Building code question

[dogmush]

Do the building codes address the number of fasteners that must be in drywall sheets?  If so where would I find that info?

I'm having an argument with a .gov contractor.

[AZRedhawk44]

https://codes.iccsafe.org/s/IRC2021P2/part-iii-building-planning-and-construction/IRC2021P2-Pt03-Ch07-SecR702.3.5

Depends on thickness of the sheet and what type of fastener.

[Tuco]

Yes.  Gypsum Board fasteners.  There's sections in the IBC, RBC, and other applicable codes.
Raise the bet and tell your contractor that there's also an ASTM spec for the fasteners.

[dogmush]

*expletive deleted*it.

I'd almost rather be wrong.  Getting them to fix this is going to be a PITA.

[Tuco]

We've got a couple codes in the open directory.  These are old, some are regional (think about variables in areas with high humidity and salt water) and I am not qualified to have any professional opinion on the applicability to your project.  The newer codes (2018 and newer) are via web access subscription. I'm limited to Fire and Plumbing

2009 IBC - Section 2506 Gypsum Board Materials
2015 IBC - Section 2506 Gypsum Board and Gypsum Panel Products

If you search "2506 gypsum board fasteners" you'll get the idea.  It's someting the contractor should know and stand up for, unless someone directed them differently.  Good luck.

[Jim147]

We have no codes here.

[Brad Johnson]

We have no codes here.

*Jedi hand wave*
These are not the codes you are looking for.

Brad

[HankB]

*expletive deleted*it.

I'd almost rather be wrong.  Getting them to fix this is going to be a PITA.

You:    You didn't do your job according to code. (Provides documentation.)
Contractor:  So what?
You:    You don't get paid until you correct this.
Contractor:  &%@!

You: Document your efforts to fix this in case someone above you in the .gov hierarchy negates your efforts and thereby assumes responsibility.

[zxcvbob]

You:    You didn't do your job according to code. (Provides documentation.)
Contractor:  So what?
You:    You don't get paid until you correct this.
Contractor:  &%@!

You: Document your efforts to fix this in case someone above you in the .gov hierarchy negates your efforts and thereby assumes responsibility.

I don't see a happy ending here for anybody.  Contractor refuses to fix the work, homeowner refuses to pay, contractor places mechanics' lien on the property, the job remains unfinished.

(I had no idea so many fasteners were required.  I thought 12" spacing was plenty for walls and probably adequate for ceilings)

[HankB]

I don't see a happy ending here for anybody.  Contractor refuses to fix the work, homeowner refuses to pay, contractor places mechanics' lien on the property, the job remains unfinished.

(I had no idea so many fasteners were required.  I thought 12" spacing was plenty for walls and probably adequate for ceilings)

Sounds work related, with a ".gov contractor."

[dogmush]

Full story is this is the repair for Hurricane Milton's flooding damage at the shop I supervise.  They ripped out the bottom 4' of wall in the whole place and are putting drywall back in.  The one drywall guy that the contractor has is slow as *expletive deleted*it, and crappy with mud but I was overlooking that until I started counting screws.  The walls will probably fall off in a couple years.

The problem is, that this is a c9ntractor, and I, despite being the site commander, am *not* the contracting officer, and as such, I can not tell the contractor what to do. Nor can I unilaterally withhold payment. I need to contact the .gov employee in my commands DPW, explain the concept of code to them, provide proof their contractor has failed, and hope they care enough to do something.

As a start, I told the contractor's company supervisor that the job is not to code, and he might want his guy to fix that.

I'm on vacation now through the 30th, so I'll deal with it when I get back.

[HankB]

. . . As a start, I told the contractor's company supervisor that the job is not to code, and he might want his guy to fix that . . .

Thanks for providing more information, that is a VERY reasonable start. Over the years I've found out that 4 out of 5 times if you start out by being reasonable the problem will get solved - going "nuclear" at the beginning rarely is the best 1st option.

[zxcvbob]

Sounds work related, with a ".gov contractor."

   I missed that part.