Interpretation #6946

Published March 08, 2012

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Original Request

Code Version
2010
Code
BUILDING
Code Description
Building
Chapter
7
Section
712.3
Topic
horizontal tenant fire separation

Question

Is it the intent of Section 712.3 not to require a horizontal fire separation between tenants (same occupancy groups) even if the building is not fire sprinklered?

Answer Published 03/08/2012 at 10:42 AM

Yes fire seperation is required in most cases. The criteria
for whether or not wall assemblies need to be Fire
Partitions is stated in 709. 712 describes the requirements
for floor and roof assemblies. The 2 sections mentioned
are not consistent because one speaks about walls and the
other about floors and roofs.

Commentary

Keep in mind that occupancy separation and tenant separation are two separate issues. While in some cases occupancy separation may not be required, tenant separation is always required.