SECTION 709
SMOKE BARRIERS
709.1 General.
Smoke barriers shall comply with this section.
709.2 Materials.
Smoke barriers shall be of materials permitted by the building type of construction.
709.3 Fire-resistance rating.
A 1-hour fire-resistance rating is required for smoke barriers.
Exception: Smoke barriers constructed of minimum 0.10-inch thick (2.5 mm) steel in Group I-3 buildings.
709.4 Continuity.
Smoke barriers shall form an effective membrane continuous from outside wall to outside wall and from floor slab to floor or roof deck above, including continuity through concealed spaces, such as those found above suspended ceilings, and including interstitial structural and mechanical spaces. The supporting construction shall be protected to afford the required fire-resistance rating of the wall or floor supported in buildings of other than Type IIB, IIIB or VB construction.
Exception: Smoke barrier walls are not required in interstitial spaces where such spaces are designed and constructed with ceilings that provide resistance to the passage of fire and smoke equivalent to that provided by the smoke barrier walls.
709.5 Openings.
Openings in a smoke barrier shall be protected in accordance with Section 714. Opening protectives shall have a minimum fire-protection rating of 20 minutes.
Exception: In Group I-2, where such doors are installed across corridors, a pair of opposite swinging doors without a center mullion shall be installed having vision panels with approved fire-resistance-rated glazing materials in approved fire-resistance-rated frames, the area of which shall not exceed that tested. The doors shall be close fitting within operational tolerances, and shall not have undercuts, louvers or grilles. The doors shall have head and jamb stops, astragals or rabbets at meeting edges and automatic-closing devices. Positive-latching devices are not required.
709.6 Penetrations.
Penetrations through smoke barriers shall comply with Section 711.
709.7 Joints.
Joints made in or between smoke barriers shall comply with Section 712.
709.8 Duct and air transfer openings.
Penetrations by duct and air transfer openings shall comply with Sections 711 and 715.
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