Fire code
National Fire Inspection Association
Building codes are often confusing to the do it yourselfer; but they exist to enforce constant methods of installation and more importantly to ensure the safety of your family. The National Electrical Code, which is written by the National Fire Protection Association, for example says you can only put one wire under each screw on a receptacle or switch. It doesn’t seem like two wires are more dangerous then one. But the NFPA has seen one too many fires caused by the second wire popping out from under the screw. Fire Prevention Code says that if you’re going to put in foam insulation (say in your basement) and then cover it with wood paneling, you have to put drywall over the foam first. Why? Foam insulation produces thick black smoke in a fire and drywall delays the spread of fire, giving you time to get out safely. Sometimes the reason for code is common sense. Ever wonder why code requires outlets every six feet along walls, but every two feet along kitchen counters? It’s because of the length of appliance cords, they’re shorter on toasters than they are on lamps. For this reason the outlets in the house are set every six feet and the outlets in the kitchen are set every two feet
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