garage/house firewalls

[Robert L. Johnson]

What year did it become code for most all states to have firewalls placed b/t garage/house?

[Larry D. Kage]

It really doesn't matter. Note whether it's there or not and recommend it for enhanced safety.

[James F. McKee]

Originally Posted by rjohnson7

What year did it become code for most all states to have firewalls placed b/t garage/house?

It's been a long while Bob....like Larry said doesn't really matter just point it out as a safety concern if it doesn't exist.....jim

[Mark Thorman]

1927 503.a requires one hour fire rated material at the wall adjoining the dwelling.

www.MauiHomeInspections.com

[Mark A. Timpani]

What about if the house is brick? We have brick houses with carports. Then some one turns the carport into a garage. They do not put drywall on the house side brick, and usually the ceiling is just painted wood like when it was a carport.

[Barry Adair]

Originally Posted by mtimpani

What about if the house is brick? We have brick houses with carports. Then some one turns the carport into a garage. They do not put drywall on the house side brick, and usually the ceiling is just painted wood like when it was a carport.

Carport conversion would be an AHJ issue and may/probably requires a permit...nonpermitted work would be noted in the report as such...
hth

[Mark Thorman]

Originally Posted by mtimpani

What about if the house is brick? We have brick houses with carports. Then some one turns the carport into a garage. They do not put drywall on the house side brick, and usually the ceiling is just painted wood like when it was a carport.

Brick would be an acceptable material if all other penetrations in the wall are converted to a one hour rating, i.e. windows and attic/crawlspace access doors. Also need that 20 min. self-closing firerate door to dwelling. In my area I see alot of unpermitted work and the buyers seem to accept it as long as the work was pereformed to code.

www.MauiHomeInspections.com