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What is the code requirement for fire separation in an attic between sides of a duplex?
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
A 1-hour fire rating for the wall separating the units, which is usually 5/8” Type-X drywall, is required. It must extend from foundation to underside of roof sheathing. Here’s how it is specified in the Residential Edition of the Florida Building Code (FBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC).
And three exceptions have been added over the years, for a duplex with an automatic sprinkler system, fire-rated ceilings, or a screen enclosure.
One thing is for sure, though: the duplex shown above predates this code requirement. Also, see our blog post When was a fire separation in the attic first required between sides of a duplex?
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Here’s links to a collection of our blog posts about “ATTICS":
• What are the mistakes to avoid when doing attic improvements?
• What is the most common type of roof-to-wall attachment?
• Is an attic required to have a light by the building code?
• How do I safely remove a dead rodent (rat, mouse or squirrel) from the attic?
• What are the common problems with attic insulation?
• Why is there no attic access hatch in the house?
• How do I safely clean up rodent (rat, mouse or squirrel) urine or droppings the attic?
• Why is vermiculite attic insulation a problem for both buyers and sellers of a home?
• What are the code requirements for NM-cable (nonmetallic-sheathed cable or Romex®) in an attic?
• What are the warning signs of a dangerous attic pull-down ladder?
• Do home inspectors go on the roof? Do they get in the attic?
• How much of a roof truss can I cut out to make a storage platform in the attic?
Visit our ROOF AND ATTIC page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.
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