apartment attic firewall

[Bungalows]

What was the separation requirements for apartment buildings in 1992 Gainesville fl
thanks Jerry

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

I searched for historical Gainesville building codes but did not find a list of the historical codes - I believe Gainesville was using either the National or Uniform codes at that time; however, one would need to check with the building department to verify which code was adopted at that time, and then what that code's specific requirements were for this case.

That said, though, I suspect the requirements for draftstopping in attics has not changed much between the code or changed much over recent codes (since the 1990s; prior to the 1990s fireblocking, firestopping, and draftstopping were not well defined and/or enforced in many codes for Florida).

The current Florida Building Code, Building requires draftstopping in the attics over the separation walls of each apartment, with exceptions: (bold and underlining are mine)
- 717.4.2 Groups R-1 and R-2.
- - Draftstopping shall be provided in attics, mansards, overhangs or other concealed roof spaces of Group R-2 buildings with three or more dwelling units and in all Group R-1 buildings. Draftstopping shall be installed above, and in line with, sleeping unit and dwelling unit separation walls that do not extend to the underside of the roof sheathing above.
- - - Exceptions:
- - - - 1. Where corridor walls provide a sleeping unit or dwelling unit separation, draftstopping shall only be required above one of the corridor walls.
- - - - 2. Draftstopping is not required in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. (Jerry's note: this would include sprinklers in the attic.)
- - - - 3. In occupancies in Group R-2 that do not exceed four stories above grade plane, the attic space shall be subdivided by draftstops into areas not exceeding 3,000 square feet (279 m2) or above every two dwelling units, whichever is smaller. (Jerry's note: this is what likely applies unless the building exceeds 5 stories.)
- - - - 4. Draftstopping is not required in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2, provided that automatic sprinklers are also installed in the combustible concealed spaces.