WC Jerry,
That is quite similar to what the IBC says regarding laundry chutes.
From the 2006 IBC.
- 707.13 Refuse and laundry chutes. Refuse and laundry chutes, access and termination rooms and incinerator rooms shall meet the requirements of Sections 707.13.1 through 707.13.6.
- - Exception: Chutes serving and contained within a single dwelling unit.
- - 707.13.1 Refuse and laundry chute enclosures. A shaft enclosure containing a refuse or laundry chute shall not be used for any other purpose and shall be enclosed in accordance with Section 707.4. Openings into the shaft, including those from access rooms and termination rooms, shall be protected in accordance with this section and Section 715. Openings into chutes shall not be located in corridors. Doors shall be self- or automatic closing upon the actuation of a smoke detector in accordance with Section 715.4.7.3, except that heat-activated closing devices shall be permitted between the shaft and the termination room.
- - 707.13.2 Materials. A shaft enclosure containing a refuse or laundry chute shall be constructed of materials as permitted by the building type of construction.
- - 707.13.3 Refuse and laundry chute access rooms. Access openings for refuse and laundry chutes shall be located in rooms or compartments enclosed by a fire barrier that has a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour. Openings into the access rooms shall be protected by opening protectives having a fire protection rating of not less than 3/4 hour. Doors shall be self- or automatic closing upon the detection of smoke in accordance with Section 715.4.7.3.
- - 707.13.4 Termination room. Refuse and laundry chutes shall discharge into an enclosed room separated from the remainder of the building by a fire barrier that has a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour. Openings into the termination room shall be protected by opening protectives having a fire protection rating of not less than 3/4 hour. Doors shall be self- or automatic closing upon the detection of smoke in accordance with Section 715.4.7.3. Refuse chutes shall not terminate in an incinerator room. Refuse and laundry rooms that are not provided with chutes need only comply with Table 508.2.
- - 707.13.5 Incinerator room. Incinerator rooms shall comply with Table 508.2.
- - 707.13.6 Automatic sprinkler system. An approved automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in accordance with Section 903.2.10.2.
The problem is that the IRC does not address laundry chutes, or other shafts.
In a fire resistive building, shafts are required to have minimum fire resistance rated walls enclosing them, however, the IRC covers buildings which are not fire resistive in those aspects.
Thus, providing a 'comparable' shaft enclosure to that provided for in the rest of the building (i.e., 1/2" gypsum board) and providing self-closing doors at the bottom and at all access locations should provide that 'comparable' protection.
Laundry chutes are not dis-allowed, nor are they specifically allowed, and, as shown in the IBC, laundry chutes do not need fireblocking 'within' the laundry chute itself.
The problem I see is that "stud wall cavities" were used as the laundry chute.
"Stud wall cavities" are specifically addressed in the IRC even for use with return air, and, if not properly closed at the bottom and each accessible location, would this not become a "return air duct" in that sense?
From the 2006 IRC. (underlining is mine)
- M1601.1.1 Above-ground duct systems. Above-ground duct systems shall conform to the following:
- -
7. Stud wall cavities and the spaces between solid floor joists to be used as air plenums shall comply with the following conditions:
- - - 7.1. These cavities or spaces shall not be used as a plenum for supply air.
- - - 7.2. These cavities or spaces shall not be part of a required fire-resistance-rated assembly.
- - - 7.3. Stud wall cavities shall not convey air from more than one floor level.
- - - 7.4. Stud wall cavities and joist-space plenums shall be isolated from adjacent concealed spaces by tight-fitting fire blocking in accordance with Section R602.8.
"7.3. Stud wall cavities shall not convey air from more than one floor level."
That means that even return air ducts are required to be limited to one floor and the floor or ceiling area below/above, and then fire stopping beyond that point.
A separate 'special use' chase should have been constructed, with the chase lined with 1/2" gypsum around the outside the chase, with the metal laundry chute duct inside it. Along with the self-closing covers at the bottom and at each access location.
Is it wrong to have a laundry chute in a single-family residence? No.
Is it allowable to construct one as stated in the original post? No.
Are the clients going to remove it or close it up? Unlikely.
Should the clients be made aware of it. Yes.