R302.6

Section R302.6 is titled 'Dwelling-garage fire separation' and covers the requirements for providing fire-resistant construction between a dwelling and a vehicle garage. A cross-reference to a table in this code which lists methods for fire-resistant construction, a cross-reference to another section of this code for the construction of openings in the fire-resistant construction, a cross-reference to another section of this code for methods of gypsum board attachment, and clarification that this section is not intended to apply to garage walls which are perpendicular to the dwelling is established. The cross-referenced table has 4 rows and 2 columns which list the type of separation and the type of construction to be used for each such separation. The purpose of this section is to slow the spread of fire.

The model shows 3 partial sections of dwelling-garage separation which are labeled with letters that designate elements as follows: g = garage side of the assembly; d = dwelling side of the assembly; a = attic side of the assembly; h = habitable room above side of the assembly; s = the structure supporting floor/ceiling assemblies required to be separated; e = exterior; x = Type X gypsum board. All models also use gypsum board sized per the table. The 1st model represents the 1st row of the table; the 2nd model represents the 2nd and 3rd rows of the table; and, the 3rd model represents the 4th row of the table. Note that row 3 of the table intends that structures supporting floor/ceiling assemblies are protected by 1/2" gypsum board or equivalent only on the inside of the garage and/or dwelling. Where such supporting structures separate the garage from the exterior, 1/2" gypsum board is not intended to also be installed on the exterior side of such structures.