I'd appreciate it if you folks could tell me about any alternatives you know of  for covering inside walls, I mean besides drywall. What else is possible and will satisfy the fire dept? Or is drywall the obvious cost efficient solution? I may well be doing this by myself, and dealing with the ceiling is...clearly a problem.

Thanks,
Kavade

Conseco has a fire paint, but I don't think it has had all the tests. Tests are expensive and each SIP manufacturer has to test the panels with the alternative. And since SIPs are already more expensive then sticks...

Kavade, we are able to manufacture a two hour fire wall up to 30'. If you are interested, www.ics-sips-fl.com or feel free to contact me.

Ron Davis
352-483-7477

I don't know of any alternatives but having drywall hung and finished is actually very inexpensive. Check around for subcontractors. If you have to do it yourself find a good drywall lift to rent or buy - You can sell it when you're done. But if you figure the time it will take you, the sore neck from all that overhead work, and the cost to get a lift and other tools you just might decide that hiring a sub is the way to go. You can be working on something outside or in the basement while they rock and get your place done that much faster.

Thanks for the input, folks. I guess I was vaguely thinking along the lines of tumescent paint ( I'll check out the company mentioned above), and I may ask the county if they would okay that, but it seems unlikely.

Thanks again. Kavade

Check out No Burn, they have several code listings.