3.13.2.1.Requirements for Stations

(1) Except as provided in this Subsection, the requirements in Subsections 3.2.1. and 3.2.2. do not apply to a rapid transit station. (2) The requirements in Sentence (3) shall apply to (a) a rapid transit station erected entirely below the adjoining finished ground level, and (b) the underground portion of a rapid transit station. (3) Except as permitted in Sentence (4), an underground station or an underground portion of a station in Sentence (2) shall be of noncombustible construction, and (a) floor assemblies shall be fire separations having a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h, (b) roof assemblies below ground level, shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h, but a fire-resistance rating is not required where steel tunnel liners are left in place to form part of the assembly and the tunnel liners are in direct contact with soil, and (c) all loadbearing walls, columns and arches shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly. (4) An interior stair extending to street level is permitted to be protected by a combustible roof. (5) Where a rapid transit station is erected above and below the adjoining finished ground level, the above ground portion of the station shall be of noncombustible construction and (a) floor assemblies shall be fire separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h. (b) mezzanines shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, (c) roof assemblies shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, and (d) all loadbearing walls, columns and arches shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly. (6) Except as permitted by Sentence (7), where a rapid transit station is erected entirely above the adjoining finished ground level and is a stand-alone building, the station shall be of noncombustible construction and (a) floor assemblies shall be fire separations with a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, (b) mezzanines shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, (c) roof assemblies shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, and (d) all loadbearing walls, columns and arches shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than that required for the supported assembly. (7) A building classified as Group A, Division 2 occupancy that is not more than 1 storey in building height, and that has a building area not more than 3 200 m2 if not sprinklered throughout or not more than 6 400 m2 if sprinklered throughout, is permitted to be constructed with a roof and columns of heavy timber construction. (8) An interconnected floor space is permitted in a public area of a rapid transit station. (9) Stairs, escalators and elevators used by passengers are permitted to be included in the interconnected floor space in a rapid transit station. (10) Passenger elevators within or adjacent to an interconnected floor space need not be enclosed in a hoistway separated from the remainder of the interconnected floor space provided the elevator machinery is located in a room separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than (a) 1.5 h, where the floor of the machine room is below grade, or (b) 45 min, where the floor of the machine room is located above grade. (11) Elevator shafts that are not within or adjacent to an interconnected floor space are permitted to penetrate the fire separations required in Sentences (2) to (6) provided they are enclosed by (a) a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h, or (b) wired glass assemblies conforming to MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-2, “Fire Performance Ratings”.