Why Do We Fire Block Stairways And The Walls Next to Them?

www.homebuildin... Click on this link if you're looking for more videos about stair building, home repairs and a variety of other construction related topics. In this video I will provide you with a few ideas and reasons why blocking is required around stairways to prevent or reduce the chances of fire getting out of control in a burning building. You should always check with your local building authorities for more information about what is required in your area for building codes related to stairway construction.

[@arnnass85]

Thank you!

[@stairbuilding]

You're welcome!

[@samniperetn4457]

Nice

[@BloodGangJohnWayne]

Do you know the code section for this? Everyone always does it but I have a stubborn superintendent fighting me on this. He won't install fire blocks on the bearing wall around the stairs.

[@stairbuilding]

Try looking here. R302.11 Fireblocking. International Building Code (IBC): Chapter 7 of the 2021 IBC covers fire and smoke protection features, including fireblocking requirements for concealed spaces like those found in stairs International Residential Code (IRC): Section R302.11 of the IRC specifies fireblocking requirements for concealed spaces, including those around stairs2.

[@BloodGangJohnWayne]

@@stairbuilding Thanks. I was looking around in that section earlier. This guy has decided to fight me on a bunch of things that are a little vague in the code book. I can't find where it says midpoint blocking required on bearing walls or around stairs. He also won't put a label on the UFER and it's inaccessible behind the gas meter. He is requesting the code section that says he needs to seal the door frame and gas line penetrations in the mechanical room too. The building official is on vacation this week and this superintendent decided to battle me over little things that everyone else does (because they are best practice) but not explicit code. It's frustrating but I guess he has time to wait until next week for C of O.

[@timhale501]

The flat blocking at the landing does not meet code It must be below the platform deck... the trim blocking does not have 1 1/2 of solid material to stop the fire at the joint of the plywood to bottom of the block

[@stairbuilding]

This is the way I did it for decades and still see people doing it today. Please provide me with the building code reference number you're referring to or any other details that might be helpful to support your claim.

[@falsealarmno]

@@stairbuilding if the fireblock is preventing oxygen from feeding a fire, then how is a person able to breath?

[@zacharyroyce]

@@falsealarmno 😂 If you're serious, it's technically because your premise is not quite accurate. In a theoretical perfectly-built building, air flow is designed around (mainly under) door, plenty to breathe if there is oxygen in the next room. A hot fire requires a lot, lot, lot more oxygen than a few breathing people. A small fire might still be able to burn, such as a candle or burning paper or cardboard. But remember that houses are built of materials purposely fire-resistant, such as gypsum drywall, concrete fiber board, fiberglass insulation, etc. If the fire can't get hot enough, it's hard to set these on fire, and in any case it buys time for people to notice the smoke.

[@falsealarmno]

@@zacharyroyce Actually, I was serious. Thank you.

[@stevest1300]

My builder failed (southern British Columbia, Canada) on a fire block as shown where the horizontal 2x4 or 6 is level with the floor. There is little material where the edge of the fire block where it meets the floor for an easy burn through. Simple fix was to nail another 2x4 or 6 on the bottom of the installed one. In reality, if that tiny burn through specification was important, you'd be long dead by smoke inhalation before benefiting by the run up/down the stairs installed with a perfect fire break. So many building codes are sooo petty. Many are based on that one in a million circumstance that happened once somewhere sometime often done by an idiot. Just more bureaucratic human bubble wrap.

[@dennissimpson2830]

Are fire blocks used above electrical outlets?

[@stairbuilding]

If needed, but the outlets usually don't have anything to do with the codes.

[@timhale501]

Flat blocking DOES NOT HAVE THE 1 1/2 MATERIAL WITH the stringer shown. if you use a 2 x 16 stringer you would have the 1 1/2 of solid material a a barrier

[@stairbuilding]

Most lumber that is an inch and 1/2 thick has a one hour fire rating, but I'm not sure that I understand what you're talking about. I don't know how a 2 x 16 stringer would make a difference, could you provide us with more details or even email me a picture of a stairway that might provide me with a better understanding.