Replies

1. 
   G80104 | Sep 29, 2004 03:38pm | #1

   For fire rating, in the event of a fire it give some time before the stairs will burn.

2. 
   RalphWicklund | Sep 29, 2004 03:48pm | #2

   Somebody figured out that the extra thickness and embedded fibers were necessary to supplement the 1x framing and 6d finishing nails some stairbuilders use when cobbling together their masterpieces.

   Yah. And that fire thing, too.

1. 
   jimblodgett | Sep 29, 2004 03:58pm | #3

   Well, yeah, the fire rating, but how is that space different than a closet?  We don't use 5/8" in closets.

1. 
   RalphWicklund | Sep 29, 2004 04:12pm | #4

   No 250# fireman with 50# of gear running up through the closet to save Fido.

   How are those fancy pin hole pics coming along?

2. 
   rjw | Sep 29, 2004 05:00pm | #5

   >>Well, yeah, the fire rating, but how is that space different than a closet?

   I don't think many people use the closet to get out of a burning house.

   Of course, there are also lots of firerating requirements for garages, even though most fires start in bedrooms, according to the NFPA.

   Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace

3. 
   CapnMac | Sep 29, 2004 05:23pm | #6

   Which AHJ & which code, where--that may tell you more about "why" than anything else.

   Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
1. 
   jimblodgett | Oct 01, 2004 06:23am | #7

   Ahah!  So the stairs will last longest, giving people a chance to get up, or down...that DOES make sense.  Thanks, you guys.

   Ralph - Several of those pinhole negatives from Rhodefest came out great, but I haven't taken time to print any of them yet.  Lost a week on an unexpected trip to the East coast so I'll be playing catch up the next couple weekends.  Maybe mid October (of course, that's if life doesn't throw any more knucklers at us).

1. 
   DanT | Oct 01, 2004 12:22pm | #8

   Also because the stairs is the one area in a multi floor home that can quickly become a chimney.  Once it burns through up the fire goes creating its own draft.  And most stairs are built one on top of the other so if the fire goes up the stairs its not long until it hits the attic for a full force draft situation.

   When I worked in prison the arsonists always discussed working at the stairs first.   Favorite then was a bowl of gas with a candle in it.  Set it under the stairs and leave.  DanT