AskCodeMan

Hi Jerry
Are you allowed to have open wood framing ceiling and walls in an attached wood frame garage and house? This was an addition in PBC. Its open to the house attic which I know is wrong but is that and a rated fire wall between them the only real requirements?
I have found out the addition (1989) failed an inspection and the owner builder never fixed the problem and left the permit open

David

David,

The garage/living space separation requirement is minimum 1/2" gypsum board on the garage side of the wall separating the two.

The 1/2" gypsum board may be on the garage side of the wall and extend to the underside of the roof decking above, or the 1/2" gypsum board may be on the garage side of the wall and on the ceiling of the garage. Either option separates the garage from the living space and the attic above the living space.

The garage side of that wall is not allowed to be up stud walls - first would be the requirement for insulation in the stud bays to serve as the thermal envelope for the living space, second would be the separation requirement for minimum 1/2" gypsum board on the garage side of that wall.