InspectAPedia®   -   Search InspectApedia

Fire blocking at stairwell (C) D Friedman Eric Galow Guide to Fire Stopping Requirements for Interior Stairs

Fire blocking or fire stopping at stairwells:

Codes / specification requirements for fire blocking at stairs and stairways: this document provides building code specifications, sketches, photographs, and examples of fire stopping or fire spread control for stairs and stairways.

We also include references to key documents on building codes and stair and railing safety.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

Fire Stopping or Fire Blocking Requirements at Steps & Stairways.

Stairway Lighting requirements (C) Carson Dunlop Associates

Fire stopping for stairs is required to slow the spread of building fires between floors and to assist in emergency exit.

Sketch at left courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates, illustrates where fireblocking must be installed.

For an interior stairway, 1/2" drywall is fastened to the stair underside or sidewalls above (if present) or (below) the stairs.

These improvements are not expected to make the building fire-proof. But especially because stairs form a natural building fire spread pathway fire stopping is required by building codes to slow the spread of fire that might follow the under-side of a stairway from a lower floor to an upper one.

Also see our page top photo. There you will notice that the under-side and sidewall of stairs passing through a garage were covered with fire-rated drywall on both the stair side and underside. Photo courtesy Galow Homes.

Model & Example California Building Code Specifications for Fire Blocking & Fire Stopping at Stairways

Example: California Building Code Stairways & Landings Specifications - stairway fire blocking / fire stopping

Enclosed usable space under stairs must be protected on the enclosed side by 5/8" type X gypsum wallboard. [37]


...

Continue reading at STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS - INSPECTIONS, CODES or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

Suggested citation for this web page

FIRE STOPPING for STAIRWAYS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to BUILDING FIRE SAFETY

Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly.

Search the InspectApedia website

Note: appearance of your Comment below may be delayed: if your comment contains an image, photograph, web link, or text that looks to the software as if it might be a web link, your posting will appear after it has been approved by a moderator. Apologies for the delay.

Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like.
You will not receive a notification
when a response to your question has been posted.
Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response.
Our Comment Box is provided by Countable Web Productions countable.ca

Comment Form is loading comments...

Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.



ADVERTISEMENT