code help. Do walls have to be marked with rating?

[eddie11]

I am not an expert on fire codes, but looking to figure out quickly if I have a potential issue here that I need to spend more time straightening out. My midwestern phone/cable company had some corporate internal consultants come in and do a larger review of some facilities as a way to "help" me out. The checklist I gave them included a broad and general statement mandating compliance with NFPA, local fire codes, etc (along with lots of other requirements for electrical, mechanical, and other functional areas).

The consultants report included a small number of specific items that they reported (they called them "highlights" extracted from the codes). One of these items they did a yes/no for each site included requirements of having "proper 2hr fire rated walls" and "they are marked". They failed me for not having markings.

I am now being challenged by the local management as to whether the marking is mandated by code because the fire inspectors have never raised the issue. I do not have the codes. I have asked the consultant for backup, but in the meantime, I am hoping someone may be able to point me in the right direction so that I am a little more educated when I follow up with them over the next day or two. My fear is that they did not really understand the requirements themselves and we could lose a lot of credibility for following this advice and having invited them in the first place. Lots of politics that could be very, very damaging. I just want to get it right and move on.

The facility is a standalone telecom/datacenter type facility (actually provides cable tv, data, and telephone service). concrete walls and floor, 1 floor, etc.

Any info or suggestions are appreciated.

 

[rbulsara]

This should be reviewed and answered by an architect.

But as far as I know, no markings are required by code nor I have seen any yet. We regularly get involved in data center designs. The wall/floor/ceiling rating is determined by the type of construction usually spelled out in Building Codes and/or UL fire resitance directory.

 

[safetydan]

To my knowledge, the walls and such do not have to have markings written on them designating their fire rating. The ratings are based on the materials used in the construction of the walls. Block and concrete are ~2 hours. The only stuctures I am aware which require ratings are on fire doors which separate 2 parts of a building and open a fire wall.

Also, ask your local fire marshall or fire chief, they know the codes better than anyone.

 

[DRWeig]

Eddie11,

I'm not sure you'll find a code requirement in the national or international codes (NFPA stuff, building codes). Local codes may require marking though, or it may be a part of an industry-specific standard.

I know the fire inspectors require it above ceilings in hospitals in Tennessee. It keeps the gang of electricians who are always in there from making giant holes in the sheetrock and not patching / sealing properly.

Let us know if you find a reference!

Old Dave

 

[eddie11]

I've been reading the International Buildings Codes and the State of Virginia Universal Building Codes that I found online and neither say the walls have to be marked (

http://www.amlegal.com

and

http://www.vbcoa.org

respectively).


thanks for any feedback.

 

[gutta]

what size sheetrock is needed for my ceiling to keep fire marshall happy? i live in maine

 

[karlemen]

There are no requirements to mark the wall itself, although in some cases, that might be a good idea particularly if you have largely unregulated contractor renovation activity.

What the consultants were referring to was just records keeping. Fire walls are a part of the fire protection system and as such require checking, and inspection on a regular basis, as mandated by your local fire code. If you don't know what it is or where it is, you obviously have lost control.

So
- find or get drawings done & maintain them!
- find out what your legal requirements are for maintenance of fire separations. This pertains to walls, closures, and penetrations. You may require an architect or fire protection engineer to assess the original construction and reconcile it with current condition and use of the building.
- inspect the separations IN DETAIL and determine what needs to be done to get them into compliance.
- keep records of all work done on the separations