Marc M wrote:Jerry, any reason why builder would "not" have drywall to separate?
Because the inspectors are not checking for it. That would be the only reason if the units are townhouses, if condos, would not be required as it would be "one structure".
Townhouses are required to be separated by a fire-resistance rated wall all the way from the foundation to 18" above the roof, except that the separation is allowed to terminate at the underside of the roof if the roof sheathing is protected a minimum of 4 feet out from each side of the fire-resistance rated separation wall (not measured from the center of the wall, measured from each side of the wall, which means that one 8 foot sheet does not provide the proper protection when laid centered on the separation wall.
Those two OSB walls are not proper fire-resistance rated separation walls, about all I can think of is that the contractor was thinking condos and those are draftstopping walls (OSB is permitted to be used for that use).