Building Code and Building Construction - Questions and Answers
Or when you want to know how construction is supposed to be done.

|
AskCodeMan.com
|

Custom Search

apartment attic firewall

apartment attic firewall

New postby Bungalows on Sun Sep 15, 2013 7:02 am

What was the separation requirements for apartment buildings in 1992 Gainesville fl
thanks Jerry
Bungalows
 
Posts: 12
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 5:19 pm

Re: apartment attic firewall

New postby Jerry Peck - Codeman on Sun Sep 15, 2013 12:37 pm

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.
Jerry Peck - CodeMan
AskCodeMan.com
Construction Litigation Consultant - Retired
Construction and Code Consultant - Semi Retired
User avatar
Jerry Peck - Codeman
Site Admin
 
Posts: 1199
Joined: Fri Dec 12, 2008 12:06 pm


Return to Fire-rated assemblies: Fire walls, fire partitions, smoke barriers, ceiling-floor, ceiling-attic; Separation of garages from dwelling unit; Separation between structure's exterior walls and property line



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests