three stories or less in height classified in occupancy group
J-3 shall be exempt from these requirements, and except as more
restrictive requirements may be specified for chimneys and gas vents in
subchapter fifteen of this chapter, stairway enclosures in subchapter
six, duct enclosures in subchapter thirteen, elevator, escalator, and
dumbwaiter enclosures in subchapter eighteen of this chapter, and except
as permitted in reference standard RS 5-18.
(a) Construction. Shafts shall be enclosed with materials having at
least fire-resistance rating required by table 3-4. A shaft that serves
the topmost story of a building shall extend through the roof at least
thirty-six inches above any combustible roof construction. Where the
roof construction is of noncombustible materials, the shaft shall extend
through any concealed space within the roof construction and may
terminate at the underside of the roof deck. Pipes and ducts penetrating
shaft construction shall comply with the requirements of section 27-343
of this article.
(b) Combustible Contents. Shafts shall be kept free of bookstacks or
other combustible contents except for stair construction as permitted
under subchapter six of this chapter, duct and pipe coverings as
permitted under subchapters thirteen and sixteen, and elevator car
enclosures as permitted under subchapter eighteen of this chapter.
(c) Openings in shafts. All shaft openings below the top terminus
shall be provided with opening protectives that comply with section
27-329 of this subchapter and table 5-3. In shafts that contain only one
opening below the roof terminus, no opening protective need be provided.
Openings in elevator and dumbwaiter shafts shall comply only with the
requirements of subchapter eighteen of this chapter. Where a window is
located in a shaft wall that is an exterior wall and is ten stories or
less above grade or three stories or less above a roof, it shall be
protected against entrance by a permanently secured grille consisting of
5/8 in. dia. bars, 10 in. o. c. vertically, or by a stationary metal
sash window having 1/8 in. thick solid section steel muntins, 8 in. o.
c. one way. This protection shall not be required in stair shafts where
there is a stair landing or platform not more than three feet directly
below the window sill.
(d) Smoke venting of closed shafts. All closed shafts having an area
exceeding four square feet, other than elevator or dumbwaiter shafts,
shall be provided with a smoke vent having an area of at least three and
one-half percent of the maximum shaft area at any floor, but in no event
less than one-half square foot. Elevator and dumbwaiter shaft vents
shall comply with the requirements of subchapter eighteen of this
chapter. Smoke vents may be windows, louvers, skylights, vent ducts, or
similar devices. Vent ducts shall be enclosed by construction having the
same fire resistance rating as required for the shaft enclosure. Such
vent ducts shall extend vertically, diagonally, or horizontally as
provided below.
(1) Through any roof of the building provided the vent opening is at
least ten feet from any window, door, outside stairway, or interior lot
line. This dimension may be reduced to five feet if the vent duct is
extended up to at at least the level of the top of the window or door. A
vent that is required to extend above a roof shall extend at least eight
inches above a roof assembly constructed of noncombustible materials,
and at least thirty-six inches above a roof assembly constructed of
combustible materials that are within a horizontal distance of ten feet.
(2) Through an exterior wall of the building, provided there are no
openings in the wall within a distance of thirty feet vertically above
the vent opening, and within five feet either side of the vent opening.
When a side of a shaft is an exterior wall or a wall of a roof bulkhead,
the required vent may be a louver or window. Any window or louver
located in a shaft wall above a roof constructed of combustible
materials shall have its sill at least thirty-six inches above the roof.
(e) Terminus of shaft vents. Of the total required vent area for
shafts, at least one-third shall be clear opening to the outdoors,
either in the form of fixed louvers, ridge vents, or hooded or
goosenecked openings. In lieu thereof, skylights or trap doors may be
used if constructed and arranged to open automatically by fusible link
or other mechanical device when subjected to a temperature of one
hundred sixty degrees Fahrenheit or to a rapid rise in temperature at a
rate of fifteen to twenty degrees Fahrenheit per minute. The remaining
portion of the required vent area may be a window or skylight glazed
with plain glass not more than one-eighth inch thick or slow burning
plastic.
(f) Machine rooms. Any compartment containing machinery that
communicates with a shaft enclosure shall comply with all requirements
for shafts. The required louver or glazing shall not be located in any
door leading into such compartment.
Section 27-345
§ 27-345 Firestopping. Concealed spaces within partitions, walls,
floors, roofs, stairs, furring, pipe spaces, column enclosures, etc.
that would permit passage of flame, smoke, fumes, or hot gases from one
floor to another floor or roof space, or from one concealed area to
another, shall be firestopped to form an effective draft barrier, or
shall be filled with noncombustible material in accordance with the
requirements of this section. Firestopping shall not be required where a
concealed space is sprinklered in accordance with the construction
provisions of subchapter seventeen of this chapter, or is constructed as
a shaft.
(a) Firestopping materials. In buildings of construction group I,
firestopping or fill shall be of noncombustible material that can be
shaped, fitted, and permanently secured in position. In buildings of
construction group II, firestopping may be of combustible material
consisting of wood not less than two inches nominal thickness with tight
joints, two layers of one inch nominal thickness assembled so that there
are no through joints or of one-half inch exterior type plywood with
joints backed, except that noncombustible firestopping shall be used in
concealed spaces of fire divisions and where in contact with fireplaces,
flues, and chimneys. Noncombustible firestopping may be masonry set in
mortar, concrete, three-quarter inch thick mortar or plaster on
noncombustible lath, plasterboard at least three-eighths of an inch
thick, fire-rated wallboard at least five-eighths of an inch thick,
sheet metal at least No. 14 U.S. std. gage thick, solid web metal
structural members, asbestos-cement board at least one-quarter of an
inch thick, or equivalent rigid noncombustible material. Mineral, slag,
or rockwool may be used for firestopping when compacted to a density of
at least three and one-half pounds per cubic foot into a confined space
of least dimension not more than one-third its second dimension.
(1) The performance of through-penetration fire stops shall be
measured and specified according to reference standard RS 5-19.
(2) The commissioner may accept reference standard RS 5-19 test data
results from an independent laboratory acceptable to the commissioner
pursuant to subdivision (c) of section 27-131, when such data is
submitted by a registered architect or licensed professional engineer to
justify the usage of fire stops or the details of their installation not
specified herein.
(b) Hollow partitions and furred spaces. All hollow partitions and
furred out spaces shall be firestopped at each floor level. Firestops
shall be the full thickness of the hollow space or furred out space.
(c) Stairs. Concealed spaces within stair construction shall be
firestopped between stringers at the top and bottom of each flight of
stairs so as not to communicate with concealed spaces in the floor, roof
or intermediate landing construction.
(d) Ceiling spaces. Floor or roof assemblies required to have a
fire-resistance rating shall have any concealed spaces therein
firestopped in accordance with section 27-327 of this subchapter.
(e) Exterior cornices. Exterior cornices and eaves, constructed of
combustible materials or with combustible framing, shall be firestopped
at the ends of fire divisions and party walls, and at maximum intervals
of twenty feet. If not continuous, they shall have closed ends and at
least four inches separation between adjoining sections.
(f) Trim and finish. Where combustible trim and finish is permitted
all hollow spaces shall be firestopped at ten foot intervals or shall be
solidly filled with noncombustible materials.
(g) Duct and pipe spaces. Ducts and pipes enclosed in construction
that does not meet the requirements of this code for shaft construction
shall be firestopped at every floor level.
(h) Inspection of firestopping. The installation of all required
firestopping shall be subject to the controlled inspection requirements
of section 27-132 of article seven of subchapter one of this chapter,
except that the architect or engineer need not be retained by the owner.
Firestopping shall not be concealed from view until inspected.
Section 27-346
§ 27-346 Partitions and furring. In buildings of construction group I,
partitions and furring shall be constructed of noncombustible materials,
except that nonbearing partitions that are not required to have a
fire-resistance rating, and furring may be constructed of fire retardant
treated wood as provided in subdivision (d) of section 27-328 of article
three of this subchapter, and except that such partitions and furring,
may be constructed of combustible materials in spaces classified in
occupancy group E, J-2, or J-3, provided the following conditions are
met:
(a) the space containing the combustible partitions does not exceed
five thousand square feet in area within a noncombustible enclosure
having a fire-resistance rating of at least one hour.
(b) the space is in a single tenancy.
(c) glass or slow burning plastic is used for glazing.
Section 27-347
§ 27-347 Folding partitions. Folding partitions shall not be used as
partitions that are required by this code to have a fire-resistance
rating.
(a) Construction group I. In buildings of construction group I,
folding partitions may be used if they are constructed of noncombustible
materials, or of fire retardant treated wood, or are constructed of
non-combustible frame covered with fabric that has a class A interior
finish rating. Where partitions of combustible materials are permitted
by section 27-346 of this article, folding partitions may also be
constructed of combustible materials. Where doors constructed of
materials having a class C interior finish rating are permitted by
section 27-348 of this article, folding doors may be constructed of
combustible materials.
(b) Construction group II. In buildings of construction group II,
folding partitions may be constructed of combustible materials, surfaced
with interior finish materials meeting the requirements of section
27-348 of this article.
Section 27-348
§ 27-348 Interior finish. (a) Definition. For the purposes of this
section, interior finish shall mean those materials that form the
exposed interior surfaces of a building and that are part of or affixed
to walls, fixed or folding partitions, ceilings, and other construction
elements.
(b) Classification. Interior finish materials shall be classified in
accordance with the surface flame-spread rating obtained as prescribed
in the provisions of reference standard RS 5-5. Where an interior finish
material is comprised of two or more materials laminated, glued, nailed,
or otherwise secured together, the test rating for flame spread shall be
based upon the composite of the materials in the form in which it will
be used in construction. Interior finish materials shall be grouped in
the following classes, in accordance with their surface flame spread
characteristics:
Interior Finish Class Flame-Spread Rating
A 0 to 25
B 26 to 75
C 76 to 225
D Over 225
(c) Requirements. Interior finishes and exposed structural or
construction materials shall have a flame-spread rating not greater than
that designated by the class prescribed for the various occupancy groups
in which they are used, as listed in table 5-4. Exceptions to these
requirements are:
(1) Finish flooring and floor coverings, which are subject to the
requrements of section 27-351.
(2) Wall coverings and coatings that are less than 0.036 in total
thickness, when applied directly to a noncombustible, or fire-retardant
treated wood, substrate.
(3) Exposed structural members and planking in buildings of class II-A
construction, which may be left exposed in any room or space, except in
exits.
(4) Twenty per cent (20%) of the aggregate wall and ceiling area of
any room, space, or corridor required to have a class A or B rating may
be finished with materials having a class C rating. This allowance shall
include the area of doors, folding partitions, windows, glazing,
skylights, luminous ceilings, trim, bases, chair rails, panels,
moldings, etc. This exception shall not operate as a waiver of other
requirements of this code relating to opening protectives.
(5) When a sprinkler system is provided in any room or space, and is
installed in compliance with the construction provisions of subchapter
seventeen of this chapter, interior finish materials may be one class
higher in flame-spread rating than required by tables 5-4.
(d) Smoke density. No material shall be used for interior finish in
the following locations if the material develops smoke in greater
density than the rating shown, based upon a test conducted in accordance
with the provisions of reference standard RS 5-5. Materials used for
interior finish that cover not more than twenty percent of the aggregate
wall and ceiling area of any room, space, or corridor shall be exempt
from the above requirements.
Location or Occupancy Smoke Developed Rating
Exits, corridors ............................... 25
Occupancy groups H-1 and H-2 ................... 50
Rooms in which the net floor area
per occupant is ten square feet,
or less ....................................... 100
(e) Toxicity. No material shall be used in any interior location that,
upon exposure to fire will produce products of decomposition or
combustion that are more toxic in point of concentration than those
given off by wood or paper when decomposing or burning under comparable
conditions.
(f) Attachment of interior finish.
(1) To be credited with the same rating, interior finish materials
that were applied to a substrate when tested shall be applied at the
building to an equivalent substrate.
(2) Interior finish materials shall be cemented or otherwise secured
in place in the same manner and with materials equivalent to those used
in flame-spread tests conducted in accordance with subdivision (b) of
this section for the applicable classification.
(3) Where walls, ceilings, partitions, or other construction elements
are required to have a fire-resistance rating or are required to be
constructed of noncombustible materials, and the interior finish is
secured to studs or furring, the surface of the interior finish facing
the concealed space shall either have a class A rating, shall be applied
to a substrate that has a class A rating, or shall have the concealed
space completely filled with noncombustible material.
Table 5-4 Interior Finish Requirements
Class
========================================================================
Occupancy Rooms More Rooms Less
Group Occupancy Exits Than 1500 Than 1500
Classification Group and Sq. Ft. in Sq. Ft. in
of the Space Designation Shafts Corridors{b} Area{a} Area{a,g}
________________________________________________________________________
High Hazard A A A B B
Storage B-1 A A B C
Storage B-2 A B B{c} C
Mercantile C A B B{c} C
Industrial D-1 A A B C
Industrial D-2 A B B{c} C
Business E A B C C
Assembly F-1a A B B B{d}
Assembly F-1b A B B{c} B{c,d}
Assembly F-2 A B B{c} B{c,d}
Assembly F-3 A B B{c} B{c,d}
Assembly F-4 A B B{c} C
Educational G A A B C
Institutional H-1,H-2 A A B B{d}
Residential J-1,J-2 A A B B{f}
Residential J-3 B D{e} D{e} D{e}
========================================================================
NOTES FOR TABLE 5-4
a. In determining the applicable requirements for rooms or enclosed
spaces, the occupancy group classification of the room or enclosed space
shall be the governing factor, regardless of the occupancy group
classification of the building. For the purposes of this table, the area
of a room shall be that floor area contained within enclosing
construction in which interior doors or other interior openings
represent not more than ten percent of the area of the enclosing
construction. Interior doors or windows that are constructed of
noncombustible materials and that are self-closing or automatic may be
ignored in computing door or opening area. Rooms or spaces that have
unprotected openings constituting more than ten percent of the area of
enclosing construction shall not be considered as a room. Interior
finish requirements for rooms are based upon rooms being enclosed in
ceiling high partitions. Partitions, to be considered ceiling high,
shall extend up to the floor or roof construction above or to a ceiling
having at least a three-quarter hour fire-resistance rating. Partitions
that do not comply with this requirement shall not be considered as
enclosing the spaces, and the rooms or spaces on both sides thereof
shall be considered as one.
b. Rooms or spaces through which it is necessary for occupants of an
adjacent room to pass in order to reach the only exit shall, for the
purposes of this table, be considered as corridors. Where used in
corridors, class B finish material shall not extend more than fifty feet
between separations of class A finish material that are at least two
feet wide.
c. On the street floor of one-story buildings in construction group
II, ceilings, beams, trusses, etc. that are twenty feet or more in
height from the floor to their lowest part, may have a class C finish.
d. Class C interior finish may be used in offices, or groups of
offices, whose use is accessory to an occupancy, provided such offices
are separated from the occupancy, by construction having at least a two
hour fire-resistance rating.
e. Class C interior finish may be used in the residential rooms of
one- and two-story motels when there is a direct exit from each room to
the exterior.
f. Interior finish when used in the following spaces shall be at least
class B:
(1) Kitchens, cooking spaces, and pantries in buildings classified in
occupancy groups other than J-2 and J-3.
(2) Repair and maintenance rooms.
(3) Boiler rooms and incinerator combustion rooms.
Section 27-349
§ 27-349 Coatings. Coatings applied in the field by brush or spray
shall not be used as flame-spread retardants except on existing surfaces
of buildings existing on December sixth, nineteen hundred sixty-eight,
and then only with the express permission of, and in a manner directed
by, the commissioner.
Section 27-350
§ 27-350 Ceiling construction. Ceilings that are to be suspended below
floor or roof construction by means of a framing system shall consist of
supporting hangers, carrying channels and a supporting grid complying
with reference standard RS 5-16 or shall have supporting hangers and
carrying channels and a supporting grid that can be demonstrated to the
satisfaction of the commissioner to be of strength adequate to support
the ceiling material. The hangers and supporting grid shall be of
noncombustible materials. In buildings of construction group II, every
other hanger supported from wood members shall be attached by a through
bolt or clinched through nail. Where, in table 3-4, floor or roof
construction is required to have a fire-resistance rating, a ceiling
having no fire-resistance rating may be suspended below the
fire-resistance construction.
(a) Luminous ceilings. For the purpose of this section, a luminous
ceiling shall be defined as a ceiling consisting of translucent,
louvered, egg-crated, mesh, or similar light-diffusing material
suspended from the ceiling or structural framework. A suspended ceiling
containing less than twenty square feet of translucent, louvered,
egg-crated, mesh, or similar material in any one hundred square feet of
ceiling area shall not be considered a luminous ceiling, and shall be
constructed and installed in accordance with department of buildings
requirements for lighting fixtures. Luminous ceilings shall, in addition
to the requirements of this section, conform to all of the requirements
of section 27-348 of this article for interior finish.
(1) LUMINOUS CEILINGS OF NONCOMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL. Luminous ceilings
constructed of glass and/or metal or other noncombustible materials may
be used in any location.
a. Glass used in luminous ceilings, unless it is wire glass or
heat-resistant glass as specified below, shall not weigh more than two
psf, nor shall any pane be larger than eight square feet in area. If
glass used in luminous ceilings is wire glass, or is heat resistant by
reason of having a maximum coefficient of expansion of 36 x 10-7 in. per
in. per degree C, the glass may be of any weight and any size, limited
only by considerations of structural safety.
b. Luminous ceilings installed below sprinkler heads shall be
constructed of a type of noncombustible louver, mesh, or other open
material that will not impede the flow of water from the sprinkler heads
over the intended area of coverage. The luminous ceiling shall be
constructed so as to provide access to all heads and valves.
(2) LUMINOUS CEILINGS OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL. Luminous ceilings
constructed of combustible materials shall not be installed in:
a. Any exit or corridor.
b. Any room classified in occupancy group H, or any room leading
therefrom as defined in note b of table 5-4.
c. Any room in which the net floor area per occupant is twenty square
feet or less, or any room leading therefrom as defined in note b of
table 5-4.
d. Luminous ceilings constructed elsewhere than in the spaces listed
in subparagraphs a, b, and c above shall be exempt from the provisions
of section 27-348 of this article, provided that:
1. The panels of such ceilings are of slow-burning plastic;
2. The panels are installed above or below sprinklers that are
constructed in accordance with the provisions of subchapter seventeen of
this chapter;
3. No individual plastic panel exceeds ten feet in maximum dimension.
Where installed below sprinkler heads, the plastic shall be a material
that will fall from its mounting at a temperature at least fifteen
degrees lower than the temperature at which the sprinkler heads are
designed to operate or are constructed of open material which will not
impede the flow of water from the sprinkler heads. Luminous ceilings
shall be installed so as to provide ready access to all heads and
valves.
(b) Suspension of new ceilings below existing suspended ceilings. In
construction group I a new ceiling may be suspended below not more than
one existing suspended ceiling and shall be supported directly from the
ceiling carrying channels adjacent to the hangers. In construction group
II, an existing suspended ceiling shall be completely removed before a
new ceiling may be suspended.
Section 27-351
§ 27-351 Finish flooring and floor coverings. Finish flooring and
floor coverings shall comply with the following: (a) In buildings or
spaces classified in occupancy group A and in all exits except those in
buildings of construction group II-E, finish flooring shall be of
noncombustible material and except as otherwise provided for stairs in
subdivision (h) of section 27-375 of article five of subchapter six of
this chapter.
(b) Flooring in buildings or spaces of construction group I. Except as
provided in subdivision (a) of this section combustible finish flooring
may be used in buildings or spaces of construction group I when cemented
directly to the top surface of noncombustible floor construction, or
attached to combustible or noncombustible sleepers. When attached to
sleepers, the space between the noncombustible floor construction and
the bottom of flooring shall be solidly filled with noncombustible
material to within one-quarter inch of the flooring, or the space
between the sleepers under the flooring shall be firestopped into areas
of not more than twenty square feet, and provided further that no open
spaces shall extend under or through fire divisions or through fire
separations. Combustible insulating or sound absorbing boards not more
than one-half inch thick and having a flame-spread rating not greater
than class C may be used when attached directly to noncombustible floor
construction and covered with finish flooring.
(c) Flooring in buildings or spaces of construction group II. Except
as provided in subdivision (a) of this section, finish flooring in
buildings or spaces of construction group II may be of combustible
material.
(d) Floor coverings.
(1) Exits. Where exits are required under any provision of this code,
carpets and carpet assemblies shall not be installed in such exits,
except that wool carpeting may be installed in lobby areas, exit
passageways and convenience stairs.
(2) Flammability requirements. The requirements of this subdivision
shall apply to carpets and carpet assemblies only when used as a floor
covering (for requirements pertaining to carpets and carpet assemblies
used as interior finishes, see section 27-348 of this article). For
purposes of this subdivision, carpeting assemblies shall include the
carpet, its underlay, and adhesives which when tested as a composite
shall be representative of the proposed installation.
a. Pill test. All carpets and underlayments shall pass a methanine
pill test in accordance with the requirements of reference standard RS
5-20.
b. Critical radiant flux test. Carpets and carpet assemblies shall be
tested by the method for critical radiant flux in accordance with the
requirements of reference standard RS 5-20. The time frame for such test
shall be at least a fifteen minute exposure.
1. Carpets and carpet assemblies representative of the actual
installation on floors of corridors, shall have a minimum critical
radiant flux of 0.5 watts per square centimeter (W/cm{2}).
2. Carpets and carpet assemblies representative of the actual
installation on floors of general areas shall have a minimum critical
radiant flux of 0.4 W/cm{2}.
c. Smoke developed ratings. Carpets and carpet assemblies
representative of the actual installation on floors of corridors or
general areas shall be tested for smoke developed ratings in accordance
with the requirements of reference standard RS 5-20. The smoke developed
ratings in either the flaming or no-flaming mode shall not exceed three
hundred within the first four minutes of the test.
d. The manufacturer of the carpets and carpet assemblies shall submit
a certificate from an independent laboratory acceptable to the
commissioner pursuant to section 27-131, showing the complete test data
results, prior to final acceptance. The certification shall state that
the material is treated for fire resistance and shall indicate the
service life of the treatment or that the material is inherently fire
resistant by virtue of its construction, chemical properties and/or
composition. Materials which are not inherently fire resistant may be
used only when the certified fire resistant service life exceeds that of
the planned service life of the carpets and carpet assemblies with
consideration being given to cleaning, traffic, and other conditions of
use which may affect the treatment.
(3) Volatile organic compounds emissions in carpet and carpet cushion.
On and after July 1, 2013 carpet and carpet cushion as defined in
section 17-1401 of the administrative code shall comply with the limits
on volatile organic compound emissions set forth in chapter 14 of title
17 of such code.
Section 27-353
§ 27-353 Smoke and heat venting. (a) Where the floor area of a
one-story building classified in occupancy group A, B-1, or D-1 is
greater in depth than one hundred feet from a frontage space, that
portion beyond one hundred feet shall be provided with roof vents and
smoke curtains complying with the requirements of reference standard RS
5-11. Where the effective area of vents are glazed with plain glass or
plastic not thicker than one-eighth inch, they need not be provided with
automatic opening devices.
(b) Buildings classified in occupancy group E, one hundred feet or
more in height, having air-conditioning and/or mechanical ventilation
systems that serve more than the floor on which the equipment is
located, shall be provided with at least one smoke shaft by means of
which smoke and heat shall be mechanically vented to the outdoors as
provided in reference standard RS 5-17. Buildings that are sprinklered
throughout shall be exempt from the smoke shaft requirements.
(c) Existing office buildings, one hundred feet or more in height,
having air-conditioning and/or mechanical ventilation systems that serve
more than the floor on which the equipment is located, shall be provided
with at least one smoke shaft by means of which smoke and heat shall be
mechanically vented to the outdoors as provided in reference standard RS
5-17, or in lieu of such smoke shaft or shafts, all interior enclosed
stairs other than a fire tower or access stairs may be provided with a
system of pressurization for fire emergency use.
Such pressurization shall be provided by means of a system or systems
as provided in reference standard RS 5-18. Such buildings shall comply
with the smoke and heat venting requirements herein on or before
September thirteenth, nineteeen hundred eighty-two. Complete plans
showing such compliance shall be filed with, and a permit secured from,
the commissioner on or before September thirteenth, nineteen hundred
eighty.
Existing buildings that are sprinklered throughout shall be exempt
from the smoke shaft and stair pressurization requirements.
An existing building which is to be sprinklered throughout shall be
exempt from the smoke shaft and stair pressurization requirements under
the following conditions:
(1) the installation proceeds in conformance with a schedule
acceptable to the commissioner, setting forth the sequence and
corresponding time for installation in the various locations. On or
before September thirteenth, nineteen hundred eighty such a schedule, as
well as complete plans of the installation, shall be filed with, and a
permit secured from, the commissioner for the phase of the work to be
done as required by paragraph two of this subdivision.
(2) at least one-third of the total floor area of the building,
including but not limited to the entrance lobby, corridors and elevator
landing areas, is sprinklered on or before December thirteenth, nineteen
hundred eighty-one.
(3) at least two-thirds of the total floor area of the building is
sprinklered on or before December thirteenth, nineteen hundred
eighty-two.
(4) the building is sprinklered throughout on or before December
thirteenth, nineteen hundred eighty-three.
Where compliance with the time requirements of this subdivision would
cause undue hardship, the commissioner, with the approval of the fire
commissioner, may extend the time for compliance, in accordance with
rules and regulations to be promulgated. Before such application for a
time extension shall be considered all required applications and plans
must be filed and approved, permits obtained and a good faith effort
towards completion of the work shall have been made.
Section 27-353.1
§ 27-353.1 Smoke protection for elevators and escalators. (a)
Elevators. In existing buildings classified in occupancy group J-1, at
every floor above the main entrance floor, all passenger elevantors
shall open only into elevator vestibules, except for:
(1) Such existing buildings which contain spaces classified in
occupancy group C or F and have an automatic sprinkler system protecting
all spaces (except boiler rooms) not in occupancy group J-1 and all
exits and corridors serving such spaces located on or below the lowest
floor containing sleeping rooms as well as all storage closets no matter
where located, except that storage closets less than seventy-five square
feet may, in the alternative, be provided with smoke detectors which
shall be of the central supervisory type connected to an approved
central station; or
(2) Such existing buildings which contain no spaces in occupancy group
C or F, and have either:
a. An automatic sprinkler system protecting all public areas and
storage closets; or
b. An automatic sprinkler system protecting all sleeping rooms and
storage closets.
c. Notwithstanding subparagraphs a and b of this paragraph, storage
closets less than seventy-five square feet may be provided with smoke
detectors of the central supervisory type connected to an approved
central station.
d. Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, the sprinklers
serving the storage closets may be connected with the domestic water
supply.
(b) Escalators. In buildings and existing buildings classified in
occupancy group J-1, fire protection for escalators shall be provided by
any one of the following methods:
(1) Enclosure in accordance with sections 27-375 and 27-378 if
escalator is used as an exit; or
(2) Automatic rolling shutters in accordance with reference standard
RS 18-1; or
(3) Kiosks in accordance with reference standard RS 18-1; or
(4) Where the building section is fully protected by a supervised
automatic sprinkler system and the escalator sprinklers are spaced to
protect exposed sides of the escalator opening, a noncombustible heat
apron constructed to bank heat around the sprinkler heads adjacent to
the opening where the bottom edge of the draft curtain is not less than
twelve inches below the bottoms of sprinkler heads when heads are in
operation, and in no event less than twenty-four inches below the
ceiling; or
(5) Spray nozzles in accordance with reference standard RS 18-1.
(c) The requirements of this subdivision shall be complied with on or
before April first, nineteen hundred eighty-seven.
Section 27-353.2
§ 27-353.2 Smoke protection for elevators in E occupancies. For an
elevator in a high rise building where such elevator serves four or more
stories that contain space classified in occupancy Group E (office
space), inclusive of any lobby or entry level, such elevator shall meet
the following requirements at every level served by such elevator (i)
for such buildings erected pursuant to new building applications filed
on or after the effective date of this section, or (ii) where two or
more new elevator shafts are installed in such buildings in existence on
the effective date of this section:
(a) Elevator vestibule required. At every floor above the main
entrance floor where the fire command station is located, all elevators
shall open into an enclosed elevator vestibule. The elevator vestibule
shall be separated from the building occupancy by smoke barriers
extending from floor slab to floor slab.
(b) Permitted penetrations. Penetrations in addition to those
permitted in section 27-353.3 (smoke barrier) shall be provided with
smoke dampers as defined in reference standard RS 13-1, except that a
package pass through or communication opening not exceeding one square
foot in area need not be provided with smoke dampers.
(c) Access to exits. Access to an exit on any floor through the
enclosed elevator vestibule shall be permitted if the occupied areas on
that floor have access to at least one other required exit that does not
require passing through the elevator vestibule.
(d) On floors with a floor area of less than twenty-five hundred
square feet, the commissioner may accept an alternative design or
construction method that accomplishes the purposes of this section, or,
if the commissioner determines that compliance with this section is
impracticable in whole or in part, the commissioner may authorize an
exemption from the requirements of this section.
Section 27-353.3
§ 27-353.3 Smoke barrier. A smoke barrier may or may not have a fire
resistance rating. Smoke barriers may have openings that are protected
by automatic closing devices, adequate to inhibit movement of smoke
through the opening. The smoke barrier may be constructed of
heat-strengthened or tempered glazing or the equivalent and protected by
sprinkler heads constructed in accordance with subchapter seventeen of
this chapter and installed a maximum of six feet (6'-0") on center on
each side of the barrier. If the smoke barrier is constructed of glass,
the portions of the smoke barrier located within two feet of the door
opening and within five feet of the floor shall be constructed of
tempered glass. Glass panels having an area in excess of nine square
feet with the bottom edge less than eighteen inches above the floor
shall likewise be constructed of tempered glass. Portions of glass smoke
barriers shall be marked where required in accordance with the rules of
the board of standards and appeals.
To the extent possible under law, Friends of Devin Balkind for Public Advocate has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to New York City Administrative Code. This work is published from: United States.
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