Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 780 CMR - STATE BOARD OF BUILDING REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS › Chapter 7 - Fire and Smoke Protection Features › Section 703 - FIRE-RESISTANCE RATINGS AND FIRE TESTS › Subsection 703.2 - Fire-resistance ratings

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
The
fire-resistance rating
of building
				  elements, components or assemblies shall be determined in accordance with the
				  test procedures set forth in ASTM E 119 or UL 263 or in accordance with Section
				  703.3. Where materials, systems or devices that have not been tested as part of
				  a fire-resistance-rated assembly are incorporated into the building element,
				  component or assembly, sufficient data shall be made available to the
building official
to show that the required
fire-resistance rating
is not reduced. Materials and methods
				  of construction used to protect joints and penetrations in
				  fire-resistance-rated building elements, components or assemblies shall not
				  reduce the required
fire-resistance rating
.
Exception:
In determining the
fire-resistance rating
of exterior bearing walls, compliance
				  with the ASTM E 119 or UL 263 criteria for unexposed surface temperature rise
				  and ignition of cotton waste due to passage of flame or gases is required only
				  for a period of time corresponding to the required
fire-resistance
				  rating
of an exterior nonbearing wall with the same
fire
				  separation distance
, and in a building of the same group. When the
fire-resistance rating
determined in accordance with this
				  exception exceeds the
fire-resistance rating
determined in
				  accordance with ASTM E 119 or UL 263, the fire exposure time period, water
				  pressure and application duration criteria for the hose stream test of ASTM E
				  119 or UL 263 shall be based upon the
fire-resistance rating
determined in accordance with this exception.
703.2.1
Nonsymmetrical wall
				construction.
Interior walls and partitions of nonsymmetrical
				construction shall be tested with both faces exposed to the furnace, and the
				assigned
fire-resistance rating
shall be the shortest duration
				obtained from the two tests conducted in compliance with ASTM E 119 or UL 263.
				When evidence is furnished to show that the wall was tested with the least
				fire-resistant side exposed to the furnace, subject to acceptance of the
building official
, the wall need not be subjected to tests
				from the opposite side (see Section 705.5 for
exterior
				walls
).
703.2.2
Combustible components.
Combustible aggregates are permitted in gypsum
				and portland cement concrete mixtures for fire-resistance-rated construction.
				Any component material or admixture is permitted in assemblies if the resulting
				tested assembly meets the fire-resistance test requirements of this
				code.
703.2.3
Restrained
				classification.
Fire-resistance-rated assemblies tested under ASTM E 119
				or UL 263 shall not be considered to be restrained unless evidence satisfactory
				to the
building official
is furnished by the
registered design professional
showing that the construction
				qualifies for a restrained classification in accordance with ASTM E 119 or UL
				263. Restrained construction shall be identified on the plans.