Interpretation #6744

Published March 22, 2011

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Original Request

Code Version
2007
Code
BUILDING
Code Description
Building
Chapter
7
Section
708.1 (7)
Topic
FIre Partitions

Question

Is it the intent of of 708.1 (7) fire partitions are required between multi-tenants on a multi-tenant floor plan to include the separation of the building owners common areas that are used for joint use on the floor from the other tenants on that floor.

Answer Published 03/22/2011 at 9:07 AM

Yes.

Commentary

The definition of "Tenant" in section 202 of the FBC-Building states "Any person, agent, firm, corporation or division who uses or occupies land, a building or portion of building by title, under a lease, by payment of rent or who exercises limited control over the space." If there are multiple tenancies which are at least partially separated by common areas, and the common areas are not separated from other tenancies by fire resistance rated construction, then there is no fire-rated separation between tenants.