Section 804.2.6 Fire wall alternative, added.
El Paso City Code § 18.28.180
in effect18.28.180 - Section 804.2.6 Fire wall alternative, added.
International Existing Building Code, 2021 Edition, Section 804.2.6 Fire wall alternative, is hereby added to read as follows:
804.2.6 Fire wall alternative. In other than Groups H, F-1 and S-1, fire barriers and horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with the International Building Code shall be permitted to be used in lieu of fire walls to subdivide the building into separate buildings for the purpose of complying with the area limitations required for the new occupancy where all of the following conditions are met:
1. The buildings are protected throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with the International Fire Code.
2. The maximum allowable area between fire barriers, horizontal assemblies, or any combination thereof shall not exceed the maximum allowable area determined in accordance with Chapter 5 of the International Building Code without an increase allowed for an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 506 of the International Building Code.
3. The fire-resistance rating of the fire barriers and horizontal assemblies shall not be less than that specified for fire walls in Table 706.4 of the International Building Code.
Exception: Where horizontal assemblies are used to limit the maximum allowable area, the required fire resistance rating of the horizontal assemblies shall be permitted to be reduced by 1 hour provided the height and number of stories increases allowed for an automatic sprinkler system by Section 504.2 of the International Building Code are not used for the buildings.
(Ord. No. 019528, § 1, 8-1-2023)
Source: City of El Paso, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/el_paso/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT18BUCO_CH18.28EXBUCO_18.28.180SE804.2.6FIWAALADFetched: 10/28/2026