Built as working-class housing in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, the wooden three-story homes still dominate some urban neighborhoods. Though they have fallen out of favor, the structures continue to provide affordable housing in areas badly in need of it.
As decision-makers consider how to preserve these buildings, one of the primary areas of concern is fire safety due to balloon framing construction. Homes built with balloon framing, with long, continuous lumber, offer an unobstructed path for fire to spread quickly from ground level to the attic and roof.
Fire stops between floors can be created in a variety of ways. Insulating foam sealant and nominal lumber like a 2x4 nailed at various distances to break up the balloon framing can help prevent fire from spreading.
Gut renovations can add more fire blocking to break up the exterior walls and retrofit flooring with more fire-resistant materials also helps. Renovations, can be costly, though, going well beyond $100,000 for even basic design changes.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jul 6, 2018
Houston’s lessons learned from Harvey include lack of awareness by residents of flood danger
Inconsistent regulatory environment also cited.
Codes and Standards | Jul 6, 2018
Delos and HDR will co-develop wellness design tools and collaborate on research
WELL Building Standard pioneer teams with architects to advance wellness innovations in the built environment.
Codes and Standards | Jul 5, 2018
BREEAM New Construction standard launched in U.S.
Follows successful launch of BREEAM In-Use standard.
Codes and Standards | Jun 29, 2018
Nearly half of nonresidential construction projects now delivered by design-build
‘Alternative’ method now mainstream for nonresidential, highway/street, and water/wastewater construction projects.
Codes and Standards | Jun 28, 2018
Modular construction may be key to relieving housing crunch
May be only way to meet needs as ranks of construction workers decline.
Codes and Standards | Jun 27, 2018
Thirty nine San Francisco high rises at risk of collapse in major earthquake
Vulnerable buildings have welded columns and beams.
Codes and Standards | Jun 26, 2018
Boston enacts new climate resiliency rules for buildings
New policy is likely a first in the nation.
Codes and Standards | Jun 25, 2018
Integrated Project Delivery guide offered by Pankow Foundation
An Action Guide for Leaders offers answers to critical IPD questions.
Codes and Standards | Jun 21, 2018
New app said to automate code compliance
Startup offers plug-in that scans 3D models.
Codes and Standards | Jun 20, 2018
Home values and local tax revenues at risk from high tide flooding, scientists group says
Analysis of property data identifies communities prone to frequent flooding.