[MassHistPres] Fire Rating

[George Shaw]

The local building official does have the stated  authority to exceed the
basic requirements of the appropriate codes, subject to appeal to the
Commonwealth.
I believe there is some confusion about fire ratings. A rating is
established by testing an assembly in it's entirity, not individual parts
of that assembly.  Indeed, Hardiplank mentions this in it's product
literature
"While JamesHardie® products will not ignite when exposed to direct flame
or contribute fuel to a fire, heat will transfer through them. Because of
this, the product itself is not 1-hour fire rated. However, they do qualify
for use in certain 1-hour fire rated Warnock Hersey and UL assemblies
<https://www.jameshardie.com/Product-Support/Resource-Center/Technical-Documents/Fire-Prevention-Technical-Information>.
Think of JH products as a pan used for cooking. The pan can be directly
exposed to a stove's flame and not burn, yet the food in the pan will cook
in time. Having an interior wallboard that resists burning for 1-hour buys
time for the homeowner and fire professionals."
George Shaw
Harmony Woodworking  (retired)

On Wed, Jan 19, 2022, 4:21 PM Garrett Laws <copperandslate at gmail.com> wrote:

> Yes, the building inspector has some latitude and is charged with making
> sure buildings are built safely as do a few other departments in the city /
> town.
>
> I’ve only seen (exterior residentially) the "fireproof" materials
> requirement applied to new structures that are basically on the lot line.
> In my line of work we replace a lot of materials with a "like for like"
> approach. I've never heard of an inspector overriding historic commissions
> etc to force a material change.
>
>
> On Tuesday, January 18, 2022, Ralph Slate <slater at alum.rpi.edu> wrote:
>
>> Is there a building code requirement in Massachusetts to prohibit wooden
>> siding under certain circumstances? If not, then is it permissible for a
>> local building commissioner to enact such a prohibition?
>>
>> Ralph Slate
>> Springfield, MA
>>
>> On 1/18/2022 3:42 PM, Michael J Tubin wrote:
>>
>> We have been receiving more applicants that are being told by our new
>> Building Commissioner he must consider fire rating when approving siding
>> materials, based on his interpretation of MGL Chapter 40c section below.
>>
>>
>>
>> Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the ordinary
>> maintenance, repair or replacement of any exterior architectural feature
>> within an historic district which does not involve a change in design,
>> material, color or the outward appearance thereof, nor to prevent
>> landscaping with plants, trees or shrubs, nor construed to prevent the
>> meeting of requirements certified by a duly authorized public officer to be
>> necessary for public safety because of an unsafe or dangerous condition,
>> nor construed to prevent any construction or alteration under a permit duly
>> issued prior to the effective date of the applicable historic district
>> ordinance or by-law.
>>
>>
>>
>> Decision is based on setbacks and proximity to other properties, we are
>> being required to allow property owners to use Hardi Plank cement siding.
>> This is very frustrating when trying to keep historic materials on
>> buildings. We are trying to push a compromise that will allow public view
>> façades to be original materials and non-public view façades to be
>> non-historic fire rated materials. Has anyone else run into this situation?
>> Any materials other than Hardi Plank that would meet fire safety
>> requirements?
>>
>>
>>
>> Michael Tubin
>>
>> Plymouth
>>
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