Hello there, I am putting in a drywalled ceiling in my basement. I
had to use 5/8" drywall as fire-blocking between the stud wall and
foundation, but planned on using 1/2" drywall for the actual main
ceiling since my joists are close enough together to allow that.
However, I read on this forum that 5/8" rock might be required for
fire protection for the main ceiling, by code. Since I am doing this
with the proper inspections, can anyone shed light on this? Is it in
the national building codes, or is this a one-off requirement of some
jurisdictions? Thanks.

Since your doing it the right way, with inspections, just call and ask your
inspector before you do the job, It will take 5 minutes and it's the only
safe and foolproof way to avoid a BIG problem later on when the inspector
shows up.
What's in the code is important, but not nearly as important as what the
inspector thinks is in the code :-)

--
Mikey S.
wrote in message
...
Hello there, I am putting in a drywalled ceiling in my basement. I
had to use 5/8" drywall as fire-blocking between the stud wall and
foundation, but planned on using 1/2" drywall for the actual main
ceiling since my joists are close enough together to allow that.
However, I read on this forum that 5/8" rock might be required for
fire protection for the main ceiling, by code. Since I am doing this
with the proper inspections, can anyone shed light on this? Is it in
the national building codes, or is this a one-off requirement of some
jurisdictions? Thanks.

On Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:18:10 GMT, "Mikey S." wrote:

Since your doing it the right way, with inspections, just call and ask your
inspector before you do the job, It will take 5 minutes and it's the only
safe and foolproof way to avoid a BIG problem later on when the inspector
shows up.
What's in the code is important, but not nearly as important as what the
inspector thinks is in the code :-)

I don't believe the inspector would argue about 5/8 inch rock on the
ceiling.

Oren
--

Online copy of the NJ Building Code states that "Gypsum board shall be
permitted to be used on wood joists to create a horizontal diaphragm
ceiling in accordance with table 2508.5" which then states that 1/2"
Gypsum board used on framing members of 16" o.c. provides 90 plf shear
value, and on 24" o.c. provides 70 plf shear value when used with 1
5/8" wall borad nails or 1 1/4" type S or W screws.

The fire-resistance rated section of the code is simply too confusing
to understand, but they wouldn't have conflicting requirements in the
code book, would they?

On Mon, 21 Jan 2008 13:25:12 -0800 (PST),
wrote:

Online copy of the NJ Building Code states that "Gypsum board shall be
permitted to be used on wood joists to create a horizontal diaphragm
ceiling in accordance with table 2508.5" which then states that 1/2"
Gypsum board used on framing members of 16" o.c. provides 90 plf shear
value, and on 24" o.c. provides 70 plf shear value when used with 1
5/8" wall borad nails or 1 1/4" type S or W screws.

The fire-resistance rated section of the code is simply too confusing
to understand, but they wouldn't have conflicting requirements in the
code book, would they?

Stop by, and see the local fire house Captain! Ask him/her.

Oren
--

No, but they might argue about the 1/2 inch, or if he used the correctly
rated 5/8.
Best to just ask first

--
Mikey S.
"Oren" wrote in message
...

I don't believe the inspector would argue about 5/8 inch rock on the
ceiling.

Oren
--

wrote in message
...
Hello there, I am putting in a drywalled ceiling in my basement. I
had to use 5/8" drywall as fire-blocking between the stud wall and
foundation, but planned on using 1/2" drywall for the actual main
ceiling since my joists are close enough together to allow that.
However, I read on this forum that 5/8" rock might be required for
fire protection for the main ceiling, by code. Since I am doing this
with the proper inspections, can anyone shed light on this? Is it in
the national building codes, or is this a one-off requirement of some
jurisdictions? Thanks.


I can't answer that question, but I'm wondering something else. Will you be
installing some sort of easy access for working on pipes and maybe
electrical junction boxes?

JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
wrote in message
...
Hello there, I am putting in a drywalled ceiling in my basement. I
had to use 5/8" drywall as fire-blocking between the stud wall and
foundation, but planned on using 1/2" drywall for the actual main
ceiling since my joists are close enough together to allow that.
However, I read on this forum that 5/8" rock might be required for
fire protection for the main ceiling, by code. Since I am doing this
with the proper inspections, can anyone shed light on this? Is it in
the national building codes, or is this a one-off requirement of some
jurisdictions? Thanks.


I can't answer that question, but I'm wondering something else. Will you be
installing some sort of easy access for working on pipes and maybe
electrical junction boxes?



You've never seen a finished basement before?

a

"a" wrote in message news:8j6lj.10315$vp3.8134@edtnps90...
JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
wrote in message
...
Hello there, I am putting in a drywalled ceiling in my basement. I
had to use 5/8" drywall as fire-blocking between the stud wall and
foundation, but planned on using 1/2" drywall for the actual main
ceiling since my joists are close enough together to allow that.
However, I read on this forum that 5/8" rock might be required for
fire protection for the main ceiling, by code. Since I am doing this
with the proper inspections, can anyone shed light on this? Is it in
the national building codes, or is this a one-off requirement of some
jurisdictions? Thanks.


I can't answer that question, but I'm wondering something else. Will you
be installing some sort of easy access for working on pipes and maybe
electrical junction boxes?

You've never seen a finished basement before?

a


Of course I have. Why do you ask?

a wrote:
JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
wrote in message
...
Hello there, I am putting in a drywalled ceiling in my basement. I
had to use 5/8" drywall as fire-blocking between the stud wall and
foundation, but planned on using 1/2" drywall for the actual main
ceiling since my joists are close enough together to allow that.
However, I read on this forum that 5/8" rock might be required for
fire protection for the main ceiling, by code. Since I am doing this
with the proper inspections, can anyone shed light on this? Is it in
the national building codes, or is this a one-off requirement of some
jurisdictions? Thanks.


I can't answer that question, but I'm wondering something else. Will
you be installing some sort of easy access for working on pipes and
maybe electrical junction boxes?


You've never seen a finished basement before?

a

It's taken a long time but I finally realized that people only
learn from their own mistakes. Letem' drywall the ceiling. Anyone
that dumb or cheap isn't going to listen to any sort of reason.

I always got a kick at the look on their faces when I told them
to rip her down.

LdB

On Jan 21, 12:50*pm, "JoeSpareBedroom" wrote:
wrote in message

...

Hello there, I am putting in a drywalled ceiling in my basement. *I
had to use 5/8" drywall as fire-blocking between the stud wall and
foundation, but planned on using 1/2" drywall for the actual main
ceiling since my joists are close enough together to allow that.
However, I read on this forum that 5/8" rock might be required for
fire protection for the main ceiling, by code. *Since I am doing this
with the proper inspections, can anyone shed light on this? *Is it in
the national building codes, or is this a one-off requirement of some
jurisdictions? *Thanks.

I can't answer that question, but I'm wondering something else. Will you be
installing some sort of easy access for working on pipes and maybe
electrical junction boxes?

Joe brings up an important point, you can't block off access for a
number of things. One is electrical junction boxes. Another would be
water and/or gas shutoffs. I'm not a plumber, but I think if you have
compression fittings on water supply pipes they must remain
accessible. And there are probably other things that you can't block
access to.

Most people use a dropped ceiling in finished basements for just these
reasons. If you drywall the ceiling you need to put in the
appropriate access panels. Even if you put in the appropriate access
panels, future work supplying utilities to the upstairs becomes more
complicated if you put in drywall. For example, adding an electrical
outlet on the first floor is a piece of cake if you have access in the
basement. With drywall on the ceiling, all of a sudden it becomes a
big job with a lot of ripped out drywall.

Ken

On Jan 21, 11:11*am, wrote:
Hello there, I am putting in a drywalled ceiling in my basement. *I
had to use 5/8" drywall as fire-blocking between the stud wall and
foundation, but planned on using 1/2" drywall for the actual main
ceiling since my joists are close enough together to allow that.
However, I read on this forum that 5/8" rock might be required for
fire protection for the main ceiling, by code. *Since I am doing this
with the proper inspections, can anyone shed light on this? *Is it in
the national building codes, or is this a one-off requirement of some
jurisdictions? *Thanks.

In chicago 5/8 fire code X is required, there are other types of 5/8
but HD carries Fire Code X here. Call the building dept. Do it wrong
and they will make you remove it.

wrote in message
...
Hello there, I am putting in a drywalled ceiling in my basement. I


Unless there's a particular reason to do it, don't do it. I had to rip out
the drywalled basement ceiling in the previous house to re-route a cable TV
wire. The wire went where it should have, the drywall too - to the dump.