Ok guys , so don’t kill me here but I had this in the attic of a townhome. My issue is with the regular sheetrock being installed at what appeared to be the seams. Regular sheetrock is not rated the same as fire rated for between the units. Do I call this out as improper installation. BTW I will be calling the building inspector to see what his opinion is on the subject, just to be sure.
As you know, it is a local AHJ decision.
In my area (Minnesota/Iowa) the seams can be ‘floating’ as long as butted tight, or, must land on a stud (especially if a gap at the seam)… or somewhere in-between.
Personally, I have no issue with what you show. Honestly, assuming the full sheets are butted tight, there is virtually no avenue for fire to quickly travel beyond the seam, thus ‘regular’ grade drywall beats the hell out of butted seams or nothing-at-all!
Again… it is an AHJ decision.
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Thank You Jeffery. I appreciate the feedback.
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I see them butted or even taped and mudded. The critical question would be “how big are the seams they covered up?” No one knows.
For me, this would be a big nothing burger.
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You’re welcome.
Curious, what is the drywall strips nailed into on the back-side? Studs/furring/the drywall sheets?
I should have specified that, but that falls under the comment…
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Unable to tell as I have no access to the other side at this time. If they are indeed the joints and installed where studs are then it could be the studs. All the screws appear to be in the center which could indicate studs at the center.
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In that case, the studs themselves are typically all that is required, unless the AHJ wanted the additional protection from the 1/2 inch drywall.
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Thank you everybody for the feedback. As usual always helpful.
A hyper active AHJ in my opinion! I serve 13+ counties in the Atlanta Greater Area and I have never seen this. 
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I agree with Jeffery and Brian I do not see a concern with the fire separation barrier between the condo units, your area may have different requirements. As Brian has mentioned the drywall butt joints should be properly mudded and taped. Drywall butt joints should be fitted with a gap no more than 1/20 of an inch with joints backed by either solid wood or another layer of drywall such that the joints are staggered.
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In many areas, drywall is required on both sides
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I would not consider that a fire wall but a fire separation. As well there are areas that are suspect as to conform to a fire separation. Fire rated drywall comes in two types: Type X and Type C.
A continuous fire separation is made of fire rated sheetrock that is mudded and tapped.
Just my 2 cents
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It’s only a matter of time before the satellite/cable installer kicks a hole through it so he doesn’t have to use the scuttle holes to go from unit to unit.
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True firewalls extend above the roof line. They’re not common, but they can hold back a significant volume of fire for quite a while.
Thomas, Question; What year was this dwelling built?
It worries me that the building inspector(s) at the time of construction would not have anything to say about this “firewall”…!?!
I am trying to determine how many years after this dwelling was built are you now noticing what should have been done differently!?!
It is brand new, 2022
Building Inspectors don’t climb ladders or go into attics!!
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When I used to frame up town homes, we used 1 inch thick (we called it core board) , I think it was 2 foot wide and 10 foot tall sheet-rock made for this purpose. The rock went into a track, track at the bottom, top and H-track in-between each sheet. Wall was 2 sheets thick (2 inches) and went from bottom all the way up to the sheathing for the roof.