Advanced Search

WAC 51-51-0302: Section R302—Fire-resistant construction


Published: 2015

Subscribe to a Global-Regulation Premium Membership Today!

Key Benefits:

Subscribe Now for only USD$40 per month.
Print







WACs > Title 51 > Chapter 51-51 > Section 51-51-0302











51-51-0301    

51-51-0303







Agency filings affecting this section







WAC 51-51-0302









Section R302—Fire-resistant construction.










R302.1 Exterior walls. Construction, projections, openings and penetrations of exterior walls of dwellings and accessory buildings shall comply with Table R302.1(1); or dwellings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section P2904 shall comply with Table R302.1(2).

EXCEPTIONS:
1. Walls, projections, openings or penetrations in walls perpendicular to the line used to determine the fire separation distance.

 
2. Walls of dwellings and accessory structures located on the same lot.

 
3. Detached tool sheds and storage sheds, playhouses and similar structures exempted from permits are not required to provide protection based on location on the lot. Projections beyond the exterior wall shall not extend over the lot line.

 
4. Detached garages accessory to a dwelling located within 2 feet (610 mm) of a lot line are permitted to have roof eave projections not exceeding 4 inches (102 mm).

 
5. Foundation vents installed in compliance with this code are permitted.

TABLE R302.1(1) EXTERIOR WALLS

Exterior Wall Element Minimum Fire-Resistance Rating Minimum Fire Separation Distance

Walls Fire-resistance rated 1-hour tested in accordance with ASTM E 119 or UL 263 with exposure from both sides < 5 feet

  Not fire-resistance rated 0 hours ≥ 5 feet

Projections Fire-resistance rated 1 hour on the undersidea, b
≥ 2 feet to < 5 feet

  Not fire-resistance rated 0 hours ≥ 5 feet

Openings in walls Not allowed N/A < 3 feet

  25% maximum of wall area per story 0 hours 3 feet

  Unlimited 0 hours 5 feet

Penetrations All Comply with Section R302.4 < 5 feet

    None required 5 feet



For IS: 1 foot = 304.8 mm. N/A = Not Applicable

a Roof eave fire-resistance rating shall be permitted to be reduced to 0 hours on the underside of the eave if fire blocking is provided from the wall top plate to the underside of the roof sheathing.

b Roof eave fire-resistance rating shall be permitted to be reduced to 0 hours on the underside of the eave provided no gable vent openings are installed.
Table R302.1(2) Exterior Walls—Dwellings with Fire Sprinklers

Exterior Wall Element Minimum Fire-Resistance Rating Minimum Fire Separation Distance

Walls Fire-resistance rated 1-hour tested in accordance with ASTM E 119 or UL 263 with exposure from the outside 0 feet

  Not fire-resistance rated 0 hours 3 feeta


Projections Fire-resistance rated 1 hour on the undersideb, c
2 feeta


  Not fire-resistance rated 0 hours 3 feet

Openings in walls Not allowed N/A < 3 feet

  Unlimited 0 hours 3 feeta


Penetrations All Comply with Section R302.4 < 3 feet

    None required 3 feeta




For IS: 1 foot = 304.8 mm. N/A = Not Applicable

a For residential subdivisions where all dwellings are equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with P2904, the fire separation distance for nonrated exterior walls and rated projections shall be permitted to be reduced to 0 feet, and unlimited unprotected openings and penetrations shall be permitted, where the adjoining lot provides an open setback yard that is 6 feet or more in width on the opposite side of the property line.

b Roof eave fire-resistance rating shall be permitted to be reduced to 0 hours on the underside of the eave if fire blocking is provided from the wall top plate to the underside of the roof sheathing.

c Roof eave fire-resistance rating shall be permitted to be reduced to 0 hours on the underside of the eave provided no gable vent openings are installed.

R302.2 Townhouses. Each townhouse shall be considered a separate building and shall be separated by one of the following methods: 1. A common 1-hour fire-resistance-rated wall assembly tested in accordance with ASTM E 119 or UL 263 and a fire sprinkler system in accordance with Section P2904 in both townhouses shall be provided. The cavity of the common wall shall not contain plumbing or mechanical equipment, ducts or vents. The wall shall be rated for fire exposure from both sides and shall extend to and be tight against exterior walls and the underside of the roof sheathing. Penetrations of electrical outlet boxes shall be in accordance with Section R302.4. 2. A common 2-hour fire-resistance-rated wall assembly tested in accordance with ASTM E 119 or UL 263 shall be provided. The cavity of the common wall shall not contain plumbing or mechanical equipment, ducts or vents. The wall shall be rated for fire exposure from both sides and shall extend to and be tight against exterior walls and the underside of the roof sheathing. Penetrations of electrical outlet boxes shall be in accordance with Section R302.4. 3. Two wall assemblies meeting the requirements of Section R302.1 for exterior walls shall be provided.
R302.2.1 Continuity. The fire-resistance-rated wall or assembly separating townhouses shall be continuous from the foundation to the underside of the roof sheathing, deck or slab. The fire-resistance rating shall extend the full length of the wall or assembly, including wall extensions through and separating attached enclosed accessory structures. Where a story extends beyond the exterior wall of a story below: 1. The fire-resistance-rated wall or assembly shall extend to the outside edge of the upper story; or 2. The underside of the exposed floor-ceiling assembly shall be protected as required for projections in Section R302.
R302.2.4 Structural independence. Each individual townhouse shall be structurally independent.

EXCEPTIONS:
1. Foundation supporting exterior walls or common walls.

 
2. Structural roof and wall sheathing from each unit may be fastened to the common wall framing.

 
3. Nonstructural wall and roof coverings.

 
4. Flashing at termination of roof covering over common wall.

 
5. Townhouses separated by a common wall as provided in Section R302.2, Item 1 or 2.

 
6. Floor sheathing may fasten to the floor framing of both units.


R302.3.1 Supporting construction. When floor assemblies are required to be fire-resistance rated by Section R302.3, the supporting construction of such assemblies shall have an equal or greater fire-resistance rating.

EXCEPTION:
The supporting construction is not required to be fire-resistance rated where:

 
1. Automatic fire sprinklers are installed in accordance with appendix R in both dwelling units;

 
or

 
2. All required smoke alarms in both dwelling units are interconnected in such a manner that the actuation of one alarm will activate all alarms in both dwelling units.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and 19.27.031. WSR 14-24-088, § 51-51-0302, filed 12/1/14, effective 5/1/15. Statutory Authority: Chapters 19.27A and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-23-084, § 51-51-0302, filed 11/19/13, effective 4/1/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-04-068, § 51-51-0302, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 10-03-098, § 51-51-0302, filed 1/20/10, effective 7/1/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.190, 19.27.020, and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 09-04-023, § 51-51-0302, filed 1/27/09, effective 7/1/09; WSR 08-01-102, § 51-51-0302, filed 12/18/07, effective 4/1/08.]