| Author |
Message |
Randall A Chapple, CSI, CCS, AIA, SE, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: rachapple
Post Number: 94
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 - 11:20 am: |    |
What is everyone doing about millwork and fire ratings. I have bee told by AWI that cabinets whether free standing, attached, or built-in are considered furniture and need not be fire rated. the IBC Code is silent on this issue. What is everybody doing with regard to fire rated cores for millwork? |
Ronald L. Geren, FCSI, AIA, CCS, CCCA, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: specman
Post Number: 1414
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 - 12:06 pm: | |
"Fire rated" and "fire-retardant-treated" (FRT) are two separate things. A fire rating requires testing to determine an objective time element of resistance to an assembly. FRT reduces surface burning and flame propagation, but there is no required time element associated with it.
I have seen some (very few) AHJs broadly apply the IBC term "trim" to cabinets. I guess they consider them to be functional "decorative or protective materials."
In Section 603 (2015 IBC), item #6 mentions "millwork." Since it is not italicized, there is no IBC definition, so the "ordinarily accepted" meaning is used per Section 201.4. The AWS refers to millwork as "architectural woodwork," which even lacks the mention of cabinets directly; however, by the inclusion of cabinets in the standard for "architectural woodworks" it can be assumed that cabinets are regarded as architectural woodwork and, thus, millwork (using the transitive property).
Although Section 603 is provided in regard to Type I and II construction, there is no caveat mentioned that it must be constructed of FRT materials. Thus, one could assume that for Types III, IV, and V construction the use of combustible millwork is of no concern.
In the end, most AHJs do consider cabinets as furnishings and do not care of what materials they are constructed.
Ron Geren, FCSI, AIA, CCS, CCCA, SCIP
www.specsandcodes.com |
ken hercenberg
Senior Member
Username: khercenberg
Post Number: 1009
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 - 01:12 pm: | |
Thanks for that clarification Ron.
The only time I've run into issues being raised is with hospitals where someone starts into the need for all things non-combustible. When I ask about all the modular items that are not fire-retardant treated whether built-in or not I usually just get blank stares. |
Elias Saltz, CSI, CCS, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: elias_saltz
Post Number: 18
Registered: 03-2009
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 - 03:42 pm: | |
The code is clear that built-in cabinetry is considered to be furniture and does not need to be fire treated.
If you're using wood paneling on walls, on the other hand, that does need to be fire treated because the code considers it part of the wall. For hospital projects, not only do the cores of wood veneer-faced walls need to be fire rated, but the veneer finish needs to comply with the fire classification as well. See NFPA-101, Section 10.2.1.2. |
Gail Ann J. Goldstead, AIA, CSI, CDT, LEED AP, BD+C
Advanced Member
Username: ggoldstead
Post Number: 5
Registered: 03-2015
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 - 05:51 pm: | |
Based on our code reviews for the type of projects we do, we do not specify fire-treatment for cabinetry or furniture.
Gail Goldstead |
Randall A Chapple, CSI, CCS, AIA, SE, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: rachapple
Post Number: 95
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 - 12:11 pm: | |
Ron,
Thanks for the clarification on fire rated and fire treated. My mistake. |
Ronald L. Geren, FCSI, AIA, CCS, CCCA, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: specman
Post Number: 1415
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 - 01:00 pm: | |
Elias:
Actually, the code is not clear. There is no mention of millwork cabinets directly in the IBC. The only cabinets specifically mentioned are hazardous material storage cabinets, fire extinguisher cabinets, and other cabinets of a similar nature.
The closest reference is in Section 603, item #14, where it speaks of blocking for cabinets. But, that could be for any cabinet I mentioned above including millwork cabinets.
Because of the lack of specificity in the IBC, building officials are left to interpret the code themselves and some, although not many, will consider millwork cabinets as trim or wall finishes.
The reference to NFPA 101 for interior finishes also does not provide a definitive decision on the issue. The definitions for "interior finish" and "interior wall finish" in NFPA 101 do not mention millwork cabinets; thus, like the IBC, it is left to the interpretation of the AHJ.
For facilities subject to certification by the Joint Commission, if the JC says that millwork cabinets are interior finish, then, as the AHJ that adopts the NFPA 101 for their certification, they have the authority to make that interpretation.
Ron Geren, FCSI, AIA, CCS, CCCA, SCIP
www.specsandcodes.com |
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