1301:7-7-07. Fire and smoke protection features

(A) Section 701 General

(1) 701.1 Scope.The provisions of this rule shall govern maintenance of the materials, systems and assemblies used for structural fire resistance and fire-resistance-rated construction separation of adjacent spaces to safeguard against the spread of fire and smoke within a building and the spread of fire to or from buildings. New buildings shall comply with the building code as listed in rule 1301:7-7-80 of the Administrative Code.

(2) 701.2 Unsafe conditions.Where any components in this rule are not maintained and do not function as intended or do not have the fire resistance required by the code under which the building was constructed, remodeled or altered, such component(s) or portion thereof shall be deemed an unsafe condition, in accordance with paragraph (J)(1)(a)(110.1.1) of rule 1301:7-7-01 of the Administrative Code. Components or portions thereof determined to be unsafe shall be repaired or replaced to conform to that code under which the building was constructed, remodeled, altered or this rule, as deemed appropriate by the fire code official.

Where the extent of the conditions of components is such that any building, structure or portion thereof presents an imminent danger to the occupants of the building, structure or portion thereof, the fire code official shall act in accordance with section 3737.44 of the Revised Code and paragraphs (I)(1)(a)(109.1.1) and (J)(1)(a)(110.1.1) of rule 1301:7-7-01 of the Administrative Code.

(B) Section 702 Definitions

(1) 702.1 Definitions. The following terms are defined in rule 1301:7-7-02 of the Administrative Code.

"Draftstop".

"Fire-resistant joint system."

"Fireblocking."

(C) Section 703 Fire-resistance-rated construction

(1) 703.1 Maintenance. The required fire-resistance rating of fire-resistance-rated construction including but not limited to, walls, firestops, shaft enclosures, partitions, smoke barriers, floors, fire-resistive coatings and sprayed fire-resistant materials applied to structural members and fire-resistant joint systems shall be maintained. Such elements shall be visually inspected by the owner annually and properly repaired, restored or replaced where damaged, altered, breached or penetrated. Records of inspections and repairs shall be maintained. Where concealed, such elements shall not be required to be visually inspected by the owner unless the concealed space is accessible by the removal or movement of a panel, access door, ceiling tile or similar movable entry to the space. Openings made therein for the passage of pipes, electrical conduit, wires, ducts, air transfer openings and holes made for any reason shall be protected with approved methods capable of resisting the passage of smoke and fire. Openings through fire-resistance-rated assemblies shall be protected by self- or automatic-closing doors of approved construction meeting the fire protection requirements for the assembly.

(a) 703.1.1 Fireblocking and draftstopping.Required fireblocking and draftstopping in combustible concealed spaces shall be maintained to provide continuity and integrity of the construction.

(b) 703.1.2 Smoke barriers and smoke partitions.Required smoke barriers and smoke partitions shall be maintained to prevent the passage of smoke. Openings protected with approved smoke barrier doors or smoke dampers shall be maintained in accordance with NFPA 105 as listed in rule 1301:7-7-80 of the Administrative Code.

(c) 703.1.3 Fire walls, fire barriers and fire partitions. Required fire walls, fire barriers and fire partitions shall be maintained to prevent the passage of fire. Openings protected with approved doors or fire dampers shall be maintained in accordance with NFPA 80 as listed in rule 1301:7-7-80 of the Administrative Code.

(2) 703.2 Opening protectives.Opening protectives shall be maintained in an operative condition in accordance with NFPA 80 as listed in rule 1301:7-7-80 of the Administrative Code. Where allowed by the fire code official, the application of field-applied labels associated with the maintenance of opening protectives shall follow the requirements of the approved third-party certification organization accredited for listing the opening protective. Fire doors and smoke barrier doors shall not be blocked or obstructed or otherwise made inoperable. Fusible links shall be replaced promptly whenever fused or damaged. Fire door assemblies shall not be modified.

(a) 703.2.1 Signs.Where required by the fire code official, a sign shall be permanently displayed on or near each fire door in letters not less than 1 inch (25 mm) high to read as follows:

(i) For doors designed to be kept normally open: "FIRE DOOR-DO NOT BLOCK."

(ii) For doors designed to be kept normally closed: "FIRE DOOR-KEEP CLOSED."

(b) 703.2.2 Hold-open devices and closers.Hold-open devices and automatic door closers, where provided, shall be maintained. During the period that such device is out of service for repairs, the door it operates shall remain in the closed position.

(c) 703.2.3 Door operation.Swinging fire doors shall close from the full-open position and latch automatically. The door closer shall exert enough force to close and latch the door from any partially open position.

(3) 703.3 Ceilings.The hanging and displaying of salable goods and other decorative materials from acoustical ceiling systems that are part of a fire-resistance-rated horizontal assembly, shall be prohibited.

(4) 703.4 Testing.Horizontal and vertical sliding and rolling fire doors shall be inspected and tested annually to confirm proper operation and full closure. Records of inspections and testing shall be maintained.

(D) Section 704 Floor openings and shafts

(1) 704.1 Enclosure.Interior vertical shafts, including but not limited to stairways, elevator hoistways, service and utility shafts, that connect two or more stories of a building shall be enclosed or protected as required in rule 1301:7-7-11 of the Administrative Code. New floor openings in existing buildings shall comply with the building code as listed in rule 1301:7-7-80 of the Administrative Code.

(2) 704.2 Opening protectives.Where openings are required to be protected, opening protectives shall be maintained self-closing or automatic-closing by smoke detection. Existing fusible-link-type automatic door-closing devices are permitted if the fusible link rating does not exceed 135°F (57°C).

Replaces: 1301:7-7-07

Effective: 1/5/2019
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 12/15/2022
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 3737.22, 3737.82, 3737.83
Rule Amplifies: 3737.22, 3737.82, 3737.83
Prior Effective Dates: 07/01/1979, 06/01/1985, 06/15/1992, 07/01/1993, 09/01/1995, 01/09/1998, 11/20/1998, 09/01/2005, 07/01/2007, 11/01/2011, 12/15/2017