N.Y.C. Admin. Code § BC 2607: Section BC 2607: Light-Transmitting Plastic Wall Panels

2607.1 General.

Light-transmitting plastics shall be permitted to be used as wall panels in exterior walls, provided that the walls are not required to have a fire-resistance rating and the installation conforms to the requirements of this section. Such panels shall be erected and anchored on a foundation, waterproofed or otherwise protected from moisture absorption and sealed with a coat of mastic or other approved waterproof coating. Light-transmitting plastic wall panels shall comply with Section 2606.

Exception: Light-transmitting plastics shall not be used as wall panels in exterior walls in occupancies in Groups A-l, A-2, H, I-2 and I-3.

2607.2 Installation.

Exterior wall panels installed as provided for herein shall not alter the type of construction classification of the building.

2607.3 Height limitation.

Light-transmitting plastics shall not be installed more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above grade plane, except as allowed by Section 2607.5.

2607.4 Area limitation and separation.

The maximum area of a single wall panel and minimum vertical and horizontal separation requirements for exterior light-transmitting plastic wall panels shall be as provided for in Table 2607.4. The maximum percentage of wall area of any story in light-transmitting plastic wall panels shall not exceed that indicated in Table 2607.4 or the percentage of unprotected openings permitted by Section 705.8, whichever is smaller.

Exceptions:

1. In structures provided with approved flame barriers extending 30 inches (760 mm) beyond the exterior wall in the plane of the floor, a vertical separation is not required at the floor except that provided by the vertical thickness of the flame barrier projection.

2. Veneers of approved weather-resistant light-transmitting plastics used as exterior siding in buildings of Type V construction in compliance with Section 1406.

3. The area of light-transmitting plastic wall panels in exterior walls of greenhouses shall be exempt from the area limitations of Table 2607.4 but shall be limited as required for unprotected openings in accordance with Section 705.8.

Table 2607.4 Area Limitation and Separation Requirements for Light-Transmitting Plastic Wall Panels

a

Fire Separation Distance (feet)

Class of Plastic

Maximum Percentage Area of Exterior Wall in Plastic Wall Panels

Maximum Single Area of Plastic Wall Panels (square feet)

Minimum Separation of Plastic Wall Panels (feet)

Vertical

Horizontal

Less than 6

—

Not Permitted

Not Permitted

—

—

6 or more but less than 11

CC1

10

50

8

4

CC2

Not Permitted

Not Permitted

—

—

11 or more but less than or equal to 30

CC1

25

90

6

4

CC2

15

70

8

4

Over 30

CC1

50

Not Limited

3

b

0

CC2

50

100

6

b

3

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m

2

.

a. For combinations of plastic glazing and plastic wall panel areas permitted, see Section 2607.6.

b. For reductions in vertical separation allowed, see Section 2607.4.

2607.5 Automatic sprinkler system.

Where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, the maximum percentage area of exterior wall in any story in light-transmitting plastic wall panels and the maximum square footage of a single area given in Table 2607.4 shall be increased 100 percent, but the area of light-transmitting plastic wall panels shall not exceed 50 percent of the wall area in any story, or the area permitted by Section 705.8 for unprotected openings, whichever is smaller. These installations shall be exempt from height limitations.

2607.6 Combinations of glazing and wall panels.

Combinations of light-transmitting plastic glazing and light-transmitting plastic wall panels shall be subject to the area, height and percentage limitations and the separation requirements applicable to the class of light-transmitting plastic as prescribed for light-transmitting plastic wall panel installations.