townhouse separation

[Marc M]

Jerry, any reason why builder would "not" have drywall to separate? i see an attempt to close off openings w/ insulation..
I just cant find any exceptions and funny thing is this is a new complex.

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

Marc,

The photo is looking up into the trusses - is there a flat roof area? Which side is the separation to the next townhouse?

[Marc M]

Sorry crappy image.. this should help

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

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).

[Marc M]

Yea I'm with you. It was one of those things that you look at an figure there has to be another reason for not having the wallboard. Its definitely a townhouse.

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

Marc,

Is it just me, an optical illusion, or is that OSB at the truss splitting the truss in two (not actually "splitting the truss in two", but the OSB is installed between the trusses at the center of the verticals?

If so, that is not right either as each side of the townhouse is supposed to be able to stand on its own while the other side burns down, and if that OSB is as I am seeing it, that one truss crosses the rated wall line and is common to both structures.