2

I'm in the process of selling my home and the Home Inspector has said the follow:

The fire rating is compromised due to missing drywall at the access opening to the area under the front entry (wood is present)

My house is a split-level home and there is a crawlspace that has an opening in the garage. The 'door' is plywood. Do I simply need to attach drywall to the plywood to resolve this? Should there not be any access to the crawlspace from the garage? Should I just remove the opening and make it a wall?

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
6

The minimum fire code for connected garage spaces common to a living area is the rating of 5/8" drywall, or 1 hour. If you have a crawl space from the garage, you will need to seal it with a fire rated door of the same time rating or cover the hole with F/R sheetrock. This also applies to any vents, though piping, common wall windows, doors etc.

Improve this answer
4
  • Thanks for the post. I just want to make sure I understand; if I put 5/8" drywall over the plywood (in such a way that there is still an opening/you can access the crawl space) - would that do it? Or are you saying I could install 5/8" drywall - removing the opening completely?
    – Jimmy
    Commented Mar 28, 2011 at 21:26
  • you would have to cover the edges of the plywood also or make a hatch that is very tight with the drywall. There cannot be an air passage for fire to get through. But you can do that.
    – shirlock homes
    Commented Mar 28, 2011 at 23:32
  • you would have to cover the edges of the plywood also or make a hatch that is very tight with the drywall. There cannot be an air passage for fire to get through. I wound put up a solid, but removable 5/8' sheetrock panel over the opening to the crawl space. Then it is not unaccessible, but will meet fire codes.
    – shirlock homes
    Commented Mar 29, 2011 at 0:21
  • sorry for the duplication, has some edit problems
    – shirlock homes
    Commented Mar 29, 2011 at 0:22

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.