What should I do to meed fire blocking Codes?

I framed a 2x4 wall that runs perpendicular to the ceiling joists in my basement. Since walls in the basement are not load bearing walls, I used single (rather than double) top plate which was nailed directly to the parallel ceiling joists. The outer side of the framed wall is spaced from 1/2 inch to 1 inch from the cement wall surface. I'm thinking about a way to install fire blocks to meet Codes in Virginia where I live. So far, I cannot think of any good way. I think I can nail 2x4 pieces extending between adjacent vertical studs to the bottom surface of the top plate and extending outwardly into contact with the cement wall surface. But there are still a lot of small gaps formed between adjacent ends of adjacent 2x4 pieces, the outer surface of the associated stud and the cement wall surface. According to Codes, I can use wool insulation to block these gaps, but I cannot find any wool insulation in my area. Please help me if you can think of a way to do it. Thanks in advance.

 

mimimimi,

How's this...you should have no trouble following this?

http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/gov/dpwe.../basements.htm

Hope this helps, if not let me know!

 

mimimimi,

I'm sorry, if you cannot find wool insulation, and if the gaps are not large, you could use a fire retardant caulk but this is alittle costly. If need be call a Fire Protection company concerning methods of getting this ok'd for your inspection.

If I am not mistaken, I beleive there is a spray in place fire retardant foam available at Home Depot. Check this out, this may be the best way to fill all your voids if not large. This stuff goes a long ways.

Hope this helps!

 

Doug,
Thank you very much for your quick response. The link you posted gives 3 examples under the "Fireblocking" item (Figure 3). But in all of these examples the framed wall runs parallel to the ceiling joists whereas mine runs perpendicular to the ceiling joists. Further, since my top plate is nailed to the joists, there is no way for me to slide any long piece of fireblocking wood behind the framed wall. I guess the only way is to use wool insulation or "fire retardant foam" if Codes allows. I will check with a Fire Protection company as you suggested. It appears it would be much easier for me if the Codes allows me to use "fire retardant foam" to fill these gaps. In fact, I did buy a spray can of "insulation foam" and was thinking about using it but didn't after I read the word "flamable" somewhere on the can. Again, I really appreciate your help.