Section 716.1/Opening Protectives (Fire Doors and Windows)
IBC 716 covers fire-rated door and window assemblies required in fire-resistance-rated walls and barriers.
Openings in fire-resistance-rated walls must be protected by fire-rated assemblies (fire doors, fire windows, fire shutters) with ratings based on the wall type. Fire doors in 2-hour fire walls require a 1.5-hour rating. Fire doors in 1-hour fire barriers require a 0.75-hour rating (45 minutes). Fire doors in 1-hour corridors require a 20-minute rating. Fire doors must be self-closing or automatic-closing, and must be labeled by an approved testing agency. The total area of openings in fire barriers is limited to 25% of the wall area.
Why this section exists
A fire-rated wall is only as effective as its weakest point. An unrated door in a 2-hour fire wall allows fire to breach the wall in minutes instead of 2 hours. Fire doors are tested to withstand fire exposure on one side for their rated duration while remaining closed and maintaining the integrity of the opening. Self-closing hardware ensures the door returns to the closed position after each use, maintaining the fire barrier at all times.
What plan reviewers look for
Plan reviewers check the door schedule for fire-protection ratings on every door in a fire-rated wall. They verify that the door rating matches Table 716.1(2) for the wall type (fire wall, fire barrier, fire partition, corridor). They check for self-closing or automatic- closing hardware. They verify that fire-rated doors are labeled and include the correct hardware (no door stops, latching hardware required).
Common violations
Related IBC requirements
Table 716.1(2) provides the required fire-protection ratings by wall type. Section 706 covers fire walls. Section 707 covers fire barriers. Section 1020 covers corridor wall ratings. Section 716.2 covers the installation requirements for fire door assemblies.