705.8 Openings.
BC § 705.8
Openings in exterior walls shall comply with Sections 705.8.1 through 705.8.6. Table 705.8Maximum Area of Exterior Wall Openings Based on Fire Separation Distance and Degree of Opening Protection m Fire Separation Distance (feet)Degree of Opening ProtectionAllowable Area a 0 to less than 3 b, cUnprotected, Nonsprinklered (UP, NS)Not PermittedUnprotected, Sprinklered (UP, S) iNot PermittedProtected (P)Not Permitted j, k3 to less than 5 d, eUnprotected, Nonsprinklered (UP, NS)Not PermittedUnprotected, Sprinklered (UP, S) i15%Protected (P)15% l5 to less than 10 e, f, nUnprotected, Nonsprinklered (UP, NS)10% hUnprotected, Sprinklered (UP, S) i25%Protected (P)25% l10 to less than 15 e, f, g, nUnprotected, Nonsprinklered (UP, NS)15% hUnprotected, Sprinklered (UP, S) i45%Protected (P)45% l15 to less than 20 f, g, nUnprotected, Nonsprinklered (UP, NS)25%Unprotected, Sprinklered (UP, S) i75%Protected (P)75% l20 to less than 25 f, g, nUnprotected, Nonsprinklered (UP, NS)45%Unprotected, Sprinklered (UP, S) iNo LimitProtected (P)No Limit l25 to less than 30 f, g, nUnprotected, Nonsprinklered (UP, NS)70%Unprotected, Sprinklered (UP, S) iNo LimitProtected (P)No Limit30 or greaterUnprotected, Nonsprinklered (UP, NS)No LimitUnprotected, Sprinklered (UP, S) iNo LimitProtected (P)No Limit For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm. UP, NS = Unprotected openings in buildings not equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. UP, S = Unprotected openings in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. P = Openings protected with an opening protective assembly in accordance with Section 705.8.2. a. Values indicated are the percentage of the area of the exterior wall, per story. b. For the requirements for fire walls of buildings with differing heights, see Section 706.6. c. For openings in a fire wall for buildings on the same tax lot, see Section 706.8. d. The maximum percentage of unprotected and protected openings shall be 25 percent for Group R-3 occupancies. e. Unprotected openings shall not be permitted for openings with a fire separation distance of less than 15 feet for Group H-2 and H-3 occupancies. f. The area of unprotected and protected openings for Group R-3 occupancies shall have no limit, if provided with a fire separation distance of 5 feet or greater. g. The area of openings in an open parking structure with a fire separation distance of 10 feet or greater shall have no limit. h. Includes buildings accessory to Group R-3. i. Not applicable to Group H-1, H-2 and H-3 occupancies. j. Protected openings through a wall or walls between buildings shall comply with Section 705.8. k. Protected openings within a fire separation distance of 3 feet or less are permitted for Occupancy Groups R-2 and R-3 provided such openings do not exceed 10 percent of the area of the facade of the story in which they are located. These openings shall not be credited towards meeting any mandatory natural light or ventilation requirements unless they also comply with applicable provisions of Chapter 12 and the zoning resolution. l. In Group R-2 and R-3 occupancies with an exterior separation distance greater than 3 feet, openings shall be in accordance with percentages indicated as "Protected Classification of Opening" in Table 705.8. However, such openings shall not be required to be protected. m. Upon special application, the commissioner may permit exterior wall openings to be constructed in excess of the permitted area established by Table 705.8 provided that such openings are protected and provided that at the time of their construction they are located at least 60 feet in a direct line, measured at any angle, including vertically and horizontally, from any neighboring building, unless otherwise permitted by Section 705.3 for buildings on the same tax lot. The construction type of the neighboring building shall not be factored into the measurement of the distance between the openings and adjoining building. If any neighboring building is later altered or constructed to come within the above distance limitation, the affected exterior openings shall immediately be closed with construction meeting the fire-resistance rating requirements for exterior wall construction of the building in which they are located. Such additional openings shall not be credited toward meeting any of the mandatory natural light or ventilation requirements unless they also comply with applicable provisions of the New York City Zoning Resolution and Chapter 12 of this code. n. The area of openings in a building containing only a Group U occupancy private garage or carport, with a fire separation distance of 5 feet (1524 mm) or greater, shall have no limit.
