Code of Massachusetts Regulations
780 CMR - STATE BOARD OF BUILDING REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
Chapter 8 - Interior Finishes
Section 803 - WALL AND CEILING FINISHES
Subsection 803.11 - Application of interior finish materials to fire-resistance-rated structural elements

Universal Citation: 780 CMR MA Code of Regs 803.11

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

Where interior finish materials are applied on walls, ceilings or structural elements required to have a fire-resistance rating or to be of noncombustible construction, they shall comply with the provisions of this section.

803.11.1 Direct attachment and furred construction. Where walls and ceilings are required by any provision in this code to be of fire-resistance-rated or noncombustible construction, the interior finish material shall be applied directly against such construction or to furring strips not exceeding 13/4 inches (44 mm) applied directly against such surfaces. The intervening spaces between such furring strips shall comply with one of the following:

1. Be filled with material that is inorganic or non-combustible;

2. Be filled with material that meets the requirements of a Class A material in accordance with Section 803.1.1 or 803.1.2; or

3. Be fireblocked at a maximum of 8 feet (2438 mm) in any direction in accordance with Section 717.

803.11.2 Set-out construction. Where walls and ceilings are required to be of fire-resistance-rated or noncombustible construction and walls are set out or ceilings are dropped distances greater than specified in Section 803.11.1, Class A finish materials, in accordance with Section 803.1.1 or 803.1.2, shall be used except where interior finish materials are protected on both sides by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2, or attached to noncombustible backing or furring strips installed as specified in Section 803.11.1. The hangers and assembly members of such dropped ceilings that are below the main ceiling line shall be of noncombustible materials, except that in Types III and V construction, fire-retardant-treated wood shall be permitted. The construction of each set-out wall shall be of fire-resistance-rated construction as required elsewhere in this code.

803.11.3 Heavy timber construction. Wall and ceiling finishes of all classes as permitted in this chapter that are installed directly against the wood decking or planking of Type IV construction or to wood furring strips applied directly to the wood decking or planking shall be fireblocked as specified in Section 803.11.1.

803.11.4 Materials. An interior wall or ceiling finish that is not more than 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) thick shall be applied directly against a noncombustible backing.

Exceptions:

1. Noncombustible materials.

2. Materials where the qualifying tests were made with the material suspended or furred out from the noncombustible backing.

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