Francis Vineyard
REGISTERED
The following code section is posted on the VBCOA members section as well for the consideration of the 2012 USBC that will be mandatory July 14, 2015;
2012 714.4.1.2 exception 7 requires the ceiling sheathing to be continuous over all top plates unless the wall is constructed as a load bearing fire-resistance wall of at least the same rating of the horizontal assembly.
2015 714.4.2 modified this exception and allows the wall to penetrate the ceiling membrane with a double top plate having the wall sheathed with 5/8" Type X. This wall is not required to be a fire-resistance rated except where required by other sections of the code as usual; according to the Significant Changes to the 2015 IBC.
2012 714.4.1.2 exception 7 requires the ceiling sheathing to be continuous over all top plates unless the wall is constructed as a load bearing fire-resistance wall of at least the same rating of the horizontal assembly.
2015 714.4.2 modified this exception and allows the wall to penetrate the ceiling membrane with a double top plate having the wall sheathed with 5/8" Type X. This wall is not required to be a fire-resistance rated except where required by other sections of the code as usual; according to the Significant Changes to the 2015 IBC.