Basement Stairs

ARI001

KC,

We are required here to put sheetrock up in stairways (the stair side) before final inspection. If the other side of the wall is to remain unfinished for the final than we are allowed to omit the fire blocking (as is the case with any wall that is to remain unfinished, hence the concealed you mentioned). I may have misinterpretted the original post but assumed the wall would be sheathed when completed. If I did misinterprit than I apologize. I said nothing about the 10' interval as it does not apply to this example. That would be applicable say, if framing the perimeter of the room and the wall was set off the foundation wall.

That said, you know as a building inspector that localities may choose what to adopt and can enforce more stringent codes than the model code (IRC in most states now). Obviously paper is flammable (kraft face) and would have to be removed. Another thing to consider when building staircases is that in a fire they can become a chase or chute for fire. This was kindly pointed out to me by a building official 13 years ago.

Termite

Agreed, sometimes municipalities take liberties with the code and enforce things that aren't there or enforce their opinion as opposed to the letter of the book. Sounds like that's the case with the sheetrock at the stairs in your area, unless they're requiring it so the "open" side of the stairs have the required guardrail protection (in which case you could use 1/2" plywood, railing, tempered glass, etc.).

ARI001

I think it is a combination of issues as they won't let you use the 1/2" plywood strips that they use to allow (guardrail). I really don't have a problem with putting the rock up in the stairway. I also don't have a problem with inspectors interpreting the code and erring on the side of caution. Then again, I typically like to build beyond the minimum code requirements whenever possible.