Where should fire blocking be provided in wood-framed construction?

Fire blocking plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of fire within concealed spaces of a building. In wood-framed construction, it is essential to understand the appropriate locations for fire blocking to enhance fire safety.

Fire blocking should be installed in the concealed spaces of stud walls, where it can intercept flames and smoke as they attempt to travel through these areas. These spaces can act as vertical shafts, allowing fire to spread rapidly if not adequately blocked.

Cove ceilings, which are often used for aesthetic purposes, can also present risks if not properly protected. Fire blocking in these areas helps to limit fire movement and provides additional safety measures.

Openings around vents or pipes are critical spots for fire blocking as well. If these openings are left unprotected, they can serve as pathways for fire and smoke to move from one area to another, potentially affecting the entire structure.

Since each of these elements—concealed spaces within stud walls, cove ceilings, and openings around vents or pipes—contributes to fire risk, effective fire blocking in all these locations is necessary to comply with building codes and ensure safety. Hence, the answer encompasses all these areas, reinforcing the importance of comprehensive fire safety measures in construction.