Garage Fire Separation

[aaronm]

In the situation where an attached residential garage interior walls and ceiling are clad with OSB, can a fire-resistive coating such as http://www.firefree.com/technical.php suffice to achieve the separation required by IRC 309.2?

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

Hi Aaron,

"or equivalent."

That answer can only come by submitting the product information sheets to the AHJ and having them reviewed and approved by the building officials.

From the 2009 IRC (bold and underlining is mine)
- R104.11 Alternative materials, design and methods of construction and equipment. The provisions of this code are not intended to prevent the installation of any material or to prohibit any design or method of construction not specifically prescribed by this code, provided that any such alternative has been approved. An alternative material, design or method of construction shall be approved where the building official finds that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the intent of the provisions of this code, and that the material, method or work offered is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this code. Compliance with the specific performance-based provisions of the International Codes in lieu of specific requirements of this code shall also be permitted as an alternate.
- - R104.11.1 Tests. Whenever there is insufficient evidence of compliance with the provisions of this code, or evidence that a material or method does not conform to the requirements of this code, or in order to substantiate claims for alternative materials or methods, the building official shall have the authority to require tests as evidence of compliance to be made at no expense to the jurisdiction. Test methods shall be as specified in this code or by other recognized test standards. In the absence of recognized and accepted test methods, the building official shall approve the testing procedures. Tests shall be performed by an approved agency. Reports of such tests shall be retained by the building official for the period required for retention of public records.

That is really the only answer - that it would need to be submitted, reviewed, and approved by the building official ... which means it is in writing and is stamped as being approved.

[aaronm]

That answer can only come by submitting the product information sheets to the AHJ and having them reviewed and approved by the building officials.

JP: You mean the same clown who approved the OSB in the first place? =-)

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

JP: You mean the same clown who approved the OSB in the first place? =-)

Do you know it was approved in the first place?

What are the requirements for permitting and inspections there? Some places I've heard of have permitting but no, or limited, inspections, so it may have been approved with gypsum board, but OSB was installed instead, and with no, or limited, inspections ... the only person/thing to blame is the system which does not require full inspections.

[aaronm]

JP: You mean the same clown who approved the OSB in the first place? =-)

Do you know it was approved in the first place?

What are the requirements for permitting and inspections there? Some places I've heard of have permitting but no, or limited, inspections, so it may have been approved with gypsum board, but OSB was installed instead, and with no, or limited, inspections ... the only person/thing to blame is the system which does not require full inspections.

It is called selective code enforcement and is so widely practiced here the it is the rule and not the exception.