221: Standard for High Challenge Fire Walls, Fire Walls, and Fire Barrier Walls

Help protect lives and reduce damage by referencing NFPA 221 for the latest requirements for fire-rated walls.

Fire wall assemblies are intended to offer an effective means of slowing the spread of fire and reducing loss. NFPA 221, Standard for High Challenge Fire Walls, Fire Walls, and Fire Barrier Walls, provides AHJs, architects, engineers, and anyone involved in building construction with comprehensive criteria for the proper design and construction of these structures. The standard covers general requirements for fire resistance ratings, performance-based design, and other considerations for high challenge fire walls, fire walls, and fire barrier walls, including protection of openings and penetrations.

The updated 2021 edition offers the most relevant and complete provisions for fire wall assemblies.

NFPA 221 assists in understanding and differentiating between the various kinds of walls, so you can make the right decisions to help safeguard people and property.

Significant changes to the 2021 edition include:

• Added requirements to the performance-based design of walls designed using analytical methods to determine the performance of structural systems under uncontrolled fire exposure
• Expanded guidance on insulation applied to the exterior of the vertical surface of fire walls
• Revisions to requirements for buildings in high-wind-prone regions to coordinate with changes in the building code to mitigate small windborne debris damage

Take confidence you have the right information to help ensure fire walls are designed and constructed to perform as intended.

Get access to the most current criteria by ordering your copy of NFPA 221, Standard for High Challenge Fire Walls, Fire Walls, and Fire Barrier Walls, 2021 edition.