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Building to Fire Codes and Installing Fireproofing Material

Bob and Ryley check out the interior construction that is being built up to stringent fire codes. While the building is predominantly concrete and steel, wood joists are used to create a floor. The crew is using salt mineral treated southern yellow pine, which is less combustible than its standard counterpart and meets fireproofing codes. Southern yellow pine's open grain allows it to accept pressure treatment better than others woods. Ryley explains that any open area under the platform cannot exceed one hundred square feet. Therefore fireproof cells have been created that have gypsum board on both sides and which will be sealed between the studs with a fire block. Chuck from Essex Construction meets with Bob and Ryley to discuss the construction. He tells us that the joists vary in length so they must be cut on site to come out even. The crew installs plywood over the joists with panel adhesive and nails. The fireproof plywood does not have a tongue and groove edge so a second layer is put on top of it with staggered seams and panel adhesive to avoid squeaks. More information