Significant changes to Group R firestop inspections in the 2021 International Building Code

A modification to Section 1705.18 (Firestop Inspections in Group R) of the 2021 International Building Code states that the installation of firestops, fire-resistant joint systems and perimeter fire barrier systems in residential-use buildings now requires special inspection in those Group R fire areas having an occupant load exceeding 250.

Firestop, fire-resistant joint system and perimeter fire containment system special inspections are required for buildings in Risk Categories III and IV, as well as in high-rise buildings. However, fire-resistance-rated compartmentation is a critical fire protection feature in many Risk Category II Group R buildings as well. When through-penetration firestop systems and fire-resistant joint systems are not properly installed, the integrity of the fire-rated separations is compromised. To adequately protect people where they live, the requirement for special inspection of firestop, fire-resistant joints and perimeter containment systems has been expanded to include larger buildings containing residential occupancies.

The scope of the special inspection requirement is limited to Group R fire areas containing an occupant load of more than 250 people within the fire area. Unless a high-rise condition exists, such special inspection is not required provided the Group R building has an occupant load of 250 or less, or where the building has been subdivided into complying fire areas so that no Group R fire area occupant load exceeds 250.

Read the full significant change.

The 2021 Significant Changes guides are available for the International Building, Fire, Residential, Energy Conservation, Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes. This valuable series can help any code user save time by zeroing in on the most critical changes in the 2021 International Codes. The Code Council’s technical experts provide summaries, analysis and graphics for these changes making them clear and easy to understand. Each edition provides a comprehensive analysis of significant changes since the 2018 edition, offering key insights into its contents and implications. Each change analysis features the affected code sections and identifies the change with strikethroughs and underlines to show modifications to the existing language. Each change is accompanied by a quick summary, detailed illustrations, and a discussion of its significance, which brings the technical jargon of the code to life in a real-world setting.

Significant Changes to the International Building Code, 2021 Edition is available in the ICC Store or through Digital Codes Premium.