Draftstopping In Attics

Draftstopping shall be provided in attics mansards overhangs or other concealed roof spaces of group r 2 buildings with three or more dwelling.

Draftstopping in attics.

Los angeles building code 7 fire and smoke protection features 718 concealed spaces 718 4 draftstopping in attics 718 4 2 groups r 1 and r 2. In combustible construction nearly all the codes specify that lumber or wood structural panels may be used for this purpose. Draftstopping shall be installed in attics and concealed roof spaces such that any horizontal area does not exceed 3 000 square feet 279 m 2. This self closing and self latching access door allows for access from both sides of the door.

Similar to fireblocking draftstopping is installed to prevent the movement of air within open building areas and is most often installed in crawl spaces attics and floor assemblies. Even when sprinklers aren t required in attics by the nfpa installation standard they are sometimes needed by virtue of a building code allowance such as draftstopping. Draftstopping shall be provided in floor ceiling spaces in group r 1 buildings in group r 2 buildings with three or more dwelling units in group r 3 buildings with two dwelling units and in group r 4 buildings. Draftstopping is not required in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with section 903 3 1 1.

1 if there is no useable space above the assembly an attic or below it a. Draftstopping where useable space is both above below concealed space of floor ceiling assemblies concealed space not to exceed 1 000 sfon each side of draftstop approximately of equal sizes there are some points to be made about the draftstoppingrequirements. It is intended to separate the buildings horizontally it acts as a barrier to smoke and gases it is designed to prevent considerable damage from fire spread. Multi unit housing projects are often draftstopped at specific intervals to prevent fire from jumping between adjacent units via a common attic space.

Per the ibc commentary draftstopping in attics is required for the following reasons. 4 2 penetrations and joints. Draftstopping shall be located above and in line with the dwelling unit and sleeping unit separations. The international building code section 717 4 in the 2009 edition requires draftstopping to subdivide attics and concealed roof spaces of combustible construction.