Lookup Fire Rating

Retrieve a UL fire-resistance listing for an assembly — design number, hourly rating, materials, and tested geometry — from a source the user authorizes. No internal UL values; every output row cites a verbatim quote with a SourceURL.

For PASS / FAIL math against an IBC Table 601 / 602 requirement, use /test-fire-rating. For plain-English IBC Ch. 6 / 7 interpretation, use /explain-code.

Inputs the command needs

1. Assembly type — name one:
   • Wall — U-series (UL design number prefix U) for non-load-bearing or V-series for load-bearing
   • Floor-ceiling — L-series / J-series / D-series
   • Roof-ceiling — P-series
   • Beam, column — N-series / X-series
   • Through-penetration firestop — W-series / C-AJ-series
   • Joint firestop — HW-series / WW-series
2. Hourly rating target — 1-hr, 2-hr, 3-hr, 4-hr (optional but narrows search).
3. Materials of interest — 5/8 in Type X GWB on metal stud, 2-hr concrete masonry unit, gypsum sheathing on wood stud, etc. (optional but narrows search).

Step 1 — Source preference (always ask first)

Tell the user, all at once:

"Where should I retrieve the UL listing from? (a) Standard — https://iq.ulprospector.com/ (UL iQ free database). I will WebFetch on confirmation and quote the design number + verbatim listing summary. (b) Your own source — paste from a project submittal package, a manufacturer's UL listing extract, or a arch-rag-indexed UL PDF. Tell me which. (c) Both — fetch UL iQ AND check your source; report any mismatch.

Pick (a), (b), or (c)."

The command does not proceed without an explicit pick. It does not WebFetch from convenience aggregators (e.g., ulwall.com, gypsum.org redistributors) as the standard source.

Step 2 — Acquire source

• (a) Standard fetch — WebFetch https://iq.ulprospector.com/en with the user's keywords (design prefix + materials + rating). Quote the verbatim listing summary including design number, assembly description, and rating. Record the fetched URL and ISO timestamp.
• (b) Own source — accept paste, run arch-rag query, or WebFetch a user-provided URL on confirmation. Quote verbatim and record source.
• (c) Both — execute (a) and (b), present both quotes, and flag any divergence in design # / rating / materials.

If a fetch returns a paywall / login wall (UL iQ requires free signup for full listing detail), fall back to: WebSearch UL <design-number> site:ul.com OR site:iq.ulprospector.com → ask user to confirm match → ask user to paste from their UL access.

Step 3 — Output

# Lookup Fire Rating — [Assembly, target rating]

**Assembly type:** [Wall / floor-ceiling / roof-ceiling / column / penetration / joint]
**Target rating:** [1-hr / 2-hr / 3-hr / 4-hr / unspecified]
**Materials filter:** [...]
**Source preference:** [(a) UL iQ Prospector / (b) own source — name / (c) both]

## Reference area
UL Fire Resistance Directory (`https://iq.ulprospector.com/`); `IBC 2024 Table 721.1` (Generic Fire-Resistance Ratings) for IBC-tabulated alternatives; `Gypsum Association GA-600 Fire Resistance Manual` for GWB assemblies.

## Source quote
> [Verbatim listing summary — design number, assembly description, rating, hose stream, structural restraint, listing date.]

(Source: WebFetched from `https://iq.ulprospector.com/...` on <YYYY-MM-DD> / pasted by user from <doc> / arch-rag query against `<indexed PDF>`)

## Listing summary table
| Field | Value (per quoted source) |
|---|---|
| Design # | UL `<U/V/L/J/P/N/W>-<###>` |
| Hourly rating | "<verbatim>" |
| Load-bearing | yes / no |
| Hose stream | met / not applicable |
| Structural restraint | restrained / unrestrained |
| Materials (verbatim) | "<...>" |
| Listed date | "<...>" |

## Divergence (if (c))
- [Bullet — any design# / rating / material difference between UL iQ and own source.]

## Caveats
- This is a retrieval, not a design check. The Architect of Record / Engineer of Record select and stamp the assembly; this command does not size members or verify substitutions.
- UL listings are continuously updated and de-listed. Cross-check the listing date — listings older than 5 years should be re-verified at `https://iq.ulprospector.com/`.
- For PASS / FAIL math against `IBC Table 601 / 602`, use `/test-fire-rating`.
- Substitutions (different gypsum brand, different stud gauge) require manufacturer field of evaluation or a UL alternate listing — do not assume equivalence.
- Binding interpretation is the AOR's stamped life-safety plan plus AHJ review (`NYC DOB`, `LADBS`, `DSA`, `CA HCAI`, `Toronto Building`).

NA AEC conventions (enforce)

• English only.
• Imperial-first: in, ft, hr rating, psf. Metric only if the listing uses it.
• UL design number format: U419, L501, J919, P530, N705, W-L-1054, HW-D-0050. Always cite the prefix letter.
• Codes / standards: UL Fire Resistance Directory, IBC 2024 Table 721.1, GA-600, IBC Ch. 7 for assembly types, ASTM E119 test method. Reject KBC, KS, EN, BS, JIS, DIN.
• AHJs named: NYC DOB, FDNY, LADBS, DSA, CA HCAI, Toronto Building, Boston ISD, Chicago DOB. Never the AHJ or the city.
• Floors: Level 3 / L3 / 3rd floor. Never 3F.
• Roles: Architect of Record (AOR), Engineer of Record (EOR), Code Consultant, Fire Protection Engineer, Special Inspector. Never Director as a project role.

Constraints

• Never invent UL design numbers, ratings, or materials from recall.
• Never paraphrase the listing — verbatim only.
• Always ask the source-preference question at Step 1; do not skip.
• Never WebFetch from convenience aggregators (manufacturer marketing pages, ulwall.com, etc.) as the standard source — UL iQ Prospector or the user's authorized source only.
• Always include the SourceURL + timestamp.
• Caveat block always present.
• Markdown only. No Word / PDF.

Anti-patterns (never do)

• Stating "U419 is 2-hr" from recall — never. The design # and rating come from a fetch or paste.
• Treating manufacturer UL summary slick sheets as the authority over UL iQ — UL iQ is the listing of record.
• Substituting one UL design for another without manufacturer / UL confirmation.
• Auto-fetching without explicit user authorization.
• Skipping Step 1 (source preference question) — never.
• Running /test-fire-rating from inside this command — pointer-only.