14B-7-706 Fire walls.
The provisions of Section 706 of IBC are adopted by reference with the following modifications:
1.   Revise Section 706.1.1 to read:
"706.1.1 Party walls.
Any wall located on a property line between adjacent buildings, which is used or adapted for joint service between the two buildings, shall be constructed as a fire wall in accordance with Section 706. Party walls shall be constructed without openings and shall create separate buildings.
Exceptions:
1.   Fire walls are not required on property lines dividing a building on a single zoning lot for ownership purposes where the aggregate height and area of the portions of the building located on both sides of the property line do not exceed the maximum height and area requirements of this code and a perpetual recorded easement or recorded contractual agreement, such as a condominium declaration, authorizes the owners of portions of the building located on either side of the property line to access the other side for purposes of maintaining the building and its systems.
2.   Party walls dividing a structure on a single zoning lot into separate buildings are permitted to have protected openings in accordance with Section 716 where a perpetual recorded easement or recorded contractual agreement, such as a condominium declaration, authorizes the owners of portions of the building located on either side of the property line to access the other side for purposes of egress and maintaining the building and its systems."
2.   Delete Section 706.2.
3.   Revise Section 706.3, including the exception, to read:
"706.3 Materials.
Fire walls shall be of noncombustible materials."
4.   Revise Section 706.4 to read:
"706.4 Fire-resistance rating.
Fire walls shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 4 hours."
5.   Delete Table 706.4.
6.   Revise the exceptions to Section 706.5 to read:
"Exceptions:
1.   [Reserved.]
2.   Fire walls shall be permitted to terminate at the interior surface of noncombustible exterior sheathing, exterior siding or other noncombustible exterior finishes provided that the sheathing, siding or other exterior noncombustible finish extends a horizontal distance of not less than 4 feet (1220 mm) on both sides of the fire wall. Unprotected openings are not permitted within the horizontal distance of 4 feet (1220 mm).
3.   Fire walls shall be permitted to terminate at the interior surface of noncombustible exterior sheathing where the building on each side of the fire wall is protected by an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2."
7.   Revise item 1 in Section 706.5.1 to read:
"1.   The exterior walls on both sides of the fire wall shall be of noncombustible construction and have a 1-hour fire-resistance rating with 3/4-hour protection where opening protection is required by Section 705.8. The fire-resistance rating of the exterior wall shall extend not less than 4 feet (1220 mm) on each side of the intersection of the fire wall to exterior wall. Exterior wall intersections at fire walls that form an angle equal to or greater than 180 degrees (3.14 rad) do not need exterior wall protection."
8.   Revise item 2 in Section 706.5.1 by replacing "lot line" with "property line."
9.   Revise Section 706.5.2, including the exceptions, to read:
"706.5.2 Horizontal projecting elements.
Fire walls shall extend to the outer edge of horizontal projecting elements such as porches, exterior balconies, roof overhangs, canopies, marquees and similar projections that are within 4 feet (1220 mm) of the fire wall."
10.   Delete exception 2 to Section 706.6.
11.   Revise Exception 3 to Section 706.6 by replacing "Class B roof covering" with "Class A roof covering."
12.   Delete exceptions 4 and 5 to Section 706.6.
13.   Add a new exception 7 to Section 706.6 to read:
"7.   Offset construction in accordance with Section 706.6.3."
13.1.   Revise Section 706.6.1 to read:
"Where a fire wall separates buildings having different roof levels, the fire wall shall terminate at a point not less than 30 inches (762 mm) vertically above the lower roof level provided that within 15 feet (4572 mm) above the lower roof level the exterior wall shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour and opening protectives shall have a fire protection rating of not less than 3/4 hour. The exterior wall above the fire wall shall also comply with Sections 602 and 705 based on fire separation distance.
Exception: Where the fire wall terminates at the underside of the roof covering or roof deck of the lower roof, provided that:
1.   The lower roof assembly within 15 feet (4572 mm) horizontally of the fire wall has not less than a 2-hour fire-resistance rating and the entire length and span of supporting elements for the rated roof assembly has a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours.
2.   Openings in the lower roof shall not be located within 15 feet (4572 mm) horizontally of the fire wall."
14.   Add a new Section 706.6.3 to read:
"706.6.3 Offset construction.
Where a fire wall is offset at an intermediate floor level, the offset floor and its supporting construction shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 4 hours. Interior exit stairways and interior exit ramps shall not penetrate the horizontal offset of a fire wall."
15.   Revise Section 706.7 by deleting "approved for fireblocking."
16.   Revise Section 706.11 by replacing "lot line" with "property line."
(Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 32180, Art. II, § 10; Amend Coun. J. 1-26-22, p. 43756, Art. II, § 7)