More on keeping garages separate

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Q. In your last column, you concluded with “openings between your garage and living space can kill you,” but you should have mentioned the problem of fire, and that garages have to be kept completely separate and even sheetrocked differently, with fire-code sheetrock. I’m a fireman, and I see the wrong sheetrock installed all the time. Comments?

A. You’re right that another reason why you can’t have an opening between a garage and living space is because of the danger that a fire could spread. I wish I had more space to address some topics, because this would be one. After Hurricane Sandy, I saw many homes being repaired with the wrong gypsum board in garage spaces. About 50 percent of the homes I reviewed had insulation backward as well. I even had one client who was upset that their gypsum board, which was a half-inch thick instead of the required 5/8-inch type X fire code, didn’t pass inspection. The inspector, instead of telling them that they didn’t pass because of the code requirement, only pointed to my plans and said that I showed it on the plans, so they had to install it. So they were upset with me for showing the correct wallboard, instead of being upset with the installer, who clearly violated their safety and the building code.

I’m always amazed by how little attention is paid by homeowners to safety in favor of trying to just get past the inspection with inferior, unsafe installation. As a firefighter, I know you appreciate that keeping a fire from spreading, even for just a few minutes, allows you to save lives without putting yours in more jeopardy than you have to. Don’t you wish everybody understood that? I’ve even heard people tell me that they don’t park a car in the garage, anyway. Then I look inside and see cleaning fluids, fertilizers, fuel cans for generators, gas-powered lawn equipment, paper products, paint, etc., and I wonder if they understand that there’s still a danger.

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