Thread: Fire Place Chimney No Fire Break

Inspected home recently that had no metal fire break between attic and second floor. Home was built back in seventies. Called it for repair. Not sure of code, was this correct? Would post picture but I keep getting html code question.

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Originally Posted by Alan C Grubb

Inspected home recently that had no metal fire break between attic and second floor. Home was built back in seventies. Called it for repair. Not sure of code, was this correct? Would post picture but I keep getting html code question.

AG: You were correct. It does not necessarily need to be metal, but it does need to be firestopped.

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 inwood-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
R1003.19.
6. Fireblocking of cornices of a two-family dwelling is
required at the line of dwelling unit separation.

I write them up, but it's standard in my area to not have any fire stop/ blocking in houses built in the 70's.