Beware of this before buying your first aging multifamily property

[Ryan Bittner]

Check Fire Code Before Buying Multifamily. Older multifamily buildings can look like amazing deals… until you pull a permit. The city can require you to upgrade fire-safety elements that no longer meet today’s code, even if the building has been legal for decades. Common issues include: • Non fire-rated walls between units • Missing fire blocking or separations • Exterior walls that don’t meet current fire-resistance standards • Other fire-safety items inspectors must flag When these upgrades come up, the most effective and least disruptive solution is often using fire-proof / intumescent fire-resistant coatings like the FFA product from FireFree Coatings. These coatings can be applied directly to existing drywall or surfaces and expand when exposed to heat, creating a protective barrier that helps meet required fire ratings without tearing open walls or rebuilding structure. For many investors, this can be the difference between a deal that stays viable and one that blows up the budget.