Valid through September 2001

FM Global
Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets 1-19
June 1991
Revised January 2000
Page 1 of 8

FIRE WALLS, SUBDIVISIONS AND DRAFT CURTAINS

Table of Contents
Page

1.0 SCOPE ................................................................................................................................................... 2

1.1 Changes .......................................................................................................................................... 2
2.0 LOSS PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................................................................... 2
2.1 Draft Curtains ................................................................................................................................... 2
2.1.1 Construction and Location .................................................................................................... 2
2.1.2 Occupancy ............................................................................................................................. 3
2.2 Fire Walls ......................................................................................................................................... 3
2.2.1 Construction and Location .................................................................................................... 3
2.2.2 Occupancy ............................................................................................................................. 4
2.3 Floor Assemblies ............................................................................................................................. 4
2.3.1 Construction and Location .................................................................................................... 4
3.0 SUPPORT FOR RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................... 5
3.1 Comments ........................................................................................................................................ 5
3.1.1 General .................................................................................................................................. 5
3.1.2 Fire Resistance ...................................................................................................................... 5
3.1.3 MFL vs. Non-MFL Fire Walls ................................................................................................. 5
3.1.4 Factory Mutual Research Recommended Fire Walls vs. Building Code Fire Walls ............ 6
3.1.5 Openings and Penetrations ................................................................................................... 6
3.1.6 Depth of Draft Curtains ......................................................................................................... 6
4.0 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................... 8
APPENDIX A GLOSSARY OF TERMS ........................................................................................................ 8
APPENDIX B DOCUMENT REVISION HISTORY ........................................................................................ 8

List of Figures
Fig. 1. Clearance area of fire doors. .............................................................................................................. 4
Example 1. ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
Example 2. ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
Example 3. ...................................................................................................................................................... 7

©1991 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of Factory Mutual Insurance Company.
 Valid through September 2001

1-19 Fire Walls, Subdivisions and Draft Curtains

Page 2 FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

1.0 SCOPE
This data sheet describes the function of and provides guidelines for the construction and use of fire walls, par-
titions, draft curtains (curtain boards) and floor assemblies recommended in other Factory Mutual Research
Corporation (FMRC) data sheets. It briefly describes walls required by building codes and walls for the sepa-
ration of occupancies.
This standard does not discuss Maximum Foreseeable Loss (MFL) fire walls (Data Sheet 1-22, Criteria for
Maximum Foreseeable Loss Fire Walls and Space Separation), curbs and drains for control of liquid flows
(Data Sheet 1-24, Protection Against Liquid Damage), pressure-resistant walls in damage limiting construc-
tion (Data Sheet 1-44, Damage-Limiting Construction), or fire resistance determination (Data Sheet 1-21, Fire-
Resistance of Building Assemblies).
For the purpose of this data sheet, the term draft curtain is synonymous with the term curtain board used
in many building codes.

1.1 Changes
January 2000. This revision of the document has been reorganized to provide a consistent format.

2.0 LOSS PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS

2.1 Draft Curtains

2.1.1 Construction and Location

2.1.1.1 In buildings of noncombustible construction, draft curtains should be of noncombustible materials
that resist the passage of smoke.
2.1.1.2 In buildings of combustible construction where automatic sprinkler protection has been provided, com-
bustible materials such as plywood may be used in draft curtains. In a combustible building where sprin-
kler protection has not been provided, draft curtains should be of noncombustible construction.
2.1.1.3 Steel sheeting that is thinner than 26 gauge (0.0179 in., 0.455 mm), aluminum, fiberglass rein-
forced plastic (FRP) or other plastic materials should not be used as draft curtains in sprinklered or unsprin-
klered buildings.
2.1.1.4 The draft curtain should be as deep as practical. Generally, the minimum depth of the draft curtain
(dmin measured down from Hmax) should be the greater of:
a. dmin = Hmax/8
or,
b. dmin = 4 ft (1.2 m)
and
The draft curtain should extend at least 1 ft (0.3 m) below Hmin.
Where: dmin = minimum depth of the draft curtain measured down from Hmax. (ft, m)
Hmax = maximum roof height above the finished floor (ft, m)
Hmin = minimum roof height above the finished floor (ft, m)
2.1.1.5 The curtain should fit tightly against the underside of the roof. Mineral wool, ceramic fiber or an
FMRC-Approved fire stop material should be used in steel deck flutes or other gaps to seal all openings or
penetrations above or through the curtain.
2.1.1.6 The bottom edge of the draft curtain should be a constant height above the finished floor (parallel
with the floor).

©1991 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

 Valid through September 2001

Fire Walls, Subdivisions and Draft Curtains 1-19

FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets Page 3

2.1.2 Occupancy
2.1.2.1 A draft curtain should be installed between areas protected by ESFR sprinklers and areas protected
by other types of sprinklers. The draft curtain should be of noncombustible construction.
2.1.2.2 Where hazardous equipment, such as flammable liquid dip tanks and drain boards, should be sepa-
rated from other combustible occupancies (i.e., ovens and dryers) and it is not practical to provide a one-
hour fire-rated partition, partial enclosure can be provided by a draft curtain. It may also be necessary to
provide curbs and drainage.

2.2 Fire Walls

2.2.1 Construction and Location

2.2.1.1 The hourly rating of recommended fire walls should be in accordance with either the FMRC Speci-
fication Tested Products Guide, Data Sheet 1-21, Fire Resistance, or tests conducted by a recognized inde-
pendent laboratory in accordance with ASTM Specification E 119 (NFPA 251).
2.2.1.2 Building codes may require certain fire resistances in specific circumstances. Where these resis-
tances differ from that recommended by FMRC data sheets, use the higher rating.
2.2.1.3 Fire walls should be stable for the entire time that they are expected to endure the fire exposure
(the wall’s hourly fire resistance rating). This stability is dependent upon the structural frame that supports
the wall (if applicable). If the frame is to be exposed to the fire, then either a fire-resistive frame (e.g., con-
crete, protected steel) or a steel frame protected by automatic sprinkler protection should be used. In cer-
tain high-hazard occupancies, additional sprinklers (in conjunction with the ceiling sprinklers) may be needed
to protect the steel frame (see Data Sheets 8-9, Storage of Class 1, 2, 3, 4 and Plastic Commodities, and
Data Sheet 8-24, Idle Pallet Storage. If a fire-resistive frame is used, its hourly rating should be equal to, or
higher than, that of the wall.
2.2.1.4 Penetrations in fire walls should not reduce the integrity of the wall as a heat and smoke barrier. All
pipe and conduit penetrations should have a steel sleeve and then be sealed with an FMRC-Approved wall
and floor penetration fire stop with an equal or greater hourly rating than the wall. Penetrations for cable trays,
ducts and cable not in conduit do not need to be sleeved; however, these penetrations do need to be sealed
as noted above.
2.2.1.5 Ducts (including pneumatic conveyors) preferably should not penetrate fire partitions. When it is not
practical to reroute ductwork, protect the ducts in accordance with Data Sheets 1-22, Criteria For Maxi-
mum Foreseeable Loss Firewalls and Space Separation, 1-23, Protection of Openings in Fire Subdivisions,
1-45, Air Conditioning and Ventilating Systems, and 7-78, Industrial Exhaust Systems, as applicable.
2.2.1.6 Openings in fire walls should be protected in accordance with Data Sheet 1-23, Protection of Open-
ings in Fire Subdivisions. If openings are to be protected with fire doors, only FMRC-Approved and labeled
fire doors should be installed on new fire walls or as replacements on existing walls (when the existing door
is not working and cannot be repaired).
2.2.1.7 Walls for exposure protection should be tied to the building frame. Allowable penetrations and pro-
tection of openings vary with many parameters such as the importance of the wall, occupancy being protected,
etc. Exposure walls, their openings and penetrations should be designed according to Data Sheet 1-20, Pro-
tection Against Fire Exposure, and governing codes.
2.2.1.8 The use of windows in a fire subdivision should be avoided whenever practical. When windows are
considered necessary, ensure they have a fire rating consistent with the rating of the subdivision. Listed wired
glass with a minimum thickness of 1⁄4 in. (6.4 mm) or other listed fire-rated glass should be used. Indi-
vidual units should not exceed a maximum area of 1,296 sq in. (0.84 sq m) and a maximum dimension of
54 in. (1.4 m). An Approved or listed frame should be used. The maximum glass area per unit wall area should
not exceed the limits of the listing.
When plain glass is used or the windows do not have a fire rating consistent with the subdivision, an auto-
matic closing fire door or shutter of suitable fire rating (Data Sheet 1-23, Protection of Openings) should
be installed to protect the window.

©1991 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

 Valid through September 2001

1-19 Fire Walls, Subdivisions and Draft Curtains

Page 4 FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

2.2.1.9 Unless the window has been tested by a recognized independent laboratory and has been shown
to be an insulating window, the same clear space (free of combustibles) as recommended for fire doors should
be maintained adjacent to the window. (See Fig. 1.)

Fig. 1. Clearance area of fire doors.

2.2.2 Occupancy
2.2.2.1 When using fire walls to separate occupancies such as rooms containing flammable liquids; curbs,
ramps and/or drainage trenches should be provided at openings in the wall. Fire doors or water spray will nor-
mally not prevent the spread of flammable liquids or other flowing material through an opening in a fire wall.
(See Data Sheets 1-24, Protection Against Liquid Damage, or 7-32, Flammable Liquid Operations, 7-83,
Drainage Systems for Flammable Liquids.)

2.3 Floor Assemblies

2.3.1 Construction and Location

2.3.1.1 When floors are used for fire subdivision, they should have an hourly rating as recommended by
the specific standard and in accordance with Data Sheet 1-21, Fire Resistance of Building Assemblies or
tests conducted by a recognized independent laboratory according to ASTM Specification E 119.
2.3.1.2 Openings or penetrations in floors, such as utility and service openings (e.g., pipe chases) which
are impractical to protect with fire shutters or dampers, should be filled with an FMRC-Approved floor pen-
etration fire stop with a fire rating comparable with the floor.
2.3.1.3 Floors are sometimes used to subdivide buildings into different fire areas or to segregate hazard-
ous storages or processes. Floors used to provide compartmentation should have a minimum one-hour fire
rating. Floors used to provide fire subdivision should have a minimum two-hour fire rating. Additional infor-
mation can be found in Data Sheet 1-3, High-Rise Buildings.

©1991 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

 Valid through September 2001

Fire Walls, Subdivisions and Draft Curtains 1-19

FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets Page 5

3.0 SUPPORT FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

3.1 Comments

3.1.1 General
Fire walls and partitions, other than MFL fire walls, are generally recommended as protection from either
internal or external exposures. As such, they help limit fire spread, control the number of sprinklers that will
open, and reduce smoke damage. Draft curtains (sometimes referred to as fire curtains or curtain boards)
may serve the last two purposes. Specific standards indicate where draft curtains are acceptable.
The terms ‘‘ fire wall’’ and ‘‘ fire partition’’ are interchangeable for the purpose of this standard. The term ‘‘
fire partition’’ is sometimes used for barriers with two hours’ resistance or less, and ‘‘ fire wall’’ is used for bar-
riers with more than two hours’ resistance. The practice is not universal, and an hourly rating should be
attached to either term (e.g., a ‘‘ one-hour fire partition’’ or a ‘‘ one-hour fire wall’’). For the sake of this stan-
dard, the term ‘‘ fire wall’’ will be used.
Fire walls are used to subdivide areas of high value, separate different occupancies or isolate hazardous pro-
cesses and storages. Fire walls provide an important element of fire protection. They help to restrict the flow
of heat and smoke from the area of fire origin. This containment helps limit sprinkler operation, thus pre-
venting the depletion of the water supply, limits smoke and water damage, and provides manual fire fight-
ing efforts a barrier from which to control the fire spread.

3.1.2 Fire Resistance

In areas with automatic sprinkler protection, the appropriate fire resistance depends on the type of expo-
sure. In areas where a barrier is used to temporarily halt a flash fire until automatic sprinkler protection has
gained control (e.g., lint in textile mills or dust in sawmills), noncombustible sheathing or tight wood sheath-
ing on wood studs may be satisfactory. If the partition is intended to contain a high-challenge fire that would
produce high temperatures (e.g., flammable liquid spill), greater fire resistance is needed. A one-hour fire-
rated barrier should be provided unless the specific data sheet recommends a higher rating.
Draft curtains can be made of materials such as cement plaster on metal lath, gypsum board (drywall), sheet
metal, corrugated steel and cementitious board. Plywood and other combustible materials may be used in
accordance with 2.1.1.2.
Data Sheet 1-21, Fire Resistance of Building Assemblies, provides guidelines to estimate the fire resis-
tance of existing building assemblies and general design information for new construction.
Masonry walls are often provided to separate manufacturing areas from storage areas. Such walls gener-
ally have sufficient fire resistance to function as acceptable separation. However, openings and penetra-
tions may need protection.

3.1.3 MFL vs. Non-MFL Fire Walls

A Maximum Foreseeable Loss (MFL) fire wall is designed to stop the spread of an uncontrolled fire when
there is an impairment to that property’s fire protection equipment and manual fire fighting is limited or delayed.
In order to do this, the wall must be designed with certain stability parameters as well as fire resistance,
and must confine an uncontrolled fire to the side of origin.
The MFL scenario assumes that the control of the fire depends primarily on a physical barrier (e.g., MFL
fire walls or lack of continuity of combustibles).
Non-MFL fire walls are used to control fires in conjunction with the location’s fire protection equipment, the
Emergency Organization and the fire department response. The physical barrier of the wall itself is not
intended to stop the spread of the fire unassisted.
One major difference between criteria for MFL fire walls and non-MFL fire walls is stability. The design of
an MFL fire wall must also consider the effects from the collapse of the structure on the exposed side. Addi-
tional safeguards and a greater degree of reliability are needed for an MFL fire wall. This data sheet applies
only to non-MFL fire walls.

©1991 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

 Valid through September 2001

1-19 Fire Walls, Subdivisions and Draft Curtains

Page 6 FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

3.1.4 Factory Mutual Research Recommended Fire Walls vs. Building Code Fire Walls
Building codes sometimes require fire walls and partitions depending on the construction, occupancy and
exposure. A given wall or partition that satisfies the building code may also satisfy FMRC data sheets.
Any wall in question should be inspected to determine its components and should be evaluated using Data
Sheet 1-21, Fire Resistance of Building Assemblies.
Tests have shown that wired glass cracks and deteriorates enough in tests lasting one hour or more to allow
significant amounts of heat and smoke to breech the fire wall. The heat radiating from, or through cracks
in, exposed uninsulated windows could ignite combustibles on the unexposed side of the wall.
Other proprietary systems have passed fire tests for ratings up to 11⁄2 hours.

3.1.5 Openings and Penetrations

Openings in fire walls refer to breaks in the wall where objects, personnel, vehicles or materials pass through
the wall via an open system. Openings present the biggest threat to the integrity of fire walls. A fire wall is
only as reliable as the protection of its openings. The fewer the openings in a wall, the greater its reliability.
In general, openings are usually protected using fire doors, door packs, water spray or fire dampers. Fire
doors, door packs and fire dampers should have an hourly fire rating suitable for the rating of the fire wall (see
Data Sheet 1-23, Protection of Openings in Fire Subdivisions). Fire doors should be FMRC-Approved and
labeled.
Penetrations in fire walls or draft curtains consist of materials and/or equipment passing through the barrier
usually involving a closed system. Penetrations are generally smaller than openings, and the space around
the penetration must be sealed with an insulating (fire-stopping) material, and/or be completely cut off via a
damper in order to prevent the passage of water, smoke, heat and fire. Penetrations include, but are not lim-
ited to, electrical conduit, duct work, cable trays, sprinkler piping, mill-use water piping and steam pipes.
Like openings, the fewer the penetrations in a fire wall, the greater the reliability.

3.1.6 Depth of Draft Curtains

Recommendation 2.1.1.4 gives general guidelines outlining the minimum recommended depth of draft
curtains. The following examples utilizes the three criteria (Hmax/8, dmin = 4 ft [1.2 m], Hmin+1 ft [0.3 m]) in
2.1.1.4 to determine the minimum depth of the draft curtain for three roof types.
Example No. 1
The building is 100-ft (30 m) wide with a roof slope of 1 in. per foot (83 mm per m). The eave height is 20
ft (6 m) and the peak height is 24.2 ft (7 m).

Example 1.

Solution:
In this case, Hmax = 24.2 ft (7 m) and Hmax/8 = 3 ft (0.9 m). However, the draft curtain should extend at least
1 ft (0.3 m) below Hmin which is 20 ft (6 m). Therefore, the minimum depth of the draft curtain (dmin) should
be 5.2 ft (1.6 m) as measured down from the peak (Hmax).

©1991 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

 Valid through September 2001

Fire Walls, Subdivisions and Draft Curtains 1-19

FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets Page 7

Example No. 2
The building is 100-ft (30 m) wide with a roof slope of 1⁄4 in. per foot (20.8 mm per m) from one eave to the
other. The higher eave is 22 ft (6.7 m) and the lower eave is 20 ft (6 m).

Example 2.

Solution:
In this example, Hmax = 22 ft (6.7 m) and Hmax/8 = 2.75 ft (0.8 m). If the draft curtain were to extend only
to 1 ft (0.3 m) below the Hmin, it would only be 3-ft (0.9 m) deep (measured down from Hmax). This is less than
the minimum 4-ft (1.2 m) depth. Therefore, dmin should be 4 ft (1.2 m) measured down from the higher eave
(Hmax).
Example No. 3
This airplane hangar has a curved roof with a maximum height of 64 ft (20 m). The hangar is 200-ft (60 m)
wide and has an eave height of 54 ft (16 m).

Example 3.

Solution:
In this example, Hmax = 64 ft (20 m) Hmax/8 = 8 ft (2.4 m). If the curtain extended 1 ft (0.3 m) below the eave
(Hmin), it would be 11-ft (3.3 m) deep at the maximum. Since Hmax/8 exceeds 4 ft (1.2 m) but not 11 ft (3.3
m), dmin = Hmin +1 ft (0.3 m) = 11 ft (3.3 m).

©1991 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

 Valid through September 2001

1-19 Fire Walls, Subdivisions and Draft Curtains

Page 8 FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

4.0 REFERENCES
For more information, please refer to the following data sheets as cited in the text.
Data Sheet 1-19, Fire Walls, Subdivisions and Draft Curtains
Data Sheet 1-21, Fire Resistance of Building Assemblies
Data Sheet 1-22, Criteria for Maximum Foreseeable Loss Fire Walls and Space Separation
Data Sheet 1-23, Protection of Openings in Fire Subdivisions
Data Sheet 1-24, Protection Against Liquid Damage
Data Sheet 1-44, Damage-Limiting construction
Data Sheet 1-45, Air Conditioning and Ventilating Systems
Data Sheet 3-26, Fire Protection Water Demand for Nonstorage Sprinklered Properties
Data Sheet 7-32, Flammable Liquid Operations
Data Sheet 7-78, Industrial Exhaust Systems
Data Sheet 8-9, Storage of Class 1, 2, 3, 4 and Plastic Commodities
Data Sheet 8-24, Idle Pallet Storage

APPENDIX A GLOSSARY OF TERMS

A glossary of terms for this document is not available at this time.

APPENDIX B DOCUMENT REVISION HISTORY

May 1998, Reformatted
June 1991, Last major revision

©1991 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.