Section r807 attic access r807 1 attic access buildings with combustible ceiling or roof construction shall have an attic access opening to attic areas that have a vertical height of 30 inches 762 mm or greater over an area of not less than 30 square feet 2 8 m 2.
Townhouse attic access.
If you own it how about going into the attic spaces and inspecting them or hire an independent inspector video record the conditions.
Our townhouse built in 1987ish did not have a connecting attic.
In most towns fire department regulations require attic access in case of a fire.
Some inspectors believe that access must be gained even if it means cutting through a paint seal or moving a bureau.
The firewall should extend into the attic separating your attic space from the attic above the neighboring units.
A pull down attic stairway is great but some homes have only a small opening for access barely large enough to stick one s head through.
Nor did it have a firewall however.
Or the homeowner might have a bureau placed in front of an attic door.
For example a past renovation might seal up an attic access panel in the ceiling entirely.
However there s not much room to get stuff through a 14 wide opening.
This was cheaper than a true brick firewall.
As a result sometimes people install a pull down staircase.
This access is usually gained through a small hatchway not a pull down staircase.
The rated separation is required by the code irc 302 2 4 linnrg dec 11 2019.
You also have to decide where the loft stairs will begin and check how much space it will need.
Sometimes there is a closet with drawers below and.
Pull down stairs won t be appropriate in this case and you ll need a permanent staircase.