Section 400.4555. Smoke barriers.

(1) Smoke barriers with a 1-hour fire resistance rating shall be provided on each floor used for sleeping rooms for more than 24 residents and shall be so located as to form an area of refuge on either side that is served with an approved means of egress. The barriers shall be located as close as possible to the middle of the floor to be protected and shall extend from outside wall to outside wall and from the floor through any inter-stud spaces to the roof or floor structure above.

(2)   Doors in the smoke barrier shall be at least 20-minute fire-rated door or 1 ¾ inch solid core flush door hung in labeled frames with self-closing devices. Where double doors without mullions are used, synchronizing hardware and astragals shall be installed and maintained regularly. For new construction, additions and conversions these doors shall be arranged so that each door swings in a direction opposite from the other.

(3)    Doors in smoke barrier partition may be held open only by electric hold-open devices designed so that interruption of the electric current or actuation of the fire alarm, sprinkler system, or the heat or smoke detector will cause the release of the doors. The doors shall also be capable of being opened and closed manually.

History: 1983 AACS; 2015 AACS.