Shower niche on an exterior wall of semi detached

9/25/2023 at 6:15:28 PM

Hello,

Personally I would not recommend to add a niche on that wall, just because it will interfere with the actual purpose of a fire wall. If possible, build a custom niche somewhere else.

Another option can be framing a wall/half wall, but you will lose almost 5".

9/25/2023 at 6:36:54 PM

Hello, we do not recommend that you place a shower niche on that wall, since the fired rate walls were made on purpose in case of a fire so they give you time, on the other hand if your insurance were to find out that you manipulated that wall in some cases you would lose the coverage. We recommend that you hire a contractor who will give you the best options.

9/25/2023 at 8:07:04 PM

I believe what you want to look at is Section 9.10.5.1. of the Ontario Building Code: "a membrane forming part of an assembly required to have a fire-resistance rating shall not be pierced by openings into the assembly unless the assembly has been tested and rated for such openings." which translates to: don't do it unless you have had the fire-resistance tested first. If you're dead set on putting a niche there, I would call your local building authority.

9/26/2023 at 1:55:56 PM

Fire rated walls can have a niche you just need to reapply more fire rated drywall in the niche, the real issue here is by protruding into the exterior wall with the niche you are reducing the insulation at that location. Best practise is to strap out the wall with 2x4 wall, keep your waterlines out of the exterior wall, then build in the niche into the strapped wall with no affect to your "R" value in the exterior wall.

9/27/2023 at 10:49:41 AM

Hi,

You can build the niche if you install fire rated drywall.

But as mentioned in another reply, the real problem will be the lose of proper insulation at that spot.

I would build the niche in one of the end walls.

You can also purchase and install a wall mounted unit to hold soap, shampoo etc.

If one of the walls is an interior wall, I would locate it there.

Hope this helps.

9/29/2023 at 6:40:06 PM

You can do anything you want as long as "you do not compromise the fire wall"...I usually build a false wall over firewall designed to work with remodel. This is common and meets codes.