Framing
Fire Blocking
Solid wood, drywall, or other approved material installed in concealed wall and floor cavities to slow the spread of fire through building framing.
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In the Field
Fire blocking is required at ceiling height in walls over 10 feet tall, at floor lines, at connections between vertical and horizontal spaces, and around penetrations. Building inspectors look for it specifically at the framing inspection — missing fire blocking is a very common fail.
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Rule of Thumb
Any wall cavity taller than 10 feet needs horizontal fire blocking at the mid-point. Every penetration through fire blocking (pipe, wire, duct) must be sealed with an approved fire-stopping material.