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12-03-2012, 06:44 AM #1
How many point out voids in attic ceiling
How many of you point out the attic voids in the area of showers as a fire hazard. I know they are a void in the insulation envelope, but they can also serve as a chimney and increase the rate of fire spread should there be a breach in the wall that forms the vertical shaft.
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12-03-2012, 07:05 AM #2
Re: How many point out voids in attic ceiling
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12-03-2012, 07:39 AM #3
Re: How many point out voids in attic ceiling
Hmmm, I never mention them as a defect. Why are they a fire hazard?
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12-03-2012, 08:41 AM #4
Re: How many point out voids in attic ceiling
A fire stop is required these days to slow the spread of a fire. It is a recommended upgrade for an old house.
John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
www.allsafehome.ca
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12-03-2012, 10:19 AM #5
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12-03-2012, 12:39 PM #6
Re: How many point out voids in attic ceiling
Check R602.8 IRC 2003
Fireblocking required.
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12-04-2012, 06:01 AM #7
Re: How many point out voids in attic ceiling
that is also in my reports as a child hazard area. I don't want a phone call from some owner describing how they found their dead kid in that hole and it wasn't in my report
and if that sounds way over to you, why is attic fan childproofing required?
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12-04-2012, 06:26 AM #8
Re: How many point out voids in attic ceiling
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12-04-2012, 06:44 AM #9
Re: How many point out voids in attic ceiling
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12-04-2012, 07:32 AM #10
Re: How many point out voids in attic ceiling
Thanks.
Fireblocking is defined as building materials installed to resist the free
passage of flame to other areas of the building through concealed spaces.
Section R602.8 – R602.8.1.2 of the 2003 IRC require fireblocking 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.
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12-04-2012, 07:51 AM #11
Re: How many point out voids in attic ceiling
I frequently see openings or voids or whatever you want to call them frequently, Usually in newer construction. They often are just dead space closed off. Apparently, the architect had some leftover space that he/she couldn't figure out what to use it for.
I have never seen any kind of child proofing on a whole house fan, and I see a lot of them. North America is a big place with lots of people, and I am sure that somewhere, sometime, some kid stuck his hand in a fan, but I didn't know code was addressing this problem.
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12-04-2012, 08:26 AM #12
Re: How many point out voids in attic ceiling
I point them out because I conduct a visual energy "audit" during my home inspections. I also point out such things as a lack of an air barrier on an attic knee wall or a lack of insulation/gasket on attic accesses within the thermal boundary.
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12-05-2012, 09:06 AM #13
Re: How many point out voids in attic ceiling
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
(3048 mm).
2. At all interconnections between concealed vertical and
horizontal spaces such as occur at soffits, drop ceilings
and cove ceilings.
3. In concealed spaces between stair stringers at the top and
bottom of the run. Enclosed spaces under stairs shall
comply with Section R311.2.2.
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
RI003.19.
6. Fireblocking of cornices of a two-family dwelling is
required at the line of dwelling unit separation.
A more complete version of the code section concerning fireblocking . .
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12-05-2012, 04:40 PM #14
Re: How many point out voids in attic ceiling
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