Periodic special inspection of sealants or adhesives as specified by the International Building Code Section...

IBC Section 703.7 requires sealant or adhesive to resist air passage at the abutting edges and intersections of mass timber building elements where those elements are required to be fire-resistance rated. Section 1705.20 then requires periodic special inspection where those prescribed sealants or adhesives are installed. Option C repeats that first required location accurately.

Option D is defective because the code requires sealing at an intersection between mass timber and another material only where both intersecting building elements are required to be fire-resistance rated. The phrase “one or the other” materially weakens the condition. Option A is also too broad. A code-defined joint is not automatically subject to Section 703.7; fire-resistant joint systems are separately regulated by Section 715 and, where applicable, Section 1705.18.

Option B describes the exception in reverse. Sealant or adhesive need not be added under Section 703.7 where it is not a required component of the tested fire-resistance-rated assembly. When it is part of the listed or tested assembly, it must be installed accordingly, but that statement does not identify the primary location requested.

References/Topics: 2021 IBC Sections 703.7 and 1705.20; sealing of adjacent rated mass timber elements; periodic inspection.

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