Attic Stairs in Garage

[Skip2MySue]

I read a previous post that someone had put pull down attic stairs in their garage and they had placed a vent in the wooden panel to help exhaust the hot air in the garage. Seeing that I had 2 solar fans installed in the roof I thought that would be the way I'd also want to go in an effort to make the garage a little more comfortable. My neighbor mentioned that he didn't think that would be up to code and if there were ever a fire I would be liable because of adding the vent. All feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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[getdul981]

Don't see where that plywood panel would slow a fire down much, do you? There may be some sort of code to prevent it though. I'd check with the powers that be first.

[pooh]

Don't see where that plywood panel would slow a fire down much, do you? There may be some sort of code to prevent it though. I'd check with the powers that be first.

May have more to do with the draw of air than blocking flames.

[Mikeod]

My neighbor had a thermostatically controlled attic fan installed over the garage and they installed two adjustable louvers like those used for the A/C ducts in the wood panel. The only problem I see is that his foot hits the louvers when climbing up and down the stairs. Seems like it could trip him up. He now has to close the louvers when using the stairs and open them up before raising the stairs.

[2 Oldcrabs]

Builder should be required to install "Fire code" drywall (1 hr no burn thru) on ceilings and wall next to the interior parts of the house. Fire rated door to the inside of house and sheet metal on the plywood of pull down stairs. This is to slow down the fire getting to the inside of the house and the attic. With that being said, I have seen many "Miami Sliders" installed in doors, vented ceilings and plywood on pull down stairs. The insurance companies do not inspect your house. Are there some exclusions in the policies? I doubt it.

[Skip2MySue]

Thanks gang for your opinions. This may help other's too.
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[uujudy]

2OldCrabs, what's a Miami slider? It sounds like a sandwich. :icon_hungry:

[2 Oldcrabs]

It is a window you can install in a door. Many of the garage doors open to the Laundry room. You can see if someone is at the washer/dryer before you hit them in the head. Plus opens for ventilation.

[mulligan]

Getting back to the original subject, before you put a bunch of stuff in the space over the garage, be sure you actually have "attic trusses", or you may be in for an unpleasant surprise.

[bluedog103]

Getting back to the original subject, before you put a bunch of stuff in the space over the garage, be sure you actually have "attic trusses", or you may be in for an unpleasant surprise.

Mulligan, could you please expand on this a bit?
Thanks

[mulligan]

The non-attic trusses are not designed to support any load except the ceiling assembly. Attic trusses are designed with a space to make walking up there easy, and will carry the extra load of stored items.

[champion6]

mulligan, thanks for the caution, but are you living in TV? I'm wondering if attic trusses are used in TV homes. Obviously TV creates the opening for attic stairs. Doing this invites owners to store personal items in the area above the ceiling. So is it safe to do so?

[Dan =^..^=]

Our new Iris with the Boston Hip Roof has a whole section of the attic above the garage floored with plywood for storage, according to our builder during walk-thru.

[mulligan]

No, I'm not living there yet, but I did spend a couple of lsv's looking at quite a few homes. Also, I was a construction superintendant for several developers in collier county (Naples) I am familiar with the local codes, and truss design common practices. That being said, it appears that, except for the premier homes, "attic trusses" are an extra that must be specified pre-construction. An alteration can probably be engineered post-construction, but would be pricey.