Renovating multi-units has its special characteristics mainly in fireproofing the building.
Electrical failures or malfunctions are the second leading cause of U.S. home fires. Knowing that special attention is required to make passive fire stops behind the walls. The following steps are crucial to slow the fire spreading and give time to evacuate the building in case of fire.
Electrical wiring must be done by a commercial master electrician and inspected thoroughly. Then duct works and running water pipes in the whole building must also be meticulously performed and inspected. This first step takes time but must be done properly to limit the chances of any malfunctions. This is done to prevent fire from spreading at different stages.
Fire retardants or Flame retardants are chemicals used to slow down or hinder the growth of fire and provide a sufficient amount of time to evacuate a building. Their application on construction materials is essential to meet the necessary fire safety standards and codes. Every opening and junction is carefully sealed and inspected. This alone will slow immensely the spread of fire that happens so fast in the building.
Insulating a building is a lengthy process because outer walls and the commune area like hallways also need to be well insulated. When effective insulation is combined with a high-efficiency HVAC design, the building achieves a drastic reduction of heating and cooling costs. Well-done insulation is also necessary to soundproof the different units. Soundproofing relates to the overall ability of a building element or building structure to reduce the sound transmission through it. This Baltimore triplex has been insulated thoroughly to meet the safety requirements.
Drywalling is an important part of a building. This crucial step is performed by using a fire-rated product to delay the spread of fire and extend the time a person has to leave the building. The dry walls are then sealed to maintain the fireproofing of walls allowing them to impede the spread of fire and smoke.
Inspection: Have a qualified commercial inspector inspect to ensure that the fire retardant steps are well performed and up to codes.
Install smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the building, including the basement. On levels without bedrooms, install alarms in both the living room and the stairwell to the upper level. Always verify with the city fire department for the compliance of all installations of alarms because they are subject to specific codes to each city and county.
We hope those few tips will help you in renovating a multi-units.
