Firewall Requirements

[redmg]

I have a row home (circa 1900) with no firewalls in the attic. I can walk across the whole row to other owners attics if I chose. I suspect I could even enter the homes from attic. I have looked everywhere for the FHA requirement. I have found for muti unit properties when converted to townhouses there must be a 1 & 1/2 hour rated firewall. Is there a requirement for FHA for a firewall and what would that be and do you know where to find the reference? Thanks for the help.

 

[fifteen]

A multifamily building may be reconfigured into a row house (townhouse)
structure. This could be accomplished by changing the multifamily project
into a Planned Unit Development (PUD), in which each unit is separately
deeded. Each unit will be considered a one family dwelling for mortgage
purposes. Units must be separated by at lease a one and one-half (1 1/2) hour
firewall. By inserting such a firewall, previous multifamily buildings may
also be divided into two, three, and four unit properties.
MORTGAGEE LETTER 96-21
http://www.HUD.gov/offices/adm/hudclips/letters/mortgagee/files/96-21ml.txt

 

[redmg]

Thanks for the response. I have this already as it's the only thing I could find on the subject. The home is a single family row home so there is no conversion involved. Due to the age of the home, local code allows the open attics.

 

[fifteen]

FHA financing would require a firewall. It referenced row house too, so yours fits. The row probably never went FHA before is my guess. Local code and FHA don't always agree. For safety you sure need one anyway.

 

[redmg]

Thanks for the help. As an aside, this is a refi of an FHA purchase from December. I found peeling chipping paint and exposed wood on the exterior, visible from the street, that just did not happen from December to now. Also, the sewer pipe in the basement has an open connection. I'm noting these things and the Homeowner is upset that they were not repaired by the Seller at the time of purchase. Wants to know if he has recourse. Not my area of expertise. Would not want to be the previous FHA appraiser.

I have asked HUD for a response to the attic firewall, but no response yet. I thought I could get an answer here as the Lender is breathing down my back. If the wall has to be there, I'm going to wait for HUD to tell me that as this will be a hornets nest.

Thanks for the input.

 

[fifteen]

Skippy FHA appraiser. Will wonders never cease lol. I prognosticate he's going to have a meeting with the state board in his future. Sounds like he also might not have gotten the value right for the sale 5 months ago. Ouch
Let us know what you find out from HUD, but I suspect it's going to need that wall. Thanks. I wonder if the realtor can be held liable for doing an FHA sale without inspecting for FHA qualifications or is it just the appraiser. Anybody know?

 

[redmg]

Per the FHA Appraiser at HUD...4905.1 Rev-1; 2-3 says...

PARTY OR LOT LINE WALL. A building constructed on or to a property line must be separated from the adjoining building, by a wall extending the full height of the building from the foundation to the ridge of the roof. The wall can separate row type townhouses or semi-detached units,

There is no requirement that the wall be fire rated to any extent by FHA.