Terry Beck
01-27-2011, 12:52 PM
Attic in a 2-year old house. I see no fireblocking around the vent for the manufactured wood fireplace in living room. In addition, what is not clearly visible in the pictures is that fiberglass batting has been used to fill the space between the upper section of studs of the vertical wall at one side of the chase.
Question: I see the word 'fireblocking' thrown about all the time, but maybe I am not clear on what is defined as a proper fireblock. From 2006-IRC (which would have been in force at time of construction), I see this:
R602.8 Fireblocking required. Fireblocking shall be provided to cut off all concealed draft openings (both vertical and horizontal) and to form an effective fIre barrier between stories, and between a top story and the roof space. Fireblocking shall be provided in wood-frame construction in the following locations.
1. In concealed spaces of stud walls and partitions, including furred spaces and parallel rows of studs or staggered studs; as follows:
1.1. Vertically at the ceiling and floor levels.
1.2. Horizontally at intervals not exceeding 10 feet.
4. At openings around vents, pipes, ducts, cables and wires at ceiling and floor level, with an approved material to resist the free passage of flame and products of combustion.
5. For the fireblocking of chimneys and fireplaces, see Section R1003.19.
R602.8.1 Materials. Except as provided in Section R602.8, Item 4, fireblocking shall consist of ……
Batts or blankets of mineral wool or glass fiber or other approved materials installed in such a manner as to be securely retained in place shall be permitted as an acceptable fire block. Batts or blankets of mineral or glass fiber or other approved nonrigid materials shall be permitted for compliance with the 10 foot horizontal fireblocking in walls constructed using parallel rows of studs or staggered studs.
RI003.19 Chimney fireblocking. All spaces between chimneys and floors and ceilings through which chimneys pass shall be fireblocked with noncombustible material securely fastened in place. The fireblocking of spaces between chimneys and wood joists, beams or headers shall be self-supporting or be placed on strips of metal or metal lath laid across the spaces between combustible material and the chimney.
My question. What would be required to provide proper fireblocking around this exhaust vent?
Terry B
Question: I see the word 'fireblocking' thrown about all the time, but maybe I am not clear on what is defined as a proper fireblock. From 2006-IRC (which would have been in force at time of construction), I see this:
R602.8 Fireblocking required. Fireblocking shall be provided to cut off all concealed draft openings (both vertical and horizontal) and to form an effective fIre barrier between stories, and between a top story and the roof space. Fireblocking shall be provided in wood-frame construction in the following locations.
1. In concealed spaces of stud walls and partitions, including furred spaces and parallel rows of studs or staggered studs; as follows:
1.1. Vertically at the ceiling and floor levels.
1.2. Horizontally at intervals not exceeding 10 feet.
4. At openings around vents, pipes, ducts, cables and wires at ceiling and floor level, with an approved material to resist the free passage of flame and products of combustion.
5. For the fireblocking of chimneys and fireplaces, see Section R1003.19.
R602.8.1 Materials. Except as provided in Section R602.8, Item 4, fireblocking shall consist of ……
Batts or blankets of mineral wool or glass fiber or other approved materials installed in such a manner as to be securely retained in place shall be permitted as an acceptable fire block. Batts or blankets of mineral or glass fiber or other approved nonrigid materials shall be permitted for compliance with the 10 foot horizontal fireblocking in walls constructed using parallel rows of studs or staggered studs.
RI003.19 Chimney fireblocking. All spaces between chimneys and floors and ceilings through which chimneys pass shall be fireblocked with noncombustible material securely fastened in place. The fireblocking of spaces between chimneys and wood joists, beams or headers shall be self-supporting or be placed on strips of metal or metal lath laid across the spaces between combustible material and the chimney.
My question. What would be required to provide proper fireblocking around this exhaust vent?
Terry B