Attic Fire Wall Protection In Garage Home Inspection

Older homes likely have little or no such protection.

Attic fire wall protection in garage home inspection.

No matter which standards you work by you can bet that attic inspections are always on the list. If living space exists above the garage the fire separation should be at least 5 8 thick type x drywall which has a longer 60 minute burn time. In garages that have access to the attic a hatch cover made from an approved fire rated material should protect this access at all times. Most garages have a ceiling secured to the bottom chord of the roof trusses or rafters and that has to be 1 2 drywall also when the attic is continuous over the garage.

Attics are hot in summer cold in winter dusty dirty and part of a complete home inspection. The wall and ceiling between an attached garage and the house living area is required to be minimum 1 2 drywall. Another common homeowner mistake is to install recessed lights in the garage. This provision does not apply to garage walls that are perpendicular to the adjacent dwelling unit wall.

Wood pull down ladders are acceptable when a firewall exists in the attic between the areas above the garage and house. Material needed to fix a firewall at home. Designed as an extra layer of protection between the house and the garage an intact firewall resists the intrusion of fire into the home. In addition inspectors can check for the following while inspecting walls and ceilings.

Inspectors typically work by a set of standards. A concrete block wall between the home and garage will also help slow down a fire s spread to the home assuming the block wall extends fully to the roof and is fully intact has no openings. Fire rated pull down ladders are available. Learn how to inspect a home garage from an expert home inspector inspecting a home garage is comprised of many different aspects don t forget to inspect an important component.

Home inspectors should be checking for proper fire protection between garages that abut the living area of the home. This gap will allow a fire to get into the attic and is a breach of the firewall. Doug hastings kaplan real estate education instructor and home inspector for over 20 years will teach you the ins and outs of inspecting a garage.