How much fireblocking do you need to put in a stair section wall that is 9′ tall. One row or two? I usually only do one row on 8′ walls. Thanks for your advice.
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Last time I had to folow a code on that, you couldn't exceed four feet - so two rows for a nine foot wall.
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How much fireblocking do you need to put in a stair section wall that is 9' tall. One row or two? I usually only do one row on 8' walls. Thanks for your advice.
None here.
The requirement for fireblocking is dependent upon local fire codes. The calculation that deremines the need for draftblocks is based upon cubic volume per stud space. A nine foot stud space is not significant enough to require "fireblocks".
Piffen's requirments sound like they are made by local ordinace, or maybe by a local individual who has a fetish for blocks. Quite often, local individuals require bizarre things without knowing the reason behind them. Decisions are made by individuals who have no idea of what they are trying to accomplish.
Fireblocking at every 4' (useless thermal bridging) in this cold climate would diminsh the energy efficiency goals that our energy codes are attempting to elevate.
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by a local individual who has a fetish for blocks.
I'm going to report you for saying that. Talk about a blatant sexual comment! Horrible!
:)
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
My memory is that it was on some commercial and multi-family work, so could have been a local requirement.
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The objective of fireblocking on stairways is to eliminate a potential fire flue between the bottom and top of the risers and, thus, between floors in a dwelling.
On any wall that encloses a stairway, all you are required by IRC code is to create a block in the framing so, in the event of a fire, flame cannot pass from below the stairs to above it.
This means providing blocking to seal off each step, which isn't a big deal. Usually, your framing, if on 16" centers, will require a block about every 1 1/3 steps if your framing lays out right....and sometimes more.
IRC allows the use of insulation batts to serve this purpose as long as they fill the void for a minimum vertical distance of 16".
Personally, I just put in solid blocking....it takes very little time and keeps the inspector happy, for whatever that's worth.
In my experience, the only time more than one block is required in a 9' wall is when shear walls are indicated so the blocking provides a horizontal nailing surface if the shearwall sheathing is installed horizontally along its strength axis.
Edited 10/2/2005 2:23 pm ET by Notchman
On any wall that encloses a stairway, all you are required by IRC code is to create a block in the framing so, in the event of a fire, flame cannot pass from below the stairs to above it.
Notchman, are you sure about your explanation here? I'm not familiar with IRC, but your explanation lacks a logical basis. Either you are missing a few words, or the IRC is a sustantially different code from anything I've ever had to build too.
I have to adher to the Michigan Building code or some such thing, as well as local firemarshall codes. The explanation I have been given by the fire marshall is that we are required to prevent a fire in a stud bay from sucking air from a horizonat attachement, which in turn could connect multiple bays. The limiting of one bay prevents a fire from ever getting started before it runs out of Oxygen.
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