In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about fire-rated barriers vs. smoke compartment barriers.
Q: Are doors in fire-rated barriers also required to be listed and installed as smoke compartment barriers?
A: Fire-rated barriers are not necessarily smoke compartment barriers. They are two distinctly different barriers with different purposes. Now, if an organization wanted to combine the two purposes into one barrier, then that is acceptable as long as you meet the most restrictive requirements of each type of barrier. A fire-rated barrier requires fire-rated opening protectives (i.e., doors and windows). Fire-rated door assemblies are required to have fire-rated doors and frames, self-closing devices, and positive latching. A fire-rated barrier that is rated at two hours or greater must have fire dampers in any HVAC ductwork that penetrates that barrier.
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