There are several solutions.
Required attic access opening.
Attic furnace installation must comply with you local mechanical code or imc international mechanical code if such was adopted in your area.
Buildings with combustible ceiling or roof construction shall have an attic access opening to attic areas that have a vertical height of 30 inches 762 mm or greater over an area of not less than 30 square feet 2 8 m 2 the vertical height shall be measured from the top of the ceiling framing members to the underside of the roof framing members.
Building codes according to the 2006 international residential code r807 1 attic access homes with combustible materials in the ceiling and roof construction must have an access to attic areas that exceeds 30 square feet and with a vertical height of.
The following are attic furnace installation requirements based on 2009 irc and 2009 imc the codes refer to it as appliances in attics.
Attic furnace access passageway and platform.
But when you put something else in the opening it must be equivalent to 1 2 drywall which has roughly a 20 minute fire resistance.
The type of attic access determines the means you can install for entrance into the attic.
The 1 4 plywood panel at most attic ladders does not meet that standard.
Most homes have a 1 2 drywall panel installed in the attic access opening which is fine.
The ontario building code access 9 19 2 1.
Here s the full text of the code.
The rough framed opening.
Access 1 everyattic or roof space shall be provided with an access hatch where the attic or roof space a measures not less than i 10 m in area ii 1 000 mm in length or width and iii 600 mm in height over at least the area described in subclauses i and ii or.
If the attic space is smaller than these specs then an access hatch is not required.
The access opening should be located in a hallway or other readily accessible location and minimum 22 x 30.