Building Officials Association of Florida
Protecting Lives and Property since 1953

Interpretation #9084

Published August 06, 2025

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Original Request

Code Version
2023
Code
MECHANIC
Code Description
Chapter
6
Section
607.5.3
Topic
Fire Dampers in Ducts Penetrating Corridor Walls

Question

Based on section 607.5.3 states ducts and transfer openings penetrating fire partitions shall be protected and then it lists exceptions where any of the following apply. Then it states that if the duct penetrating the wall complies with all of the following and under exception 3 states that the duct shall not have openings that communicate with the corridor or adjacent rooms or spaces. If the duct is tapped off the main and routed through the wall to a unit. Would that duct need a fire damper if there is a separate duct tapping off the main feeding the corridor?

Answer Published 07/31/2025 at 10:17 AM

The duct penetrating a fire partition wall would need a fire damper or comply with the listed exceptions in 607.5.3. While the question addresses the requirements for fire dampers it does not address the requirements for smoke barriers in 607.5.4.

Commentary

None.