40 Hour Property and Building Inspection Practice Test

Which of the following is a common issue found with fire stopping in balloon frame construction?

1. It is always effective

2. It is often missing

3. It is more common in platform frame construction

4. It is considered a minor issue

The correct answer is: It is often missing

In balloon frame construction, a common issue related to fire stopping is that it is often missing. This construction method utilizes long vertical wall studs that run continuously from the foundation to the roof, which creates a vertical void. Without proper fire stopping, these voids can allow flames and smoke to spread rapidly between floors, significantly increasing the risk of fire damage. Therefore, the absence of fire stopping in these types of structures poses a serious safety concern. While building codes and standards typically require fire stopping to be installed at certain locations, it's not uncommon for it to be overlooked or improperly installed in balloon frame construction. This oversight can compromise the fire resistance of the building and increase hazards in the event of a fire. The other options do not accurately reflect the common issues associated with fire stopping in balloon frame construction; for instance, it's not accurate to state that fire stopping is always effective or that it is merely a minor issue. While platform frame construction does have its own fire stopping concerns, it is not more prevalent than the issues seen in balloon frame construction.