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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Daniel Island, SC.
    Posts
    240

    Default Ceiling tiles in the elevated garage

    2007 house. Ductwork in ceiling is framed by sheetrock on two sides and at the bottom, I quess for access, ceiling tiles. Does this not infringe upon the fire protection between the garage and the upper living space. This are average tiles and I am sure not fire rated.

    Jim

    Last edited by JIM MURPHY; 06-09-2014 at 05:18 PM.
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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Ceiling tiles in the elevated garage

    From your description - that sounds like a no-no.

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

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

    Default Re: Ceiling tiles in the elevated garage

    Quote Originally Posted by Jerry Peck View Post
    From your description - that sounds like a no-no.
    Thanks Jerry! I was hoping to hear from you! My observation as well!

    Jim


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

    Default Re: Ceiling tiles in the elevated garage

    Jim,

    To clarify, you said the ductwork is framed by drywall on two sides, not three, right?

    This is what I am envisioning: drywall ceiling across room to ductwork, drywall up to wood subfloor above but not covering wood subfloor above (wood subfloor is exposed) on each side of a floor joist cavity, with the bottom of the floor joist cavity (which is now ductwork) closed up with suspended ceiling tiles ... is that close?

    There are various problems with that in addition to the lack of protection for the structure supporting the living space above.

    Supply duct or return air duct?

    Where does the duct run to?

    Etc.

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

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Hercules, CA
    Posts
    159

    Default Re: Ceiling tiles in the elevated garage

    Jim,

    Not enough information to give a solid reply. First, you have to identify the location of the fire separation between the garage and house. It should be the bottom of the floor joists above, or the ceiling of the garage, plus the supporting walls. You also need to determine if the duct is supposed to be in the garage area or living space. Is there a sheetrock finish above the duct? You state that the duct is wrapped in sheetrock, which may be part of the separation. The IRC does allow unprotected 26 gage duct work if connected directly from the furnace to the living space (IRC R302.5.2). Got any pictures?

    Thom Huggett, PE, SE, CBO

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