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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Daniel Island, SC.
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    Default Sheet rocked interior stairway.

    House built in 1981. Stairway under stairs to the 2nd level does not have sheetrock installed for fire protection. Is it required? Closet door separating hallway from area under the stairway.

    Thanks,

    Jim

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
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    3,154

    Default Re: Sheet rocked interior stairway.

    Hi Jim,

    Yes, it is required for most stairways. I don't have the code handy, otherwise I would quote it for you.

    Department of Redundancy Department
    Supreme Emperor of Hyperbole
    http://www.FullCircleInspect.com/

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Default Re: Sheet rocked interior stairway.

    Thanks,

    When you say most, can you clarify that please


    Jim


  4. #4
    James Duffin's Avatar
    James Duffin Guest

    Default Re: Sheet rocked interior stairway.

    NC Code


    R311.2.2 Under stair protection.
    Enclosed accessible space
    under stairs shall have walls, under stair surface and any soffits
    protected on the enclosed side with 1/2-inch (13 mm) gypsum

    board.



  5. #5
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    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
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    Default Re: Sheet rocked interior stairway.

    If the stair is open below (the underside of the stair is visible), then no protection is needed.

    If the stair is enclosed below, whether it be a non-accessible concealed space or an accessible concealed space (i.e., a closet with a door), then the underside of the stair needs to have protection.

    The reason is that if there is a fire under the stairway, either the occupants need to be able to see the fire (i.e., the area under the stair is not enclosed), or the occupants need to have the stair protected (i.e., they cannot see the fire down there and need time to be able to escape down the stairs before the stairs catch on fire). If the occupants can see the fire under the stairs, they will take some other way out and not go down the stairs.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Daniel Island, SC.
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    Default Re: Sheet rocked interior stairway.

    Thank you all!

    Jim


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Daniel Island, SC.
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    Default Re: Sheet rocked interior stairway.

    Does this apply to a 1981 house?


  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Memphis TN.
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    4,311

    Default Re: Sheet rocked interior stairway.

    Quote Originally Posted by JIM MURPHY View Post
    .
    Does this apply to a 1981 house?
    .
    Jim,

    It's a Fire Hazard !

    Code or No.

    Correct Fire Hazard.

    Safety Never Goes Out of Style.
    .

    It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie! Our Gang " The Pooch " (1932)
    Billy J. Stephens HI Service Memphis TN.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,042

    Default Re: Sheet rocked interior stairway.

    Quote Originally Posted by JIM MURPHY View Post
    Does this apply to a 1981 house?
    It should have, not that it matters because ...

    Quote Originally Posted by Billy Stephens View Post
    .
    Jim,

    It's a Fire Hazard !

    Code or No.

    Correct Fire Hazard.

    Safety Never Goes Out of Style.
    .
    A fire is not going to look up and decide if it was allowed to burn or not when the structure was built, it is just going to burn (fires are dumb, stubborn things, they simply do not care about the written word and its rules).

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  10. #10
    James Duffin's Avatar
    James Duffin Guest

    Default Re: Sheet rocked interior stairway.

    Quote Originally Posted by JIM MURPHY View Post
    Does this apply to a 1981 house?
    Since this involves safety I would not be concerned about the code in 1981. I would include it in the report and let someone else decide it is important or not.


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