International Building Code 702.1
Definitions. The followingwords and terms shall, for the
purposes of this chapter, and as used elsewhere in this code,
have the meanings shown herein.
ANNULAR SPACE. The opening around the penetrating
item.
CEILING RADIATIONDAMPER.Alisted device installed
in a ceiling membrane of a fire-resistance-rated floor/ceiling or
roof/ceiling assembly to limit automatically the radiative heat
transfer through an air inlet/outlet opening.
COMBINATION FIRE/SMOKE DAMPER. A listed
device installed in ducts and air transfer openings designed to
close automatically upon the detection of heat and resist the
passage of flame and smoke. The device is installed to operate
automatically, controlled by a smoke detection system, and
where required, is capable of being positioned from a fire command
center.
DAMPER. See “Ceiling radiation damper,” “Combination
fire/smoke damper,” “Fire damper” and “Smoke damper.”
DRAFTSTOP. A material, device or construction installed to
restrict the movement of air within open spaces of concealed
areas of building components such as crawl spaces, floor/ceiling
assemblies, roof/ceiling assemblies and attics.
F RATING. The time period that the through-penetration
firestop system limits the spread of fire through the penetration
when tested in accordance with ASTM E 814.
FIRE AREA. The aggregate floor area enclosed and bounded
by fire walls, fire barriers, exterior walls or fire-resistance-
rated horizontal assemblies of a building.
FIRE BARRIER. A fire-resistance-rated wall assembly of
materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in which continuity
is maintained.
FIRE DAMPER. A listed device installed in ducts and air
transfer openings designed to close automatically upon detection
of heat and resist the passage of flame. Fire dampers are
classified for use in either static systems that will automatically
shut down in the event of a fire, or in dynamic systems that continue
to operate during a fire. A dynamic fire damper is tested
and rated for closure under elevated temperature airflow.
FIRE DOOR. The door component of a fire door assembly.
FIRE DOOR ASSEMBLY. Any combination of a fire door,
frame, hardware, and other accessories that together provide a
specific degree of fire protection to the opening.
FIRE PARTITION. A vertical assembly of materials
designed to restrict the spread of fire in which openings are protected.
FIRE PROTECTION RATING. The period of time that an
opening protective assembly will maintain the ability to confine
a fire as determined by tests prescribed in Section 715. Ratings
are stated in hours or minutes.
FIRE RESISTANCE. That property of materials or their
assemblies that prevents or retards the passage of excessive
heat, hot gases or flames under conditions of use.
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING. The period of time a building
element, component or assembly maintains the ability to
confine a fire, continues to perform a given structural function,
or both, as determined by the tests, or the methods based on
tests, prescribed in Section 703.
FIRE-RESISTANT JOINT SYSTEM. An assemblage of
specific materials or products that are designed, tested, and
fire-resistance rated in accordance with eitherASTME1966 or
UL 2079 to resist for a prescribed period of time the passage of
fire through joints made in or between fire-resistance-rated
assemblies.
FIRE SEPARATION DISTANCE. The distance measured
from the building face to one of the following:
1. The closest interior lot line;
2. To the centerline of a street, an alley or public way; or
3. To an imaginary line between two buildings on the property.
FIRE WALL. A fire-resistance-rated wall having protected
openings, which restricts the spread of fire and extends continuously
from the foundation to or through the roof, with sufficient
structural stability under fire conditions to allow collapse
of construction on either side without collapse of the wall.
FIRE WINDOW ASSEMBLY. A window constructed and
glazed to give protection against the passage of fire.
FIREBLOCKING. Building materials installed to resist the
free passage of flame to other areas of the building through
concealed spaces.
FLOOR FIRE DOOR ASSEMBLY. A combination of a fire
door, a frame, hardware and other accessories installed in a horizontal
plane, which together provide a specific degree of fire
protection to a through-opening in a fire-resistance-rated floor
(see Section 711.8).
HORIZONTAL ASSEMBLY. A fire-resistance-rated floor
or roof assembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of
fire in which continuity is maintained.
JOINT. The linear opening in or between adjacent fire-resistance-
rated assemblies that is designed to allow independent
movement of the building in any plane caused by thermal, seismic,
wind or any other loading.
MEMBRANE PENETRATION. An opening made through
one side (wall, floor or ceiling membrane) of an assembly.
MEMBRANE-PENETRATION FIRESTOP. A material,
device or construction installed to resist for a prescribed time
period the passage of flame and heat through openings in a protective
membrane in order to accommodate cables, cable trays,
conduit, tubing, pipes or similar items.
MINERALFIBER. Insulation composed principally of fibers
manufactured from rock, slag or glass, with or without binders.
MINERALWOOL. Synthetic vitreous fiber insulation made
by melting predominately igneous rock or furnace slag, and
other inorganic materials, and then physically forming the melt
into fibers.
PENETRATION FIRESTOP. A through-penetration
firestop or a membrane-penetration firestop.
SELF-CLOSING. As applied to a fire door or other opening,
means equipped with an approved device that will ensure closing
after having been opened.
SHAFT. An enclosed space extending through one or more
stories of a building, connecting vertical openings in successive
floors, or floors and roof.
SHAFT ENCLOSURE. The walls or construction forming
the boundaries of a shaft.
SMOKE BARRIER. A continuous membrane, either vertical
or horizontal, such as a wall, floor, or ceiling assembly, that is
designed and constructed to restrict the movement of smoke.
SMOKE COMPARTMENT. A space within a building
enclosed by smoke barriers on all sides, including the top and
bottom.
SMOKE DAMPER. A listed device installed in ducts and air
transfer openings designed to resist the passage of smoke. The
device is installed to operate automatically, controlled by a
smoke detection system, and where required, is capable of
being positioned from a fire command center.
SPLICE. The result of a factory and/or field method of joining
or connecting two or more lengths of a fire-resistant joint system
into a continuous entity.
T RATING. The time period that the penetration firestop system,
including the penetrating item, limits the maximum temperature
rise to 325F (163C) above its initial temperature
through the penetration on the nonfire side when tested in
accordance with ASTM E 814.
THROUGH PENETRATION. An opening that passes
through an entire assembly.
THROUGH-PENETRATION FIRESTOP SYSTEM. An
assemblage of specific materials or products that are designed,
tested and fire-resistance rated to resist for a prescribed period
of time the spread of fire through penetrations. The F and T rating
criteria for penetration firestop systems shall be in accordance
with ASTM E 814. See definitions of “F rating” and “T
rating.”