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Fire Resistive Construction ITM’s: Maintaining a buildings fire resistiveness is very important to protect the structure, building users as well for fire-fighters safety. It is within Chapter 7 of the Oregon Fire Code (OFC), that establishes many of the inspection, testing and maintenance (ITM) requirements in existing buildings and structures. In general, these passive requirements are intended to maintain the require fire-resistance ratings and limit the spread of fire and smoke as addressed in the Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC). 

Key elements of passive fire-resistance-rated construction are:

1.) Structural members, 

2.) Exterior walls, 

3.) Fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions

4.) Horizontal assemblies

5.) Shaft enclosures

The OFC and OSSC include requirements for fire-resistance ratings, continuity and opening and penetration protection in these types of assemblies. Because these assemblies and their opening protectives are critical life safety components of a building, they must be maintained throughout the life of the building. Opening protective maintenance provisions for these types of assemblies are contained in NFPA 80 and NFPA 105.

Fire-resistant-rated construction is always at risk of degradation after the building is occupied. Maintenance workers, IT personnel and other people within the building are typically not aware when a wall or ceiling is fire-resistance-rated construction, and their actions may damage the construction with penetrations and openings during remodeling and renovation activities. It is with this thought in mind, that the OSSC provides a marking requirement for specific areas.

OSSC Section 703.5 Marking and Identification. 

Where there is an accessible concealed floor, floor-ceiling or attic space, fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions, smoke barriers and smoke partitions or any other wall required to have protected openings or penetrations shall be effectively and permanently identified with signs or stenciling in the concealed space. Such identification shall:

1. Be located within 15 feet (4572 mm) of the end of each wall and at intervals not exceeding 30 feet (9144 mm) measured horizontally along the wall or partition.

2. Include lettering not less than 3 inches (76 mm) in height with a minimum 3/8-inch (9.5 mm) stroke in a contrasting color incorporating the suggested wording, “FIRE AND/OR SMOKE BARRIER—PROTECT ALL OPENINGS,” or other wording.

It is the intended that the identification marks be located in areas not visible to the general public. Specific locations set forth in the provisions indicate that the identification is to be provided above any lay-in panel ceiling or similar concealed space that is deemed to be accessible. In addition to the requirements of locating the identifying markings at maximum 30-foot (9144 mm) intervals, it is also necessary that such markings be provided no more than 15 feet (4572 mm) from the end of each wall requiring such identification.

It is the building owner’s responsibility to maintain and inventory of all required fire-resistance-rated construction. This inventory record is critical and necessary in performing a complete inspection of the existing protection elements and allows for the continuing documentation that they are still in place and able to perform their required function.