Building Code Clarified

Category: Type of Construction

Wall Type 33-0

Wall Types, are confusing to a lot of folks. Hope this video will help clarify. Firewalls are the most stringent wall type. It must stand on its own or you must have two side-by-side so that if there is a fire on either side it will totally fall away on its own without damaging the other adjacent to it.

Then there is, fire partition, firewall and smoke partition and smoke barrier.

Type of Construction 16-0

Type of construction table 601 and NFPA 220 both speak to the types of material you’re allowed to use. Both of these tables and sections relate to other sections of the code that speaks to how big or how tall your allowed to build building. For instance code wise you’re not allowed to build a building out of wood if it’s over a certain amount of square footage. Likewise you not allowed to use would be the building of different heights in concealed spaces i.e. your on allowed to build your Interior partition walls of wood on a high-rise.  This table does not speak to those locations it only gives you the definition of the building types. Table 503 speaks to hide insights that directly relates to take 601.