firewalls

[Bruce King]

How many of you inspect for proper spacing of sheetrock fasteners on visible portions of firewalls?

[Darren Miller]

Bruce,

Unless this is new construction with building plans still on site, I don't think you can (unless of course there's only 8 screws holding a 4x8 sheet).
Each firewall assembly has it's own specs that was (UL) approved. For example, one assembly requires 8 inch spacing at perimeter and 12 inches in field. Another MAY require 10 inch at perimeter and 16 in field. So unless you have the approved design in hand...

[A.D. Miller]

BK: It depends on how cooperative the builder has been up to this point. If he has given me grief at the pre-pour and pre-drywall inspections and every point in between, then I will not only address fastener spacing, but also any place where the paper has been torn at the fasteners. And not just at the firewalls.:D

[Markus Keller]

I'm inline with AD on this. If there is 'sufficient' screws overall I don't get picky about it. If the guy is a PITA or there are few screws, well then it's another story.
A great resource to consider, check out your local drywall supplier. NOT HD but an actual drywall supplier. Our big one has a rack full of USG/UL listed wall spec brochures. Real nice full color detailed pages. I stop in about once a year and pick up new ones. They are a great resource when reading prints and wondering what the Arch meant when he listed a UL blah blah firewall assembly.
Also makes 'Joe knows everything builder' look like the lazy BS'er he really is.

[Michael Garrity]

Looks like it's sufficient is not good enough when dealing with fire rated applications.There are specs for every type of rock installation.Residential is usually straight forward.Commercial is very different.

gypsum.org

[brian schmitt]

How many of you inspect for proper spacing of sheetrock fasteners on visible portions of firewalls?
how many of you know what the code maximum spacing for screws/nails on a residential house /garage seperation is? don't call it out if you aren't sure. any other firewall is per a listed/tested assembly that is ul,gypsum association etc.. approved with a # or per chapter 7 of the ibc.

[A.D. Miller]

http://www.usg.com/rc/system-catalogs/usg-area-separation-walls-catalog-en-SA925.pdf