9.10.16.1. Required Fire Blocks in Concealed Spaces

 9.10.16.1. Required Fire Blocks in Concealed Spaces

Attic spaces are known to contribute to fire spread. Fire can enter such spaces through the overhanging #soffits or from #openings in the attic #ceiling. #Fire can also originate within the #attic as a result of improper #electrical installations (e.g., loose connections or overheated recessed lights). To reduce the speed of fire travel through large unoccupied attic areas and roof spaces, fire blocking is required at suitable intervals (not more than 20 m (65 ft.)), so that the individual open areas are kept reasonably small (at least 300 m2 (3 220 ft.2)). In the case of truss roofs, sheet type fire blocking is usually fastened to the sides of trusses at suitable intervals.

Quoted from Illustrated Users' Guide--NBC2015

#fireblock #concealedspace #atticspace #roofspace

How are plans reviewed? —#011

 How are plans reviewed? —#011

Sprinkler systems are expensive. Not all #designers understand when sprinkler systems are required in a #building. The plans examiners would never tell us that it is not required if it is shown on the #plans. Ask a true Building  Code consultant before installing it.

#sprinklersystem #plansexaminers #buildingcodeconsultant

9.10.16.1. Required Fire Blocks in Concealed Spaces

 9.10.16.1. Required Fire Blocks in Concealed Spaces

A building’s overhanging #eaves and #appendages, such as exterior #passageways, #balconies and #canopies, create spaces where fire can spread horizontally within concealed spaces. Vertical fire blocks are, therefore, required at horizontal intervals of not more than 20 m (65 ft. 7 in.), and at locations where the construction extends across the ends of fire separations, such as in row housing with gambrel-type #roofs (Figure 9.10.-32). This requirement applies to both #sprinklered and unsprinklered #buildings.

Quoted from Illustrated Users' Guide--NBC2015

#fireblocks #concealedspaces #fireseparation #rowhouse

Quiz for #architects, plans examiners and building inspectors

 Quiz for #architects, plans examiners and building inspectors

What is special on the #roof of this #building? What was the purpose of the architect by designing it in this way? Are there any #Code violations?

#plansexaminer #buildinginspector #buildingofficial #buildingcode

9.10.16.1. Required Fire Blocks in Concealed Spaces

 9.10.16.1. Required Fire Blocks in Concealed Spaces

This Article determines where fire blocks are required. The function of fire blocks is to reduce the extent of fire spread in buildings until #evacuation can be safely carried out, and to allow #firefighting to commence before damage to a building becomes extensive.

Fires originating in concealed spaces, or that gain entry through openings in enclosing #membranes, can travel undetected from one part of the building to another. This may jeopardize the occupants‘ escape, and make firefighting very difficult.

It may also neutralize the effectiveness of fire compartments in controlling the extent of fire damage. Unless such spaces are completely filled with #insulation or are made from material that will limit flame travel (i.e., a flame-spread rating of 25 or less), or the width of the concealed space is less than 25 mm (1 in.) to limit air supply, fire blocking must be provided at strategic locations to restrict the spread of fire.

In small spaces, such as #stud, #joist and #furring spaces, fire blocking usually consists of the same material as the #framing and furring. In larger spaces, such as attics and soffits, sheet material is generally used such as 12.7 mm (1/2 in.) gypsum board, 12.5 mm (1/2 in.) #plywood, oriented #strandboard (OSB) or #waferboard, or 0.38 mm (28 gauge) sheet steel. A double layer of board #lumber is also permitted if the joints are staggered between layers. Fire blocks can be pierced by piping, wiring or ducts, provided the #openings around the penetrations are tight-fitting or sealed with a fire-resisting material.

Concealed spaces that are very shallow (25 mm (1 in.) or less), or that are filled with mineral wool, do not facilitate the propagation of fire within the space, making it unnecessary to install fire blocks. 

Figure 9.10.-31 shows where fire blocking is required in a typical house.

Quoted from Illustrated Users' Guide -- NBC2015

#fireblock #concealedspace #firecompartments #flamespreadrating #gypsumboard #sheetsteel

How are plans reviewed?—#010

 How are plans reviewed?—#010

Why do we have to be cautious before jumping into the bottomless hole of an alternative solution? The following quote from a #recruitment post for a Building Code Consultant will reveal the truth:

"You will be responsible for reviewing #building #plans for #code compliance, preparing correspondence and technical reports, identifying #opportunities for Alternative Solutions"

#alternativesolution #buildingcodeconsultant

How are plans reviewed?--#009

 How are plans reviewed?--#009

The Implication of one common #deficiency comment: please provide building classification.

If we are asked to provide building classification, it means that there are serious #Code issues on the #design, such as #construction type, fire separation, fire resistance rating, #sprinkler system etc. The plans examiner doesn't want say that we have no clue of the design, but kindly remind us to rethink about it. Finding help from a true Building Code Consultant is the most efficient way to resolve the issues.

#buildingclassification #firesepartion #codeconsultant #plansexaminer #buildingcodeconsultant

Questions for #structural #engineers

 Questions for #structural #engineers

How much do you like this #design?

What is the load path from the #cantilevered #slab to the #columns?

#loadpath #concretedesign #buildingcode #structuralengineer

How are plans reviewed?--#008

 How are plans reviewed?--#008

Building classification is the most important part of building #design. It determines:
The building area
The building height
The #construction types
The fire resistance rating of load bearing elements
The #sprinkler system
#buildingclassification #buildingarea #buildingheight #fireresistancerating #loadbearing

Quiz for #architects and plans examiners

 Quiz for #architects and plans examiners

This is an emergency #exit plan of a #basement #garage with dwelling units. Can you tell one Code violation on the plan by comments?

#plansexaminer #dwellingunits #buildingcode #quiz