The provisions of this chapter shall govern maintenance of the
materials, systems and assemblies used for structural fire resistance
and fire-resistance-rated construction separation of adjacent spaces
to safeguard against the spread of fire and smoke within a building
and the spread of fire to or from buildings.
Where any components are not maintained and do not function
as intended or do not have the fire resistance required by the code
under which the building was constructed or altered, such components
or portions thereof shall be deemed unsafe conditions in accordance
with Section 111.1.1 of the International Fire Code. Components or portions thereof determined to be unsafe shall be
repaired or replaced to conform to that code under which the building
was constructed or altered. Where the condition of components is such
that any building, structure or portion thereof presents an imminent
danger to the occupants of the building, structure or portion thereof,
the fire code official shall act in accordance with Section 111.2
of the International Fire Code.
The required fire-resistance rating of fire-resistance-rated
construction, including walls, firestops, shaft enclosures, partitions,
smoke barriers, floors, fire-resistive coatings and sprayed fire-resistant
materials applied to structural members and joint systems, shall be
maintained. Such elements shall be visually inspected annually by
the owner and repaired, restored or replaced where damaged, altered,
breached or penetrated. Records of inspections and repairs shall be
maintained. Where concealed, such elements shall not be required to
be visually inspected by the owner unless the concealed space is accessible
by the removal or movement of a panel, access door, ceiling tile or
entry to the space. Openings made therein for the passage of pipes,
electrical conduit, wires, ducts, air transfer and any other reason
shall be protected with approved methods capable of resisting the
passage of smoke and fire. Openings through fire-resistance-rated
assemblies shall be protected by self- or automatic-closing doors
of approved construction meeting the fire protection requirements
for the assembly.
703.3.1
Fire blocking and draft stopping. Required fire
blocking and draft stopping in combustible concealed spaces shall
be maintained to provide continuity and integrity of the construction.
703.3.2
Smoke barriers and smoke partitions. Required smoke
barriers and smoke partitions shall be maintained to prevent the passage
of smoke. Openings protected with approved smoke barrier doors or
smoke dampers shall be maintained in accordance with NFPA 105.
703.3.3
Fire walls, fire barriers, and fire partitions. Required fire walls, fire barriers and fire partitions shall be
maintained to prevent the passage of fire. Openings protected with
approved doors or fire dampers shall be maintained in accordance with
NFPA 80.
Opening protectives shall be maintained in an operative condition
in accordance with NFPA 80. The application of field-applied labels
associated with the maintenance of opening protectives shall follow
the requirements of the approved third-party certification organization
accredited for listing the opening protective. Fire doors and smoke
barrier doors shall not be blocked or obstructed, or otherwise made
inoperable. Fusible links shall be replaced whenever fused or damaged.
Fire door assemblies shall not be modified.
703.4.1
Signs. Where required by the code official, a sign
shall be permanently displayed on or near each fire door in letters
not less than 1 inch (25 mm) high to read as follows:
1. For doors designed to be kept normally open: FIRE DOOR - DO NOT BLOCK.
2. For doors designed to be kept normally closed: FIRE DOOR - KEEP CLOSED.
703.4.2
Hold-open devices and closers. Hold-open devices
and automatic door closers shall be maintained. During the period
that such a device is out of service for repairs, the door it operates
shall remain in the closed position.
703.4.3
Door operation. Swinging fire doors shall close
from the full-open position and latch automatically. The door closer
shall exert enough force to close and latch the door from any partially
open position.
The hanging and displaying of salable goods and other decorative
materials from acoustical ceiling systems that are part of a fire-resistance-rated
horizontal assembly shall be prohibited.
Horizontal and vertical sliding and rolling fire doors shall
be inspected and tested annually to confirm operation and full closure.
Records of inspections and testing shall be maintained.
Interior vertical shafts, including stairways, elevator hoistways and service and utility shafts, which connect two or more stories of a building shall be enclosed or protected as required in Chapter
11 of the
International Fire Code. New floor openings
in existing buildings shall comply with the
International
Building Code.
Where openings are required to be protected, opening protectives
shall be maintained self-closing or automatic-closing by smoke detection.
Existing fusible-link-type automatic door-closing devices shall be
replaced if the fusible link rating exceeds 135°F (57°C).