well... since we never found a fire-rated clothes chute requirement in the codes, here is how we replied to the plan check comment:
NOTE THAT THE CBC VERTICAL SHAFT REQUIREMENTS DO NOT APPLY TO LAUNDRY CHUTES IN SINGLE FAMILY DWELLINGS AS PER LAUNDRY CHUTES SECTION 713.13 EXCEPTION 1 – NOTE THAT WE SEE NO SUCH FIRE RATED LAUNDRY CHUTE REQUIREMENTS IN THE CRC (RESIDENTIAL CODE).
HOWEVER, WE HAVE REVISED THE PLANS TO INDICATE THE FOLLOWING:
1. PROVIDE A CONTINUOUS ENCLOSED NON-COMBUSTIBLE SHEET METAL CLOTHES CHUTE COMPLETELY SEALED EXCEPT FOR TOP AND BOTTOM OPENINGS.
2. WHERE THE SHEET METAL CHUTE PASSES THROUGH THE FLOOR, THE OPENING THROUGH THE FLOOR SHALL BE COMPLETELY SEALED AND FIRE-BLOCKED AROUND THE SHEET METAL CHUTE SO AS TO PREVENT THE PASSAGE OF SMOKE.
3. THE TOP OPENING OF THE CLOTHES CHUTE SHALL BE PROVIDED WITH SOLID, TIGHT FITTING, SELF-CLOSING HOPPER-TYPE DOOR. THIS DOOR SHALL BE INSTALLED WITH THE BOTTOM HINGE AT A MINIMUM OF 48” ABOVE THE FLOOR LEVEL, SO AS TO PREVENT SMALL CHILDREN FROM ACCESSING THE CHUTE.
4. BOTTOM OPENING SHALL BE ENCLOSED WITHIN A SOLID CABINET. THIS CABINET SHALL BE PROVIDED WITH A SOLID, TIGHT FITTING, SELF-CLOSING DOOR.