Fire wall protection in Stepped buildings
1. Stepped buildings: This refers to buildings with different roof levels separated by a fire wall.
2- Termination of Fire Wall: If a fire wall also acts as an exterior wall for a building and separates buildings with different roof levels, it must terminate at least 30 inches (762 mm) above the lower roof level.
3. Fire resistance rating: the exterior wall for a height of 4.5 m above the lower roof is not less than 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction from both sides with openings protected by fire assemblies having a fire protection rating of not less than ¾ hour.
4. Exception: There's an exception to the termination height requirement. If the fire wall terminates at the underside of the roof sheathing, deck, or slab of the lower roof, certain conditions must be met:
- The lower roof assembly within 3.0 meters of the wall must have a fire-resistance rating of at least one hour.
- The supporting elements (such as beams or columns) for the rated roof assembly must have a fire-resistance rating of at least one hour for their entire length and span.
- Openings in the lower roof must not be located within 3 meters of the fire wall.
These regulations aim to ensure that in buildings with different roof levels, fire containment and resistance are maintained adequately to prevent the spread of fire between sections or buildings.
