705.11 Parapets.
BC § 705.11
Parapets shall be provided on exterior walls of buildings. Exceptions: A parapet need not be provided on an exterior wall where any of the following conditions exist: 1. The wall is not required to be fire-resistance rated in accordance with Table 602 because of fire separation distance.
2.The building has an area of not more than 1,000 square feet (92.9 m 2 ) on any floor.
3.Walls that terminate at roofs of not less than 2-hour fire-resistance-rated construction.
4.One-hour fire-resistance-rated exterior walls that terminate at the underside of the roof sheathing, deck or slab, provided that the entire building is covered with a Class A roof covering. Such roof shall not have openings located within 10 feet (3048 mm) of the 1-hour fire-resistance-rated exterior wall and not within 5 feet (1524 mm) for Groups R and U. 4.1. Where the roof/ceiling framing elements are parallel to the walls, such framing and elements supporting such framing shall not be of less than 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction for a width of 4 feet (1220 mm) for Groups R and U and 10 feet (3048 mm) for other occupancies, measured from the interior side of the wall. 4.2. Where roof/ceiling framing elements are not parallel to the wall, the entire span of such framing and elements supporting such framing shall not be of less than 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction.
5.In occupancies of Groups R-2 and R-3, where both are provided with a Class A or B roof covering, the exterior wall shall be permitted to terminate at the underside of the roof sheathing or deck in Type III, IV and V construction, provided one or both of the following criteria is met: 5.1. The roof sheathing or deck is constructed of approved noncombustible materials or of fire-retardant-treated wood, for a distance of 4 feet (1220 mm) from the perimeter; or 5.2. The roof is protected with 0.625-inch (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum board directly beneath the underside of the roof sheathing or deck, supported by not less than nominal 2-inch (50.8 mm) ledgers attached to the sides of the roof framing members for a minimum distance of 4 feet (1220 mm).
6.Where the wall is permitted to have not less than 25 percent of the exterior wall areas containing unprotected openings based on fire separation distance as determined in accordance with Section 705.8.
