Firewall structural loads
Firewall structural loads
(OP)
What structural loads are others using on there firewalls? How are others designing their firewalls? The firewalls must maintain structural stability when the building on the other side of the wall collapes. There seems to be 3 methods: 1)Free standing wall cantilevered from the floor(neither bldg is tied to the wall), 2)Double wall tied back to it's adjacent building, and 3)Integral wall supporting (and tied on) both sides and able to withstand the collapes on one side. It seems, most engineers use wind and earthquake loads as their structural loads. Is this correct? I'm interested in what others are doing and I'm interested in any references. Thank You.






RE: Firewall structural loads
To require a wall to maintain its stability when an adjacent building collapses seems like a ridiculous requirement if the building is more than a few stories. If it is a load bearing wall, I would not design it different from a structural standpoint and use all applicable loads (i.e. wind, seismic, etc.)
Good luck.
RE: Firewall structural loads
My understanding is the firewall must be able to withstand design loads without the support of the other building. As far as I know this includes all the normal structural loads used for calcs in your area.
RE: Firewall structural loads
Obviously, the wall must meet seismic loading, whether exterior or interior. If the wall is an exterior wall, obviously it must also be designed for wind load also. If it is an interior wall, the design criteria is not spelled out. I have seen some engineers use the loading for interior partitions 5 psf. If I recall correctly the Canadian Code recommends 10 psf ultimate. It is thought that this provides for thermal shock to the wall and other forces. I know of no studies where these forces have been verified.
I believe the philosophy of not designing for full wind load on an interior firewall is that the wall must remain standing under the "fire conditions". Afterward, it can be braced, strengthened or re-built.
It would be great to get a building official to give us an official interpretation.
RE: Firewall structural loads