Drywall Fire Proofing - Basement Apartment
11/27/2023 at 11:07:08 PM
Starting on the journey to legalize an existing finished basement apartment. I know you need roxul and type x drywall anywhere the apartment connects with the main unit. I have a family room wall that backs into the stairs leading into the apartment. Instead of having to rip out the family room wall and replace the drywall, can I just rip it out from over the stairs going into the apartment add a layer of drywall, then roxul and then another layer of drywall?
Would something like this pass?
In effect there is now three layers of drywall and roxul instead of just two. It will not look great from the tenant's side but I don't care, want to avoid as much hassle as possible to my main unit.
11/28/2023 at 1:00:49 AM
What you think makes sense may not apply to a rigid Inspectors perception. I have done lots of things that they failed I thought was ridiculous, like a egress window being 1" out. Personally I would just rip it out and redo it properly. The benefits are, no hassle with compliance, looks better and thus better re-sale down the road. Sometimes saving a such a small amount is not worth the long term hassles IMO. I have done many Secondary suites and they cost from $80k and up from scratch these days. The compliance criteria for legal units is really high but I recommend doing everything properly to codes & what your jurisdiction wants. I have seen people having to tear them partly down or even remove it once as the slab plumbing was done wrong.
12/5/2023 at 1:30:09 PM
In Ontario you require a 30 minute fire separation. This link describes the requirements. https://www.ontario.ca/page/add-second-unit-your-house . It doesn't take much to get a 30 minute rating.
I'm confused by your question as you're talking about installing a layer of drywall, then ROXUL insulation and then another layer of drywall. The ROXUL is supposed to fill the wall cavity.
In Alberta there are also sound transmission requirements for secondary suites newly required with the 2019 Code however I don't see this mentioned for Ontario.
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