Answer:

Yes, an air louver installed with a fire-rated wall should also be fire-rated.

In building construction and design, when an air louver is being installed in a location that requires a fire-rated
wall, it is crucial that the louver itself maintains the same fire rating as the surrounding wall. This is essential to
ensure that the integrity of the fire-rated barrier is maintained and that in the event of a fire, the louver does not
compromise the ability of the wall to contain and prevent the spread of fire and smoke.

Fire-rated walls are constructed to withstand fire for a specified period, typically measured in hours. The purpose
of these walls is to compartmentalize a building, preventing the spread of fire from one area to another and
allowing occupants more time to evacuate safely. When penetrations such as air louvers are made in these fire-
rated walls for ventilation purposes, it is necessary for these penetrations to also have the same level of fire
resistance as the wall itself.

By ensuring that air louvers installed within fire-rated walls are themselves fire-rated, architects, engineers, and
builders can maintain compliance with building codes and regulations related to fire safety. This practice helps
safeguard both property and lives by upholding the intended level of protection provided by fire-rated barriers.

Therefore, it is imperative that any air louver installed in conjunction with a fire-rated wall be specifically designed
and tested to meet the required fire rating standards applicable to that particular installation.

Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:

1. NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code: NFPA 101 provides comprehensive requirements for life safety in buildings,
including regulations related to fire doors, barriers, smoke partitions, louvers, and other elements crucial for
maintaining safety during fires.

2. International Building Code (IBC): The IBC sets forth requirements for building design and construction
practices, including guidelines on louvers, smoke barriers, corridors, doors, and other aspects relevant to
maintaining fire safety within structures.

3. National Building Code (NBC): The NBC outlines standards and provisions for building construction across
various jurisdictions, covering aspects such as fire doors, vision lites in doors, louvers in different locations
within buildings, and other critical safety considerations.

These sources were consulted due to their authority in establishing industry standards and best practices related
to building construction and fire safety measures.