Here's the basic question:
Given the IRC, section R317.1 Two-family dwellings. Dwelling units in two-family dwellings shall be separated from each other by wall and/or floor assemblies having not less than a 1-hour fire-resistance rating when tested in accordance with ASTM E 119.
Would the IRC permit a 1-hr rated fire door assembly (frame and door) in a fire wall assembly between dwelling units in an existing two-family dwelling, per IBC section 705.8?
The situation is there is an existing 80 year old duplex that was converted legally from a 1 family home to a 2 family 70 years ago. The duplex was created, internally, separating two dwelling units, by converting an existing doorway into a wall (I assume by framing in with 2x4s plus gypsum and plaster with possible insulation).
The owner would like to remove the wall in-fill, recover the original doorway, and install a 1 hour fire-rated door assembly in the original opening. She lives in one smaller unit and rents the other seasonally. It remains empty during the off-season, and she uses it during that time by going outside and going in the main entry door.
This is problematic, going back and forth outside, especially in bad weather. Of course there is nothing in the IRC that says the owner cannot occupy both dwelling units, and since this is America, I am hard-pressed to tell her there isn't a way to accommodate her request, but to do this with permits, she will have to get the town building official to approve it, and he's strict.
I am encouraging her to do it right, with permits, and want make sure the permit request is solid.
There are fire door frames that meet ASTM E 119 for 1 hour fire separation, and plenty of doors that meet ASTM 1 hour protection.
As far as safety, providing the access for her seasonally doubles her egress/exit doors; an ASTM 1 hour fire rated door assembly satisfies the intent of the IRC, and is possibly superior to what she has existing in the doorway.
The IBC provides for openings in fire walls, and, essentially, the owner wants the same kind of access that adjoining sleeping rooms/dwelling units have in a hotel or apartment hotel. Access locked from both sides. This is America, a man, or woman's home is their castle. How can we make this happen?
I saw an older discussion about a similar issue in a townhouse property over a lot split, which created a party wall situation, but we don't have that here, that's another complication clearly.
Any help would be appreciated, with code to back it up as that always helps!
Thanks in advance!
Given the IRC, section R317.1 Two-family dwellings. Dwelling units in two-family dwellings shall be separated from each other by wall and/or floor assemblies having not less than a 1-hour fire-resistance rating when tested in accordance with ASTM E 119.
Would the IRC permit a 1-hr rated fire door assembly (frame and door) in a fire wall assembly between dwelling units in an existing two-family dwelling, per IBC section 705.8?
The situation is there is an existing 80 year old duplex that was converted legally from a 1 family home to a 2 family 70 years ago. The duplex was created, internally, separating two dwelling units, by converting an existing doorway into a wall (I assume by framing in with 2x4s plus gypsum and plaster with possible insulation).
The owner would like to remove the wall in-fill, recover the original doorway, and install a 1 hour fire-rated door assembly in the original opening. She lives in one smaller unit and rents the other seasonally. It remains empty during the off-season, and she uses it during that time by going outside and going in the main entry door.
This is problematic, going back and forth outside, especially in bad weather. Of course there is nothing in the IRC that says the owner cannot occupy both dwelling units, and since this is America, I am hard-pressed to tell her there isn't a way to accommodate her request, but to do this with permits, she will have to get the town building official to approve it, and he's strict.
I am encouraging her to do it right, with permits, and want make sure the permit request is solid.
There are fire door frames that meet ASTM E 119 for 1 hour fire separation, and plenty of doors that meet ASTM 1 hour protection.
As far as safety, providing the access for her seasonally doubles her egress/exit doors; an ASTM 1 hour fire rated door assembly satisfies the intent of the IRC, and is possibly superior to what she has existing in the doorway.
The IBC provides for openings in fire walls, and, essentially, the owner wants the same kind of access that adjoining sleeping rooms/dwelling units have in a hotel or apartment hotel. Access locked from both sides. This is America, a man, or woman's home is their castle. How can we make this happen?
I saw an older discussion about a similar issue in a townhouse property over a lot split, which created a party wall situation, but we don't have that here, that's another complication clearly.
Any help would be appreciated, with code to back it up as that always helps!
Thanks in advance!
