I am just wondering is it code everywhere that icf has to be covered with a fire barrier.  I have been talking to a few builders around here and one of there concerns is that they will have to drywall the basement to meet code if they use icf, and most of them don't want to deal with drywall if they don't have to.   Is there anything else that can be used that is less costly or labour intensive than drywall to use that would conform to fire codes, and also can be a temporary application until the home owner is able to drywall.  has anyone else dealt with this and if so what was your solution.

Thanks Nathan

Drywall, taping is not needed, is the least expensive way to get a 15 minute fire barrier. We have seen it achieved with sheet metal or paneling too.

In some areas, builders elect to install a residential sprinkler system in lieu of drywall in basements to meet the code.  I can not see how they saved any money by doing so.  Maybe the homeowner was not ready to finish out the basement.

So it is technically not nessecary to tape and mud then? Just hang the drywall. 

1/2" drywall without tape should be sufficient, if there are no big gaps. But if you are going to hang drywall, you will want to do the rough plumbing and electrical.

If the house is for resale, why not finish the space and sell if with more finished sf. Realtors have told me that you will recoup more than the cost of finishing the basement.

Nathan, I have answered this question many times and this is what we tell our customers.

Hang the drwall vertically in the basement and use the minimal amount of screws necessary. This is not an expensive cost and you simply take down the select sheets neccesary when you decide on the electrical locations. Don't let anyone tell you drywall has to go horizontally, its ICF not wood. There is many other items that meet the 15min thermal barrier but none are as efficient as drywall. Also, as stated above by ICF construction it does not have to be taped and thats why you think its expensive.

Dave

I tell drywall contractors to "let it run wild" that is drywall seams do not have to be on a tie, because ICFs provide a solid backing. It is much easier, no more screws angled to try to catch a stud. I also advocate vertical drywall because of the lack of butt seams (no taper in drywall).

ICF Construction

I have also told drywall hangers not to bother cutting to end a sheet on a web.

They couldn't do it. It vioated their ideas of properly done work.
It would have been too hard for them and would have convinced them I didn't care if the job was done right, which is not the attitude I want to see on my work site.

rgb

That is one of the toughest things to do, get people to change their ways.

You also have another option other than drywall, it is called PlasterMax ICF and it has the NFPA 15 minute fire rating the same as gypsum board.  It is sprayed or trowelled directly over the ICF foam and will give you a ceramic type finish that will not support mold or mildew if it ever gets wet.  Rasp the ICF flat, remove any loose bead, mix the pre bagged PlasterMax with water and apply.  Plenty of working time and apply like plaster.  Base-Coat which is the fire rated barrier goes on 3/8" thick and yeilds 3,000 to 5,000 psi and can be painted.  If you want a super hard top coat that can be trowelled to look like Venetian plaster it is called PlasterMax Finish Coat and yeilds 8,000 to 10,000 psi.  Only needs to be about 1/8" thick.  If you want to stamp or carve the final finish you can create textures or custom designs.  These products are from GigaCrete Inc in Las Vegas. www.gigacrete.com 702.643.6363 talk to Andrew Dennis the Companies founder.

We are constructing an ICF home approx 3400 sqft in NE Ohio.  The project should be done in February.  Things have gone very well so far.  When it comes to the ICF walls, every county has different intrepretations of the code.  The county we are building does not require the basement ICF to be covered by drywall.  WE lived in another county, they do require it. 

You might want to contact your local building inspector and ask what meets code.

gonefishing, what meets the code "is" to hang 1/2" drywall or equivalent. Whether your local yocal will get you to get away with this or that is another thing. I would stay true to my customers, no matter what, and provide the required fire barrier, period, regardless of what the "locals" will allow. Think of it this way: What if a fire started in the basement and smoldered and evaporated away the styrofoam - the same styrofoam is continuing right to the roof in most cases. So, the flame is not going to stop, if hot enough, just because it is behind the drywall on the first floor. And yes, guys, I understand the need for oxygen to keep the process alive.

Great question. I live in Wisconsin. I was told same thing when i contacted the local building inspector. MY wife and I would like to do a type of plaster on the interior (earthen or other). We've been wondering if this would meet fire codes.

crawfish, as long as the product meets the 15 minute fire code at a certain thickness you are good to go.

Just thought I would add my 2 cents to this older post. There are ICF systems like Durisol that meet fire code requirements when left exposed without drywall (they are not made from polystyrene). The other advantage is that you can attach drywall to any point on the surface and not just the plastic webs.

The only thing that I didn't like about Durisol (may be it was another manufacturer that uses the concrete/wood blocks) is that they are heavy and not site friendly. Years ago they also wicked moisture right through the center web almost like cinder block would which is not ideal for finished interior walls. we used it on a basement so it worked fine. I would think that they fixed that but may be something to check into if you consider them.

I have been telling customers that drywalling the basement has been coming to 49 cents per square foot installed which puts it in context for them that, it is not a big deal. When they finish it off it is one less thing they have to pay for (sheetrock) and like post I have the drywallers use minimum screw so we can pull it off for wiring when it comes to that.

I have done over a dozen Durisol basements and as long as adequately waterproofed (as with any basement) there have been no issues. The wicking of moisture must have been another product..

Is there a provision in IRC that says you can leave your basement unfinished if its not a part of the living quarters... seperated by a fire rated door?

James it could have been another and I was in no way tring to bash Durisol. I was just saying that they spend the time and make sure they do their research.

No worries - I am not connected to Durisol, I just really like their product. It is heavier than polystyrene, but has some features that I like.