International Building Code Section 707 – International Building Code 2006 Discussions

International Building Code 707.10

Ducts and air transfer openings. Penetrations of a
shaft enclosure by ducts and air transfer openings shall comply
with Section 716.

International Building Code 707.1

General. The provisions of this section shall apply to
vertical shafts where such shafts are required to protect openings
and penetrations through floor/ceiling and roof/ceiling
assemblies. Shaft enclosures shall be constructed as fire barriers
in accordance with Section 706 or horizontal assemblies in
accordance with Section 711, or both.

International Building Code 707.11

Enclosure at the bottom. Shafts that do not extend to
the bottom of the building or structure shall:
1. Be enclosed at the lowest level with construction of the
same fire-resistance rating as the lowest floor through
which the shaft passes, but not less than the rating
required for the shaft enclosure;
2. Terminate in a room having a use related to the purpose
of the shaft. The room shall be separated from the
remainder of the building by a fire barrier having a
fire-resistance rating and opening protectives at least
equal to the protection required for the shaft enclosure;
or
3. Be protected by approved fire dampers installed in
accordance with their listing at the lowest floor level
within the shaft enclosure.
Exceptions:
1. The fire-resistance-rated room separation is not
required, provided there are no openings in or
penetrations of the shaft enclosure to the interior
of the building except at the bottom. The
bottom of the shaft shall be closed off around
the penetrating items with materials permitted
by Section 717.3.1 for draftstopping, or the
room shall be provided with an approved automatic
fire suppression system.
2. A shaft enclosure containing a refuse chute or
laundry chute shall not be used for any other
purpose and shall terminate in a room protected
in accordance with Section 707.13.4.
3. The fire-resistance-rated room separation and
the protection at the bottom of the shaft are not
required, provided there are no combustibles in
the shaft and there are no openings or other penetrations
through the shaft enclosure to the interior
of the building.

International Building Code 707.12

Enclosure at the top. A shaft enclosure that does not
extend to the underside of the roof sheathing, deck or slab of the
building shall be enclosed at the top with construction of the
same fire-resistance rating as the topmost floor penetrated by
the shaft, but not less than the fire-resistance rating required for
the shaft enclosure.

International Building Code 707.13

Refuse and laundry chutes. Refuse and laundry
chutes, access and termination rooms and incinerator rooms
shall meet the requirements of Sections 707.13.1 through
707.13.6.
Exception: Chutes serving and contained within a single
dwelling unit.

Refuse and laundry chute enclosures. A shaft
enclosure containing a refuse or laundry chute shall not be
used for any other purpose and shall be enclosed in accordance
with Section 707.4. Openings into the shaft, including
those from access rooms and termination rooms, shall
be protected in accordance with this section and Section
715. Openings into chutes shall not be located in corridors.
Doors shall be self- or automatic closing upon the actuation
of a smoke detector in accordance with Section 715.4.7.3,
except that heat-activated closing devices shall be permitted
between the shaft and the termination room.

Materials. A shaft enclosure containing a refuse
or laundry chute shall be constructed of materials as permitted
by the building type of construction.

Refuse and laundry chute access rooms. Access
openings for refuse and laundry chutes shall be located in
rooms or compartments enclosed by a fire barrier that has a
fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour. Openings into
the access rooms shall be protected by opening protectives
having a fire protection rating of not less than 3/4 hour. Doors
shall be self- or automatic closing upon the detection of
smoke in accordance with Section 715.4.7.3.

Termination room. Refuse and laundry chutes
shall discharge into an enclosed room separated from the
remainder of the building by a fire barrier that has a
fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour. Openings into
the termination room shall be protected by opening
protectives having a fire protection rating of not less than 3/4
hour. Doors shall be self- or automatic closing upon the
detection of smoke in accordance with Section 715.4.7.3.
Refuse chutes shall not terminate in an incinerator room.
Refuse and laundry rooms that are not provided with chutes
need only comply with Table 508.2.

Incinerator room. Incinerator rooms shall comply
with Table 508.2.

Automatic sprinkler system. An approved automatic
sprinkler system shall be installed in accordance with
Section 903.2.10.2.

International Building Code 707.13.1

International Building Code 707.13.2

Materials. A shaft enclosure containing a refuse
or laundry chute shall be constructed of materials as permitted
by the building type of construction.

International Building Code 707.13.3

International Building Code 707.13.4

International Building Code 707.13.5

Incinerator room. Incinerator rooms shall comply
with Table 508.2.

International Building Code 707.13.6

Automatic sprinkler system. An approved automatic
sprinkler system shall be installed in accordance with
Section 903.2.10.2.

International Building Code 707.14

Elevator, dumbwaiter and other hoistways. Elevator,
dumbwaiter and other hoistway enclosures shall be constructed
in accordance with Section 707 and Chapter 30.

Elevator lobby. An enclosed elevator lobby shall
be provided at each floor where an elevator shaft enclosure
connects more than three stories. The lobby shall separate
the elevator shaft enclosure doors from each floor by fire
partitions equal to the fire-resistance rating of the corridor
and the required opening protection. Elevator lobbies shall
have at least one means of egress complying with Chapter
10 and other provisions within this code.
Exceptions:
1. Enclosed elevator lobbies are not required at the
street floor, provided the entire street floor is
equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
2. Elevators not required to be located in a shaft in
accordance with Section 707.2 are not required to
have enclosed elevator lobbies.
3. Where additional doors are provided at the
hoistway opening in accordance with Section
3002.6. Such doors shall be tested in accordance
with UL 1784 without an artificial bottom seal.
4. In other than Group I-3, and buildings having
occupied floors located more than 75 feet (22 860
mm) above the lowest level of fire department
vehicle access, enclosed elevator lobbies are not
required where the building is protected by an
automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance
with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.
5. Smoke partitions shall be permitted in lieu of fire
partitions to separate the elevator lobby at each
floor where the building is equipped throughout
with an automatic sprinkler system installed in
accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.
6. Enclosed elevator lobbies are not required where
the elevator hoistway is pressurized in accordance
with Section 707.14.2.

Enclosed elevator lobby pressurization alternative.
Where elevator hoistway pressurization is provided in
lieu of required enclosed elevator lobbies, the pressurization
system shall comply with this section.

Pressurization requirements. Elevator
hoistways shall be pressurized to maintain a minimum
positive pressure of 0.04 inches of water column and a
maximum positive pressure of 0.06 inches of water column
with respect to adjacent occupied space on all
floors. This pressure shall be measured at the midpoint of
each hoistway door, with all ground floor level hoistway
doors open and all other hoistway doors closed. The supply
air intake shall be from an outside, uncontaminated
source located a minimum distance of 20 feet (6096 mm)
from any air exhaust system or outlet.

Ducts for system. Any duct system that is
part of the pressurization system shall be protected with
the same fire-resistance rating as required for the elevator
shaft enclosure.

Fan system. The fan system provided for the
pressurization system shall be as required by this section.

Fire resistance. When located within
the building, the fan system that provides the pressurization
shall be protected with the same fire-resistance
rating required for the elevator shaft enclosure.

Smoke detection. The fan system shall
be equipped with a smoke detector that will automatically
shut down the fan system when smoke is
detected within the system.

Separate systems. A separate fan system
shall be used for each bank of elevators.

Fan capacity. The supply fan shall
either be adjustable with a capacity of at least 1,000
cfm (.4719 m3/s) per door, or that specified by a registered
design professional to meet the requirements of
a designed pressurization system.

Standby power. The pressurization system
shall be provided with standby power from the same
source as other required emergency systems for the
building.

Activation of pressurization system. The
elevator pressurization system shall be activated upon
activation of the building fire alarm system or upon activation
of the elevator lobby smoke detectors.

International Building Code 707.14.1

[edit]International Building Code 707.14.2

Ducts for system. Any duct system that is
part of the pressurization system shall be protected with
the same fire-resistance rating as required for the elevator
shaft enclosure.

Fan system. The fan system provided for the
pressurization system shall be as required by this section.

Fire resistance. When located within
the building, the fan system that provides the pressurization
shall be protected with the same fire-resistance
rating required for the elevator shaft enclosure.

Smoke detection. The fan system shall
be equipped with a smoke detector that will automatically
shut down the fan system when smoke is
detected within the system.

Separate systems. A separate fan system
shall be used for each bank of elevators.

Standby power. The pressurization system
shall be provided with standby power from the same
source as other required emergency systems for the
building.

Activation of pressurization system. The
elevator pressurization system shall be activated upon
activation of the building fire alarm system or upon activation
of the elevator lobby smoke detectors.

International Building Code 707.14.2.1

International Building Code 707.14.2.2

Ducts for system. Any duct system that is
part of the pressurization system shall be protected with
the same fire-resistance rating as required for the elevator
shaft enclosure.

International Building Code 707.14.2.3

Fan system. The fan system provided for the
pressurization system shall be as required by this section.

Fire resistance. When located within
the building, the fan system that provides the pressurization
shall be protected with the same fire-resistance
rating required for the elevator shaft enclosure.

Smoke detection. The fan system shall
be equipped with a smoke detector that will automatically
shut down the fan system when smoke is
detected within the system.

Separate systems. A separate fan system
shall be used for each bank of elevators.

International Building Code 707.14.2.3.1

Fire resistance. When located within
the building, the fan system that provides the pressurization
shall be protected with the same fire-resistance
rating required for the elevator shaft enclosure.

International Building Code 707.14.2.3.2

Smoke detection. The fan system shall
be equipped with a smoke detector that will automatically
shut down the fan system when smoke is
detected within the system.

International Building Code 707.14.2.3.3

Separate systems. A separate fan system
shall be used for each bank of elevators.

International Building Code 707.14.2.3.4

International Building Code 707.14.2.4

Standby power. The pressurization system
shall be provided with standby power from the same
source as other required emergency systems for the
building.

International Building Code 707.14.2.5

Activation of pressurization system. The
elevator pressurization system shall be activated upon
activation of the building fire alarm system or upon activation
of the elevator lobby smoke detectors.

International Building Code 707.2

Shaft enclosure required. Openings through a
floor/ceiling assembly shall be protected by a shaft enclosure
complying with this Section.
Exceptions:
1. A shaft enclosure is not required for openings totally
within an individual residential dwelling unit and
connecting four stories or less.
2. A shaft enclosure is not required in a building
equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system
in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 for an escalator
opening or stairway that is not a portion of the
means of egress protected according to Item 2.1 or
2.2:
2.1. Where the area of the floor opening between
stories does not exceed twice the horizontal
projected area of the escalator or stairway and
the opening is protected by a draft curtain and
closely spaced sprinklers in accordance with
NFPA 13. In other than Groups B and M, this
application is limited to openings that do not
connect more than four stories.
2.2. Where the opening is protected by approved
power-operated automatic shutters at every
penetrated floor. The shutters shall be of
noncombustible construction and have a
fire-resistance rating of not less than 1.5
hours. The shutter shall be so constructed as to
close immediately upon the actuation of a
smoke detector installed in accordance with
Section 907.11 and shall completely shut off
the well opening. Escalators shall cease operation
when the shutter begins to close. The
shutter shall operate at a speed of not more
than 30 feet per minute (152.4 mm/s) and shall
be equipped with a sensitive leading edge to
arrest its progress where in contact with any
obstacle, and to continue its progress on release
therefrom.
3. A shaft enclosure is not required for penetrations by
pipe, tube, conduit, wire, cable and vents protected in
accordance with Section 712.4.
4. A shaft enclosure is not required for penetrations by
ducts protected in accordance with Section 712.4.
Grease ducts shall be protected in accordance with the
International Mechanical Code.
5. In other than Group H occupancies, a shaft enclosure
is not required for floor openings complying with the
provisions for atriums in Section 404.
6. A shaft enclosure is not required for approved
masonry chimneys where annular space protection is
provided at each floor level in accordance with Section
717.2.5.
7. In other than Groups I-2 and I-3, a shaft enclosure is
not required for a floor opening or an air transfer
opening that complies with the following:
7.1. Does not connect more than two stories.
7.2. Is not part of the required means of egress system,
except as permitted in Section 1020.1.
7.3. Is not concealed within the building construction.
7.4. Is not open to a corridor in Group I and R occupancies.
7.5. Is not open to a corridor on nonsprinklered
floors in any occupancy.
7.6. Is separated from floor openings and air transfer
openings serving other floors by construction
conforming to required shaft enclosures.
7.7. Is limited to the same smoke compartment.
8. A shaft enclosure is not required for automobile
ramps in open and enclosed parking garages constructed
in accordance with Sections 406.3 and
406.4, respectively.
9. A shaft enclosure is not required for floor openings
between a mezzanine and the floor below.
10. A shaft enclosure is not required for joints protected
by a fire-resistant joint system in accordance with
Section 713.
11. A shaft enclosure shall not be required for floor
openings created by unenclosed stairs or ramps in
accordance with Exception 8 or 9 in Section 1020.1.
12. Floor openings protected by floor fire doors in
accordance with Section 711.8.
13. Where permitted by other sections of this code.

International Building Code 707.3

Materials. The shaft enclosure shall be of materials permitted
by the building type of construction.

International Building Code 707.4

Fire-resistance rating. Shaft enclosures shall have a
fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours where connecting
four stories or more, and not less than 1 hour where connecting
less than four stories. The number of stories connected by the
shaft enclosure shall include any basements but not any mezzanines.
Shaft enclosures shall have a fire-resistance rating not
less than the floor assembly penetrated, but need not exceed 2
hours.

International Building Code 707.5

Continuity. Shaft enclosures shall be constructed as fire
barriers in accordance with Section 706 or horizontal assemblies
constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both, and
shall have continuity in accordance with Section 706.5 for fire
barriers or Section 711.4 for horizontal assemblies as applicable.

International Building Code 707.6

Exterior walls. Where exterior walls serve as a part of a
required shaft enclosure, such walls shall comply with the
requirements of Section 704 for exterior walls and the
fire-resistance-rated enclosure requirements shall not apply.
Exception: Exterior walls required to be fire-resistance
rated in accordance with Section 1014.5.1 for exterior
egress balconies, Section 1020.1.4 for exit enclosures and
Section 1023.6 for exterior exit ramps and stairways.

International Building Code 707.7

Openings. Openings in a shaft enclosure shall be protected
in accordance with Section 715 as required for fire barriers.
Doors shall be self- or automatic closing by smoke
detection in accordance with Section 715.3.7.3.

Prohibited openings. Openings other than those
necessary for the purpose of the shaft shall not be permitted
in shaft enclosures.

International Building Code 707.7.1

Prohibited openings. Openings other than those
necessary for the purpose of the shaft shall not be permitted
in shaft enclosures.

International Building Code 707.8

Penetrations. Penetrations in a shaft enclosure shall be
protected in accordance with Section 712 as required for fire
barriers.

Prohibited penetrations. Penetrations other than
those necessary for the purpose of the shaft shall not be permitted
in shaft enclosures.

International Building Code 707.8.1

Prohibited penetrations. Penetrations other than
those necessary for the purpose of the shaft shall not be permitted
in shaft enclosures.

International Building Code 707.9

Joints. Joints in a shaft enclosure shall comply with Section
713.