9.10.5.1.Permitted Openings in Wall and Ceiling Membranes

(1) Except as permitted in Sentences (2) and (3), a membrane forming part of an assembly required to have a fire- resistance rating shall not be pierced by openings into the assembly unless the assembly has been tested and rated for such openings. (2) A wall or ceiling membrane forming part of an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating is permitted to be pierced by openings for electrical and similar service outlet boxes, provided such outlet boxes and the penetrations conform to Article 9.10.9.8. (2.1) Where boxes referred to in Sentence (2) are located on both sides of walls required to provide a fire-resistance rating, they shall be offset where necessary to maintain the integrity of the fire separation. (3) A membrane ceiling forming part of an assembly assigned a fire-resistance rating on the basis of Table 2 of MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-3, “Fire and Sound Resistance Tables,” is permitted to be pierced by openings leading to ducts within the ceiling space provided the ducts, the amount of openings and their protection conform to Sentence 9.10.13.14.(1) and the requirements in MMAH Supplementary Standard SB-2, “Fire Performance Ratings.”