Code Compliance

Fire Rating Pattern Guide

A legend explaining the different line types used for fire walls, fire barriers, smoke barriers, and fire partitions on architectural plans. Essential for plan review and life safety compliance.

Common Line Patterns

Note: Line patterns vary by firm. Always check the project's symbol legend sheet. These are common conventions per NFPA 170.

Solid Heavy Line
Fire Wall (2-4 Hour)
Long Dash
Fire Barrier (1-2 Hour)
Short Dash / Dotted
Fire Partition (1 Hour)
Dot-Dot-Dash
Smoke Barrier
Dotted
Smoke Partition
Color Highlight (Red/Orange)
Modern CAD Convention

Fire-Rated Assembly Types

Fire Wall

2-4 Hour
Line Pattern
Heavy solid line with 'FW' notation
Required Door Rating
3-hour (for 4-hr wall) or 1.5-hour (for 2-hr wall)
Common Applications
Property line separationsArea separation walls in townhousesOccupancy separations (residential/commercial)

Fire Barrier

1-2 Hour
Line Pattern
Dashed line (long dash) or solid with 'FB' notation
Required Door Rating
1.5-hour (for 2-hr) or 45-min (for 1-hr)
Common Applications
Exit enclosures (stairwells)Exit passagewaysHorizontal exitsShaft enclosures (4+ stories = 2-hr)

Fire Partition

1 Hour
Line Pattern
Short dashed line or dot-dash pattern
Required Door Rating
20-minute
Common Applications
Corridor wallsDwelling unit separationsSleeping unit separationsTenant separations in covered mall buildings

Smoke Barrier

1 Hour
Line Pattern
Dot-dot-dash pattern or 'SB' notation
Required Door Rating
20-minute with smoke and draft control
Common Applications
Healthcare smoke compartmentsUnderground buildingsAtriumsHigh-rise refuge areas

Smoke Partition

No fire rating required
Line Pattern
Dotted line pattern
Required Door Rating
No rating required (tight-fitting)
Common Applications
Sleeping room separation from corridors (I-2)Healthcare patient room separationElevator lobbies

Door & Glass Ratings by Wall Type

Wall RatingDoor RatingGlass Rating
4-Hour Fire Wall3-Hour (A Label)Not permitted or 3-hr rated
2-Hour Fire Wall/Barrier1.5-Hour (B Label)1.5-hour rated max
1.5-Hour Fire Barrier1-Hour (B Label)1-hour rated max
1-Hour Fire Barrier45-Minute (C Label)45-min rated max
1-Hour Fire Partition20-Minute (C Label)20-min rated max
Smoke Barrier20-Minute + S LabelFire-rated with smoke seal

Key Rules to Remember

Stairwell Rule
Exit stairs connecting 4+ stories require 2-hour enclosure. Less than 4 stories = 1-hour.
Opening Protection
Max 25% of fire barrier wall area can be openings. Fire walls = more restrictive.
Damper Requirements
Fire barriers need fire dampers. Smoke barriers need combination fire/smoke dampers.
Continuity
Fire barriers must extend from floor to underside of floor/roof deck above (not just to ceiling).

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Reference based on IBC (International Building Code) and NFPA 170 (Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols). Always verify requirements with your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and check the project symbol legend.