By Barry Stone
Dear Barry,
We want to use our attic for additional storage space and were planning to install a folding ladder in the garage ceiling to provide access. This, at least, seemed like a good idea until a home inspector told us that a folding ladder may violate the firewall between our garage and home. Two of our neighbors already have folding ladders in their garages, so we're wondering if there is really a need for concern. What do you advise? - Jay
Dear Jay,
Built-in folding ladders provide a convenient means of access to attic areas and are becoming increasingly popular for utilizing storage space above garages. Unfortunately, people who install these ladders are generally unaware of fire separation requirements. Thus, with many of these installations, fire safety standards are inadvertently violated.
The partition wall between a house and an adjoining garage is typically covered with 5/8 inch drywall, to slow the spread of a garage fire to the dwelling. If the garage attic and house attic are not also divided by a firewall, then the garage ceiling becomes part of the fire separation and must also be finished with 5/8 inch drywall.
The access cover on a folding ladder is a mere sheet of ¼ inch plywood. When installed in a garage ceiling, this thin wood membrane replaces a portion of the fire-resistant drywall board, thereby breaching the required fire separation.
The solution to this problem is to install a firewall in the attic, between the garage and dwelling. However, your local building department may approve other methods of correction, such as attaching 5/8 inch drywall to the cover on the ladder. Before proceeding, consult your building department.
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