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13-64-020  Special enclosures and separations.
   (a)   In all multiple dwellings every dwelling unit shall be separated from all other parts of the building by walls or partitions of noncombustible construction, or of construction consisting of wood studs with metal lath and plaster, or an equivalent noncombustible surface material, or with perforated gypsum board and plaster, or an equivalent noncombustible surface material, and shall provide fire-resistance of not less than one hour.
   (b)   In multiple dwellings partitions, floor construction and ceiling construction enclosing public corridors shall be of noncombustible construction, or shall be constructed of wood joists or wood studs with metal lath and plaster, or an equivalent noncombustible surface material, or perforated gypsum board and plaster, or an equivalent noncombustible surface material, and shall provide fire-resistance of not less than one hour. Any openings shall be protected by doors having fire resistance of not less than a 1 3/4 inch solid flush panel door with a rebated frame of solid material 1 3/4 inch thick or metal frames of not less than number 16 gauge.
   (c)   Multiple dwellings, except buildings of Type I-A, I-B, or I-C construction, shall be divided into areas not exceeding 5,000 square feet by vertical separations providing fire-resistance of not less than two hours and extending from the basement floor to the underside of the roof sheating. All openings in such vertical separations shall be protected with Class C fire doors.
   (d)   In intermediate area facilities for the developmentally disabled – 15 or less, all corridors, kitchens, furnace and laundry room walls and ceilings shall have a fire-resistant rating of at least one hour; walls may terminate at the underside of the ceiling.
   (e)   Townhouses shall comply with the following requirements:
      (1)   each townhouse unit shall be separated by vertical demising walls of noncombustible construction with a fire resistance of not less than three hours;
      (2)   where two stairs are required at least one of the stairs must not be shared with any other unit;
      (3)   the vertical separation shall continue from the foundation to the ceiling-roof assembly or to the attic rafters; and
      (4)   where parking areas are provided on the ground floor and vertical separations cannot reach the foundation they shall be separated horizontally from the residential areas by a four-hour noncombustible floor- ceiling assembly.
(Prior code § 52-2; Amend Coun. J. 12-21-84, p. 12140; Amend Coun. J. 10-28-97, p. 54730)