Anyone have a good picture where fire blocking should be? I remember the old balloon framing had none (no top or bottom plates). Would the top and bottom plates be considered fire blocking or do you need it at the midstory level (center of partition wall) as well?
Fireblocking question in garage wall.
- Thread starter sixty4
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Fixin'Stuff
Well-known member
I've always seen it installed about 5 feet above the floor. Some places only require it if the ceiling is more than 8 feet, but that may not be true where you live.
Just finished building a two story/ one family house in northern nj
The double top plate is the fire blocking needed. The fire code also required any penetration to be sealed with the orange fire stop foam spray in cans. All wires or pipes or vents needed to be sealed. Balloon construction is illegal in nj. The other plus with the foam is it stops air leakage in the walls.
The double top plate is the fire blocking needed. The fire code also required any penetration to be sealed with the orange fire stop foam spray in cans. All wires or pipes or vents needed to be sealed. Balloon construction is illegal in nj. The other plus with the foam is it stops air leakage in the walls.
will depend on your building code/ jurisdiction etc.
fireblocking is normally in hollow walls and it is mid way in the wall cavity.
balloon framing is likely not legal anywhere anymore , due to the chimney effect it creates with a fire .
fireblocking is normally in hollow walls and it is mid way in the wall cavity.
balloon framing is likely not legal anywhere anymore , due to the chimney effect it creates with a fire .
Hpozzuoli
Well-known member
This is it
Every time I remodel an old home I come across the fire blocks. Sometimes actual fireblock between floors.
ard
Well-known member
Only seems that way....
No, but seriously...wire has nothing to do with the need for fireblocking
rayra
Well-known member
Nope. Fire blocking is done in every space. Roughly the midpoint of the wall, whatever the ceiling height. Typically vertically staggered so you can easily nail them in from the adjoining space.
Fixin'Stuff
Well-known member
They need to be placed high enough to not be in the way of electrical light switch boxes. 
6768rogues
Banned
No mid wall fire blocking required by the code in New York State. It is only required between stories. Balloon construction is not illegal in NY, but I have not seen anyone do it in decades. If it has a professional stamp and it meets code requirements, it is legal. Some designs are legal without a stamp, but they are prescriptive methods described in the code.