How to install basement fire blocking?

How much to install a firewall in garage?

• I'm buying a home and it looks like the FHA is going to require a firewall be installed between the (attached) garage and the home/living area. Can someone give me ANY sense of how much this might cost? I have no clue, and am trying to get an idea for whether we can afford the repair. Oh, and a fire door into the attached basement is also going to be required, so any info on that cost would be great too. Thanks!

• Answer:

  Maryland codes typically do not require a fire barrier. Unless otherwise required by local building codes, all that is required is a separation barrier (1/2" X type gypsum board and a 20 minute fire door) to prevent toxic fumes from entering the living space. If FHA is requiring something beyond the code requirements, what is the fire rating (in minutes) that they are requiring? There is a tremendous cost difference between a basic 20 minute fire wall as compared to a 2 hour fire wall. The cost would also depend on how much gypsum coverage (square footage) is required in the garage. Without knowing specifics, the cost could be anywhere from a few hundred dollars up to several thousand. Edit: You cannot go on suspicions. In all the documentation I have seen, the FHA only has a 20 minute fire rating requirement between garages and living spaces for single family dwellings (1 1/2 hours for multifamily dwellings) which is the minimum standard required by most building codes. If your local FHA officer is telling you something different, you need to ask for their exact requirements in writing. Edit2: You are asking for a ballpark figure, but the ballpark is huge since you don't even know what is actually required.