Fire separation (garage to house)
Fire separation is the set of materials and details that slow fire and smoke from moving from the garage into the living space.
Why it matters
Garages store fuel, tools, and cars. Fire separation buys time and protects the main home.
Where people get this wrong
Fire separation is not only drywall. Doors and penetrations matter. A hole for a pipe can defeat a fire-rated assembly if it is not sealed correctly.
Real-world example
A small fire starts in the garage from a battery charger. If the wall and door details are done right, the home alarm gives you time and the damage stays contained.
Where this hits your build
This shows up during framing. Once walls are up and covered, you lose access. The pre-drywall walkthrough is your window to verify.
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