Thread: 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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Originally Posted by ren ramsey

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.

Yep, it is in my report if I find it! Very common in homes that have fireplaces with metal flues, interior attic air returns and interior wall closets with dead spaces behind the drywall.

Hmmm, I never mention them as a defect. Why are they a fire hazard?

A fire stop is required these days to slow the spread of a fire. It is a recommended upgrade for an old house.

Originally Posted by John Kogel

A fire stop is required these days to slow the spread of a fire. It is a recommended upgrade for an old house.

I believe fire stop is only required where a chimney flue passes through a floor but I don't see anything about fire stop at the ceiling into an attic.

Check R602.8 IRC 2003
Fireblocking required.

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?

Originally Posted by wayne soper

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?

What is your source for the attic fan childproofing requirement?

Originally Posted by Lon Henderson

I believe fire stop is only required where a chimney flue passes through a floor but I don't see anything about fire stop at the ceiling into an attic.

It does act as a fire stop but also it is an energy thing.

The cold/hot air from the attic travels down into the void that has non insulated drywall and then it is transmitted to the adjoining living area.

Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall

Check R602.8 IRC 2003
Fireblocking required.

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.

Originally Posted by wayne soper

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?

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Lon Henderson

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.

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 . .

Originally Posted by Alton Darty

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 . .

Alton,

The one most contractor miss, and are totally unaware of, is 1.2.

The others, they just don't understand what needs to be done to meet the requirements of the code.