[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 24, Volume 5] [Revised as of April 1, 2006] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 24CFR3280.203] [Page 117-119] TITLE 24--HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER XX--OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HOUSING--FEDERAL HOUSING COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT PART 3280_MANUFACTURED HOME CONSTRUCTION AND SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents Subpart C_Fire Safety Sec. 3280.203 Flame spread limitations and fire protection requirements. (a) Establishment of flame spread rating. The surface flame spread rating of interior-finish material shall not exceed the value shown in Sec. 3280.203(b) when tested by ``Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials, ASTM E 84-91a'' except that the surface flame spread rating of interior-finish materials required by Sec. 3280.203(b)(5) and (6) may be determined by using the ``Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability [[Page 118]] of Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source, ASTM E 162-90''. However, the following materials need not be tested to establish their flame spread rating unless a lower rating is required by these standards. (1) Flame-spread rating--76 to 200. (i) .035-inch or thicker high pressure laminated plastic panel countertop; (ii) \1/4\-inch or thicker unfinished plywood with phenolic or urea glue; (iii) Unfinished dimension lumber (1-inch or thicker nominal boards); (iv) \3/8\-inch or thicker unfinished particleboard with phenolic or urea binder; (v) Natural gum-varnished or latex- or alkyd-painted: (A) \1/4\-inch or thicker plywood, or (B) \3/8\-inch or thicker particleboard, or (C) 1-inch or thicker nominal board; (vi) \5/16\-inch gypsum board with decorative wallpaper; and (vii) \1/4\-inch or thicker unfinished hardboard, (2) Flame-spread rating-25 to 200, (i) Painted metal; (ii) Mineral-base acoustic tile; (iii) \5/16\-inch or thicker unfinished gypsum wallboard (both latex- or alkyd-painted); and (iv) Ceramic tile. (The above-listed material applications do not waive the requirements of Sec. 3280.203(c) or Sec. 3280.204 of this subpart.) (b) Flame-spread rating requirements. (1) The interior finish of all walls, columns, and partitions shall not have a flame spread rating exceeding 200 except as otherwise specified herein. (2) Ceiling interior finish shall not have a flame spread rating exceeding 75. (3) Walls adjacent to or enclosing a furnace or water heater and ceilings above them shall have an interior finish with a flame spread rating not exceeding 25. Sealants and other trim materials 2 inches or less in width used to finish adjacent surfaces within these spaces are exempt from this provision provided that all joints are completely supported by framing members or by materials having a flame spread rating not exceeding 25. (4) Exposed interior finishes adjacent to the cooking range shall have a flame spread rating not exceeding 50, except that backsplashes not exceeding 6 inches in height are exempted. Adjacent surfaces are the exposed vertical surfaces between the range top height and the overhead cabinets and/or ceiling and within 6 horizontal inches of the cooking range. (Refer also to Sec. 3280.204(a), Kitchen Cabinet Protection.) Sealants and other trim materials 2 inches or less in width used to finish adjacent surfaces are exempt from this provision provided that all joints are completely supported by a framing member. (5) Kitchen cabinet doors, countertops, backsplashes, exposed bottoms, and end panels shall have a flame spread rating not to exceed 200. Cabinet rails, stiles, mullions, and top strips are exempted. (6) Finish surfaces of plastic bathtubs, shower units, and tub or shower doors shall not exceed a flame spread rating of 200. (c) Fire protective requirements. (1) Materials used to surface the following areas shall be of limited combustible material (e.g., \5/16\-inch gypsum board, etc.): (i) The exposed wall adjacent to the cooking range (see Sec. 3280.203(b)(4)); (ii) Exposed bottoms and sides of kitchen cabinets as required by Sec. 3280.204; (iii) Interior walls and ceilings enclosing furnace and/or water heater spaces; and (iv) Combustible doors which provide interior or exterior access to furnace and/or water heater spaces. The surface may be interrupted for louvers ventilating the enclosure. However, the louvers shall not be constructed of a material of greater combustibility than the door itself (e.g., plastic louvers on a wooden door). (2) No burner of a surface cooking unit shall be closer than 12 horizontal inches to a window or an exterior door with glazing. [49 FR 32008, Aug. 9, 1984, as amended at 58 FR 55005, Oct. 25, 1993] Effective Date Note: At 70 FR 72042, Nov. 30, 2005, Sec. 3280.203 was amended by revising paragraph (a) introductory text, effective May 30, 2006. For the convenience of the user, the revised text follows: [[Page 119]] Sec. 3280.203 Flame spread limitations and fire protection requirements. (a) Establishment of flame spread rating. The surface flame spread rating of interior-finish material must not exceed the value shown in Sec. 3280.203(b) when tested by Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials, ASTM E84-01, 2001, or Standard Method of Test of Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials NFPA 255, 1996, except that the surface flame spread rating of interior-finish materials required by Sec. 3280.203(b)(5) and (6) may be determined by using the Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source, ASTM E 162-94. However, the following materials need not be tested to establish their flame spread rating unless a lower rating is required by the standards in this part: * * * * *