It does not seem like it would be all that hard to put the actual rating for each particular wall or partition on the stencil. These are indicated on the drawings, and the entity putting in the firestopping will know what they are. e.g. “2 HR FIRE PARTITION - PROTECT OPENINGS”
Using adhesive labels be easier and faster than stencils. You could even do these on a personal printer. If they’re placed every ten feet, it seems to me inch-high letters would be sufficient.
We specify it in the painting section, because that makes the most sense, since we have both drywall and masonry partitions that may have ratings.
We allow some flexibility in the height above the ceiling–from 6" to 18", and require it 5 feet on center, both sides of the partition, in bright orange paint, 4" high letters.
We call for the stencilling as:
“Smoke Rated Wall,” “One Hour Rated Wall,” “Two Hour Rated Wall.”
On a walkthrough with a Fire Chief on one project he said “wow, I have never seen that before and I really like it.”
New to the 2009 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE
"703.6 Marking and Indentification. Fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions, smoke barriers and smoke partitions or any other wall required to have protected openings or penetrations shall be effectively and permanently indentified with signs or stenciling. Such identification shall:
“Exception: Walls in Group R-2 occupancies that do not have a removable decorative ceiling allowing access to the concealed space.”
There is an error in this sentence: “…not exceeding 30 feet (914 mm)…” If 30 feet is correct the metric equivalent is 9144 mm. I am not certain which is correct; 3 feet or 30 feet.
IMHO, 30 feet to too far apart, and certainly 3 feet is far too close, but then I am only [now] an architect and spec writer.
As old code guy, suggest this might be fodder for a code text change to more real and reasonable dimension, since I assume the intent is to inform and advise both future contractors/workers and fire fighters[?]of the wall status [much can happen within 30 feet of space, especially in murky conditions]
I agree with you Ralph…30 feet is too far apart…ESPECIALLY if the lettering is only 1/2" high!
Virginia, in their Statewide Supplement to the IBC, calls for lettering not less than 1 inch high, with signs/stencils spaced not more than 8 feet apart
It seems to me that when working with stencils, with spray bleed around the edges, larger font sizes would actually be easier to apply and the results more legible.
I have to think pre-printed self-adhesive labels would be far, far cheaper than painting a stencil.
Pre-printed seems to be the right idea. There must be some free or dirt-cheap software used to make bumper stickers that would work great.
That would create a new spec Section though; some sub-set of 10 14 00 Signage or perhaps 10 40 00 - Safety Specialties.
Do we really need to go into such detail?
Can’t we [as specifiers] just say [somewhere…with cross-referencing] that fire assemblies need to be marked/identified per AHJ requirements …or per local code …or as specified with a brief description. Like “not less than x” high spaced at y’ of durable material?"
That was part of my direction on the 6th.
The requirement should read “…30 feet (9.14 m)…”
This is the way it appeared in the final action agenda for the 06/07 code development cycle. However, it was incorrectly printed (as quoted above) in the 2007 IBC Supplement. Hopefully they caught the error before going to the printer with the 2009 edition.
The myriad of possible variations in AHJ requirements and IBC + state or local amendments leads me to believe less is more on this one. But isn’t there some kind of specifier’s directive that says we can’t just refer them to the code?
Part of a professional’s obligations is to establish what code applies, if there are any local amendments, and then to set the pattern of code compliance-- i.e., know, at a minimum what the code requires. Then provide for complying as required.
So, here, we may have to write some text reflecting what the “whatever” code requires.
I believe that there was a provision in the old BOCA code that specifically stated that it was not appropriate to just state that something shouldcomply with the code.
As Ralph stated we need to make it clear what provisions apply. We need to make the judgments that only design professional can make. Once this is done it may be appropriate to reference specific code sections when we are sure that there is no abiguity how they would be interpreted.
As I stated on Feb 6 - In all my years in this business,working on projects all over the US, this is the first time I’ve ever heard of this.
I’ve never seen it in a spec, including the stuff that goes through DSA here in CA.
Okay: I’m resurecting this old thread now that Massachusetts has adopted the 2009 IBC. (YAY! we’ve finally caught up!)
Has anyone gotten any feedback, pushback or brilliant new ideas besides what was indicated earlier in this thread? I’m sort of thinking the best approach is to make a separate section out of it. I have no idea how the contractor may wish to sub this out, and I don’t want it to be missed.
Also, based on the above discussions, we may decrease the spacing and slightly up the text size. Interestingly, the code requires the identification to be in concealed areas such as above the ceiling. What happens if there are no concealed areas? Does that mean there does not need to be any identification? (That makes no sense.) I’m sure that some owners would not want to see this stencil in areas occupied by the public.
Maybe Section 10 16 53 “Identification for Fire- and Smoke- Partitions” to parallel the MEP Division’s identification sections?
John: Great idea; however, I would title it “Identification for Fire and Smoke Assemblies.” Fire and smoke partitions, by code definition, are very specific types of fire and smoke assemblies. Using my suggested title would not exclude the other assemblies such as fire walls, fire barriers, smoke barriers, and horizontal assemblies.
John:
Owners have all sorts of weird things they have to see in their spaces relating to exiting, so some fire and/or smoke designations shouldn’t be too alarming. (especially if they won’t get their Occupancy Permit without it). Perhaps for those spaces, you want to be a little more careful about how the signage/decal/stencil looks and make sure it is applied centered and parallel to the floor plane. if its up high enough, no one will notice it anyway.