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Townhome Separation Walls

Noob

Registered User
Joined
Mar 8, 2019
Messages
34
Location
Texas
IBC requires a fire wall between townhomes. I seem to be finding a reference to the use of "double walls" - or two separate 1-hour walls, along with several images of this detail. Each framed wall has a layer of 5/8 gypsum on either side of the framing (four layers of gyp total, two on the exterior side, two on the gap side). My question is this - is it even possible to build? Sure you can build one of the walls and fire tape/caulk it, but the second wall - how do you install the gypsum on the interior (gap side) of the framing? I know there are other options with shaftliner panels etc. - but is 4 layers of 5/8" on both sides of two walls even possible to build correctly?
 
Really?! So it all get's taped up on the slab? Do you have to balloon frame it for two-stories?
 
There are multiple products like this that is used.
1710344474358.png

Or reference the IBC Exceptions #2 & #4 or #5

2508.5 Joint treatment.
Gypsum board and gypsum panel product fire-resistance-rated assemblies shall have joints and fasteners treated.

Exception: Joint and fastener treatment need not be provided where any of the following conditions occur:



1. Where the gypsum board or the gypsum panel product is to receive a decorative finish such as wood paneling, battens, acoustical finishes or any similar application that would be equivalent to joint treatment.

2. On single-layer systems where joints occur over wood framing members.

3. Square edge or tongue-and-groove edge gypsum board (V-edge), gypsum panel products, gypsum backing board or gypsum sheathing.

4. On multilayer systems where the joints of adjacent layers are offset.

5. Assemblies tested without joint treatment.
 
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