Are there plastering options in Ontario for interior ICF walls that meet the building code? I recently discovered that the parging I used (durock b2000) for the exterior and the interior of my entire ICF home, is not up to the OBC as far as the interior goes. I am looking for alternative plaster (or maybe a paint?) to apply over the existing interior parging to have it meet code. Thanks!

Normally ICF meets fire code by itself but not the smoke part of the code, so that leaves you with still having to put up a fire barrier. I you find an ICF block that meets smoke and fire then you could do stucco or other tin coatings...Research the block options/spec and go from there.

Thank you. I did have a look at fox blocks specs and they have nothing about the interior that I can see. This is the problem I am having that none of the companies actually test to meet interior ICF protection.

But it's not the fire code per se.

When I built 10 years ago, the building inspector approved the cementious interior parging for occupancy. The current building inspector says it is not acceptable for final.

"In response to your voicemail questioning the code compliance of the parging on your ICF on the interior of your dwelling,find the Building Code reference below.

Article 9.10.17.10. of Division B

9.10.17.10. Protection of Foamed Plastics"

I know I had the data for smoke and fire on build block when we did ours....we are in michigan....I would email or call fox blocks for the data.

I got stuck drywalling my basement walls before I had planned to.....

This is not a test that the ICF manufacturer will conduct, as it pertains to the material covering the EPS on the interior. NBC2020 3.1.5.15(3) lists acceptable products for use as a thermal barrier over foam plastics (gypsum board, lath and plaster, masonry/concrete not less than 25mm, OR any material that has passed CAN/ULC-S101). You will need to check with the manufacturer of a specific product if they have conducted and passed the noted test. Dryvit's Genesis base coat is similar to the B2000 and has been approved for this application. There are several brands of intumescent paints that offering fire resistance, but you would have to confirm a given manufacturer if this is a possible solution. Several brands have not tested direct application over EPS, for instance, so applying them directly to ICF is not possible, but 2 coats over ICF should meet requirements (this is cost prohibitive). If you are applying it over B2000 you may be OK with one coat - not sure what kind of finished appearance this leaves you.