Fire Sep Between Levels

[Jim Robinson]

I may have even asked this question before, but I obviously didn't retain the answer if I did get one.

In a single family residence, is there any requirement for fire separation between levels. Specifically, this house has a partially finished basement which is used as a shop. There is no ceiling, just the open framing visible to the bottom of the sub floor. I looked through the IRC sections on fire blocking, and it doesn't seem to apply to this. I'm thinking no requirement, or else you could never have an unfinished basement, or any basement without a gypsum board ceiling.

[Rick Bunzel]

To the best of my knowledge there is no requirement for a firewall between basement and living space. The firewall only applies to garage space.


//Rick

[Jerry Peck]

No fire separation between levels (except, as Rick mentioned) between a garage and living space and its attic) other than what is required for concealed areas/spaces (such as closed off space below stairs, etc).

There still is a requirement for fireblocking of concealed spaces such as stud cavities, etc, at the floor and ceiling levels - but this is a different issue than the fire separation*you are asking about.

[Jim Robinson]

Thanks. That's the way I was interpreting it as well. Very few unfinished basements, or basements at all, out here, so it always looks a little funny when I see it.