24 C.F.R. Subpart C—Fire Safety
Title 24 - Housing and Urban Development
Source: 49 FR 32008, Aug. 9, 1984, unless otherwise noted.
The purpose of this subpart is to set forth requirements that will assure reasonable fire safety to the occupants by reducing fire hazards and by providing measures for early detection. The following definitions are applicable to subparts C, H, and I of the Standards: Combustible material: Any material not meeting the definition of limited-combustible or non-combustible material. Flame-spread rating: The measurement of the propagation of flame on the surface of materials or their assemblies as determined by recognized standard tests conducted as required by this subpart. Interior finish: The surface material of walls, fixed or movable partitions, ceilings, columns, and other exposed interior surfaces affixed to the home's structure including any materials such as paint or wallpaper and the substrate to which they are applied. Interior finish does not include: (1) Trim and sealant 2 inches or less in width adjacent to the cooking range and in furnace and water heater spaces provided it is installed in accordance with the requirements of §3280.203(b)(3) or (4), and trim 6 inches or less in width in all other areas; (2) Windows and frames; (3) Single doors and frames and a series of doors and frames not exceeding 5 feet in width; (4) Skylights and frames; (5) Casings around doors, windows, and skylights not exceeding 4 inches in width; (6) Furnishings which are not permanently affixed to the home's structure; (7) Baseboards not exceeding 6 inches in height; (8) Light fixtures, cover plates of electrical receptacle outlets, switches, and other devices; (9) Decorative items attached to walls and partitions (i.e., pictures, decorative objects, etc.) constituting no more than 10% of the aggregate wall surface area in any room or space not more than 32 square feet in surface area, whichever is less; (10) Plastic light diffusers when suspended from a material which meets the interior finish provisions of §3280.203(b); (11) Coverings and surfaces of exposed wood beams; and (12) Decorative items including the following: (i) Non-structural beams not exceeding 6 inches in depth and 6 inches in width and spaced not closer than 4 feet on center; (ii) Non-structural lattice work; (iii) Mating and closure molding; and (iv) Other items not affixed to the home's structure. Limited combustible: A material meeting: (1) The definition contained in Chapter 2 of NFPA 220–1995, Standard on Types of Building Construction; or (2) Noncombustible material: A material meeting the definition contained in Chapter 2 of NFPA 220–1995, Standard on Types of Building Construction. Smoke alarm: An alarm device that is responsive to smoke. Tactile notification appliance: A notification appliance that alerts by the sense of touch or vibration. [58 FR 55004, Oct. 25, 1993, as amended at 67 FR 12817, Mar. 19, 2002; 70 FR 72042, Nov. 30, 2005] (a) Establishment of flame spread rating. The surface flame spread rating of interior-finish material must not exceed the value shown in §3280.203(b) when tested by Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials, ASTM E84–01, 2001, or Standard Method of Test of Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials NFPA 255, 1996, except that the surface flame spread rating of interior-finish materials required by §3280.203(b)(5) and (6) may be determined by using the Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source, ASTM E 162–94. However, the following materials need not be tested to establish their flame spread rating unless a lower rating is required by the standards in this part: (1) Flame-spread rating—76 to 200. (i) .035-inch or thicker high pressure laminated plastic panel countertop; (ii) (iii) Unfinished dimension lumber (1-inch or thicker nominal boards); (iv) (v) Natural gum-varnished or latex- or alkyd-painted: (A) (B) (C) 1-inch or thicker nominal board; (vi) (vii) (2) Flame-spread rating-25 to 200, (i) Painted metal; (ii) Mineral-base acoustic tile; (iii) (iv) Ceramic tile. (The above-listed material applications do not waive the requirements of §3280.203(c) or §3280.204 of this subpart.) (b) Flame-spread rating requirements. (1) The interior finish of all walls, columns, and partitions shall not have a flame spread rating exceeding 200 except as otherwise specified herein. (2) Ceiling interior finish shall not have a flame spread rating exceeding 75. (3) Walls adjacent to or enclosing a furnace or water heater and ceilings above them shall have an interior finish with a flame spread rating not exceeding 25. Sealants and other trim materials 2 inches or less in width used to finish adjacent surfaces within these spaces are exempt from this provision provided that all joints are completely supported by framing members or by materials having a flame spread rating not exceeding 25. (4) Exposed interior finishes adjacent to the cooking range shall have a flame spread rating not exceeding 50, except that backsplashes not exceeding 6 inches in height are exempted. Adjacent surfaces are the exposed vertical surfaces between the range top height and the overhead cabinets and/or ceiling and within 6 horizontal inches of the cooking range. (Refer also to §3280.204(a), Kitchen Cabinet Protection.) Sealants and other trim materials 2 inches or less in width used to finish adjacent surfaces are exempt from this provision provided that all joints are completely supported by a framing member. (5) Kitchen cabinet doors, countertops, backsplashes, exposed bottoms, and end panels shall have a flame spread rating not to exceed 200. Cabinet rails, stiles, mullions, and top strips are exempted. (6) Finish surfaces of plastic bathtubs, shower units, and tub or shower doors shall not exceed a flame spread rating of 200. (c) Fire protective requirements. (1) Materials used to surface the following areas shall be of limited combustible material (e.g., (i) The exposed wall adjacent to the cooking range (see §3280.203(b)(4)); (ii) Exposed bottoms and sides of kitchen cabinets as required by §3280.204; (iii) Interior walls and ceilings enclosing furnace and/or water heater spaces; and (iv) Combustible doors which provide interior or exterior access to furnace and/or water heater spaces. The surface may be interrupted for louvers ventilating the enclosure. However, the louvers shall not be constructed of a material of greater combustibility than the door itself (e.g., plastic louvers on a wooden door). (2) No burner of a surface cooking unit shall be closer than 12 horizontal inches to a window or an exterior door with glazing. [49 FR 32008, Aug. 9, 1984, as amended at 58 FR 55005, Oct. 25, 1993; 70 FR 72042, Nov. 30, 2005] (a) The bottom and sides of combustible kitchen cabinets over cooking ranges to a horizontal distance of 6 inches from the outside edge of the cooking range shall be protected with at least (b) The 3-inch metal eyebrow required by paragraph (a) of this section will project from the front and rear cabinet faces when there is no adjacent surface behind the range, or the (c) The metal hood required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section can be omitted when an oven of equivalent metal protection is installed between the cabinet and the range and all exposed cabinet surfaces are protected as described in paragraph (a) of this section. (d) When a manufactured home is designed for the future installation of a cooking range, the metal hood and cabinet protection required by paragraph (a) of this section and the wall-surfacing protection behind the range required by §3280.203 shall be installed in the factory. (e) Vertical clearance above cooking top. Ranges shall have a vertical clearance above the cooking top of not less than 24 inches to the bottom of combustible cabinets. Carpeting shall not be used in a space or compartment designed to contain only a furnace and/or water heater. Carpeting may be used in other areas where a furnace or water heater is installed, provided that it is not located under the furnace or water heater. (a) General. Fireblocking must comply with the requirements of this section. The integrity of all fireblocking materials must be maintained. (b) Fireblocking materials. Fireblocking must consist of the following materials: (1) Minimum one inch nominal lumber, (2) Other Listed or Approved Materials; (c) Fireblocking locations. (1) Fireblocking must be installed in concealed spaces of stud walls, partitions, and furred spaces at the floor and ceiling levels. Concealed spaces must not communicate between floor levels. Concealed spaces must not communicate between a ceiling level and a concealed roof area, or an attic space. (2) Fireblocking must be installed at the interconnection of a concealed vertical space and a concealed horizontal space that occurs: (i) Between a concealed wall cavity and the ceiling joists above; and (ii) At soffits, drop ceilings, cover ceilings, and similar locations. (3) Fireblocking must be installed around the openings for pipes, vents, and other penetrations in walls, floors, and ceilings of furnace and water heater spaces. Pipes, vents, and other penetrations that cannot be moved freely within their opening are considered to be fireblocked. Materials used to fireblock heat producing vent penetrations must be noncombustible or limited combustible types. [71 FR 72042, Nov. 30, 2005] (a) General. Foam plastic thermal insulating materials shall not be used within the cavity of walls (not including doors) or ceilings or be exposed to the interior of the home unless: (1) The foam plastic insulating material is protected by an interior finish of (2) The foam plastic is used as a sheathing or siding backerboard, and it: (i) Has a flame spread rating of 75 or less and a smoke-developed rating of 450 or less (not including outer covering of sheathing); (ii) Does not exceed (iii) Is separated from the interior of the manufactured home by a minimum of 2 inches of mineral fiber insulation or an equivalent thermal barrier; or (3) The foam plastic insulating material has been previously accepted by the Department for use in wall and/or ceiling cavities of manufactured homes, and it is installed in accordance with any restrictions imposed at the time of that acceptance; or (4) The foam plastic insulating material has been tested as required for its location in wall and/or ceiling cavities in accordance with testing procedures described in the Illinois Institute of Technology Research Institute (IIT) Report, “Development of Mobile Home Fire Test Methods to Judge the Fire-Safe Performance of Foam Plastic Sheathing and Cavity Insulation, IITRI Fire and Safety Research Project J–6461, 1979” or other full-scale fire tests accepted by HUD, and it is installed in a manner consistent with the way the material was installed in the foam plastic test module. The materials must be capable of meeting the following acceptance criteria required for their location: (i) Wall assemblies. The foam plastic system shall demonstrate equivalent or superior performance to the control module as determined by: (A) Time to reach flashover (600 °C in the upper part of the room); (B) Time to reach an oxygen (O2) level of 14% (rate of O2 depletion), a carbon monoxide (CO) level of 1%, a carbon dioxide (CO2) level of 6%, and a smoke level of 0.26 optical density/meter measured at 5 feet high in the doorway; and (C) Rate of change concentration for O2, CO, CO2 and smoke measured 3 inches below the top of the doorway. (ii) Ceiling assemblies. A minimum of three valid tests of the foam plastic system and one valid test of the control module shall be evaluated to determine if the foam plastic system demonstrates equivalent or superior performance to the control module. Individual factors to be evaluated include intensity of cavity fire (temperature-time) and post-test damage. (iii) Post-test damage assessment for wall and ceiling assemblies. The overall performance of each total system shall also be evaluated in determining the acceptability of a particular foam plastic insulating material. (b) All foam plastic thermal insulating materials used in manufactured housing shall have a flame spread rating of 75 or less (not including outer covering or sheathing) and a maximum smoke-developed rating of 450. [49 FR 32008, Aug. 9, 1984, as amended at 70 FR 72043, Nov. 30, 2005] (a) Labeling. Each smoke alarm required under paragraph (b) of this section must conform with the requirements of UL 217, Single and Multiple Station Smoke Alarms, dated January 4, 1999 (incorporated by reference, see §3280.4), or UL 268, Smoke Detectors for Fire Protective Signaling Systems, dated January 4, 1999 (incorporated by reference, see §3280.4), and must bear a label to evidence conformance. (b) Required smoke alarm locations. (1) At least one smoke alarm must be installed in each of the following locations: (i) To protect both the living area and kitchen space. Manufacturers are encouraged to locate the alarm in the living area remote from the kitchen and cooking appliances. A smoke alarm located within 20 feet horizontally of a cooking appliance must incorporate a temporary silencing feature or be of a photoelectric type. (ii) In each room designed for sleeping. (iii) On the ceiling of the upper level near the top or above each stairway, other than a basement stairway, in any multistory home completed in accordance with this part or part 3282 of this chapter. The alarm must be located so that smoke rising in the stairway cannot be prevented from reaching the alarm by an intervening door or obstruction. (2) For each home designed to be placed over a basement, the manufacturer must provide a smoke alarm for the basement and must install at the factory an electrical junction box for the installation of this smoke alarm and for its interconnection to other smoke alarms required by this section. The instructions for installers and information for homeowners required in paragraph (f) of this section must clearly indicate that a smoke alarm should be installed and is to be located on the basement ceiling near the stairway. (3) A smoke alarm required under this section must not be placed in a location that impairs its effectiveness or in any of the following locations: (i) Within 3 feet horizontally from any discharge grille when a home is equipped or designed for future installation of a roof-mounted evaporative cooler or other equipment discharging conditioned air through a ceiling grille into the living space; and (ii) In any location or environment that is prohibited by the terms of its listing, except as permitted by this section. (c) Mounting requirements. (1) Except in rooms with peaked sloping or shed sloping ceilings with a slope of more than 1.5/12 or as permitted pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section, smoke alarms must be mounted either: (i) On the ceiling at least 4 inches from each wall; or (ii) On a wall with the top of the alarm not less than 4 inches below the ceiling, and not farther from the ceiling than 12 inches or the distance from the ceiling specified in the smoke alarm manufacturer's listing and instructions, whichever is less. (2) Except as permitted pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section, in rooms with peaked sloping ceilings with a slope of more than 1.5/12, smoke alarms must be mounted on the ceiling within 3 feet, measured horizontally, from the peak of the ceiling; at least 4 inches, measured vertically, below the peak of the ceiling; and at least 4 inches from any projecting structural element. (3) Except as permitted pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section, in rooms with shed sloping ceilings with a slope of more than 1.5/12, smoke alarms must be mounted on the ceiling within 3 feet, measured horizontally, of the high side of the ceiling, and not closer than 4 inches from any adjoining wall surface and from any projecting structural element. (d) Connection to power source. (1) Each smoke alarm must be powered from: (i) The electrical system of the home as the primary power source and a battery as a secondary power source; or (ii) A battery rated for a 10-year life, provided the smoke alarm is listed for use with a 10-year battery. (2) Each smoke alarm whose primary power source is the home electrical system must be mounted on an electrical outlet box and connected by a permanent wiring method to a general electrical circuit. More than one smoke alarm is permitted to be placed on the same electrical circuit. The wiring circuit for the alarm must not include any switches between the over-current protective device and the alarm, and must not be protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter. (3) Smoke alarms required under this section must be interconnected such that the activation of any one smoke alarm causes the alarm to be triggered in all required smoke alarms in the home. (e) Visible and tactile notification appliances. (1) In addition to the smoke alarms required pursuant to this section, the manufacturer must provide visible and listed tactile notification appliances if these appliances are ordered by the purchaser or retailer before the home enters the first stage of production. These appliances are required to operate from the primary power source, but are not required to operate from a secondary power source. (2) A visible notification appliance in a room designed for sleeping must have a minimum rating of 177 candela, except that when the visible notification appliance is wall-mounted or suspended more than 24 inches below the ceiling, a minimum rating of 110 candela is permitted. (3) A visible notification appliance in an area other than a room designed for sleeping must have a minimum rating of 15 candela. (f) Testing and maintenance. (1) Each required smoke alarm installed at the factory must be operationally tested, after conducting the dielectric test specified in §3280.810(a), in accordance with the alarm manufacturer's instructions. A smoke alarm that does not function as designed during the test and is not fixed so that it functions properly in the next retest must be replaced. Any replacement smoke alarm must be successfully tested in accordance with this paragraph. (2) Home manufacturers must provide specific written instructions for installers on how to inspect and test the operation of smoke alarms during installation of the home. These instructions must indicate that any smoke alarm that does not meet the inspection or testing requirements needs to be replaced and retested. (3) Home manufacturers must provide the homeowner with the alarm manufacturer's information describing the operation, method and frequency of testing, and proper maintenance of the smoke alarm. This information must be provided in same manner and location as the consumer manual required by §3282.207 of this chapter, but does not have to be incorporated into the consumer manual. No dealer, distributor, construction contractor, or other person shall interfere with the distribution of this information [67 FR 12817, Mar. 19, 2002, as amended at 67 FR 49795, July 31, 2002] All fire testing conducted in accordance with this subpart shall be performed by nationally recognized testing laboratories which have expertise in fire technology. In case of dispute, the Secretary shall determine if a particular agency is qualified to perform such fire tests. [49 FR 32011, Aug. 9, 1984]
Title 24: Housing and Urban Development
PART 3280—MANUFACTURED HOME CONSTRUCTION AND SAFETY STANDARDS
Subpart C—Fire Safety
§ 3280.201 Scope.
§ 3280.202 Definitions.
§ 3280.203 Flame spread limitations and fire protection requirements.
§ 3280.204 Kitchen cabinet protection.
§ 3280.205 Carpeting.
§ 3280.206 Fireblocking.
§ 3280.207 Requirements for foam plastic thermal insulating materials.
§ 3280.208 Smoke alarm requirements.
§ 3280.209 Fire testing.
