4/9/23, 10:28 AM #101Wednesdays: Vertical opening protection in NFPA 101 | NFPA

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#101Wednesdays: Vertical opening

protection in NFPA 101
BY GREG HARRINGTON

Protection of vertical openings is a subject about which we receive a fair

number of questions here at NFPA. In general, floors need to provide a
smoke-resistant barrier between stories in a building to prevent smoke from
migrating vertically and affecting occupants on stories other than the story of
fire origin. A vertical opening is a “hole in the floor” that requires some form
of protection. Different vertical openings have different names: convenience
opening; communicating space; atrium; two-story opening with partial
enclosure; and others. The varied protection strategies offered by the code
are, I think, what creates some confusion. To determine the protection
requirements, refer to Section 8.6 and the X.3.1 subsection of the applicable
occupancy chapters. A quick overview of a few scenarios based on the 2018
edition of the code follows:

Full enclosure: Where vertical openings (holes in floors) exist, enclose

the openings with fire barriers on each story exposed to the opening.
The required fire resistance rating of the enclosing barriers depends on
the number of stories exposed to the opening(s) and whether it is new
or existing. See 8.6.5 for the required rating. Examples include elevator
hoistways and utility shafts. This scenario satisfies the base
requirement of 8.6.2. Note that exit stair enclosures, which are a form
of vertical opening, must meet the more stringent requirements of
7.1.3.2; meeting the exit enclosure requirements inherently meets the
vertical opening requirements.

Where full enclosure on all exposed stories is not practical or is undesirable,

the code offers several alternatives. These are referred to ascontinuity
exemptionsin 8.6.3; here are examples of a few of them:

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Partial enclosure: Where a vertical opening occurs in one floor only (i.e.,
only two stories are exposed to the opening), 8.6.8 permits the opening
to be enclosed on one story or the other leaving one of the stories
exposed to the opening. The required rating of the enclosing barriers is
covered by 8.6.5 (1-hr for new, ½-hr for existing). No special occupancy
chapter permission is required and there are no restrictions on what the
opening can be used for. If the opening is used for a stair, the stair
could be used as part of a required exit access, but it does not qualfiy
as an exit since 7.1.3.2 and 7.2.2.5 require exit stairs to enclosed on
every story (there is an exemption for some existing two-story exit
stairs in 7.2.2.5.1.3).
Convenience opening: Where a vertical opening occurs in one floor only
(i.e., two stories are exposed to the opening), the opening might be
permitted to be unenclosed on both stories if it meets the requirements
of 8.6.9.1. These unenclosed openings require permission in the X.3.1
subsection of the applicable occupancy chapters, where X is the
chapter number (e.g., 38.3.1 for new business occupancies. Some of
the key requirements of 8.6.9.1 include: the opening can't communicate
with openings to other stories; new openings must be separated from
any corridors (these convenience openings are sometimes found in
office building tenant spaces); if the opening is used for a stair, the stair
does not get any credit as a means of egress.
Communicating space: These are sometimes referred to as “mini-
atriums.” Unlike a convenience opening, a communicating space can
expose up to three stories to each other. With the increased exposure
comes additional requirements and limitations in 8.6.6. Communicating
spaces are permitted unless prohibited by the X.3.1 subsection of the
applicable occupancy chapters; for an example, see 18.3.1.5, which
prohibits communicating spaces in new health care occupancies.
Portions of stories that are exposed to the communicating space must
be separated from the remainder of the building by fire or smoke
barriers depending on whether the building is protected by automatic
sprinklers. Areas outside the communicating space need access to an
exit without passing through the communicating space, and the
communicating space needs to be open and unobstructed so a fire on
any story within the communicating space will be readily apparent.
Contents within the communicating spaces are restricted to low hazard
(essentially noncombustible) unless the space has automatic
sprinklers. By meeting all the criteria in 8.6.6, the unenclosed floor are
openings are protected.
Atrium: Whereas a communicating space is limited to exposing not
more than three contiguous stories, an atrium can expose any number
of stories because it is subject to the stringent requirements of 8.6.7,
which include automatic sprinkler protection throughout the building.
New atriums must be provided with an engineering analysis to show
that smoke from a fire in the atrium will not prevent the use of the
highest exit access path exposed to the atrium for the time needed to
evacuate; this frequently necessitates an engineered smoke control
system. Think of a Hyatt or Embassy Suites hotel in which, upon leaving
your guest room, you're immediately in the atrium space. This exit
access path needs to be maintained relatively smoke free to allow
occupants to reach the enclosed exit stairs. The design of atrium
buildings is largely performance-based and frequently involves
computer fire and egress modeling.

The atrium at NFPA in Quincy, MA

The code offers a handful of additional vertical opening protection strategies

– see Section 8.6 for the details. Be aware that some of theLife Safety
Codevertical opening protection requirements might differ from those in
theInternational Building Code; in some cases, theLife Safety Codemight be
more restrictive (several attendees at classes I've instructed have indicated
this is the case for two-story, unenclosed vertical openings). Where a

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jurisdiction has adopted both NFPA 101 and the IBC, designers will likely
need to comply with the more restrictive provisions so as to meet the
requirements of both.

Thanks for reading, and stay safe.

Got an idea for a topic for a future #101Wednesdays? Post it in the

comments below – I'd love to hear your suggestions!

Did you know NFPA 101 is available to review online for free? Head over
to www.nfpa.org/101 and click on “FREE ACCESS.”

Follow me on Twitter: @NFPAGregH

Important Notice: Any opinion expressed in this column (blog, article) is the opinion of the author and
does not necessarily represent the official position of NFPA or its Technical Committees. In addition,
this piece is neither intended, nor should it be relied upon, to provide professional consultation or
services.

TOPICS: Building & Life Safety

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GREG HARRINGTON
Principal Engineer, Staff Liaison to the Life Safety
Code and Health Care Facilities Code technical
committee projects.

READ MORE BY GREG HARRINGTON

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Paul Zanglin 7 months ago

P
Would like commentary on exit stairs shaft assembly in a business occupancy in
a fully automatic monitored fire sprinklered existing wood frame building.
Reply 0 0

Jim Weinzettle 9 months ago

J
Several questions, if you are able to answer them: first, are there alternatives to
the requirement for the the convenience stair opening size to be twice the stairs
horizontal projection? Second, is a convenience opening without a stair limited
in size? third, is a communicating space limited in size? Must a communicating
space be entirely open or can it include subdivided rooms? thanks!
Reply 0 0

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