大学英语四级周计划阅读Test 2学习 Passage1

Passage One

 

My house was built in 1955, before firewalls were required in garages. My buyers have asked that I upgrade the garage to comply with current fire safety requirements. I've cooperated with their request by patching several holes in the firewall. But now, they insist that I replace the door between the garage and the kitchen. This door is hollow core, but it has been covered with sheet metal for increased fire resistance. Isn't this safe enough? With the questions, I consulted ar expert. The following is his answer and hopefully can help those people who are with the same problem with me.

 

"Before answering your questions,I must clarify one essential point:Homes built in 1955 do not predate the fire separation requirement for garages. Firewalls between homes and garages have been specified in the Uniform Building Code since the first code book was published in 1927. Modifications to the code have been enacted(制定）since that time,but the basic firewall requirement still applies to 40-year-old homes.

 

The purpose of this code is to delay the spread of fire from a garage to a dwelling. In order to comply, wood-framed walls and ceilings between garages and dwellings must be finished with plaster or 5/8 inch drywall, and all doors must be solid core or labeled as fire-rated by the manufacturer.

 

When your home was built, these codes were not universally enforced, especially in rural areas. So many hollow core doors were improperly installed in attached garages. In those years, a common upgrade for such doors was the application of sheet metal. Although this modification does not comply with current fire standards,most building departments regard these doors as "legal nonconforming", which means that replacement is generally not mandated(要求）.

 

Another related upgrade is the requirement that fire doors be self-closing. The addition of a self-closing device would be an advisable upgrade to your garage door,but it is not a legal requirement for homes built in the 1950s.

 

As to the disagreement between you and your buyer, my advice would be to upgrade the garage door to current safety standards. It is not your obligation to make these improvements on the buyers' behalf, but they could certainly upgrade the quality of the fire door after closing escrow(附带条款的契约）.”

 

57. What's the main problem that the author wants to solve?

A) If he needs to replace the fire door before selling his house

B) If the fire door complies with current fire safety requirements.

C) If he should sell his house to the demanding buyer.

D) If the fire door between the garage and the kitchen is needed.

 

58. The author has an improper point of view about the fire code that    

A) hollow core doors are safe enough

B) the questions involving firewalls should be solved by the law

C) house trade doesn't involve the part between the home and the garage

D) firewalls were not required when his house was built

 

59. Generally speaking, which kind of hollow core doors needn't be replaced?

A) Those manufactured after 1955

B) Those labeled with fire rates by manufacturers.

C) Those with adequate weight

D) Those made of plaster.

 

60. What do people usually do to upgrade the installed hollow core doors?

A) Stuff the doors with metal.

B) Cover the doors with sheet metal.

C) Stuff the doors with plaster.

D) Cover the doors with sheet plaster.

 

61. What does the author probably do after consulting the expert?

A) He may buy a new door at once.

B) He may delay selling his house.

C) He may persuade his buyer to upgrade the door.

D) He may sue the buyer for his illegitimate requirement.