Term
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Definition
| adopted and enforced by local governments, either by a municipality or, in the case of sparsely populated areas, a county or district. |
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Term
| before construction, a building code is enforced through the permit process |
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Definition
which requires that builders submit plans and specifications for checking and approval before a building permit is issued. during construction, the department responsible for enforcement conducts inspections to verify that building is proceeding according to the approved plans.
*design professional is ultimately responsible for making sure the design meets all applicable codes. |
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Term
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Definition
| one that has been written by a group of experts knowledgeable in the field, without any reference to any particular geographical area. adopting a model code allows a city, county, district, or province to have a complete, workable building code without the difficulty and expense of writing its own. |
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Term
| three model code groups (UBC, BOCA National, & SBC) |
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Definition
| worked together to form IBC |
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Term
| federal laws and regulations may also |
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Definition
| affect desing. For example, ADA includes requirements for making buildings accessible. NOT a code or standard...Civil Rights Legislation |
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Term
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Definition
| American Society for Testing and Materials-agency that publishes thousands of test procedures that prescribe in detail such things as how the apparatus must be set up, how materials must be prepared for the test, length of the test, and other requirements. if a product manufacturer has one of its materials successfully tested, it will indicate in its product literature what tests the material has passed. |
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Term
| UL-Underwriters Labratories |
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Definition
| one of the most well-known testing agencies. develops standards adn tests for product safety. when a complete and total product is sucessfully tested, it is listed. such a product receives a listed label. |
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Definition
| another type of label which means that samples of the product were tested for certain types of uses only. in addition, the product must also carry a statement specifying the conditions that were tested for. this allows field inspectors and othrs to determine if the product is being used correctly. |
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Term
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Definition
| Fire Tests of Door Assemblies |
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Term
| UL 263 Fire Tests for Building Construction and Materials |
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Definition
| is the same as ASTM E 119, and is used to test partitions, floor assemblies, column covers, and similar construction assemblies. |
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Term
| Materials fire testing for interior design components can be classified into two groups |
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Definition
1. tests that rate the ability of a construction assembly to prevent the passage of fire adn smoke from one space to another
2. tests that rate the degree of flammability of a finish material. |
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Term
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Definition
standard methods of fire tests of building construction and materials. involves building a sample of the wall or floor/ceiling assembly in the lab and setting a standard fire on the side of it. monitoring devices measure heat and other aspects of the test as it proceeds.
in some cases a standard fire hose stream is applied to the assembly to see how well it holds up to firefighting efforts.
the test evaluates an assembly's ability to prevent the passage of fire, heat, and hot gases. a similar test of doors is NFPA 252, standard methods of fire tests of door assemblies. |
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Term
| flammability tests for building and finish materials are more numerous. these tests determine |
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Definition
1. if a material is flammable, and if so, if it simply burns with applied heat or if it supports combustion (Adds fuel to the fire)
2. the degree of flammability (how fast fire spreads across it), and
3. how much smoke and toxic gas it produces when ignited. |
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Term
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Definition
| standard test method for surface burnign characteristics of building materials. also known as the Steiner tunnel test, and rates the surface burning characteristics of interior finishes and other building materials by testing a sample piece in a tunnel test chamber that has a controlled flame at one end. |
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Term
| Steiner tunnel is not appropriate for carpeting |
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Definition
b/c in the test the sample is placed on the ceiling of the test chamber-not a good replication of actual circumstances.
flooring radiant panel test, NFPA 253, and ASTM E 648, tests a carpet sample in the normal horizontal position and measures the flame spread in a corridor or exitway that is under the influence of a fully developed fire in an adjacent space. |
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Term
two classes are defined by the radian panel test: Class I and Class II
(UBC) |
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Definition
Class I: materials have a critical radiant flux of not less than .45 watts
Class II: have a critical radian flux of not less than .22 watts.
Class I finishes are typically required in corridors and exitways of hospitals, nursing homes, and detention facilities.
Class II flooring is typically required in corridors adn exitways of other occupanceies, except one-and two-family dwellings.
IBC does not establish criteria of flooring material limiting their critical radiant flux. specifically excludes traditional flooring types such as wood, vinyl, linoleum, and terrazzo.
Also allows class II materials in sprinklered buildings where Class I materials may otherwise be required. |
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Term
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Definition
| methenamine pill test, required for all carpet sold in the US. If sample burns to within one inch of the metal plate, it fails the test. |
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Term
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Definition
measures teh smoke developed from both flaming and nonflaming soild materials.
ASTM E 84 can also be used to develop a smoke developed index. |
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Term
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Definition
room corner test-sometimes required in addition to or instead of an ASTM E 84 rating for interior finishes. test determines teh contribution of interior wall adn ceiling coverings to room fire growth. simulates real world conditions by testing the material in the corner of a full-size test room. Developed as an alternate to the E 84 Steiner test.
rating is either pass or fail if 1)flames do not spread to the ceiling during 40kW exposure and 2)other conditions are met during the 150 kW exposure, including no flashover and no spread of flame to the outer extemity of teh 8'x12' wall. |
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Term
| after a material is subjected to one of the standard tests, it is given a rating based on it performance during the test. classified based on one of three groups |
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Definition
(A)I 0-25 flame-spread index
(B)II 26-75 flame-spread
(C)III 76-200
Class A is most flame resistant. |
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Term
| In some cases the building code will allow you to reduce the required class of the finish materials by one if |
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Definition
| an approved sprinkler system is provided. however, may not apply to certain areas like enclosed vertical exitways or in certain occupancies. |
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Term
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Definition
except it uses A,B,C instead of Roman numerals and it includes the different requirements for sprinklered and unsprinklered buildings in columns instead of using a footnote to modify sprinklered buildings.
most restrictive are vertical exits and passageways; next being exit access corridors adn other exitways; and least restrictive includes rooms and enclosed spaces. |
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Term
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Definition
rating given is according to time, that is, the amount of time an assembly can resist a standard tes fire without failing.
ratings are one hour, two hour, three hour, and four hour; 20 minute 30-, and 45- minute ratings are also used for doors and other opening assemblies. |
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Term
| if a building code states that the partition separating an exit corridor from a tenant space must be a one hour-rated assembly, then the interior designer must |
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Definition
| select and detail a design that meets the requirements for one-hour construction. |
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Term
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Definition
refers to the type of use of the building or interior space, such as an office, restaurant, private residence, or a school.
every building or portion of a building is classified according to its use adn assigned an occupancy group. |
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Term
| UBC breaks into ten major groups |
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Definition
a-assembly
b-business
e-educational
f-factory and industrial
h-hazardous
i-institutional
m-mercantile
r-residential
s-storage
u-utility
some are divided into subcategories called divisions. ie. R-1 includes hotels and apartments while an R-3 includes dwellings. |
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Term
| different uses of a building |
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Definition
| require different responses to maintain fire and life safety |
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Term
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Definition
*Flooring radiant panel test-NFPA 253 (ASTM E 648)
*Methenamine pill test-carpets and rugs-ASTM D 2859 |
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Term
| floor/ceiling construction |
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Definition
| wall and floor/ceiling assembly test-fire ratings of walls, structure, and floor construction assemblies- ASTM E 119 |
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Term
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Definition
*Steiner tunnel-flame spread rating of finihes- ASTM E 84
*Room Corner test- contribution of wall finish to fire growth in full-scale mock-up- NFPA 265
*Smoke density chamber test- smoke developed from flaming and non-flaming solid materials- NFPA 258 |
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Term
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Definition
| wall and floor/ceiling assembly test-fire ratings of walls, structure, and floor construction assemblies- ASTM E 119 |
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Term
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Definition
| Steiner tunnel test-flame spread rating of finishes- ASTM E 84 |
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Definition
*fire tests of door assemblies-endurance test of doors to flame and heat transfer- UL 10B
*fire tests of window assemblies-endurance of glazing for 45 minutes to flame and heat transfer- ASTM E 163 |
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Term
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Definition
*cigarette ignition resistance test of furniture components-separate fabric adn fillings of upholstered furniture- NFPA 260 (CAL TB 117)
*cigarette ignition resistance test of furniture composites-mock-up of a seat cushion including foam, liner, and fabric- NFPA 261 (CAL TB 116)
*full seating test-actual sample of a chair tested to an open flame- NFPA 266 (CAL TB 133) |
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Term
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Definition
| vertical ignition test-draperies, curtains and other window treatment as well as banners, awnings, and fabric structures- NFPA 701 |
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Term
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Definition
| affects the calculation of occupant load, interior finishes, ventilation and saniation requirements, and other restrictions particular to any given classification. |
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Term
| when a building contains two or more occupancies |
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Definition
it is considered a mixed occupancy
each occupancy must be separated from other occupances with a fire-resistive separation with an hourly rating defined by the particular code that applies. |
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Term
| every building is classified into one of five major types of construction based on the fire-resistance of certain building components |
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Definition
under IBC include, structural frame, interior and exterior bearing walls, and floor and roof construction.
under ubc, components also include shaft enclosures, permanent partitions, and exterior doors adn windows.
five types of construction are I, II, III, IV, and V. Type I are the most fire resistive. |
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Term
| in combination with occupancy groups, building types limit teh |
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Definition
| area and height of buildings. Type I can be of any occupancy, unlimited area adn height, while Type V are limited to only a few thousand square feet in area, and one or two stories in height depending on their occupancy. |
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Term
| for designer, knowing construction type is important if major changes are being made. |
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Definition
ie. if a building is being changed from a B (business) to an A (assembly) designer must know construction type to verify that the max area is not exceeded. if it is exceeded, a fire wall may need to be constructed or sprinklers may need to be added.
in addition, construction type can affect the required fire ratings of coverings of structural elements, floor/ceiling assemblies, adn openings in rated walls. |
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Term
| for designer, knowing construction type is important if major changes are being made. |
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Definition
ie. if a building is being changed from a B (business) to an A (assembly) designer must know construction type to verify that the max area is not exceeded. if it is exceeded, a fire wall may need to be constructed or sprinklers may need to be added.
in addition, construction type can affect the required fire ratings of coverings of structural elements, floor/ceiling assemblies, and openings in rated walls. ie. during a remodel that required fire rating of a protected beam, may be changed to accommodate new constuction, and the designer would have to detail repairs or new construction to return the assembly to its original rating. |
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Term
| specify requirements for two broad classifications of fire resistance: |
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Definition
| surface burning characteristics of finish materials & resistance of construction materials and assemblies. |
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Term
| first broad classification |
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Definition
| single layers of finish materials are rated and their use is restricted to certain areas of buildings based on their rating. most common test is ASTM E 84- Steiner tunnel. purpose of this type is to control rate of flame spread along the surface of a material and to limit the amount of combustible material in a building. |
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Term
| materials tested and rated according to surface burning characteristics include finishes such as |
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Definition
| wainscoting, paneling, heavy wallcovering, or other finish applied structurally or for decoration, accoustical correction, surface insulation, or similar puposes. in most cases, restrictions do not apply to trim, such as chair ratils, baseboards, adn handrails, nor to windows, doors, or their frames, nor to materials that are less than 1/28" thick cemented to the surface of the walls or ceilings. |
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Term
| in the second classification |
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Definition
| the amount of fire resistance that a material or construction assembly must have is specified by the building code. for instance, exit corridors are often required to have at least a one-hour rating, and the door assemblies in such corridor may be required to have a 45 minute rating |
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Term
| a one hour rated ceiling must |
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Definition
use rated ceiling tile, but it is the assembly of tile, the suspension system, and the structural floor above that carries the one hour rating.
a single piece of gyp cannot have a fire-resistance rating by itself except under special circumstances under which the IBC allows the calculation of fire-resistance ratings of wood assemblies using the ratings of individual components. |
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Term
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Definition
| used to describe any fire alarm or fire-extinguishing device or system that is designed and installed to detct, control, or extinguish a fire; to alert the occupants of the fire department that a fire has occurred; or any combination of these. |
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Term
| most systems are designed to be automatic, which means they provide an emergency function without human intervention |
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Definition
and are activated by the detction of one or a combination of the following: *smoke or other products of combustion
*rise in temp to a predetermined level
*rate of rise of temp to a predetermined rate of change |
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Term
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Definition
| are teh most common type of supression system and are required in nearly all new high-rise buildings and hotels. |
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Term
| one of the most major changes from the UBC to the IBC is that sprinklers |
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Definition
| are either mandated in occupancies where they were not before, or the code gives generous tradeoffs for using sprinklers. for example in a non-sprinklered building of A,B,E,F,M,S or U, corridors must have a one hour rating. In a sprinklered building of the same occupancy, the corridors do not have to be rated. intent being for designers, builders, adn developers to install sprinkler systems. |
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Term
| design and layout of a sprinkler system |
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Definition
| is responsibility of teh meachanical engineer or fire protection contractor, but designer should be aware of sprinkler system requirements, most notably the spacing of sprinkler heads and the types of heads available. |
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Term
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Definition
| occupancies are classified as light-medium- or high hazard. for light hazard occupancies such as offices, stores, and restaurants, one sprinkler head is required for each 225 sq. ft of floor area, with a max spacing between heads of 15 feet. every room, closet, must have at least one head. no sprinkler can be more than 7.5 ' from a wall. |
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Term
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Definition
| in most cases, satisfying the requirements is the responsibility of the mechanical engineer and the architect. |
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Term
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Definition
| material that will ignite and burn, either as a flame or glow, and that undergoes this process in air at pressures and temperatures that might occur during a fire in the building |
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Term
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Definition
| an assembly of a fire door, fire window, or fire damper, including all required anchorage, frames, sills, and hardware |
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Term
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Definition
| new term in 2000 IBC that means a fire-resistance-rated vertical or horizontal seembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in which openings are protected. |
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Term
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Definition
| new term in teh 2000 IBC that means a fire resistive component used to separate dwelling units in R-2 construction, to separate guest rooms in group R-1, to separate spaces in covered mall buidlings, adn for corridor walls. fire partitions generally are required to be a minimum one-hour construction except in certain circumstances. they are similar to fire-barriers, but the requirements for support are not as strict. |
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Term
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Definition
| period of time an opening assembly, such as a door or window, maintains the ability to confine a fire or maintain its integrity, or both, when tested in accordance with NFPA 252, UL 10B, or UL 10C for doors, and NFPA 257 for windows. an assembly that requires a fire protection rating must withstand fire exposure and thermal shock as with a fire-resistance rating, but not heat transmission as wall, columns, and floors do. |
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Term
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Definition
| use the term "fire protection rating" |
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Term
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Definition
| property of a material or assembly to withstand or resist the spread of fire or give protection from it |
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Term
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Definition
| period of time a building component such as a wall, floor, roof, beam, or column, maintains the ability to confine a fire or maintain its structural integrity, or both, when tested in accordance with ASTM E 119. different from fire protection rating which involves protected opening assemblies. |
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Term
| fire-resistive construction |
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| should not be used as a noun. as an adjective it should only be used as a modifier with defined compound terms such as fire-retardant-treated woods. |
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Term
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Definition
| ability to withstand flame impingement or give protection from it. applies to individual materials as well as combinations of components when tested in accordance to NFPA 701 |
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Term
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Definition
| should not be used as a noun. as an adjective it should only be used as a modifier with defined compound terms such as flame-retardant treated woods |
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Term
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Definition
| propagation of flame over a surface |
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Term
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Definition
| numerical value assigned to a material tested in accordance with ASTM E 84 |
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Term
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Definition
| capable of burning with a flame and subject to easy ignition and rapid flaming combustion |
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Term
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Definition
| material that will not ignite and burn when subjected to a fire. ubc and ibc require that a material is noncombustible only if it is tested in accorance with ASTM E 136, or if it has a structural base of noncombustible material with a surfacing not more than 1/8" thick that has a flame spread index no greater than 50 |
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Term
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Definition
| capable of burning with a flame and subject to easy ignition and rapid flaming combustion |
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Term
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Definition
| industry standard writing organization |
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Term
| minimum number of toilet fixtures required is determined by occupant load |
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Definition
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Term
| when selecting interior partition finishes to meet flame-spread standards MOST important considerations are |
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Definition
| occupancy group and location in the building where the finishes will be used. |
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Term
| in order to specify the most acceptable types of wallcovering, which of the following tests would you require the wallcovering to pass? |
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Definition
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Term
| if a material does not burn it is considered to be |
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Definition
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