Drywall in a barn requirement Ontario OBC

[Dockonbay2024]

We have had our barn plans signed off by council with drywall on the interior walls and thought maybe we could use an alternative. But the building inspector has said for fire for code drywall is the only option. I'm happy with drywall, just curious since it's unattached.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

Unattached? Please explain how you install drywall without attaching it to something.

 

[Gregg Harris]

Unattached? Please explain how you install drywall without attaching it to something.

I believe he meant detached, a standalone building

 

[Gregg Harris]

We have had our barn plans signed off by council with drywall on the interior walls and thought maybe we could use an alternative. But the building inspector has said for fire for code drywall is the only option. I'm happy with drywall, just curious since it's unattached.

There are plenty of options available that are more durable than drywall for a barn application.
Where are you located for the code application?

 

[Gregg Harris]

Sorry, I did not read the "Ontario" part. Now that I read the Ontario code, there appear to be alternatives available.

 

[tmurray]

First, council did not sign off on the plans, the chief building official did. Under Ontario's Building Code Act, chief building officials have all the regulatory authority granted to them on code interpretation, approving permits/plans, and have a responsibility to act in a manner that is free from undue influence (from council and/or senior municipal management). Council typically only gets involved in developments from the planning/development side of things. They should never be involved from a code side.

It would be unusual to have drywall required in a barn. I would ask the inspector to provide the code section stating it is required. Generally, the code asks for an assembly to have a performance (like a 1 hour fire resistance rating). It is up to the designer how they approach the issue, they could use a fire rated drywall on a stud wall, or use concrete blocks. As long as the construction hits the required fire resistance rating, the assembly is acceptable.

 

[BN4537]

Is there, by chance, some kind of foam insulation being installed in this barn? What was the alternative you proposed?

 

[Inspector Gadget]

Might I ask a mod to move this into the "Canada" forum?

To the OP:
What is the barn's function? Is it for hay storage or something else?
How large is it? How many floors? How close to adjacent buildings and/or property lines?

 

[Gregg Harris]

Is there, by chance, some kind of foam insulation being installed in this barn? What was the alternative you proposed?

Foam insulation can have multiple fire barriers, drywall being one of them, but I can not see a sole requirement for it

 

[AlleyJoe]

We have had our barn plans signed off by council with drywall on the interior walls and thought maybe we could use an alternative. But the building inspector has said for fire for code drywall is the only option. I'm happy with drywall, just curious since it's unattached.

Drywall is usually required because of its fire rating, and that’s why inspectors don’t allow alternatives in most cases. Even if the building is unattached, code still prioritizes fire safety. If you’re okay with drywall, it’s the simplest way to stay compliant.

 

[Inspector Gadget]

I suspect the issue is spatial separation, but until the OP chimes in with more, there ain't much use in speculating.

 

[tmurray]

Drywall is usually required because of its fire rating, and that’s why inspectors don’t allow alternatives in most cases. Even if the building is unattached, code still prioritizes fire safety. If you’re okay with drywall, it’s the simplest way to stay compliant.

Just to clarify, drywall is never required by code. The fire rating is. Drywall is one of the acceptable ways to meet the rating. A building official has no authority to require an owner to follow one of the acceptable compliance paths over another one. That decision is always for the owner.