Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 780 CMR - STATE BOARD OF BUILDING REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS › Chapter 8 - Interior Finishes › Section 803 - WALL AND CEILING FINISHES › Subsection 803.9 - Interior finish requirements based on group

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
Interior wall and ceiling finish
shall have
				  a flame spread index not greater than that specified in Table 803.9 for the
				  group and location designated.
Interior wall and ceiling
				  finish
materials tested in accordance with NFPA 286 and meeting the
				  acceptance criteria of Section 803.1.2.1, shall be permitted to be used where a
				  Class A classification in accordance with ASTM E 84 or UL 723 is
				  required.
TABLE 803.9 INTERIOR WALL AND CEILING FINISH
				  REQUIREMENTS BY OCCUPANCYk
GROUP
SPRINKLERED l
NONSPRINKLERED
Exit enclosures and exit passagewaysa,b
Corridors
Rooms and enclosed spacesc
Exit enclosures and exit passagewaysa,b
Corridors
Rooms and enclosed spacesc
A-1 & A-2
B
B
C
A
A d
B e
A-3 f, A-4, A-5
B
B
C
A
A d
C
B, E, M, R-1
B
C
C
A
B
C
R-4
B
C
C
A
B
B
F
C
C
C
B
C
C
H
B
B
C g
A
A
B
I-1
B
C
C
A
B
B
I-2
B
B
B h, i
A
A
B
I-3
A
A j
C
A
A
B
I-4
B
B
B h, i
A
A
B
R-2
C
C
C
B
B
C
R-3
C
C
C
C
C
C
S
C
C
C
B
B
C
U
No restrictions
No restrictions
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929m2.
a. Class C interior finish materials shall be permitted for
							 wainscotting or paneling of not more than 1,000 square feet of applied surface
							 area in the grade lobby where applied directly to a noncombustible base or over
							 furring strips applied to a noncombustible base and fireblocked as required by
							 Section 803.11.1.
b. In exit enclosures of buildings less than
							 three stories above grade plane of other than Group I-3, Class B interior
							 finish for nonsprinklered buildings and Class C interior finish for sprinklered
							 buildings shall be permitted.
c. Requirements for rooms and
							 enclosed spaces shall be based upon spaces enclosed by partitions. Where a
							 fire-resistance rating is required for structural elements, the enclosing
							 partitions shall extend from the floor to the ceiling. Partitions that do not
							 comply with this shall be considered enclosing spaces and the rooms or spaces
							 on both sides shall be considered one. In determining the applicable
							 requirements for rooms and enclosed spaces, the specific occupancy thereof
							 shall be the governing factor regardless of the group classification of the
							 building or structure.
d. Lobby areas in Group A-1, A-2 and A-3
							 occupancies shall not be less than Class B materials.
e. Class C
							 interior finish materials shall be permitted in places of assembly with an
							 occupant load of 300 persons or less.
f. For places of religious
							 worship, wood used for ornamental purposes, trusses, paneling or chancel
							 furnishing shall be permitted.
g. Class B material is required
							 where the building exceeds two stories.
h. Class C interior finish
							 materials shall be permitted in administrative spaces.
i. Class C
							 interior finish materials shall be permitted in rooms with a capacity of four
							 persons or less.
j. Class B materials shall be permitted as
							 wainscotting extending not more than 48 inches above the finished floor in
							 corridors.
k. Finish materials as provided for in other sections
							 of this code.
l. Applies when the exit enclosures, exit
							 passageways, corridors or rooms and enclosed spaces are protected by an
							 automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or
							 903.3.1.2.