On 2009-01-21, Harry K wrote:

No, a "dwelling" is a building with a "dwelling unit", so your
attached garage is still part of a dwelling.

I suspect you are misreading the code.

Take a look at it yourself in the previous posts.

I have seen new construction recently where it is romex in the
basement ceiling with no covering.

This is the basement of a house? Once the building has a "dwelling
unit", the whole building is a "dwelling", so there is no blanket
requirement for a 15-minute finish. For residential property, the
requirement for a 15-minute finish is only for detached buildings such
as sheds, garages, etc.

Cheers, Wayne