Building Inspection, Diagnosis & Repair Info

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. - Daniel Friedman

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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. 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]


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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.

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

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to BUILDING FIRE SAFETY

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