FMDS0120 Protection Against Exterior Fire Exposure

FM Global
Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets
1-20
January 2007
Page 1 of 24
PROTECTION AGAINST EXTERIOR FIRE EXPOSURE
Table of Contents
Page
1.0 SCOPE ................................................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Changes .......................................................................................................................................... 3
2.0 LOSS PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................................................................... 3
2.1 For Fire Exposure from Buildings .................................................................................................... 3
2.1.1 Construction and Location .................................................................................................... 3
2.2 For Fire Exposure from Yard Storage ........................................................................................... 10
2.2.1 Construction and Location .................................................................................................. 10
3.0 EXPOSURE FIRES (GENERAL) ......................................................................................................... 12
3.1 Exposing Building .......................................................................................................................... 12
3.1.1 Construction ........................................................................................................................ 12
3.1.2 Ventilation ............................................................................................................................ 13
3.1.3 Wind .................................................................................................................................... 13
3.1.4 Effect of Fire Department .................................................................................................... 13
3.1.5 Length of Wall Creating the Fire Exposure ......................................................................... 13
3.2 Exposed Building ........................................................................................................................... 13
3.2.1 When Not Sprinklered ......................................................................................................... 13
3.2.2 Construction ........................................................................................................................ 13
3.2.3 Protection of Openings ........................................................................................................ 13
3.2.4 Protection Beyond Ends of Exposing Building ................................................................... 14
3.2.5 Protection of Side Walls ...................................................................................................... 15
3.2.6 Protection when Walls at an Angle with Exposing Building ................................................ 16
3.2.7 Protection for Roof When Lower Than Exposing Building ................................................. 18
3.2.8 Protection of Walls Above Lower Exposing Building .......................................................... 18
3.3 Fire Exposure From Yard Storage ................................................................................................ 20
3.4 Yard Housekeeping ....................................................................................................................... 20
4.0 REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................................... 23
4.1 FM Global ...................................................................................................................................... 23
4.2 National Institute of Standards and Technology ............................................................................ 23
APPENDIX A GLOSSARY OF TERMS ...................................................................................................... 23
APPENDIX B DOCUMENT REVISION HISTORY ..................................................................................... 24
List of Figures
Job Aid No. 1 for Using Tables 1 and 2. ........................................................................................................ 4
Job Aid No. 2 for Yard Storage. .................................................................................................................. 10
Fig. 1. Exposed building walls are longer than exposing walls. .................................................................. 14
Fig. 2. Protection for side walls of exposed building. .................................................................................. 17
Fig. 3. Protection for exposed building when walls are at an angle () with exposing building. ............... 18
Fig. 4a. Protection for exposed buildings higher than the exposing building. ........................................... 20
Fig. 4b. Protection of walls above the exposure (English units). ................................................................ 21
Fig. 4c. Protection of walls above the exposure (SI Units). ........................................................................ 22
List of Tables
Table 1a. Determination of Separation Distance, or Exposure Category for Use in Table 2When Exposed
Wall is 1, 2 or 3 hour ..................................................................................................................... 5
Table 1b. Determination of Separation Distance, or Exposure Category for Use in Table 2 When Exposed
Wall is Category C ......................................................................................................................... 6
2007 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of Factory Mutual Insurance Company.
1-20
Page 2
Protection Against Exterior Fire Exposure

FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets
Table 1c. Determination of Separation Distance, or Exposure Category for Use in Table 2
When Exposed Wall is Category D ................................................................................................ 7
Table 2. Multipliers for Space Separation ...................................................................................................... 8
Table 3. Levels of Passive Protection, P .................................................................................................... 15
Table 4. Protection for Longer Exposed Walls ............................................................................................ 15
Table 5. Multipliers for Non-Parallel Exposures .......................................................................................... 16
2007 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

1-20
Page 3
1.0 SCOPE
This data sheet provides guidelines for recognizing and dealing with a potential fire exposure from one or
more existing buildings or yard storage. Another objective is to enable designers and architects to avoid
exposure problems when laying out new buildings.
This data sheet does not discuss fire exposure from flammable liquid transmission pipelines. For discussion
on that subject, refer to Data Sheet 7-32, Flammable Liquid Operations.
This data sheet generally considers the fire exposure to be on adjacent property, where control of the exposure
may be outside the influence of the owner of the exposed building. The data sheet may also be used, if
applicable, when the fire exposure and the exposed building are on the same insured property and the
exposing building is not adequately sprinklered. The latter case is infrequent. Provision of automatic sprinklers
in the exposing buildings would greatly reduce the hazard. This data sheet assumes that unimpaired sprinkler
protection is available in the exposed building. Refer to section 2.2.2 of Data Sheet 1-22, Maximum
Foreseeable Loss Limiting Factors when using this data sheet to calculate space separation for maximum
foreseeable loss.
This document should not be used for exposing flammable liquids storage buildings that are unsprinklered.
Refer to Data Sheet 7-29, Flammable Liquid Storage in Portable Containers for separation of flammable
liquid yard storage pads, and separation and protection of detached, sprinklered flammable liquid storage
buildings.
For the recommended separation from storage tanks in the yard, refer to Data Sheet 1-57, Rigid Plastic
Building Materials or Data Sheet 7-88, Storage Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids.
This document is not intended to be used for exposure protection from another tenant within the same
multi-tenanted building. For such situations refer to Data Sheet 1-19, Fire Walls, Subdivisions and Draft
Curtains or Data Sheet 1-22.
For a description of storage commodities, see Data Sheet 8-1, Commodity Classification.
1.1 Changes
January 2007. Minor editorial changes were made.
2.0 LOSS PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS
2.1 For Fire Exposure from Buildings
2.1.1 Construction and Location
2.1.1.1 When the exposing building is sprinklered, and it can be established that the sprinkler protection in
the exposing building is adequate and reliable, no fire exposure is considered to exist.
2.1.1.2 Exposed buildings should be separated from exposures according to Tables 1 and 2. Job Aid No. 1
should be used to facilitate the use of these tables.
If an existing building is nearer to the exposure than the recommended separation distances determined
from Tables 1 and 2, passive protection such as the provision of a fire-rated wall over the outside face, or
active protection such as the provision of automatic outside sprinklers will provide the needed protection. For
example, the provision of two layers of 58 in. (15 mm)-thick Type X gypsum board faced with steel panels,
applied to the wall exterior will provide 1-hour fire resistance. For various combinations of protection using
masonry, see Data Sheet 1-21, Fire Resistance of Building Assemblies.
The categories of construction materials used for Table 1 are not based on the combustibility of a material
only. Consideration is also given to the ease of ignition, and the potential for burn through or melting as it
relates to an exposing building giving off radiant heat and an exposing building resisting it.
CAT. A. Category A materials include steel faced panels or cementitious panels, with or without
noncombustible insulation (as defined in Section 1.1). It also includes FM Approved (see Appendix A for
definition), steel faced class 1 insulated panels on steel framing; and EIFS assemblies using noncombustible
insulation or Approved class 1 insulation over gypsum board on steel framing.
CAT. B. Category B materials include painted, unpainted or asphalt shingled wood; rigid plastic panels such
as fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC); any aluminum panels; EIFS assemblies
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Page 4

using EPS insulation or a combustible sheathing board; non-Approved insulated steel panels; or other
assemblies supported by wood framing that is unprotected on the interior.
CAT. C. Category C materials include Approved Class 1 insulated, steel or aluminum faced sandwich panels
with thermoset plastic insulation; EIFS assemblies having noncombustible insulation and gypsum board
sheathing; and aluminum or steel panels that are uninsulated or insulated with noncombustible insulation
such as glass fiber, mineral wool, or expanded glass. It also includes cementitious panels or shingles over
steel or wood.
CAT D. Category D materials include painted or unpainted wood, metal faced wall assemblies with
thermoplastic insulation such as expanded or extruded polystyrene, or polyethylene; metal faced panels with
thermoset insulation, such as polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam, which are not Approved; all rigid plastic
panels such as FRP or PVC; and EIFS assemblies having EPS insulation or a combustible sheathing board.
1. For additional details on exposing construction, refer to Appendix A and 3.1.1.
2. For additional details on the exposing occupancy, refer to Appendix A.
3. For additional details on the exposed wall construction, refer to Appendix A and 3.2.2.
Job Aid No. 1 for Using Tables 1 and 2.

1. Details include wall and roof construction type, percent window openings (include door openings if door
construction has a lesser fire rating than the wall), exposing wall height and width.
2. Details include exposed wall construction type, details of unprotected openings and roof construction type.
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Page 5
Table 1a. Determination of Separation Distance, or Exposure Category for Use in Table 2
When Exposed Wall is 1, 2 or 3 hour
Exposed
Wall
3 hr
Wall
SFR
3 hr
Cat. A
3 hr
Cat. A
3 hr
Cat. B
Construction
3 hr
2 hr
Cat. B
SFR or
Cat. A
2 hr
SFR
2 hr
Cat. A
2 hr
Cat. B
2 hr
Cat. B
1 hr
SFR
1 hr
SFR
1 hr
SFR
1 hr
SFR
1 hr
Cat. A
1 hr
Cat. A
1 hr
Cat. A
Exposing Building
Roof
Occupancy
NC, Class 1
Light,
or
Ordinary
Combustible
or High
NC, Class 1
Light or
or
Ordinary
Combustible
NC, Class 1
High
or
Combustible
NC, Class 1
Light or
or
Ordinary
Combustible
NC, Class 1
High
or
Combustible
NC, Class 1
Light or
or
Ordinary
Combustible
NC, Class 1
High
or
Combustible
NC, Class 1
High
or
Combustible
NC, Class 1
Light or
or
Ordinary
Combustible
NC, Class 1
High
or
Combustible
NC or
Light
Class 1
NC or Class Ordinary
1
NC, Class 1
or
Combustible
Combustible
NC or Class
1
NC or Class
1
NC, Class 1
or
Combustible
Combustible
1 hr
Cat. A
1 hr
Cat. B NC, Class 1

or
Combustible
Cat. B NC, Class 1
or
Combustible
1 hr
High
Percent Unprotected Openings in Exposing Wall

Category for Use in Table 2 or Minimum Separation Required
DNA
No minimum separation required
DNA
70%
70%<, 100%
5 ft (1.5 m)
DNA
DNA
Use Category 1
DNA
0 - 80%
80% - 100%
0 - 60%
60% - 100%
3
DNA
2
DNA
3
0%<, 20%
0%, 100%
1
80%
Light
Ordinary
0%
0%, 100%
1
0%<, 60%
2
Light or
Ordinary
Light or
Ordinary
High
100%
4
0% , 100%
1
Light or
Ordinary
High
3
0% , 100%
1
DNA
2
DNA
4
For explanation of Combustible, Stable Fire Resistive (SFR), Noncombustible (NC), or Class 1, see Appendix A.
100%
4
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Page 6
Table 1b. Determination of Separation Distance, or Exposure Category for Use in Table 2
When Exposed Wall is Category C
CAT. C.: Category C materials include FM Approved Class 1 insulated, steel or aluminum faced sandwich panels with
thermoset plastic insulation; EIFS assemblies having noncombustible insulation and gypsum board sheathing;
and aluminum or steel panels that are uninsulated or insulated with noncombustible insulation such as glass fiber,
mineral wool, or expanded glass. It also includes cementitious panels or shingles over steel or wood.
Exposed
Wall
Exposing Building
Roof
Occupancy
NC or
Light
Class 1
Cat. C
Wall
SFR
Cat. C
SFR
NC or
Class 1
Ordinary
Cat. C
SFR
High
Light
Construction

0%, 40%
60%
80%
100%
1
2
3
4
0%, 30%
50%
80%
100%
1
2
3
4
0%, 25%
50%
80%
100%
Cat. C
SFR
NC, Class 1
or
Combustible
Combustible
Cat. C
SFR
Combustible
Ordinary
Cat. C
Cat. A
NC or
Class 1
Light
Cat. C
Cat. A
NC or
Class 1
Ordinary
Cat. C
Cat. A
High
Cat. C
Cat. A
NC, Class 1
or
Combustible
Combustible
Light
Cat. C
Cat. A
Combustible
Ordinary
Cat. C
Cat. B
NC or
Class 1
Light
Cat. C
Cat. B
NC or
Class 1
Ordinary
Cat. C
Cat. B
High
Cat. C
Cat. B
NC, Class 1
or
Combustible
Combustible
DNA
6
DNA
7
DNA
Light or
Ordinary
DNA
7
0%, 30%
1
20%
1
0%, 25%
1
0%, 10%
1
0%, 5%
50%
2
40%
2
50%
2
30%
2
30%
80%
3
60%
3
70%
3
60%
3
60%
100%
4
80% 100%
4
5
100%
4
100%
4
100%
0%, 10%
1
0%
1
30%
2
20%
2
60%
3
40%
3
100%
4
60% 100%
4
5
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Page 7
Table 1c. Determination of Separation Distance, or Exposure Category for Use in Table 2
When Exposed Wall is Category D
CAT. D: Category D materials include painted or unpainted wood, metal faced wall assemblies with thermoplastic insulation
such as expanded or extruded polystyrene, or polyethylene; metal faced panels with thermoset insulation, such
as polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam, which are not FM Approved; all rigid plastic such as FRP or PVC;
and EIFS assemblies having EPS insulation or a combustible sheathing board.
Exposed
Wall
Exposing Building
Roof
Occupancy
NC or
Light
Class 1
Cat. D
Wall
SFR
Cat. D
SFR
NC or
Class 1
Ordinary
Cat. D
SFR
NC, Class 1
or
Combustible
Combustible
High
Construction
Cat. D
SFR
Cat. D
Cat. A
Cat. D
Cat. A
Cat. D
Cat. A
NC or
Class 1
9
Light or
Ordinary
Light
NC, Class 1 or Ordinary

Combustible

Combustible
Light
NC, Class 1
High
or
Combustible
NC or Class
Light
1
Cat. D
Cat. B
Cat. D
Cat. B
NC or Class
1
Ordinary
Cat. D
Cat. B
High
Light
Ordinary
Cat. D
Cat. B
NC, Class 1
or
Combustible
Combustible
Cat. D
Cat. B
Combustible

0%
25% 40% 50% 60% 80%
100%
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
0%
10% 20% 30% 50% 60% 80% 100%
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0%,15%
40%
60%
80% 100%
10
11
12
13
0%
3
0%
2
0%
10%
4
20%
3
10%
20% 30%
5
6
30%
4
30%
50% 60%
7
8
40%
5
40%
80%
9
60%
6
60%
100%
10
100%
7
100%
10
0%
40%
60%
100%
10
11
12
13
DNA
10
DNA
11
DNA
13
DNA
11
DNA
12
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Page 8
Table 2. Multipliers for Space Separation
1.6
2.0
L/H or H/L of Exposing Wall (whichever is greater than 1.0)

L = length in ft (m), H = height in ft (m)
2.5
3.2
4.
5.
6.
8.
10.
13.
16.
20.
1.0
1.3
0.36
0.60
0.76
0.90
1.02
1.22
1.39
1.55
1.82
2.05
2.26
2.63
2.96
Separation Multiplier
(multiply by lesser dimension, add 5 feet, (1.5 m) to obtain
0.40 0.44 0.46 0.48 0.49 0.50 0.51 0.51 0.51 0.51
0.66 0.73 0.79 0.84 0.88 0.90 0.92 0.93 0.94 0.94
0.85 0.94 1.02 1.10 1.17 1.23 1.27 1.30 1.32 1.33
1.00 1.11 1.22 1.33 1.42 1.51 1.58 1.63 1.66 1.69
1.14 1.26 1.39 1.52 1.64 1.76 1.85 1.93 1.99 2.03
1.37 1.52 1.68 1.85 2.02 2.18 2.34 2.48 2.59 2.67
1.56 1.74 1.93 2.13 2.34 2.55 2.76 2.95 3.12 3.26
1.73 1.94 2.15 2.38 2.63 2.88 3.13 3.37 3.60 3.79
2.04 2.28 2.54 2.82 3.12 3.44 3.77 4.11 4.43 4.74
2.30 2.57 2.87 3.20 3.55 3.93 4.33 4.74 5.16 5.56
2.54 2.84 3.17 3.54 3.93 4.36 4.82 5.30 5.80 6.30
2.95 3.31 3.70 4.13 4.61 5.12 5.68 6.28 6.91 7.57
3.32 3.72 4.16 4.65 5.19 5.78 6.43 7.13 7.88 8.67
25.
32.
Category
Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
building-to-building separation)
0.51 0.51 0.51 0.51 0.51
0.95 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.95
1.33 1.34 1.34 1.34 1.34
1.70 1.71 1.71 1.71 1.71
2.05 2.07 2.08 2.08 2.08
2.73 2.77 2.79 2.80 2.81
3.36 3.43 3.48 3.51 3.52
3.95 4.07 4.15 4.20 4.22
5.01 5.24 5.41 5.52 5.60
5.95 6.29 6.56 6.77 6.92
6.78 7.23 7.63 7.94 8.18
8.24 8.89 9.51 10.05 10.50
9.50 10.33 11.15 11.91 12.59
40
or
higher
0.51
0.95
1.34
1.71
2.08
2.81
3.53
4.24
5.64
7.01
8.34
10.84
13.15
Additional comments regarding the use of Table 2 are as follows:

1. If the wall and roof of the exposing building are stable fire resistive (SFR) and there are no wall openings
or roof openings (such as skylights or heat and smoke vents), no minimum separation is needed.
2. If the wall of the exposed building is asphalt shingle over wood or asphalt coated metal (ACM), increase
the space separation recommended for Category D exposed walls by 25%.
3. If adequate horizontal or vertical fire cutoffs exist in the exposing building, they may be used to reduce
the L/H (length/height) ratio and lesser exposure dimension as applicable.
4. It is reasonably accurate to interpolate between aspect ratios.
5. If the exposed construction is of a type noted in Category D, asphalt shingle or ACM, the space separation
need not exceed 300 ft (91 m), regardless of other parameters in Table 1 and Table 2. For all other types
of exposed construction, the space separation need not exceed 200 ft (61 m).
6. Where the occupancy is light or ordinary and the walls, roof and interior finish are all noncombustible,
the height of the storage can be used to determine the L/H ratio.
7. For light occupancy classifications with combustible interior finish, increase the occupancy classification
by one level. This applies to buildings that have combustible ceilings, combustible interior walls or wood
floors.
8. For exposing buildings that are multistory with wood floors, use high hazard exposure.
9. For existing buildings where the exposing building is considerably longer than the exposed building, L
may be effectively taken to be four times the actual separation distance if that distance is less than the actual
length of the exposing building.
While this method may be used for proposed installations, it may involve several iterations if the originally
proposed space is less than needed. In each successive iteration the effective length must be increased until
the proposed space is at least equal to the needed space. A more simplified approach is to use the entire
length of the exposing building which may yield a more conservative answer.

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Page 9
2.1.1.3 Where the exposure and space separation is such that a 2- or 3-hour fire rated exposed wall is needed,
window openings need to be filled in with masonry or protected by automatic closing, shutters comparable
in fire rating to that of the wall. Approved minimum 112-hour fire rated doors that are normally closed (equipped
with a door closure) or automatic closing and latched should be provided in door openings (blank steel doors
suitable for a class D opening). If the space separation provided is at least 5 ft (1.5 m), an alternative is to
provide listed (tested by a nationally recognized laboratory) fire rated glass (such as ceramic glass, glass block
or wired glass that has passed a hose stream test, see Data Sheet 1-21) and automatic window sprinklers.
2.1.1.4 Where the exposure and space separation is such that a 1-hour fire rated exposed wall is needed,
listed minimum 34 hour fire rated glass should be installed in window openings in accordance with area
limitations of the listing. Combustibles should be kept away from the inside of the exposed windows by a
distance at least equal to the largest dimension of the window.
Door openings should be protected by Approved, minimum 34-hour fire rated fire doors (suitable for a Class E
exterior opening). The doors should be normally closed (self-closing) or automatic closing, and latched.
2.1.1.5 Where the exposed wall needs to be of a type outlined in Category C of Table 1, windows should
be tempered glass.
Where the exposure and space separation is such that a Category C exposed wall is needed, doors on the
exposed wall should be normally closed (self-closing) or automatic closing, and latched steel doors that are
either blank or have vision panels made of fire rated or tempered glass.
2.1.1.6 Where window or outside sprinklers are needed, they should be installed according to Data Sheet
2-8N, NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems 1996 Edition. They should be arranged for
automatic operation.
Window sprinklers can be considered an alternative to upgrading the type of glass, except where 2-or-3 hour
fire rated exposed walls are needed and listed fire rated glass and sprinklers must be provided.
2.1.1.7 Combustible materials should not be stored or used within the separation space. When combustibles
are stored within a space between buildings, adequate space separation should be provided between the
yard storage and the buildings on both sides (see Section 3.0). The storage of fuels or chemicals near the
interior side of an exposed wall should be avoided.
2.1.1.8 Exposed roof coverings, or portions thereof, should have a Class A roof system, based on the
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) test standard E 108, in the following areas:
a) Where they are within a distance of 150 ft (46 m) from a building constructed with a wood roof, walls
or floors, or combustible yard storage.
b) On the entire roof of buildings subdivided by Maximum Foreseeable Loss (MFL) fire walls. See Data
Sheet 1-22 for an explanation and details of additional protection that may be needed for the roof.
c) Where the occupancy below the roof is susceptible to water, smoke or other nonthermal damage.
When the roof of the exposed building is lower than the exposing building, protection for the roof should
be provided within 50 ft (15 m) from the exposure as outlined below:
a) For built-up roof coverings (BUR), place a minimum of 4 lb/ft2 (20 kg/m2) of pea gravel in a flood coat
of hot asphalt or coal tar.
b) For single-ply roof coverings, large stone ballast or concrete paver blocks should be provided as outlined
in Data Sheet1-29, Roof Deck Securement and Above-Deck Roof Components.
2.1.1.9 When any significant exterior fire exposure exists, the fire department should conduct prefire planning
taking into consideration protection of the exposed property.
2.1.1.10 Exposing buildings that are of noncombustible or fire resistive construction and that are vacant or
contain only noncombustible contents do not necessitate space separation or other protection for adjacent
buildings.
2.1.1.11 When the exposed wall is longer than the exposing wall, protection beyond the end(s) of the exposing
building should be provided according to Section 3.2.4.
2.1.1.12 When the exposed wall is shorter than the exposing wall, protection for the end walls of the exposed
building should be provided according to Section 3.2.5.
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Page 10
2.1.1.13 When the exposed building is not parallel to the exposing wall, protection for the exposed walls
should be provided according to Section 3.2.6.
2.1.1.14 When the exposed wall is higher than the exposing wall, and the separation distance between the
two buildings is less than needed according to Recommendation 2.1.1.2, protection for the higher portions
of the exposed wall should be provided according to Section 3.2.8.
2.1.1.15 If a combustible (see Appendix A) canopy or overhanging eave is provided on the exposed building,
the separation distance between the exposing building and the outer edge of the canopy or overhang should
be based on Category D exposed construction, regardless of the type of wall construction. Alternatively,
separation which is adequate for the wall construction is acceptable provided the combustible canopy or
overhang is sheathed with a material having fire resistance at least equal to that of the wall.
2.1.1.16 In some cases the potential for non-thermal damage to the contents of an exposed building will
be significant. If so, automatic closing dampers should be provided on outside air intakes. For new
construction, outside air intakes should be located as close to grade level as practical.
2.1.1.17 The most likely time for a major exposure fire to occur is during the demolition of adjacent property.
Precautions for such demolition operations are outlined in Data Sheet 1-0, Safeguards During Construction,
Alteration and Demolition and should be followed.
2.2 For Fire Exposure from Yard Storage
Use Job Aid No. 2 to facilitate the application of recommendations in this section.
Job Aid No. 2 for Yard Storage.
2.2.1 Construction and Location

2.2.1.1 Refer to Section 3.3 for a list of various outdoor storages that are covered by other data sheets. Use
this document to supplement those or where no other specific data sheet exists. For the exterior protection
of the roof systems, see Section 2.2.1.8.
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Page 11
2.2.1.2 When large quantities of high-value products are stored in the yard, consideration should be given
to a sprinklered enclosure over them. This will a) protect the products themselves from fire, and b) reduce the
hazard of exposure to nearby buildings.
2.2.1.3 Yard hydrants should be provided when combustible materials are stored outside the plant buildings
(Data Sheet 3-10, Installation and Maintenance of Private Fire Service Mains and their Appurtenances).
Hydrants should be provided just outside the ends of spaces between buildings and at intervals in between
not exceeding 300 ft (90 m).
2.2.1.4 Relocating the yard storage so that separation distances are adequate is preferable to special
exposure protection.
For ordinary or light hazard yard storage with all types of exposed walls, and for high hazard yard storage
with all types of exposed walls except Category D (Appendix A), use Tables 1 and 2 to determine needed
space separation. Treat the yard storage as an exposing building, assuming the wall and roof of the exposing
building are a Category A type and noncombustible, respectively, with 100% openings in the exposing wall and
using the applicable details of the occupancy and exposed walls.
Tables 1 and 2 should not be used to determine space separation between yard storage classified as high
hazard and exposed Category D walls. For such situations the following formula should be used:
(Equation 1)
S = 3.07 LH
or
(Equation 2)
S = 16 H
where: S = minimum recommended space separation, ft (m)
L = Length of the yard storage in the direction parallel to the exposure, ft (m)
H = Height of the yard storage, ft (m)
Use Equation 1 when L 24 H
Use Equation 2 when L > 24 H
Use Equation 1 and 2 only for yard storage of high hazard materials exposing combustible walls.
When storage is in a yard, it is reasonable to assume that the maximum length (parallel to the exposed wall)
across which a fire in any commodity will burn at its maximum rate of heat release is about 400 ft (122 m).
In other words, the maximum length (L) used in determining the needed separation distance is 400 ft
(122 m).
Because of other factors such as re-radiation, more rapid fire spread could be expected throughout the entire
fire cutoff area of a building.
Consequently, this maximum length should not be used to determine building-to-building separation.
Where adequate space separation is not available, and provision of a protected enclosure for the yard storage
is not practical, provide water spray protection for the exposed building as outlined in Data Sheet 2-8N.
2.2.1.5 Unpaved yards should be mowed so that the height of grass and weeds does not exceed 4 in.
(100 mm). All combustible trash should be removed from the premises.
2.2.1.6 Dumpsters (rubbish skips) should be located at least 35 ft (11 m) from exposed buildings, unless
the exposed walls are of blank masonry or concrete construction.
2.2.1.7 Loaded trailers stored in the yard should be treated as a building separation would, taking into
consideration the contents and construction of the trailer.
2.2.1.8 Metal chain link fencing should be provided around the yard, with an adjacent aisle space between
it and yard storage to prevent direct access by vandals. (See Data Sheet 9-17, Protection Against Arson
and Other Incendiary Fires.)
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Page 12
3.0 EXPOSURE FIRES (GENERAL)

When evaluating the magnitude of the exposure fire, the type of construction; area, percent wall openings
and occupancy of the exposure should be considered. Consideration should also be given to the type of wall
and roof exposed to the radiant heat.
Recommended separations are based on estimated portions of the exposing flame height that is unobscured
by smoke. For applications simplicity, exposing wall or storage heights are used for input.
A fire that results in ignition of or radiant heat damage to nearby buildings or other property is an exposure
fire. In many large exposure fires, the origin of the fire has been on neighboring or adjoining property. Plant
buildings also have been exposed and damaged by exposure fires starting in yard storages such as lumber,
roll paper, tires, plastics, etc., or in separate, unsprinklered structures. Automatic sprinklers and firefighters
usually control the fire and keep it from spreading throughout the exposed building, although heat, water and
smoke damage may be considerable.
1. It is necessary to consider fire exposure protection (to buildings) from a fire in adjacent buildings or yard
storage when:
a) Separation distances are close enough so that a hazard to the exposed building is judged to exist,
and
b) Any one of the exposing properties is unsprinklered, or has sprinkler protection that is inadequate or
is not considered reliable.
Once a fire exposure hazard is judged to exist, guidelines in this data sheet can be used to determine if
separation distances between the exposing and exposed buildings are safe for the degree of protection
afforded by the construction and sprinklers in the exposed building, or if protection for the exposed building
is needed.
Protection may be active, in which case water is applied directly to the exposed building during a fire, or
passive, in which the exposed building is coated or shielded with a noncombustible or fire resistive material,
or a large space separation is provided.
Protection needed for the exposed buildings depends on the size and intensity of the exposure fire, the
horizontal distance from the fire, and the position of the exposed portion in relation to the fire. The growth
of a building fire will depend on a) the nature and quantity of combustibles in the building construction and
occupancy, b) the amount of ventilation air, c) external factors such as wind velocity, promptness of detection,
proximity of the local fire department, and available water supplies. In the vast majority of cases, it is
reasonable to assume that there will be sufficient ventilation air to feed the fire.
Table 1 combines construction and occupancy to give various degrees of fire exposure classification, and
assumes that conditions are favorable for a free-burning fire.
3.1 Exposing Building
3.1.1 Construction
If the exposing building is fire resistive such that the floor and/or roof deck, the framing and the exposing
exterior wall (must be blank) are at least adequate for the expected exposure fire duration (so as to contain
the exposure fire), no separation is needed for the exposed building.
Exposing walls are categorized as either stable fire resistive, Category A or Category B.
If a wall is fire resistive but tied to unprotected steel framing, for example, it may partially collapse as the
steel fails early in a fire and is not considered stable. Such an assembly should be treated as Category A.
Category A groups exposing materials that have some fire resistance or a high melting temperature that
will not burn through. Consideration is given to the fact that some breakage or opening of panel joints may
occur during the fire.
Category B groups exposing materials that may burn through with a significant fire exposure, or may melt
at fire temperatures, eventually allowing the exposed wall to feel the full effect of radiation.
Masonry walls may be brick, concrete block or stone. Noncombustible (NC) walls have less fire resistance
and are curtain walls constructed of panels such as protected metal, corrugated iron or cementitious panels
1-20
Page 13
on steel frame. Combustible walls may consist of wood or rigid plastic building materials. Wood walls with
an exterior veneer of stucco, brick, masonry, etc., are considered to be Category B (Table 1) when considered
as the exposing building (fire exposure from its interior), but is fire resistive when exposed from the exterior.
The presence of cementitious shingles over exposed wood walls lessens space separation needed, while
the presence of asphalt shingles over exposed wood walls increases the space separation needed.
3.1.2 Ventilation
The exposure classifications given in Table 1 are based on well ventilated fires in the exposing buildings
with adequate air supply to support the fire growth. Openings or spaces in the building wall are necessary
to admit combustion air, while openings in the roof (vents, skylights, etc.) will discharge hot gases and allow
entry of additional air to aid in the fire development. There is normally enough air within a building to feed
a fire in the early stages. Typically openings are present or will develop in the early stages of a fire (windows
or skylights break, heat and smoke vents open, combustible construction burns, steel panels buckle,
aluminum panels melt, etc.). Consequently it is safe to assume there will be adequate ventilation for an
exposure fire in the vast majority of cases.
3.1.3 Wind
When the exposed building walls are combustible, it is assumed that wind will carry a spark or ember to
the exposed wall and pilot-ignite the surface.
3.1.4 Effect of Fire Department
The exposure categories (as determined by using Table 1) are based on full flame front at the exposure
fire, however, long exposures to combustible materials could still cause ignition. It is assumed that the fire
department and site conditions are adequate for the fire conditions, and that only a brief delay between ignition
and fire department set up will be experienced.
3.1.5 Length of Wall Creating the Fire Exposure
The relative exposure categories given in Table 1 are determined from the nature of the construction and
occupancy in the exposing building, and the construction in the exposed building. An additional factor,
however, is the aspect ratio of the potential flame front or the length/height or height/length ratio of the
exposing wall. When two buildings are exposed by a rectangular building, the building exposed by the longer
wall will experience the greater fire exposure, provided both walls are the same height and are fully aflame.
Table 2 reflects the effect of the relative size of the flame front.
3.2 Exposed Building
3.2.1 When Not Sprinklered
The exposed building will usually be sprinklered. If unsprinklered, but in need of sprinklers, sprinklers should
be recommended. When not in need of sprinklers, the separation distances determined from Tables 1 and
2 still apply.
3.2.2 Construction
Construction types and categories are described in Sections 1.0 and 2.0.
3.2.3 Protection of Openings
Category D Walls. Exposed walls having a combustible exterior surface are about as vulnerable to fire
exposure as ordinary doors and windows. Installation of fire doors and fire rated glass windows would serve
little purpose. When the separation distance is adequate for Category D exposed walls, ordinary doors and
windows can be tolerated.
Category C Walls. Where separation distances are adequate for noncombustible construction, self-closing
or automatic closing steel doors that are blank or have fire rated or tempered glass vision panels may be
considered equivalent to the wall in fire resistance.
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Page 14
When outside automatic sprinklers are not provided, fire rated glass is preferred in window openings, however,
tempered glass may be tolerated. Ordinary windows can also be tolerated if they abut a corridor of
noncombustible construction and occupancy.
Fire Resistive Walls. When space separation is minimal, such that fire resistive exterior wall construction is
needed, window openings usually need to be blocked in with material equivalent in fire resistance to that
of the exposed wall, except as noted in Section 2.1.1.3.
3.2.4 Protection Beyond Ends of Exposing Building
When the exposing building is shorter than the exposed one, protection beyond the ends of the exposing
building is needed. Protection for the distance X2 Figure 1 beyond the end of the exposing wall should be
the same protection that is required directly in front of the exposing building (X1 in Fig. 1). The distances
X2, X3 and X4 are based on the angle , measured from a line perpendicular to the adjacent walls
at the corner of the exposing wall. As increases, the level of protection needed is reduced. No additional
protection is needed when exceeds 45. For more specific details, see Tables 3 and 4.
Fig. 1. Exposed building walls are longer than exposing walls.
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Page 15
Levels of exposed wall passive protection are ranked from best to worst as outlined in Table 3.
Table 3. Levels of Passive Protection, P
3 Hour Fire Rated
2 Hour Fire Rated
1 Hour Fire Rated
Category C*
Category D*
* see footnotes to Table 1
For example, Category C is one level down from 1 hour fire rated. The protection of openings should be
as outlined in Section 2.0 and 3.2.3 for the respective level of passive wall protection.
Table 4. Protection for Longer Exposed Walls

Location of Exposed Wall with
Respect to Exposing Wall
Designation on Fig. 1
Distance Protection is Needed For
Level of Protection*
Directly across
x1
L
P
15
x2
0.25S
P
15 < 30
x3
0.25S
P-1
30 < 45
x4
0.5S
P-2
S = Separation distance needed per Tables 1 and 2. If the actual separation distance d is greater than
S for the type of exposed wall construction provided, the distance (X1, X2 or X3) that passive or active
protection is needed for openings should be based on S and not d. If S is less than 40 ft (12.2 m) provide
a level of protection P, P-1 and P-2, of at least 10 ft (3.0 m), 10 ft (3.0 m) and 20 ft (6.1 m), respectively,
beyond the end of the exposing wall.
P = Level of passive protection needed per Tables 1 and 2. For details on protection of openings or alternative
sprinkler protection, see Section 2.0 and 3.2.3.
P-1 = One level of passive protection less than needed per Tables 1 and 2 for the separation provided.
P-2 = Two levels of passive protection less than needed per Tables 1 and 2 for the separation provided.
L = Length of the exposing building.
3.2.5 Protection of Side Walls
When the separation between buildings is adequate for the type of construction available, no additional
protection is needed for the exposed wall or adjacent sidewall (exterior wall perpendicular to the exposed
wall, see Fig. 2). When separation is inadequate for the exposed construction and passive protection or
outside sprinklers are recommended for the exposed wall, and the exposure is longer than the exposed wall,
protection will also be needed for some portion of the side wall of the exposed building. In such cases:
a) Determine (using Tables 1 and 2) the safe separation distance (S) needed for that construction.
b) Multiply that figure by 0.5. The result is the distance out from the face of the exposing building that
protection is needed for the exposed building side walls.
c) Subtract from this the actual separation distance (d) to arrive at (X), the length of the side wall that
needs outside sprinkler protection (Fig. 2), or passive protection including the protection of openings, as
outlined in Section 2.0.
Outside sprinklers will protect the front wall, if it is at least 5 ft (1.5 m) away from the exposure. If the actual
separation distance (d) is at least equal to 0.5 S, no side wall protection is needed.
When the exposed building is fire resistive (such as masonry), having adequate separation for the wall, but
having openings, openings need to be filled in with material of sufficient fire resistance along the front wall
(or comparably protected) and possibly for some distance along the side wall. To determine this distance:
a) Using Tables 1 and 2, determine the needed separation distance (S).
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Page 16
b) Multiply that figure by 0.5. The result is the distance out from the face of the exposing building to where
filling in or other protection of the openings in the exposed side wall is needed.
c) Subtract d from this to determine X (See Fig. 2).
The same procedure can be used for determining how far beyond that more fire resistant glass alone is
needed (See Section 3.2.3), by multiplying 0.5 times S needed for combustible exposed walls (point beyond
which plain glass windows are acceptable).
3.2.6 Protection when Walls at an Angle with Exposing Building
The safe separation distances determined from Table 1 and 2 are for cases in which the exposed and exposing
walls are nearly parallel. In that situation the exposed wall feels the most radiation. When heat radiation falls
on a wall whose angle is greater than 15 with the exposing wall, the reduced intensity of radiation may
be taken into account. This may be done by use of the multiplier (M) shown in Table 5.
Table 5. Multipliers for Non-Parallel Exposures
(This is the angle between the exposing wall and the exposed wall.)
015
1530
3045
4560
6075
7590
90
M
1.00
0.92
0.84
0.75
0.66
0.58
0.50
Example 3.2.6.1:
In Figure 3, the distance out from the exposing wall to the point where protection is needed may be determined
as follows (assume is between 15D and 30D for the west exposed wall and between 60-75 for the south
exposed wall): Assume the exposure is such that the masonry walls are adequate. But if the exposed walls
were parallel to the exposing wall, the separation distance within which openings (currently tempered glass)
need bricking in or fire rated glass and window sprinklers is 30 ft (9.1 m). From Table 5, the multiplier (M)
is 0.92 for the longer west wall and 0.66 for the shorter south wall. It is necessary only to adjust the separation
by using the multiplier, which varies with the angle .
The same procedure may be used to determine how far out from the exposing wall that fire rated glass alone
should be installed by calculating the needed separation from this exposure for Category C exposed walls,
where tempered glass would be acceptable. For a given situation, assume that figure is 60 ft (18 m) if the
walls are parallel. Since the west wall is between 15 and 30 of being parallel to the exposure, the multiplier
per Table 5 is 0.92. Similarly the south wall is between 60 and 75 of being parallel to the exposure, so
the multiplier is 0.66. Multiplying 60 ft (18 m) by 0.92 and 0.66 will yield the distance out from (as measured
perpendicular to) the exposing wall in which fire rated glass is needed along the west (55 ft, 17 m) and south
wall (40 ft, 12 m), respectively.
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Page 17
Fig. 2. Protection for side walls of exposed building.
1-20
Page 18
Fig. 3. Protection for exposed building when walls are at an angle () with exposing building.
West Wall
60 ft 0.92 = 55 ft, 18 m 0.92 = 17 m
South Wall
60 ft 0.66 = 40 ft, 18 m 0.66 = 12 m
3.2.7 Protection for Roof When Lower Than Exposing Building
When the roof of the exposed building is below the top of the exposing building, the exposed roof may receive
sufficient radiant heat to be ignited. A burning brand, large enough to cause pilot ignition, may also fall on
the roof. For built-up roof coverings (BUR), placing a minimum of 4 lb/ft2 (20 kg/m2) of pea gravel on the roof
in a flood coat of coal tar or asphalt is recommended. For single-ply membranes, large stone ballast or paver
blocks may be used. (See Data Sheet 1-29.) It would only be necessary to provide this protection within
50 ft (15 m) of the exposure; however, the remaining portion of the roof should have a Class A rating, for
the distance defined in recommendation 2.8.
3.2.8 Protection of Walls Above Lower Exposing Building
When the height of the exposed building does not exceed the height of the exposing building, use Tables 1
and 2 to determine the safe separation distance or needed protection for the entire exposed wall. When
the height of the exposed building exceeds the height of the exposing building (Fig. 4a), and the separation
between buildings is not adequate according to Tables 1 and 2, protection for the portion of the exposed
wall that is above the height of the exposing wall should be provided as outlined in Figures 4b and 4c. The
type of protection needed should be based on the severity of the exposure (Tables 1 and 2) and the horizontal
separation distance between buildings.
When there is considerable height difference between a significant exposure and the higher exposed building,
the level of protection of openings may be decreased one level for each story height above the distance
of needed protection according to Figures 4b or 4c. As in example 3.2.8.1 below, windows on floors one
1-20
Page 19
through seven need to be bricked in (or have sprinklers and fire rated glass), those on the eight floor should
have fire rated glass, those on the ninth floor should be tempered (or fire rated).
Example 3.2.8.1
In Figure 4a, a nine-story sprinklered building with 12 in. (300 mm)-thick brick exterior walls and plain glass
windows is exposed by a three-story unsprinklered building. Separation distance is only 30 ft (9.1 m).
The exposing building is a plank-on-timber fully occupied furniture warehouse having wood walls and a fire
area of 15,000 ft2 (1,400 m2) per floor. The length of the exposing wall is 112 ft (34 m). The story height
in both buildings is 15 ft (4.6 m). What protection is required for the openings in the exposed building?
Solution: The exposing building is multi-story, with wood walls and plank-on-timber floors, so the occupancy
should be treated as high regardless of the exposure. Since the length of the exposing wall is 112 ft (34 m)
and the height of the exposure is 45 ft (13.7 m), the aspect ratio of the exposure (for use in Table 2) is 2.5.
The fire resistance of the exposed brick wall is in excess of 3 hours (see Data Sheet 1-21); however,
separation would need to be adequate for exposed wall Category D for plain glass windows to be acceptable.
The corresponding multiplier from Table 2 for category 1 and 13 is 0.48 and 4.65, respectively (for exposed
3-hour fire-rated walls and exposed Category D walls). The respective recommended separation distances
are 27 ft (8.1 m) for 3 hour walls and 215 ft (66 m) for wood walls. The separation distance of 30 ft (9.1 m)
provided is adequate for the brick walls, but not the plain glass. According to Figure 4b, the height above the
exposure needing protection is at least 36 ft (11 m). Consequently, since the story heights are 15 ft (4.6 m),
protection comparable to a 3 hr wall rating is needed for the first six floors, three up to the top of the exposing
wall and three above it. The seventh floor and the eighth floor should have protection comparable to a 2 hr
(blank wall or fire rated glass plus sprinklers) and 1 hr (fire rated glass) exposed wall, respectively. The ninth
floor should have tempered or fire-rated glass to provide protection comparable to Category C.
1-20
Page 20
Fig. 4a. Protection for exposed buildings higher than the exposing building.
3.3 Fire Exposure From Yard Storage

Combustibles stored outdoors may create an exposure hazard to nearby buildings.
There are a number of data sheets that consider this problem and discuss protection for yard storage. These
include 7-10, Wood Processing and Wood Working Facilities; 7-28N, Explosive Materials; 7-29, Flammable
Liquid Storage in Portable Containers; 7-85, Metals and Alloys; 7-88, Storage Tanks for Flammable and
Combustible Liquids; 8-3, Rubber Tire Storage; 8-7, Baled Fiber Storage; 8-10, Coal and Charcoal Storage;
8-21, Roll Paper Storage; 8-22, Storage of Baled Waste Paper; 8-24, Idle Pallet Storage; 8-27, Storage of
Wood Chips; 8-28, Pulpwood and Outdoor Log Storage; 7-52, Oxygen. For outdoor storage that is not covered
by any of the above data sheets, use this document to determine the separation and protection.
When using this document, yard storage should be categorized as outlined in Appendix A.
3.4 Yard Housekeeping
Unpaved yards with grass, weeds and bushes are hazardous, especially to buildings with combustible walls.
Piles of combustibles, stored either in the yard or on nearby property, add to the hazard. Combustible yard
storage may be vulnerable both to incendiarism and to fire spread from adjoining properties. These hazards
may be reduced by yard paving, metal fencing, and the maintaining of an aisle space along the fence.
1-20
Page 21
Fig. 4b. Protection of walls above the exposure (English units).
1-20
Page 22
Fig. 4c. Protection of walls above the exposure (SI Units).
1-20
Page 23
4.0 REFERENCES
4.1 FM Global
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Data
Sheet
Sheet
Sheet
Sheet
Sheet
Sheet
Sheet
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Sheet
Sheet
1-0, Safeguards During Construction, Alteration and Demolition

1-19, Fire Walls, Subdivisions and Draft Curtains
1-21, Fire Resistance of Building Assemblies
1-22, Maximum Foreseeable Loss Limiting Factors
1-29, Roof Deck Securement and Above-Deck Roof Components
1-57, Rigid Plastic Building Materials
2-8N, NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems 1996 Edition
3-10, Installation and Maintenance of Private Fire Service Mains and their Appurtenances
7-28N, Explosive Materials
7-29, Flammable Liquid Storage in Portable Containers
7-32, Flammable Liquid Operations
7-52, Oxygen
7-85, Metals and Alloys
7-88, Storage Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids
8-1, Commodity Classification
8-3, Rubber Tire Storage
8-7, Baled Fiber Storage
8-10, Coal and Charcoal Storage
8-21, Roll Paper Storage
8-22, Storage of Baled Waste Paper
8-24, Idle Pallet Storage
8-27, Storage of Wood Chips
8-28, Pulpwood and Outdoor Log Storage
9-17, Protection Against Arson and Other Incendiary Fires
4.2 National Institute of Standards and Technology

NIST-GCR-98-751, Window Breakage Induced by Exterior Fires, Mowrer, FW.
APPENDIX A GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Actual Separation Distance (d): The existing or proposed separation distance between adjacent buildings
or between yard storage and a building.
Class 1: Class 1 includes Approved plastic panels and plastic building panels. Approved Foam Insulated
wall/ceiling constructions which utilize a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam core and steel or aluminumfaced panels are considered Class 1. Approved insulated steel deck roof assemblies are also considered
Class 1.
Combustible: Combustible includes painted or unpainted wood, rigid plastic building materials that are not
Approved, and Class 2 insulated steel decks.
Concrete Block on Exposed (From the Exterior Side) Steel Frame: When any portion of the steel framing
is on the exterior side of concrete block, expansion of the steel frame under heat exposure may open up the
mortar joints. This tends to weaken the wall as well as permit the passage of heat and flame to the unexposed
side. Some credit, however, can be given to this type of wall to act as a fire barrier under reduced exposure.
If an exterior grade fire resistant coating (such as an intumescent mastic) is applied to the exterior side of the
exposed steel to provide a comparable rating to that of the wall, that rating may be used to determine the
separation. Otherwise, using the separation distances for noncombustible construction will provide a very
conservative estimate of the needed separation.
Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS). EIFS often use expanded or extruded polystyrene insulation
(EPS). The exterior coating for the EPS is a thin (about 18 in., 3 mm) layer of proprietary plaster-like material
which may be only 50% cement and 50% polymers. It offers considerably less thermal resistance than stucco
(lath and plaster) which is typically 12 in. to 34 in. thick (13 to 19 mm).
Fire Rated Glass: Glass such as wired glass, glass block or ceramic glass that has passed a minimum 34 hour
fire endurance test and hose stream test.
1-20
Page 24
Fire Resistive: For more information including specific hourly fire ratings, refer to Data Sheet 1-21, Fire
Resistance of Building Assemblies. This category includes concrete (tilt-up, precast, poured-in-place),
concrete block, brick (but not quarter brick which is only about 12 in. (13 mm) thick when used as a veneer
in EIFS systems), metal sandwich panels with a gypsum board core, and plaster/stucco (not EIFS). Well
maintained concrete or masonry walls without openings generally need little or no separation or protection
against fire exposure.
High Hazard Occupancy: Storage of Class 3 or 4 or greater hazard commodities, storage of flammable liquids,
plastics, roll paper, rubber tires and storage of any material judged to have a comparable or higher hazard.
When palletized storage of Class 3 commodities are no more than one tier or 6 ft (1.8 m) high, the hazard
may be reduced to Ordinary.
Light Hazard Occupancy: Manufacture of noncombustible products in which small amounts of cutting oils,
flammable liquids, or other combustibles are used. Assume a light hazard occupancy for use in Table 1 when
the exposing building is a hospital, office (with minimal combustible furniture and limited books and papers
in the open), school, or other building having a comparable occupancy hazard, or when any portion of the
exposing building is combustible and the building is vacant. This classification can also be used for the
palletized storage of Class 1 or 2 commodities to one tier high or 6 ft (1.8 m).
Noncombustible (NC): Noncombustible walls usually consist of panels over steel framing. Panels may be
painted or galvanized steel, corrugated iron, or corrugated cementitious supported on a steel frame. The
panels are light in weight, and unless protected or adequately separated, they may buckle and open at their
joints, or crack under fire exposure. Since heat will easily conduct through thin steel and ignite combustible
insulation, insulations acceptable for use in this category include glass fiber, mineral wool and expanded
glass. For other types of insulation, see Class 1 or combustible categories.
Noncombustible panels also include protected metal panels and fiber-reinforced cement panels Approved
and listed under Exterior Roofing and Siding.
Ordinary Hazard Occupancy: Manufacture of Class 3 and Class 4 commodities. Storage of Class 1 or 2
commodities, and storages of Class 3 palletized commodities to one tier high or a maximum of 6 ft (1.8 m)
high; metal-working in which significant amounts of cutting oils are present; or when the exposing building
is occupied as a hotel, dwelling, retail store, garage, or any occupancy where there is a moderate amount of
combustible material.
Safe Separation Distance (S): The distance recommended per this document to prevent ignition of a building
or its contents due to an exposure fire in an adjacent building or yard storage.
Stable Fire Resistive (SFR): SFR walls are constructed of materials having a fire resistance rating at least
adequate for the exposing occupancy. The exposing wall must be constructed so that it will not collapse in an
uncontrolled fire. This includes freestanding fire walls. It does not include fire walls that are laterally supported
by structural framework that does not have adequate fire resistance.
APPENDIX B DOCUMENT REVISION HISTORY
September 2006. Minor editorial changes were made.
May 2003. This revision of the document has been reorganized to provide a consistent format.
In September 1999, the March 1979 version was completely revised.

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Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

PROTECTION AGAINST EXTERIOR FIRE EXPOSURE

Protection Against Exterior Fire Exposure

2007 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

Protection Against Exterior Fire Exposure

Protection Against Exterior Fire Exposure

Job Aid No. 1 for Using Tables 1 and 2.

2007 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

Protection Against Exterior Fire Exposure

FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

Cat. B NC, Class 1

Percent Unprotected Openings in Exposing Wall

No minimum separation required

2007 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

Protection Against Exterior Fire Exposure

FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

Percent Unprotected Openings in Exposing Wall

2007 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

Protection Against Exterior Fire Exposure

FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

NC, Class 1 or Ordinary

Percent Unprotected Openings in Exposing Wall

2007 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

Protection Against Exterior Fire Exposure

FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

Table 2. Multipliers for Space Separation

L/H or H/L of Exposing Wall (whichever is greater than 1.0)

Additional comments regarding the use of Table 2 are as follows:

2007 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

Protection Against Exterior Fire Exposure

2007 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

Protection Against Exterior Fire Exposure

FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

Job Aid No. 2 for Yard Storage.

2.2.1 Construction and Location

2007 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

Protection Against Exterior Fire Exposure

FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

2007 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

Protection Against Exterior Fire Exposure

FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

3.0 EXPOSURE FIRES (GENERAL)

2007 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

Protection Against Exterior Fire Exposure

FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

2007 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

Protection Against Exterior Fire Exposure

FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

Fig. 1. Exposed building walls are longer than exposing walls.

2007 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

Protection Against Exterior Fire Exposure

FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

Table 4. Protection for Longer Exposed Walls

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Protection Against Exterior Fire Exposure

FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

2007 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

Protection Against Exterior Fire Exposure

FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

Fig. 2. Protection for side walls of exposed building.

2007 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

Protection Against Exterior Fire Exposure

FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets