Section 1204. Enclosure of Vertical Openings. —
General. — Vertical openings shall be enclosed depending upon the fire-resistive requirements of a particular type of construction as set forth in this Code.
Elevator Enclosures. — Walls and partitions enclosing elevators and escalators shall be of not less than the fire-resistive construction required under the Types of Construction. Enclosing Walls of elevator shafts may consist of wire glass set in metal frames on the entrance side only. Elevator shafts extending through more than two storeys shall be equipped with an approved means of adequate ventilation to and through the main roof of the building: Provided, that in those buildings housing Groups F and G Occupancies equipped with automatic fire-extinguishing systems throughout, enclosures shall not be required for escalators: Provided, further, that the top of the escalator opening at each storey shall be provided with a draft curtain. Such draft curtain shall enclose the perimeter of the unenclosed opening and shall extend from the ceiling downward at least 300 millimeters on all sides. Automatic sprinkles shall be provided around the perimeter of the opening and within a 600 millimeters of the draft curtain. The distance between the sprinkles shall not exceed 1.80 meters center-to-center.
Other Vertical Openings. — All shafts, ducts, chutes, and other vertical openings not covered in paragraph (b) above shall have enclosing walls conforming to the requirements specified under the type of construction of the building in which they are located. In other than Group A Occupancies rubbish and linen chutes shall terminate in rooms separated from the remainder of the building by a One-Hour Fire-Resistive Occupancy Separation. Openings into the chutes shall not be located in required exit corridors or stairways.
Air Ducts. — Air ducts passing through a floor shall be enclosed in a shaft. The shaft shall be as required in this Code for vertical openings. Dampers shall be installed where ducts pierce the shaft enclosure walls. Air ducts in Group A Occupancies need not be enclosed in a shaft if conforming to the mechanical provisions of this Code.