Fire Classifications for Toilet Partitions?

by Mike Clancy, CSI, CDT

Have you ever heard of such a thing? Well, you should have by now because the International Building Code (IBC) 2006 established a fire classification requirement for toilet partitions. The fire classification is to be determined by the ASTM E-84 test, know in layman’s terms as the tunnel test. The International Code Council, responsible for the IBC, decided that toilet partitions should no longer be considered furniture and should now be considered an Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish which require a fire classification.

Fast forward to the IBC 2009 and there was a change in this requirement. The new code requires toilet partitions made from high density polyethylene (HDPE/solid plastic) to pass the NFPA 286 test, known as the corner room test. This is a more stringent test and is a pass/fail test and does not establish a fire classification. All other toilet partition material still needs to have a fire classification based on ASTM E-84.

So the next time you are writing your toilet partition specifications make sure you include these requirements and documentation from the manufacturer that their material meets the current codes.