Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Daniel Island, SC.
    Posts
    240

    Default Fire proofing a garage

    Inspected a house today that the owner had taken a third of the garage and enclosed it making it an utility room that now encloses the washer and dryer, wash basin and hot water heater. Actually the hot water heater was sitting on a stand in the original garage but did not have a pan under it which was not necessary since it was in the garage. Now he has it in a enclosed cabinet still on the stand but still without the pan. The door to the garage which now becomes too small for a car unless it is a smart car is a wooden interior door. The walls of the garage are lined with OSB board. Isn't this a fire code violation even if a car cannot be parked in it?

    Thanks,

    Jim Murphy

    Antebellum Home Inspection

    Similar Threads:
    OREP Insurance

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring Hill (Nashville), TN
    Posts
    5,851

    Default Re: Fire proofing a garage

    Any pictures?

    Regardless if the WH is in a garage or not it should be in a pan and that pan should have a proper drain so that the items in the garage do not become wet when it fails.

    As for the wooden door. If is a solid core 1 3/8" thick or the door is listed as with a 20 min burn time it is OK. If not then it is wrong.

    The wall that is common to the home needs to have a min 1/2" gypboard and for the ceiling it needs 5/8" Type X gypboard. Walls that support the ceiling that is common to the home need to be covered with 1/2" gypboard.

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Daniel Island, SC.
    Posts
    240

    Default Re: Fire proofing a garage

    Thanks Scott, that is what I thought!

    Jim Murphy


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Fire proofing a garage

    Quote Originally Posted by Scott Patterson View Post
    The wall that is common to the home needs to have a min 1/2" gypboard
    Which 'could be' behind the OSB ... however unlikely that is.

    and for the ceiling it needs 5/8" Type X gypboard.
    Only if there is habitable space above, otherwise it only need 1/2" gypsum board on the ceiling (if the garage / house wall does not continue to the roof deck - which is seldom, if ever, done).

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

  5. #5
    Bob Lynett's Avatar
    Bob Lynett Guest

    Default Re: Fire proofing a garage

    So if there is OSB covering the walls to the interior and you can't see the gypsum behind it what do you write it up as, just that you can't determine if it is ther or not?


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Fire proofing a garage

    If there are any receptacles or switches in that room, remove a cover plate - you will readily see what was installed. The boxes are required to be flush to, or extend beyond, the surface of the combustible OSB, there are "goof rings" which are approved for being inserted around the receptacle or switch which 'brings the box out' to the surface of the wall.

    With gypsum board, the box is allowed to be recessed back no further than 1/4" from the surface of the wall.

    That will answer how to address it.

    If you did not do that, are still are not sure, state that 'the presence of minimum 1/2" gypsum board behind the OSB board needs to be confirmed, otherwise, install at least 1/2" gypsum board over the OSB and bring all electrical boxes out flush to the surface of the newly installed gypsum board', or wording to that effect.

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

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    195

    Default Re: Fire proofing a garage

    I would argue that if you really can't park a car in it, then it's not a garage. It's a storage area and could be treated the same as a cellar (no fire-separation requirement). If there's any chance that it could be used as a garage, then it needs to be fire separated from the habitable areas. I don't believe that the code defines what dimensions constitute a garage.


Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •