Does San Antonio Require Sprinkled Attics

Residents of southern and central texas should insulate their attics to at least r 30 or about 9 5 inches of conventional fiberglass batt insulation.

Does san antonio require sprinkled attics.

The starting point to determining if attics require sprinkler protection is section 8 1 which basically says to protect all spaces unless there is a specific exemption somewhere in the standard. In san antonio 13 14 deep is recommended. Efficient especially if ductwork is in the attic rudd 2005. One story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds playhouses and similar uses provided the floor area does not exceed 300 sq ft.

Under the provisions of that standard sprinklers are required in all combustible attic spaces. 210 8 a 7 the list of location where gfci protection is required in dwellings has been expanded. Uninsulated attic spaces are responsible for significant heat loss since heat rises in a building. Moisture resistance the attic will stay dry avoiding problems with mold and wood rot and thus can serve as living or storage space.

Even when the attic is constructed of noncombustible and limited combustible construction sprinklers can only be omitted if the space has no access or only limited access such that it cannot be used for occupancy or storage. If it s lower than 7 deep your home is lacks enough insulation. Since there is no specific attic sprinkler exemption in nfpa 13 as there is in nfpa 13r and nfpa 13d many people think that all attics. You can measure existing insulation to learn if you have enough in your attic.

If you live in the texas panhandle consider increasing your insulation level to at least r 38. Additionally if your home is more than 10 years old you ll likely need more insulation. Your attic must breathe but unfortunately many homes in san antonio don t have adequate ventilation. This applies to all receptacles within 6ft including receptacles below the kitchen sink.

Of the outside edge of any sink are required to be gfci protected. Proper attic ventilation may also require ventilation fans to move otherwise stale air through the space. Now all receptacles within 6 ft. Disaster resistance roofs over unvented attics are less likely to be blown off in high winds because the wind cannot readily enter the attic.

In san antonio 16 18 deep is recommended. You can assess existing insulation to learn if you have enough in your attic. See section b105 2 exception for details. Ideally your attic should breathe by intaking cooler air from soffit vents and then pushing out hot air through ridge vents.

If it s lower than 7 deep your home is lacks enough insulation. Does my home have enough insulation.