Attached Garage Fire Containment. Please proof this new inspection article.

[Nick Gromicko]

http://www.nachi.org/attached-garage-fire-hazards.htm

[Brian E. Kelly]

perimrter curb????

[Michael R. Boyett]

In addition, inspectors can check for the following while inspecting walls and ceilings:

• In garages that have access to the attic, a hatch cover made from an approved, fire-rated material should protect this access at all times. Missing or opened covers should be called out, as should covers made from flammable materials, such as thin plywood.
• The living space is separated from the garage by a firewall that extends from floor to ceiling, unless the ceiling material is fire-rated.

Someone needs to explain the last sentence to me....I don't understand it. Also, it has been discussed here several times about using the term "firewall" which is a fire rated assembly of which few, if any, garages actually have or required to have. I'm of the opinion that the term "separation wall" is more correct.

[Rob London]

Changed to

"The living space is separated from the garage by a firewall that extends from the floor to the roof. If the ceiling material is fire-rated, the firewall can terminate at the ceiling"

Thank you

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Originally Posted by mboyett

Someone needs to explain the last sentence to me....I don't understand it. Also, it has been discussed here several times about using the term "firewall" which is a fire rated assembly of which few, if any, garages actually have or required to have. I'm of the opinion that the term "separation wall" is more correct.

Hi. Michael, hope you are doing well.

I thoght it was one of the same.

Firewall- a wall constructed to prevent the spread of fire

Separation Wall- a wall compartmentalizing an area from another to contain smoke or fire.


Garage firewall / separation wall - The whole idea is to give you an extra hour of protection (separation wall between the garage and the house is currently required to provide one hour of fire resistance) from the fire that might start inside the garage.
In order to achieve this rating, the wall needs to be sheathed with at least 5/8″ drywall on each side (from the garage and home side), but check with your local code enforcement division … some jurisdictions will double that thickness.
The separation wall should have no missing / damaged drywall sections, any penetration must be sealed (fire rated caulking would be perfect for small gaps around the pipes, air ducts, door frames, etc).
If the wall is made out of brick, cinder block, stone, solid concrete, or any other non-flammable material, you’d just have to worry about penetrations.

[Brian E. Kelly]

There should be at least one step leading up to the door from the garage. Gasoline fumes and other explosive gases are heavier than air, and they will accumulate at ground level. Their entry beneath a door will be slowed by an elevation increase.

Not required, what is required is a slope in the garage floor. Fuel/solvent fumes are often heavier than air, but many explosive gasses can also be lighter than air.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

Not required, what is required is a slope in the garage floor. Fuel/solvent fumes are often heavier than air, but many explosive gasses can also be lighter than air.

Depends on the Jurisdiction, in my area some require it and some don't.
My own house does not have one, but that was before some of those codes were required.
The new houses that I have seen without the step-up to living space, usually have a sloping floor to the exterior as you say Brian.
The ones with floor drains require an oil water separator before exiting to the city or positive outfall.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by mcyr

Depends on the Jurisdiction, in my area some require it and some don't.
My own house does not have one, but that was before some of those codes were required.
The new houses that I have seen without the step-up to living space, usually have a sloping floor to the exterior as you say Brian.
The ones with floor drains require an oil water separator before exiting to the city or positive outfall.

Perhaps you would like sharing a code reference on the required step??


Even with a curb stop/step a sloping floor has been a requirement for some time.

[Michael R. Boyett]

Originally Posted by mcyr

I thoght it was one of the same.

Marcel, the argument in the past has been that a true fire wall was a rated assembly meeting what, ASTM or NFPA requirements, and that a separation wall was much less strict. I don't have the inclination to get into a debate about it ( I don't mean that to be ugly or anything, it's just not that important an issue to me) but there was a good thread on this a year or so ago. I think it may have been Joe Farsetta that was bringing the topic up. I'll try to find the old thread.

[Rob London]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

Not required, what is required is a slope in the garage floor. Fuel/solvent fumes are often heavier than air, but many explosive gasses can also be lighter than air.

Edited - it now say that it isn't required. Also, the slope issue was already addressed in the article.

I haven't had this many complaints since the old days. Keep knockin me down, it builds the articles up!

[Michael R. Boyett]

These aren't complaints Rob...just constructive criticism.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Originally Posted by mboyett

Marcel, the argument in the past has been that a true fire wall was a rated assembly meeting what, ASTM or NFPA requirements, and that a separation wall was much less strict. I don't have the inclination to get into a debate about it ( I don't mean that to be ugly or anything, it's just not that important an issue to me) but there was a good thread on this a year or so ago. I think it may have been Joe Farsetta that was bringing the topic up. I'll try to find the old thread.

Thanks Brian, I remember that discussion also.
Forget if we all agreed on something or not.

[Michael R. Boyett]

I don't think we did....has that ever occurred on anything?

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Originally Posted by mboyett

I don't think we did....has that ever occurred on anything?

Would be nice if it did Michael

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by mboyett

These aren't complaints Rob...just constructive criticism.

Exactly Rob, for the most part your articles are pretty good right out of the shoot.