Question:
Does anyone know if there are National Fire Prevention Codes and if so who enforces them? The garage is under the living area of my home and there was no fire stop between the garage and floor of the living installed by the builder. Additionally the door between the garage and the family room in the basement is a standard hollow core door and the wall has only 3/8" drywall on one side. I called the state fire marshel and was told there are no enforcable fire codes for 1 or 2 family homes in the state of West Virgina. Anyone able to provide assistance in locating a national code and someone to enforce it?

Answer: Q: Does anyone know if there are National Fire Prevention Codes and if so who enforces them?

A: The NFPA (National Fire Prevention Association) specifies code recommendations There is no Federal law with the specification of fire codes etc. These are also the same folks that specify hte NEC and the Life-safety code. Each locality and or state (usually both) is/are responsible for the adoption and enforcement of code. Q: The garage is under the living area of my home and there was no fire stop between the garage and floor of the living installed by the builder. Additionally the door between the garage and the family room in the basement is a standard hollow core door and the wall has only 3/8" drywall on one side.

A: Are you saying that you have open joist and stud bays? I would hang at least 5/8 rock on the garage ceiling and walls. I would also consider fuseable link controlled windows along the ceiling to the exterior that will open to allow hot gasses to escape in the event of a fire. I wouold also consider a sprinkler system. Q: Anyone able to provide assistance in locating a national code and someone to enforce it?

A: Code enforcement is a state/local issue, even when there are federal laws on the books (i.e. ADA).