N.J. Admin. Code § 5:70-4.15

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 5:70-4.15 - Smoke barriers

(a) Wherever smoke barriers are required by this subchapter, they shall be constructed in accordance with the following provisions:

1. Smoke barriers shall have a fire resistance rating of not less than one-half hour and 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 all concealed spaces, such as those found above suspended ceilings, and including interstitial structural and mechanical spaces. Transfer grilles, whether equipped with fusible link-operated dampers or not, shall not be used in these partitions. Wire glass panels not exceeding 1,296 square inches in approved steel frames may be used in smoke barriers.

i. Exception to (a)1 above: Smoke barriers are not required in interstitial spaces when such spaces are designed and constructed with ceilings that provide resistance to the passage of fire and smoke equivalent to that provided by smoke barriers.

2. Doors in smoke barriers shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 20 minutes when tested in accordance with ASTM E152 without the hose stream and labeled by an approved agency. Double egress corridor doors shall have vision panels of one-quarter inch thick labeled wired glass mounted in approved steel frames. Such panels may also be provided in other doors in smoke barriers. The glass area of the vision panels shall be limited to 1,296 square inches for each door. The doors shall close the openings with only the clearance necessary for proper operation under self-closing or automatic closing and self-latching and shall be without undercuts, louvers or grilles. Rabbets or astragals are required at the meeting edges of double egress doors, and stops are required on the head and jambs of all doors in smoke barriers. Positive latching devices are not required on double egress corridor doors, and center mullions are prohibited.

i. Exception to (a)2 above: Protection at the meeting edges of doors and stops at the head and sides of door frames may be omitted in buildings equipped with an approved engineered smoke control system. The engineered smoke control system shall respond automatically, preventing the transfer of smoke across the barrier.

3. Doors in smoke barriers shall be self-closing or shall be provided with approved door hold-open devices of the fail-safe type which shall release the doors causing them to close upon the actuation of smoke detectors as well as upon the application of a maximum manual pull of 50 pounds against the hold-open device.

4. An approved damper designed to resist the passage of smoke shall be provided at each point a duct penetrates a smoke barrier. The damper shall close upon detection of smoke by an approved smoke detector located within the duct.

i. In lieu of an approved smoke detector located within the duct, ducts which penetrate smoke barriers above doors are permitted to have the approved damper arranged to close upon detection of smoke by the local device designed to detect smoke on either side of the smoke barrier door opening.

ii. Dampers are not required in buildings equipped with an approved engineered smoke control system.

iii. Dampers are not required where the openings in ducts are limited to a single smoke compartment and the ducts are of steel construction.

(b) In buildings of Use Group I-2, every story used for sleeping purposes for more than 30 occupants and stories which are usable but unoccupied shall be divided into not less than two compartments by smoke barrier walls such that each compartment does not exceed 22,500 square feet and no more than 150 feet in length and width.

N.J. Admin. Code § 5:70-4.15

Amended by 50 N.J.R. 729(a), effective 2/5/2018