Elevator

[chris mc]

Codeman,
In a 3 story SFR that has an elevator are the doors at each level required to be fire rated? These doors are to be provide by the builder and match the other interior doors, they are not part of the elevator system. We are under the 2006 IRC (til January 1st)

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

Hi Chris,

Not that I have found for single family dwellings.

The IRC has limited, specifically stated, requirements for shafts, which is what the elevator shaft falls under. The following are the limited and specifically stated requirements for shafts in the IRC:

- SHAFT. An enclosed space extending through one or more stories of a building, connecting vertical openings in successive floors, or floors and the roof.

- G2415.1 (404.1) Prohibited locations. Piping shall not be installed in or through a circulating air duct, clothes chute, chimney or gas vent, ventilating duct, dumbwaiter or elevator shaft. Piping installed downstream of the point of delivery shall not extend through any townhouse unit other than the unit served by such piping.

- E3302.2 Penetrations of fire-resistance-rated assemblies. Electrical installations in hollow spaces, vertical shafts and ventilation or air-handling ducts shall be made so that the possible spread of fire or products of combustion will not be substantially increased. Electrical penetrations through fire-resistance-rated walls, partitions, floors or ceilings shall be protected by approved methods to maintain the fire-resistance rating of the element penetrated. Penetrations of fire-resistance-rated walls shall be limited as specified in Section
R317.3.

Note the reference to R317.3, which is "Dwelling Unit Separation", which is not applicable here.

Think of the elevator as a stairway with intermediate landings which have doors at those intermediate landings - there is no requirement for fire-rated doors there either.

[chris mc]