List every place the code analysis, wall types, roof and floor assemblies, and specifications call for fire-retardant-treated wood or a fire-retardant coating, then check that the drawings, the specified product, and its data describe the same material in the same locations. AI can flag conflicts; the architect and the authority having jurisdiction decide compliance.
What does NFPA 703 cover?
NFPA 703 is the Standard for Fire-Retardant-Treated Wood and Fire-Retardant Coatings for Building Materials. NFPA’s page states that it provides criteria for defining and identifying fire retardant–treated wood and fire retardant–coated building materials.
NFPA’s official NFPA 703 page identifies the 2027 edition as current when checked on October 8, 2026. Confirm the edition, local amendments, and project scope that actually govern the work. The publisher’s newest edition does not establish local adoption.
The building code decides where treated wood is required or permitted, often as part of the construction type, so read this with the IBC Chapter 6 construction types guide and the IBC Chapter 7 guide. The structural design of treated wood members follows the AWC NDS guide. Record which documents the authority adopts.
Gather every note that calls for treated wood
Collect the code analysis and construction type, the wall, floor, and roof assembly types, the architectural sections and details, the structural framing plans and general notes, the specification sections for rough carpentry, sheathing, and coatings, and the product data and evaluation reports for the treated wood or coating the project specifies.
Treated wood calls hide in general notes. Upload the general notes and the specifications with the plans so a requirement in one place can be traced to the members it covers.
Match each treated-wood callout to its product
| Review question | Sources to compare | Decision to record |
|---|---|---|
| Where it is required | Code analysis, assembly types, general notes | Confirm the locations calling for treated wood are the same in each source. |
| Members and sheathing | Framing plans, sections, details | Check that the members and sheathing in those locations are labeled treated on the drawings. |
| Specified product | Specifications, product data, evaluation reports | Match the product named in the specifications to the data and reports provided. |
| Coatings | Specifications, finish schedule, product data | Confirm any fire-retardant coating is named for the same surfaces in each source. |
| Exposure conditions | Sections, specifications, product data | Ask the designer to confirm the product suits locations exposed to weather or moisture where drawn. |
| Structural design basis | Structural notes, specifications, product data | Identify treated members whose design notes do not refer to the treated product. |
Rated assemblies that rely on treated wood belong with the fire-rated assembly detail corrections, and the structural drawing checklist logs the framing questions. Treated wood is common on multifamily projects of combustible construction.
Example: the roof sheathing note disagrees
Hypothetical example. A multifamily building’s code analysis and roof assembly type call for fire-retardant-treated roof sheathing near a fire wall. The structural general notes and the rough carpentry specification describe untreated sheathing throughout, and no treated product data is included.
The code analysis and roof assembly type call for fire-retardant-treated sheathing near the fire wall, while the structural general notes and the carpentry specification describe untreated sheathing throughout. Please confirm the requirement and coordinate the notes, specification, and product data.
The architect and the structural engineer confirm the requirement and update the notes and specification. Compliance is decided by the designer and the authority.
Review treated wood callouts with Groundbook
Upload the current project PDFs and relevant specifications to Groundbook. Identify the governing issues and add the applicable NFPA 703 reference from a copy you are licensed to use, where the license permits uploading it. State the edition, amendments, review area, and known exclusions in your instructions.
Compare the code analysis, assembly types, architectural sections and details, structural framing plans and general notes, carpentry and coatings specifications, and product data. Flag locations, members, products, and coatings where the call for fire-retardant-treated wood or coatings differs between sources. Use the supplied NFPA 703 edition where applicable and cite both sources.
Groundbook links each potential finding to the sheets involved and the reference you uploaded.
Document review does not test or certify materials, decide where treated wood is required, or design members. Those decisions remain with the design team and the authority having jurisdiction.