Residential Building Inspector B1Building Planning and Life SafetyEasy
A residential building inspector is reviewing plans for a new dwelling with an attached garage. The wall separating the garage from the dwelling is specified as a 1/2-inch gypsum board on the garage side. What is the minimum fire-resistance rating required for this wall?
- A0-hour fire-resistance rating
- B1/2-hour fire-resistance rating
- C1-hour fire-resistance rating
- D2-hour fire-resistance rating
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 1/2-hour fire-resistance rating
Walls separating a garage from a dwelling are critical for fire safety, preventing the spread of fire from the garage into the habitable space. The IRC specifies a minimum fire-resistance rating for such assemblies.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A 0-hour rating provides no fire separation and is not permitted.
- C. While providing more protection, 1-hour is not the minimum required for this specific assembly.
- D. This rating is excessive for the minimum requirement of this assembly.
Garage-Dwelling Separation Fire Rating
Walls, ceilings, and other elements separating a garage from a dwelling must meet specific fire-resistance ratings to limit fire spread.
- Protects occupants from garage fires.
- Specific ratings for walls, ceilings, and doors.
- Typically achieved with gypsum board.
Memory trick: Garage to dwelling, half-hour telling, fire's hold, quickly quelling.