What Lurks under the stairs- Stair fire protection or not? Wenatchee and Quincy Home Inspection Services.
What is under those stairs, some forgotten treasures, hidden heirlooms or just some stuff long forgotten?
One item you may not know that if the stairs are enclosed with an access (i.e. closet) it must be protected by sheetrock. This is considered a fire hazard and needs appropriate protection.
The Residential code states-
R302.7 Under-stair protection.
Enclosed accessible space under stairs shall have walls, under-stair surface and any soffits protected on the enclosed side with 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) gypsum board.
This was a newer home and needs to be completed. On older homes this may not have been performed or was enclosed at a later time.
We have all heard the phrase “It is grandfathered”, and this can be true. But the codes change because increased safety is recognized and understood. The standards (codes) are then modified and improved to reflect that knowledge.
One of the most important items a home inspector can do when performing an inspection is to inform the client of potential safety issues.
“The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge.”
Thomas Berger
NCW Home Inspections, LLC is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…
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