THE AHJ'S GUIDE TO THE FIRE CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDING CONTENTS, FURNISHINGS, AND INTERIOR FINISH
OCCUPANCY LISTING
- Places of Assembly
- High-rise Building
- Exhibit Halls
- Educational Facilities
- Hospitals and Nursing Homes
- Detention and Correctional Facilities
- Theaters
- Inflatable Structures
- Hotels
- Motels
- Dormitories
- Tent-like Enclosures
PRODUCT LISTING
- Carpeting and Interior Floor Finish
- Upholstered Furniture
- Draperies
- Wallcoverings and Interior Finish
- Matresses
DISCUSSION
The building occupancy in which the products are used determines the degree of fire testing and the requirement criteria. Upholstered furniture used in theaters would require a higher level of fire resistance than upholstered furniture used in an office setting. The Govspec templates are quite conservative in their approach and often offer alternatives to the code requirements.
As an example, the codes, for the most part, seem to ignore large-scale open-flame testing of upholstered furniture used in theaters. Govspec offers fire test methods for upholstered furniture and offers pass/fail criteria.
Accidental/Intentional Ignition
Govspec’s main concern is with accidental ignition by an open-flame or an intentional arson-type ignition.
An example of the tragic aftermath of an accidental ignition is the Station Nightclub fire (West Warwick, Rhode Island 2003) where the ignition of exposed foam material on the walls resulted in the tragic death of 100 people and injuries to over 200 others.
Question: Aside from the Rhode Island fire of 2003, what is the fire risk of upholstered walls that contain foam padding not protected by fire barrier materials?
Answer: If accidental or intentional ignition breaks through the typical decorative cover fabric, the ignition of the unprotected foam could result in significant loss of property and possibly life.
CONSULTING SERVICES
Govspec offers a building content and interior finish fire code consulting service to assist those whose mission it is to improve the fire safety of building contents and interior finishes in public buildings.
General Fee Structure
- First two hours …………….. $325 per hour
- First additional hour …….. $175 per hour
Legal Fee Structure
- $525 per hour
ATTACHMENTS
Attached is a typical partially completed template listing the various product categories and their location in the occupancy. Each occupancy template includes detailed footnotes for each product category and location where applicable.
Attached is a sample footnote which describes “carpeting, floorcoverings, and interior finish.
Fire Code Requirements for Building Contents, Furnishings, and Interior Finishes
PLACES OF ASSEMBLY
AHJ’s Guide Template
| Item | Test Procedure | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Bedding Items (i.e. Blankets, Sheets, Pillows, & Pillowcases) | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| Carpeting & Floor Coverings1 | ||
| Area Rugs | CFR 1630/1631 | * |
| Interior Floor Finish (Including Carpeting) | ||
| 1. Exit Enclosures | CFR 1630 and ASTM E648 (s) ASTM E648 (u) | * * |
| 2. Exit Access Corridors | CFR 1630 and ASTM E648 (s) ASTM E648 (u) | * * |
| 3. Spaces Not Separated by One-Hour Fire Rated Walls | CFR 1630 and ASTM E648 (s) ASTM E648 (u) | * * |
| 4. All Other Applications | CFR 1630 and ASTM E648 | * * |
| Draperies/Curtains & Other Loosely Hanging Materials2 | NFPA 701 TM1 or NFPA 701 TM2 | * * |
| Mattresses | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
Upholstered Furniture3 1. Component Testing 2. Furniture Mockup/Actual Furniture Item 3. Actual Furniture Item | NFPA 260 (s) or NFPA 261 (s) and/or ASTM E1537 (u) | * * * |
- * Available from Govspec
- s = Sprinklered
- u = Unsprinklered
| Item | Test Procedure | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Wall & Ceiling Coverings (Interior Finish)4 | ||
| 1. Enclosed Stairways | ASTM E84 (s) or ASTM E84 (u) or NFPA 265 (u) or NFPA 286 (u) | * * * * |
| 2. Corridors & Lobbies | ASTM E84 (s) or NFPA 265 (u) or NFPA 286 (u) | * * * |
| 3. All Other Areas | ASTM E84 (s) or NFPA 265 (u) or NFPA 286 (u) | * * * |
| 4. General Assembly Occupancies – Over 300 | ASTM E84 (s) or ASTM E84 (u) or NFPA 265 (u) or NFPA 286 (u) | * * * * |
| 5. General Assembly Occupancies – 300 or Less | ASTM E84 (s) or NFPA 265 (u) or NFPA 286 (u) | * * * |
| Projection Screens5 | ASTM E84 or NFPA 701 TM1 or NFPA 701 TM2 | * * * |
- * Available from Govspec
- s = Sprinklered
- u = Unsprinklered
Fire Code Requirements for Building Contents, Furnishings, and Interior Finishes
PLACES OF ASSEMBLY
AHJ’s Guide Template
Exemplar Footnote
1 Carpeting, Floor Coverings, Area Rugs and Interior Floor Finish
Area Rugs
CFR 1630/1631 are federal standards which apply to all carpets and rugs. This includes area rugs and wlal to wall carpeting. The reason for two standards is that CFR 1631 applies to all carpets and rugs exceeding 24 ft.2 or having any dimension longer than 6 ft.
Some of the codes might reference ASTM D2859 which is a voluntary industry version of the federal documents.
Interior Floor Finish
ASTM E648 and NFPA 253 bear the same title: “Standard Method of Test for Critical Radiant Flux of Floor Covering Systems Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source.”
The test are essentially the same. The ASTM version is cited by the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code. The NFPA version is cited by the International Fire Code.
It’s possible that the local code official might insist upon a particular version.
Consideration should be given to Class I, even in sprinklered areas.