{"data":{"id":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-bc-703","jurisdiction":"us-nyc","citation":"N.Y.C. Admin. Code § BC 703","heading":"Section BC 703: Fire-Resistance Ratings and Fire Tests","body":"703.1 Scope.\n\nMaterials prescribed herein for fire resistance shall conform to the requirements of this chapter.\n\n703.2 Fire-resistance ratings.\n\nThe fire-resistance rating of building elements, components or assemblies shall be determined in accordance with the test procedures set forth in ASTM E 119 or UL 263 or in accordance with Section 703.3. The fire-resistance rating of penetrations and fire-resistant joint systems shall be determined in accordance with Sections 714 and 715, respectively.\n\n703.2.1 Nonsymmetrical wall construction.\n\nInterior walls and partitions of nonsymmetrical construction shall be tested with both faces exposed to the furnace, and the assigned fire-resistance rating shall be the shortest duration obtained from the two tests conducted in compliance with ASTM E 119 or UL 263. When evidence is furnished to show that the wall was tested with the least fire-resistant side exposed to the furnace, subject to acceptance of the commissioner, the wall need not be subjected to tests from the opposite side (see Section 705.5 of this code for exterior walls).\n\n703.2.2 Combustible components.\n\nCombustible aggregates may be integrated with other materials to form a noncombustible material provided that the entire mixture, in the form in which it is to be used in construction, meets the requirement of this code for noncombustible construction.\n\n703.2.3 Restrained classification.\n\nFire-resistance-rated assemblies tested under ASTM E 119 or UL 263 shall not be considered to be restrained unless evidence satisfactory to the commissioner is furnished by the registered design professional showing that the construction qualifies for a restrained classification in accordance with ASTM E 119 or UL 263. Restrained construction shall be identified on the construction documents.\n\n703.2.4 Supplemental features.\n\nWhere materials, systems or devices that have not been tested as part of a fire-resistance-rated assembly are incorporated into the building element component or assembly, sufficient data shall be made available to the commissioner to show that the required fire-resistance rating is not reduced. Materials and methods of construction used to protect joints and penetrations in fire-resistance-rated building elements, components or assemblies shall not reduce the required fire-resistance rating.\n\n703.2.5 Exterior bearing walls.\n\nIn determining the fire-resistance rating of exterior bearing walls, compliance with the ASTM E 119 or UL 263 criteria for unexposed surface temperature rise and ignition of cotton waste due to passage of flame or gases is required only for a period of time corresponding to the required fire-resistance rating of an exterior nonbearing wall with the same fire separation distance, and in a building of the same group. Where the fire-resistance rating, determined in accordance with this section, exceeds the fire-resistance rating determined in accordance with ASTM E 119 or UL 263, the fire exposure time period, water pressure and application duration criteria for the hose stream test of ASTM E 119 or UL 263 shall be based on the fire-resistance rating determined in accordance with this section.\n\n703.3 Methods for determining fire resistance.\n\nThe application of any of the methods listed in this section shall be based on the fire exposure and acceptance criteria specified in ASTM E 119 or UL 263. The required fire resistance of a building element, component or assembly shall be permitted to be established by any of the following methods or procedures:\n\n1. Fire-resistance designs documented in approved sources.\n\n2. Prescriptive designs of fire-resistance-rated building elements, components or assemblies as prescribed in Section 721 of this code.\n\n3. Calculations in accordance with Section 722 of this code.\n\n4. Engineering analysis based on a comparison of building element, component or assemblies designs having fire-resistance ratings as determined by the test procedures set forth in ASTM E 119 or UL 263.\n\n5. Alternative protection methods as allowed by rules of the department.\n\n703.4 Automatic sprinklers.\n\nUnder the prescriptive fire-resistance requirements of this code, the fire-resistance rating of a building element, component or assembly shall be established without the use of automatic sprinklers or any other fire suppression system being incorporated as part of the assembly tested in accordance with the fire exposure, procedures and acceptance criteria specified in ASTM E 119 or UL 263. However, this section shall not prohibit or limit the duties and powers of the commissioner as allowed by Sections 28-103.1.3 and 28-103.3 of Administrative Code.\n\n703.5 Noncombustibility tests.\n\nThe tests indicated in Sections 703.5.1 and 703.5.2 shall serve as criteria for acceptance of building materials as set forth in Sections 602.2, 602.3 and 602.4 in Type I, II, III and IV construction. The term \"noncombustible\" does not apply to the flame spread characteristics of interior finish or trim materials. A material shall not be classified as a noncombustible building construction material if it is subject to an increase in combustibility or flame spread beyond the limitations herein established through the effects of age, fabrication or erection techniques, moisture or other atmospheric conditions.\n\n703.5.1 Elementary materials.\n\nMaterials required to be noncombustible shall be tested in accordance with ASTM E 136.\n\n703.5.2 Composite materials.\n\nMaterials having a structural base of noncombustible material as determined in accordance with Section 703.5.1 of this code with a surfacing not more than 0.125 inch (3.18 mm) thick that has a flame spread index not greater than 50 when tested in accordance with ASTM E 84 or UL 723 shall be acceptable as noncombustible materials.\n\n703.6 Fire-resistance-rated glazing.\n\nFire-resistance-rated glazing, when tested in accordance with ASTM E 119 or UL 263 and complying with the requirements of Section 707, shall be permitted. Fire-resistance-rated glazing shall bear a label marked in accordance with Table 716.3 of this code and issued by an approved agency that shall be permanently identified on the glazing.\n\n703.7 Marking and identification.\n\nWhere there is a 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:\n\n1. 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.\n\n2. Include lettering not less than 3 inches (76.2 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.\"","path":["New York City Administrative Code","Title 28","Chapter 7: New York City Building Code"],"source_url":"https://files.amlegal.com/pdffiles/NewYorkCity/Admin/XML.zip","current_through":"Local Law 2026/135 (enacted August 31, 2026)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-06T02:48:57Z","sha256":"21bfeb68ab958bf84c13911cd766142d7aa265b46e882e414d5153f44345b1ec","source_id":"us-nyc","stale":false,"prev":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-bc-702","next":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-bc-704"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}