(a) Firestopping shall be provided to cut off all concealed draft openings (both vertical and horizontal) and to form an effective fire barrier between stories, and between a top story and the roof space. Firestopping shall be provided in wood-frame construction in the following locations:
(1) In concealed spaces of stud walls and partitions, including furred spaces, at the ceiling and floor level;
(2) At all interconnections between concealed vertical and horizontal spaces such as occur at soffits, drop ceilings, cove ceilings, etc.;
(3) In concealed spaces between stair stringers at the top and bottom of the run; and
(4) At openings around vents, pipes, ducts, chimneys and fireplaces at ceiling and floor level, with noncombustible materials.
Firestopping shall occur at all walls, at floor lines and a maximum of ten feet in balloon constructed walls.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(4) hereof, firestopping shall consist of two-inch nominal lumber, or two thicknesses of one-inch nominal lumber with broken lap joints, or one thickness of 23/32 inch plywood with joints backed by 23/32 inch plywood. The integrity of all firestops shall be maintained.
(Ord. 1997-139. Passed 11-11-97.)