All,
I have to put fire blocking into the wall of my finished basement. I bought the home from an estate and they could not get the work done (for a basement permit) in time for the close, so they gave me cash.
I spoke with the township inspector and he said plywood, drywall, 2x and non-combustible (unfaced?) insulation blocking the space between the top of the finished wall and the concrete foundation wall would all do the trick.
Is there a preferred method (based on ease of installation) amongst these approved methods?
I plan to cut about 10 inches of drywall, down 2 inches from the top (to not screw up where ceiling/wall meet). So, basically cut out the ten inches between 2 and 12 inches from the ceiling. I am thinking that packing insulation in the 3-4″ space between the top of finished wall and the concrete foundation would be the best way to go about it.
Any thoughts/recommendations on how to do it better?
Many thanks.
Replies
fire rated insulation is the easy way. remember to wear gloves and a dust mask.
Try Great Stuff Pro spray foam. It is colored orange -- not the Great Stuff that you typically get in HD and Lowes. You can order it online from HD's website. See below:
http://greatstuff.dow.com/greatstuff/pro/gaps.htm
http://greatstuff.dow.com/greatstuff/pro/fireblock.htm
Get the spray gun and a few cans and the cleaner and you will be finished before you know it. Wear gloves, goggles & a hat (don't ask why...).
Billy
Edited 2/17/2006 11:49 am ET by Billy
Is there no top plate on your finished basement walls?
Hard to picture what the problem is. Fire blocking is usually not required unless you have balloon framing, or the walls are unusually tall.
be careful what kind of insulation you use.
Around here, fiberglass is NOT allowed for fireblocking; rock wool insulation is.
Stuffing batts of rock wool into the stud bays is probably your easiest solution. Just put some kind of cleat underneath it to hold it in place.