Minnesota Administrative Rules

1309.0302 SECTION R302, FIRE-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION.

Subpart 1.

IRC Tables R302.1(1) and R302.1(2).

Table R302.1(1) and Table R302.1(2) are amended to read as follows:

TABLE R302.1(1)

EXTERIOR WALLS

EXTERIOR WALL ELEMENT		MINIMUM FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING	MINIMUM FIRE SEPARATION DISTANCE
Walls	Fire-resistance rated	1 hour - tested in accordance with ASTM E 119, UL 263, or Section 703.3 of the International Building Code with exposure from both sides	0 feet
	Not fire-resistance rated	0 hours	≥ 5 feet
	Not allowed	NA	< 2 feet
Projections	Fire-resistance rated	1 hour on the underside, or heavy timber, or fire-retardant-treated wooda,b,c	≥ 2 feet to < 5 feet
	Not fire-resistance rated	0 hours	≥ 5 feet
	Not allowed	NA	< 3 feet
Openings in walls	25% Maximum of Wall Area	0 hours	3 feet
	Unlimited	0 hours	5 feet
Penetrations	All	Comply with Section R302.4	< 3 feet
		None required	3 feet

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.

NA = Not Applicable.

^a The fire-resistance rating shall be permitted to be reduced to 0 hours on the underside of the eave overhang if fireblocking is provided from the wall top plate to the underside of the roof sheathing.

^b The fire-resistance rating shall be permitted to be reduced to 0 hours on the underside of the rake overhang where gable vent openings are not installed.

^c One hour on the underside equates to one layer of 5/8-inch type X gypsum sheathing. Openings are not allowed.

TABLE R302.1(2)

EXTERIOR WALLS - DWELLINGS WITH FIRE SPRINKLERS

EXTERIOR WALL ELEMENT		MINIMUM FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING	MINIMUM FIRE SEPARATION DISTANCE
Walls	Fire-resistance rated	1 hour - tested in accordance with ASTM E 119, UL 263, or Section 703.3 of the International Building Code with exposure from the outside	0 feet
	Not fire-resistance rated	0 hours	3 feeta
	Not allowed	NA	< 2 feet
Projections	Fire-resistance rated	1 hour on the underside, or heavy timber, or fire-retardant-treated woodb,c,d	2 feeta
	Not fire-resistance rated	0 hours	3 feet
Openings in walls	Not allowed	N/A	< 3 feet
Unlimited	0 hours	3 feeta
Penetrations	All	Comply with Section R302.4	< 3 feet
		None required	3 feeta

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.

NA = Not Applicable.

^a For residential subdivisions where all dwellings are equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section P2904, the fire separation distance for exterior walls not fire-resistance rated and for fire-resistance-rated projections shall be permitted to be reduced to 0 feet, and unlimited unprotected openings and penetrations shall be permitted, where the adjoining lot provides an open setback yard that is 6 feet or more in width on the opposite side of the property line.

^b The fire-resistance rating shall be permitted to be reduced to 0 hours on the underside of the eave overhang if fireblocking is provided from the wall top plate to the underside of the roof sheathing.

^c The fire-resistance rating shall be permitted to be reduced to 0 hours on the underside of the rake overhang where gable vent openings are not installed.

^d One hour on the underside equates to one layer of 5/8-inch type X gypsum sheathing. Openings are not allowed.

Subp. 2.

IRC section R302.2.3, Continuity.

Section R302.2.3 is amended to read as follows:

R302.2.3 Continuity. The fire-resistance-rated wall or assembly separating townhouses shall be continuous from the foundation to the underside of the roof sheathing, roof deck, or roof slab. The fire-resistance rating shall extend the full length of the wall or assembly, including wall extensions through and separating attached enclosed accessory structures. The separation shall extend through enclosed soffits, overhangs, and similar projections.

Subp. 2a.

IRC section R302.2.7.

Section R302.2 is amended by adding a subsection to read as follows:

R302.2.7 Sound transmission. Townhouses constructed in accordance with Section R302.2 shall comply with the sound transmission requirements of IRC Appendix K.

Subp. 3.

IRC section R302.3, Two-family dwellings.

Section R302.3 is amended by adding a subsection to the end of the section to read as follows:

R302.3.2 Sound transmission. Two-family dwellings constructed in accordance with Section R302.3 shall comply with the sound transmission requirements of IRC Appendix K.

Subp. 4.

IRC section R302.5.1, Opening protection.

Section R305.5.1 is amended to read as follows:

R302.5.1 Opening protection. Openings from a private garage directly into a room used for sleeping purposes shall not be permitted. Other openings between the garage and residence shall be equipped with solid wood doors not less than 1-3/8 inches (35 mm) in thickness, solid or honeycomb-core steel doors not less than 1-3/8 inches (35 mm) thick, or 20-minute fire-rated doors.

Subp. 5.

IRC section R302.6.

Section R302.6 and Table R302.6 are amended to read as follows:

R302.6 Dwelling/garage fire separation. The garage shall be separated as required by Table R302.6. Openings in garage walls shall comply with Section R302.5.

TABLE R302.6^a

DWELLING/GARAGE SEPARATION MATERIAL

SEPARATION		MATERIAL
From the residence and attics		Not less than 1/2-inch gypsum board or equivalent applied to the garage side. Vertical separation between the garage and the residence attic shall extend to the roof sheathing or rafter blocking.
From all habitable rooms above the garage		Not less than 5/8-inch type X gypsum board or equivalent.
Structural members supporting floor/ceiling assemblies or garage ceiling used for separation required by this section		Not less than 1/2-inch gypsum board or equivalent applied to the garage side of structural members supporting the floor/ceiling assemblies or garage ceiling. Structural members include, but are not limited to: walls, columns, beams, girders, and trusses.
Garages located less than 3 feet from a dwelling unit on the same lot		Not less than 1/2-inch gypsum board or equivalent applied to the interior side of exterior walls that are within this area. This provision does not apply to garage walls that are perpendicular to the adjacent dwelling unit wall.

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm.

^a Attachment of gypsum board shall comply with Table R702.3.5.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 16B.59; 16B.61; 16B.64; 326B.02; 326B.101; 326B.106; 326B.13

History:

32 SR 12; L 2007 c 140 art 4 s 61; art 13 s 4; 39 SR 91; 44 SR 764

Published Electronically:

March 31, 2020