adding carport, what to consider

[imported_noel]

Hello,
I've had to put off my electrical project to work on the roof. But, my roofing project and electrical project are going to meet in the end. If you recall, I'm going to move my drop to the other side of my house from the west side to the east side. The east side is where the front door is and where the driveway is. An open garage sits at the end of the driveway and is a few feet past the back of the house. It can only really hold one car, but two can fit if you don't open the doors. Anyway, I would like to build a carport on the side of the house and use the garage as a shop. The carport may be of a pergola type attached to the house, or might have a pitched roof like the house does, which will extend from the house like a third gable. A pic might help get this idea across.

http://www2.arkansas.net/~nakins/9-30c.jpg

By adding this carport, it will allow me to place the meter on it instead of right beside the porch like the guy from the electric dept. suggested.

So, If I were to build a carport and it be attached to the house, what in the way of code would I have to consider in its construction? I know I have to have some kind of fire break if it were an attached garage, but since it is an unwalled, open carport, being attached to the house by a roof, what fire break would I need? Or anything else?
Thanks

[Wgoodrich]

If this carport is not enclosed I don't see the fire rating separating the house from the carport. However this would be a call of the AHJ [building official].

If fire rating is required then 5/8" drywall on the wall separating the carport from the house is required. You have a choice of the 5/8 drywall running clear to the bottom of the roof decking or installing 5/8 drywall on the adjoining wall and also the carport ceiling to make the fire wall. Don't forget the adjoining door will also be a solid core fire rated door between the house and the carport.

Again not sure a lean to construction not enclosed would cause a fire rated wall to be required. Check with your AHJ.

Looked at your picture. Boy you do get into your work don't you. If you do it right the first time you shouldn't have to do it again.

Electrically if you connect the detached garage and the house with the car port you have one structure. Only one service is allowed to serve one structure with limited exceptions. Again check with your AHJ [electrical inspector] to make a ruling what he or she will accept as existing and what has to be changed to meet current Codes.

Good Luck

Wg