Attic Hatch Fire Requirements

This access hatch cover was typical particle board with a block of polystyrene eps.

Attic hatch fire requirements.

An insulated fire rated door carries a temperature rise rating that uninsulated ones don t have. They also help in preventing common household problems such as moisture noise dust and other air pollutants from arising or becoming worse. Minimum vertical height of 30 inches measured from the top of the ceiling framing members to the bottom of the roof framing members. No markings to identify if the eps was fire resistant.

Bilco roof hatches provide safe and convenient access to roof areas by means of an interior ladder ship stair or service stair. The cover or door should be installed so that it is permanent non removable with latching hardware to maintain it in a closed position. Access doors and panels offers you ceiling and attic access panels fire rated upward opening fire rated downward opening with or without drywall flange. 32764 using code irc the garage shall be separated from the residence and its attic area by not less than 1 2 inch 12 7 mm.

Any drywall edges on both the hatch and the surrounding area exposed to physical damage should be protected. Fire rated attic access doors are designed with high quality insulating materials. Fire as a cause of injury and death is the main reason for these restrictions. Most fires were caused by sparks from electrical arcing.

Garage attic door must be constructed such that the 45 minute rating is maintained. It is for this reason that for safety and durability fire rated access door ceiling application requires an insulated product. Solutions for the new code requirements r 42 attic access hatch exceeds all code requirements 22x30 pre finished white wood frame trim e zh t h triple gasketed air tight seal z hatch mark d. Buildings with combustible ceiling or roof construction shall have an attic access opening to attic areas that have a vertical height of 30 inches 762 mm or greater over an area of not less than 30 square feet 2 8 m 2 the vertical height shall be measured from the top of the ceiling framing members to the underside of the roof framing members.

7 fire rated attic access doors are more effective than ordinary attic access doors. The united states fire administration estimates that in just a two year period from 2006 to 2008 close to 10 000 residential attic fires occurred resulting in nearly half a billion dollars worth of damage. If the attic space is smaller than these specs then an access hatch is not required. I do not come across attic hatches in garage setting often.