In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about suite boundary.
Q: We have a suite inside of a smoke compartment. We are trying to find out if the dividing wall needs to be the same as the 1-hour smoke compartment barrier.
A: The boundary of a suite has to meet the requirements for corridors in that particular smoke compartment. This means that if the smoke compartment is not fully protected with sprinklers, then the corridor walls must be 30-minute rated, smoke-resistant and extend from the floor to the deck above. If the smoke compartment is fully protected with sprinklers, then the corridor walls only have to be smoke-resistant and extend from the floor to the ceiling, provided the ceiling also resists the passage of smoke.
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