In a 45° inspection cut, the 45° cut is made toward or away from which feature?

• A. Exterior wall
• B. Rafter
• C. Floor joists
• D. Roof ridge

Answer: (A)

When performing a 45° inspection cut, the goal is to create a small diagonal opening in the roof that lets you quickly peek into the attic to assess fire conditions and determine the fire’s location and direction. Directing the cut toward the exterior wall places the opening in the attic space near that wall, giving a clear view into the attic while keeping you away from the roof’s ridge and other major structural members. Cutting toward rafters or floor joists risks hitting important framing and can hinder visibility, while cutting toward the ridge can compromise structural elements and again limit a useful view. So, the 45° inspection cut is made toward the exterior wall.