Wall STC and Fire Resistance Ratings

The online version of the Gypsum Association’s Fire Resistance Design Manual 20^th Edition 2012 is here:

http://www.gypsum.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/GA-600-12/GA-600-12-web-version.swf

The Gypsum Association’s Fire Resistance Design Manual has both proprietary and generic wall systems with fire and STC ratings. Here are some generic STC ratings of walls we always use that should help you during the design phase, the GA-WP number is the Gypsum Association number:

·         1 layer 5/8” Gypsum Board each side 3-5/8” metal studs without insulation, GA-WP-1350, 1Hr, STC 35-39

·         1 layer 5/8” Gypsum Board each side 3-5/8” metal studs with insulation, GA-WP-1072, 1Hr, STC 45-49

·         1 layer 5/8” Gypsum Board one side, 2 layers gypsum board opposite side 3-5/8” metal studs without insulation, GA-WP-1052, 1Hr, STC 44

·         1 layer 5/8” Gypsum Board one side, 2 layers gypsum board opposite side 3-5/8” metal studs with insulation, GA-WP-1052, 1Hr, STC 50-54

·         2 layers 5/8” Gypsum Board each side 3-5/8” metal studs without insulation, GA-WP-1616, 2Hr, STC 45-49

·         2 layers 5/8” Gypsum Board each side 3-5/8” metal studs with insulation, GA-WP-1522, 2Hr,  STC  55-59

* The Gypsum Association’s Fire Resistance Design Manual does not have any generic wall systems with resilient furring channels, so if you need a higher STC rating you will need to go to a manufacturer’s tested system.

Types of Rigid Foam Insulation - Reference

Building Code Resources

...a very useful post from copied in it's entirely from http://splankin.com/archiwiki/...

International Building Code (and all other International Codes…) Including the BCNYS Building Code of New York State

http://publicecodes.citation.com/default.htm

---

OSHA and rooftops

Building code does not really cover rooftop issues. They leave it up to OSHA.

OSHA considers it a working area.

Here’s a booklet on stairs and ladders:

http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3124.pdf

here’s one on fall protection:

http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3146.pdf

---

NFPA – all National Fire Protection Association codes are online for free
Go to the website at:

http://www.nfpa.org/

and search for the code you are interested (for example NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code). Then, you will click through to the individual code. Part way down the page it will say:

Click  and log in. It will launch in a “real read” window (you probably have to install the real read plug-in). This is especially useful for the more obscure NFPA codes & standards such as NFPA 37 – Standard for the Installation and Use of Stationary Combustion Engines and Gas Tubines.

---

UL Documents. UL Fire Resistance Directory
The famous orange book is online.

Walls, Roofs, floors:

http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/template/LISEXT/1FRAME/showpage.html?name=BXUV.GuideInfo&ccnshorttitle=Fire+Resistance+Ratings+-+ANSI/UL+263&objid=1074327030&cfgid=1073741824&version=versionless&parent_id=1073984818&sequence=1

fire rated joint systems:

http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/cgifind.new/LISEXT/1FRAME/srchres.html?collection=/data3/verity_collections/lisext&vdkhome=/data3/verity_sw_rev24/common&SORT_BY=textlines:asc,ccnshorttitle:asc&query=XHBNCCN+and+not+GUIDEINFO

Also, the UL fire resistance wizard!

http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/ulweb/LISEXT/1FRAME/FireResistanceWizard.html

---

ICC/ANSI A-117 – what we commonly call ADA or accessibility code
Note that this is NOT the ADA code (that is federal). They also have the new, updated 2009 version.

http://publicecodes.citation.com/icc/ansi/2003/a117p1/index.htm

---

Federal ADA manual (not to be confused with ANSI A-117).

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adastd94.pdf

---

FM Global Roof Selection Tool

RoofNav is a complimentary tool from FM Approvals that provides access to the most up-to-date FM Approved roofing products and assemblies.

Designed to help roofing professionals, RoofNav provides easy access to all roofing-related information from the FM Approvals – Approval Guide and related installation recommendations from relevant FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets.

https://roofnav.fmglobal.com/RoofNav/Login.aspx

---

Masonry Fire Resistance Ratings
NCMA the National Concrete Masonry Association has published this short but very useful guide to the fire resistance of concrete masonry (blocks). Shows also how to detail fire rated joints in CMU.

http://splankin.com/archiwiki/wp-content/uploads/14/masonry%20fire%20resistance%20ratings.pdf

---

Gypsum Association Fire Resistance Design Manual

Gypsum Association Fire Resistance Design Manual & Sound Control

---

Fireproofing systems:

grace:

http://www.na.graceconstruction.com/template.cfm?page=/fire/mt_flowchart.html&did=3

hilti:

http://www.hilti.com/

---

Article about top of wall deflection and deflection track

this CSI article is a great discussion of the concerns regarding top of wall deflection and fire rating the top of wall deflection joint:

http://www.psccsi.org/article-03/

---

Fireproofing – thermally restrained vs unrestrained

ever wondered what UL is getting after when they say restrained versus unrestrained? read here:

http://archrecord.construction.com/resources/conteduc/archives/0203Fire-5.asp

Minimum Ceiling Heights in New vs. Existing Building Code

BCNYS §1208.2.1 Furred ceiling.

Any room with a furred ceiling shall be required to have the minimum ceiling height in two-thirds of the area thereof, but in no case shall the height of the furred ceiling be less than 7 feet (2134 mm)...Exceptions...

EBCNYS §EB701.3 Compliance.

All new construction elements, components, systems, and spaces shall comply with the requirements of the Building Code of New York State.

Exceptions:

1. Windows may be added without requiring compliance with the light and ventilation requirements of the Building Code of New York State.

2. Newly installed electrical equipment shall comply with the requirements of §EB708.

3. The length of dead-end corridors in newly constructed spaces shall only be required to comply with the provisions of §EB705.6.

4. The minimum ceiling height of the newly created habitable and occupiable spaces and corridors shall be 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm). Basement spaces of R, M, B and S occupancies can have a ceiling height of not less than 6 feet 4 inches (1930 mm) of clear height under beams, girders, ducts and similar obstructions, provided no more than 30 percent of the floor area is below 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm) and the basement is limited to one story below grade.

Federal High Performance and Sustainable Buildings | Whole Building Design Guide

Federal High Performance and Sustainable Buildings (HPSB) | Whole Building Design Guide

Several Executive Orders and legislative mandates direct Federal Agencies to achieve specific HPSB goals.

Executive Orders 13514 and 13423 require all Federal agencies to comply with the Guiding Principles for New Construction and Major Renovation. 

Executive Order 13514 requires at least 15% of each agency's existing facilities and building leases (above 5,000 gross square feet) to meet the Guiding Principles by 2015. To meet this goal, most agencies must upgrade their existing building stock, which means compliance with a separate set of Guiding Principles for Sustainable Existing Buildings.

Guidance for all of the above can be found at the link at the top of the post.

Masonry Walls: Links and Tips for Thermal Performance

Why:


The Energy Conservation Construction Code of New York State has 2 prescriptive paths for minimum thermal performance:  R value (continuous) or U factor (entire assembly).

If using COMcheck, the presets assume relative low R-value for CMU cavity inserts and fairly heavy reinforcement.  Select option for "other U factor" instead, and fill in the actual values.

ECCCNYS c.i. is defined in ASHRAE 90.1:  insulation that is continuous across all structural members without thermal bridges other than fasteners and service openings. It is installed on the interior, exterior, or is integral to any opaque surface of the building.

A catalog of reference assemblies by thermal performance can be found here:
http://www.ncma.org/resources/design/Documents/Thermal%20Catalog%20Phase%20I.pdf

References:
NCMA.org 
NYSCMA.org

Truss Joist Firefighter Warning Signs

Did you know that when you build a building with truss of joist construction you are required to add little 6” diameter signs at all entrances to warn firefighters?  (FCNYS Appendix H)

Window Washing Regs

Need to figure out how or if you need to provide engineered fittings in order for window cleaning services to do their thing?  Here's everything I know:

Find service providers at the International Window Cleaning Association website (IWCA.org)

At the Department of Labor/Safety and Health website (scroll down to Window Washing) there are links to standards, regulations, checklists and applications, etc.

Highrises tend to go with a davit crane system to hang a platform.  This is probably unnecessary for a building under 10 stories or so.  Hoses can reach 6+ stories and manlifts go even higher (but require access and staging at all sides of the building.

The safety equipment is stuff like this. (J. Racenstein)  JR also has portable roof anchors that may be used in lieu of davit cranes? unknown.

The client is large enough to clean their own windows?  This is sort of a window roomba:  http://skypro.com/

Resources

SUCF window washing regulations

IWCA window cleaning safety standard

ANSI-IWCA Rope descent regulations

ANSI-IWCA Anchor Design Specifications

The following is unverified information given by a window cleaner and an lifesafety engineer from  Flexible Lifeline Systems, which offers free design services (as well as Pro-Bel) but wants its products and installers used.  Take with a grain of salt.  SMS Engineering is a consultant who'd presumably provide an objective opinion/design (for a fee). 

• Bosun’s chairs need 2 tie downs.  One for the chair, one for the person but,
• “everyone” is using manlifts now – “nobody rappels anymore”
• Tie downs must hold 5,000 lbs each
• Consider the possible damage to parapet coping from ropes running over it
• Bosun’s chairs are illegal in New York state for buildings 70 feet or taller
• manlifts can go to 120+ feet – need access to all sides of building
• hoses use deionized, super clean water and shoot 75 ft

Persons contacted during Breckenridge Place Apartments research were:

Eric Grunder

P.O. Box 268 
Port Crane, NY 13833
607.648.5647
www.americanwindowandpowerwashing.com
americanwindow@stny.rr.com 

Frank Parella

8 Adler Drive, Suite 3 
East Syracuse, NY 13057
315.463.5353
www.cleantec.us
fparella@cleantec.us 

Pavel Tretyakov

North East Systems Specialist

Flexible Lifeline Systems

Turnkey Providers of Innovative Fall Protection Solutions

14325 West Hardy Road

Houston, TX 77060

 281-448-8821    Main

 832-448-2980    Direct

 281-448-9225    Fax

 716-517-7163    Cell

Email-   pavel.tretyakov@flexiblelifeline.com

Website- www.flexiblelifeline.com

HOLT white paper: Energy Efficient Building Envelopes

www.holt.com/files/all/energy-efficient_building_envelopes_whtie_paper.pdf

• diminishing returns of increased insulation
• the importance of high-performance windows

UL DATABASE - fire rated walls, ceilings, roof, floors

UL Documents. UL Fire Resistance Directory  

Wizard:

http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/ulweb/LISEXT/1FRAME/FireResistanceWizard.html

Walls, Roofs, Floors:

http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/template/LISEXT/1FRAME/showpage.html?name=BXUV.GuideInfo&ccnshorttitle=Fire+Resistance+Ratings+-+ANSI/UL+263&objid=1074327030&cfgid=1073741824&version=versionless&parent_id=1073984818&sequence=1

Fire Rated Joint Systems:

http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/cgifind.new/LISEXT/1FRAME/srchres.html?collection=/data3/verity_collections/lisext&vdkhome=/data3/verity_sw_rev24/common&SORT_BY=textlines:asc,ccnshorttitle:asc&query=XHBNCCN+and+not+GUIDEINFO

NEW YORK STATE BUILDING CODE

NEW YORK STATE BUILDING CODE , including the NEW YORK CITY BUILDING CODE

NYCRR for Medical Facilities

This is a link to the New York State Rules and Regulations for Medical Facilities.

It indicates the right FGI Guidelines and NFPA Edition to comply with.