IMC 607 is where ductwork meets rated construction. This section is not just “add a fire damper.” It is about identifying the assembly, selecting the correct damper or exception, showing actuation, and providing access.
We’ll cover IMC 607 in 10 parts:
• Part 1 (607.1–607.1.2.1): General protection rules
Duct/transfer opening protection, ducts between shafts, penetrations without dampers, and IBC coordination.
• Part 2 (607.2–607.2.4.1): Damper installation rules
Manufacturer instructions, listings, smoke control conflicts, hazardous exhaust, static dampers, and MEP controls in ducts.
• Part 3 (607.3–607.3.3.5): Testing, ratings, and actuation
UL 555, UL 555S, UL 555C, damper ratings, heat-responsive devices, and smoke detector actuation.
• Part 4 (607.4–607.4.2): Access and identification
Access size, removable duct sections, rated assembly integrity, remote inspection, and damper labels.
• Part 5 (607.5–607.5.2.1): Fire walls and fire barriers
Fire wall penetrations, horizontal exits, fire barriers, exit enclosures, smoke control exceptions, and fully ducted exceptions.
• Part 6 (607.5.3): Fire partitions
Fire partition penetrations, corridor walls, sprinklered exceptions, small-duct exceptions, sleeve/angle details, and ducted HVAC exceptions.
• Part 7 (607.5.4–607.5.4.1): Corridors and smoke barriers
Smoke dampers, corridor dampers, ceiling radiation dampers, corridor/smoke barrier exceptions, and actuation.
• Part 8 (607.5.5–607.5.7): Shafts, exterior walls, and smoke partitions
Shaft penetrations, subduct exceptions, parking garage shafts, upward airflow, rated exterior walls, and smoke partition openings.
• Part 9 (607.6–607.6.3): Horizontal assemblies
Floor/ceiling penetrations, shaft options, through penetrations, membrane penetrations, ceiling radiation dampers, and nonrated floor assemblies.
• Part 10 (607.7): Flexible ducts and air connectors
Flexible ducts and air connectors cannot pass through fire-resistance-rated assemblies.
🏗️ Why it matters
Most IMC 607 redlines come from guessing. The plans show a duct crossing a wall, floor, shaft, corridor, or smoke barrier, but the set does not identify the rating, damper type, exception, access, or actuation method.
🗺️ Where to show it
• M-001: IMC 607 notes, damper criteria, exceptions, access, and labels
• M-101: duct and transfer openings at rated assemblies
• M-501: damper, sleeve, access, and penetration details
• M-603: damper actuation, detector interface, fan shutdown, and smoke control coordination
🔧 Field tip
Start with the life-safety plan before the duct plan. If you do not know what assembly is being penetrated, you cannot correctly pick the damper, exception, access detail, or actuation method.
Comment “IMC607” if you want a paste-ready duct and transfer opening review checklist + M-001 note set.