It was not required when it was built. Garage Fire separation. Wenatchee Home Inspections
It was not required when it was built. Garage Fire separation. Wenatchee Home Inspections 
As a home inspector I have heard this little phrase all too often. Was it required when the home was built? Often I may reply well no it was not or maybe not, but the risk remains the same. Local fire department show up to thousands of residential fires yearly. And many of these fires start in garages and carports.
Converted garage missing fire separation
There was about 6600 garage fires that have occurred between 2009 to 2011 that have resulted in 30 deaths and 457 million dollars in property damages. Over 45% of the fires that start in the garage move from the garage to the home or exterior. Does when was the code adoption matter to you now? Does a fire really care when the code was adopted? 
The 2012 IRC state this in section- R302.6 Dwelling/garage fire separation. The garage shall be separated as required by Table R302.6. Openings in garage walls shall comply with Section R302.5. This provision does not apply to garage walls that are perpendicular to the adjacent dwelling unit wall. When it comes to garage fires the leading cause was electrical in nature. Fire tactics for garages- http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/print/volume-164/issue-3/features/fire-tactics-for-attached-garages.html
“If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.”
Red Adair
NCW Home Inspections, LLC is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more… Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service www.ncwhomeinspections.com 509-670-9572
