| Before putting on the ceiling, all openings, through | | | | If tin is used for a shield, it should have locked |
| which fire might find quick passage to the | | | | joints, as soldered joints are not reliable. |
| structure above, should be adequately fire | | | | Similar protection should be placed over any |
| stopped. It is best to use incombustible materials | | | | woodwork or wood lath and plaster partition, |
| for fire stopping, such as crushed refuse mortar, | | | | within four feet of the sides or back or six feet |
| plaster, concrete, hollow tile, gypsum block, | | | | from the front, of any boiler, furnace, or other |
| broken brick, or other similar material, containing | | | | heating equipment which may commonly be found |
| sufficient fine stuff to fill voids. | | | | in your spa room if you have a hot tub or steam |
| Such openings may be found around service | | | | sauna. |
| plumbing and bathroom fixtures (especially | | | | This covering should extend at least four feet |
| bathroom light fixtures nearby faucets), and | | | | above the floor, and at least three feet beyond |
| between joists or studs, where they join the | | | | the heating device, on all sides. It is advisable to |
| foundation. The fire stopping can be supported by | | | | have all such installations inspected by a |
| horizontal wood strips, not less than two inches | | | | representative of the fire insurance company. |
| thick, or by metal or wire mesh. | | | | A dry, clean, well-lighted, and well-ventilated |
| Several materials are used for ceiling purposes. | | | | basement can be made a most useful part of a |
| Gypsum or asbestos board, plaster on metal lath | | | | house by partitioning off spaces for different |
| or on gypsum plaster board or properly furred | | | | purposes. It is generally necessary, at least, to |
| metal ceiling may be used, depending on the taste | | | | partition off a coal bin, and sometimes the |
| of the individual and the amount that may be | | | | furnace also is enclosed to protect the rest of |
| expended. | | | | the basement from dust and soot. |
| It is recommended that any such material within | | | | The remaining space may be divided off for a |
| two feet of the top of a boiler or furnace, or in | | | | laundry, a workroom for the handy man, or a |
| the case of modern home saunas (where the | | | | playroom for the children. It may also be desirable |
| sauna steam is not created by the rocks) and | | | | to provide a cold room for the storage of |
| infrared saunas, shall at least be protected by a | | | | preserves and fruits and vegetables. |
| loose-fitting metal shield, arranged to preserve an | | | | If a definite storage space is set aside for garden |
| air space of an inch or two between the metal | | | | tools, bicycles and various other pieces of |
| and the wood. | | | | equipment, they can be kept in good condition and |
| The air space may be provided by the use of | | | | more readily located when needed. An orderly |
| small blocks of incombustible material between | | | | arrangement in a basement tends to encourage |
| metal and joists, or by suspending the metal | | | | neatness and lessen the amount of work required. |
| sheets on wires or hooks fastened to the joists. | | | | |