N.J. Admin. Code § 5:70-4.13

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 23, December 2, 2024

Section 5:70-4.13 - Protection of interior stairways and other vertical openings

(a) All interior stairways and other vertical openings connecting more than six floor levels shall be enclosed with approved assemblies having a fire resistance rating of not less than two hours with approved opening protectives with self-latching doors.

(b) All interior stairways and other vertical openings connecting four to six floor levels shall be enclosed with approved assemblies having a fire resistance rating of not less than one hour with approved opening protectives with self-latching doors.

(c) Interior stairways and other vertical openings connecting no more than three levels shall be enclosed with approved assemblies and opening protectives with self-latching doors having a fire resistance as follows:

1. In Use Group A, a minimum 30 minute fire barrier shall be provided to protect all interior stairways and other vertical openings not exceeding three stories. Such fire barrier may be omitted:

i. When connecting the main floor and mezzanines; or

ii. When all the following conditions are met:

(1) The communicating area has a low hazard occupancy, or has a moderate hazard occupancy which is protected throughout by an automatic suppression system; and

(2) The lowest or next to the lowest level is a street floor; and

(3) The entire area is open and unobstructed in a manner such that it may be assumed that a fire in any part of the interconnected spaces will be readily obvious to all of the occupants; and

(4) Exit capacity is sufficient to provide egress simultaneously for all the occupants of all levels by considering all areas to be a single floor area for the determination of required exit capacity; and

(5) Each floor level, considered separately, has at least one-half of its individual required exit capacity provided by an exit or exits leading directly out of that level without having to traverse another communicating floor level or be exposed to the smoke or fire spreading from another communicating floor level.

2. In Use Group B, a minimum 30 minutes fire barrier shall be provided to protect all interior stairways and other vertical openings not exceeding three stories. Such fire barriers may be omitted in buildings not exceeding 3,000 square feet per floor or when the building is protected throughout by an approved automatic fire suppression system.

3. In Use Group E, a minimum one-hour fire barrier shall be provided to protect all interior stairways and other vertical openings connecting not more than three floor levels. Such barrier may be omitted when the building is protected throughout by an approved automatic fire suppression system.

4. In Use Group F, a minimum one-hour fire barrier shall be provided to protect all interior stairways and other vertical openings not exceeding three floor levels. Such fire barrier may be omitted:

i. In special purpose occupancies when necessary for manufacturing operations and direct access is provided to at least one protected stairway;

ii. In buildings which are protected throughout by an approved automatic fire suppression system;

5. In Use Group H, a minimum one-hour fire barrier shall be provided to protect all interior stairways and other vertical openings not exceeding three floor levels. Such fire barrier may be omitted when necessary for manufacturing operations in a building where every floor level has direct access to at least two remote enclosed stairways or other approved exits.

6. In Use Group I-1, a minimum one-hour fire barrier shall be provided to protect all interior stairways and other vertical openings not exceeding three floor levels. Such fire barrier may be omitted at either the top or bottom of a stairway which connects not more than two floor levels when such stairway does not serve as a required means of egress and the occupant load does not exceed 12, excluding staff.

7. In Use Group I-2, a minimum one-hour fire barrier shall be provided to protect all interior stairways and other vertical openings not exceeding three floor levels. Such fire barrier may be omitted when connecting not more than two floor levels which are separated by a one-hour fire barrier equipped with a self-closing or automatic-closing 20 minute door at the top or bottom of the stairway, when such stairway does not serve as a required means of egress.

(Reserved)

9. In Use Group M, a minimum 30 minute fire barrier shall be provided to protect all interior stairways and other vertical openings not exceeding three floor levels. Such fire barrier may be omitted when:

i. Openings connect only two floor levels, such as between the street floor and mezzanine or second floor; or

ii. Occupancies are protected throughout by an approved automatic fire suppression system.

10. In Use Group R-1, a minimum one-hour fire barrier shall be provided to protect all interior stairways and other vertical openings not exceeding three stories. Such fire barrier may be omitted:

i. In buildings which are protected throughout by an approved automatic fire suppression system installed in accordance with NFPA 13 or 13R; or

ii. In buildings with not more than 25 guests in which the following conditions are met:

(1) Every sleeping room is provided with an approved window having a sill height not greater than 44 inches;

(2) The building is protected throughout by an automatic fire alarm system, installed in accordance with the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code and supervised in accordance with 5:70-4.9(c); and

(3) Every sleeping room above the second floor or more than 16 feet above grade is provided with direct access to a fire escape or other approved secondary exit or any exit access corridor exceeding 20 feet in length which serves two means of egress, at least one of which is an unprotected vertical opening, shall be separated from the vertical opening by a one-hour fire barrier.

11. In Use Group R-2, a minimum 30 minute fire barrier shall be provided to protect all interior stairways and other vertical openings not exceeding three stories. Such fire barrier may be omitted:

i. In buildings which are protected throughout by an approved automatic fire suppression system;

ii. When the vertical opening connects not more than two floor levels with not more than four dwelling units per floor and each dwelling unit has access to a fire escape or other approved secondary exit; or

iii. In owner-occupied buildings with not more than four dwelling units per floor, and in which the following conditions are met:

(1) Every sleeping room is provided with an approved window having a sill height not greater than 44 inches;

(2) Every dwelling unit or sleeping room above the second floor is provided with direct access to a fire escape or other approved secondary exit; and

(3) The building is protected throughout by an automatic fire alarm system, installed in accordance with the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code and supervised in accordance with 5:70-4.9(c).

(d) The requirements for vertical openings in this section shall not apply to required kitchen or bathroom ventilation openings serving only dwelling units.

N.J. Admin. Code § 5:70-4.13

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