Meadowbend99
REGISTERED
Hi all,
I have a house in the city where the property is oddly shaped, the left side has a straight line and the right side property line is at about a 45-degree angle. This made it challenging to get the house, garage, and carport to sit nicely to maximize space. The result is the front carport post and portion of beam and roof fall within the 5' distance (but not less than 3') to the property line and the city has asked for it to be called out as a 1 hr fire rated exterior wall and provide opening calculations, openings not to exceed 25%. This is an open-concept carport and the intent is not to close it in. I've indicated the post and beam will be wrapped in 1 hr. fire-rated materials and the underside to be a 1 hour-rated fire soffit.
Does the code not provide for open spaces with posts within the 5' distance?
If I provide calculations, what do I measure? Is the single post considered the exterior wall? And then the opening would definitely be over 25% and not allowed? So far the city has been zero help. Is the only solution to wall it in?
IRC 2021
Table R302.1 of the International Residential Code (IRC) specifies the fire-resistance rating, fire separation distance, and exterior wall elements for dwellings without sprinkler systems.
Here are some of the requirements of Table R302.1:
I have a house in the city where the property is oddly shaped, the left side has a straight line and the right side property line is at about a 45-degree angle. This made it challenging to get the house, garage, and carport to sit nicely to maximize space. The result is the front carport post and portion of beam and roof fall within the 5' distance (but not less than 3') to the property line and the city has asked for it to be called out as a 1 hr fire rated exterior wall and provide opening calculations, openings not to exceed 25%. This is an open-concept carport and the intent is not to close it in. I've indicated the post and beam will be wrapped in 1 hr. fire-rated materials and the underside to be a 1 hour-rated fire soffit.
Does the code not provide for open spaces with posts within the 5' distance?
If I provide calculations, what do I measure? Is the single post considered the exterior wall? And then the opening would definitely be over 25% and not allowed? So far the city has been zero help. Is the only solution to wall it in?
IRC 2021
Table R302.1 of the International Residential Code (IRC) specifies the fire-resistance rating, fire separation distance, and exterior wall elements for dwellings without sprinkler systems.
Here are some of the requirements of Table R302.1:
- Exterior walls
Walls that are less than 5 feet from the property line must be fire-resistant for one hour. - Projections
Projections that extend beyond the exterior wall cannot go more than 12 inches into areas where openings are not allowed. - Openings
Openings are not permitted in areas that are less than 3 feet from the property line. - Penetrations
All penetrations must comply with Section R302.4. - Exceptions
Detached tool sheds, playhouses, and similar structures that do not require permits are not required to have wall protection based on their location on the lot. - Roof eave projections
Detached garages that are within 2 feet of a lot line can have roof eave projections that are up to 4 inches.
