Glazing in fire rated partitions, doors, or sidelights may not exceed how many square inches?

In fire-rated partitions, doors, or sidelights, glazing is subject to specific size limitations to ensure that it does not compromise the fire resistance of the assembly. The correct limit for the area of glazing in these applications is 240 square inches. This standard is established to reduce the risk of fire spread and to maintain the integrity of fire-rated assemblies.

In typical scenarios, larger areas of glazing can allow for greater heat transfer and could potentially result in a failure of the fire-rated barrier during a fire event. Therefore, the 240-square-inch limit is designed to provide an effective balance between natural light, visibility, and the fire protection capabilities of the partition or door assembly.

Understanding these limits is critical for design professionals, as they must ensure compliance with building codes and fire safety regulations when selecting materials for spaces that require fire-rated components.