Garage dwelling separation

[alaskajoe]

Does a steel I beam have to be wrapped in sheetrock if it is supporting the floor of the dwelling above?

 

[mtlogcabin]

IMHO Yes heat will cause the exposed steel to loose strength and possibly fail.

 

[classicT]

Steel can actually fail faster than wood during a fire exposure.

I'd state that yes, it requires protection, unless it is reviewed by an engineer for fire exposure and will maintain strength during a fire exposure to provide 1-hr of fire resistance.

In short though, wrap it in GWB...it is a lot cheaper than having an engineer design the sheetrock away.

 

[classicT]

You can also look into IBC Section 722.5.2 and use SFRM.