QA

Quick Answer: What Is The Fire Rating Of 1 2 Inch Drywall

The fire rating for the 1/2-inch drywall used throughout the rest of the home is 30 minutes. As added benefits, Type X absorbs sound slightly better and is slightly stronger than conventional 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch drywall.

Is regular drywall fire rated?

Although all drywall is fire resistant to a degree, type-X and type-C drywall are designed specifically to be used in fire-rated assemblies. These products help to contain fire in the area of its origin much better than regular drywall.

What makes a 1 hour fire rated wall?

According to the Engineered Wood Association, a one-hour rating indicates that a wall constructed in a manner similar to the one tested will contain flames and high temperatures, and support its full load, for at least one hour after the fire begins.

Where are fire rated walls required?

Structural elements that brace the exterior wall but are located outside of the exterior wall or within the plane of the exterior wall shall have the minimum fire-resistance rating required in Tables 601 and 602 for the exterior wall.

Is fire rated drywall moisture resistant?

This acoustically enhanced, fire-resistnace gypsum board is encased in heavy paper that is 100-percent recycled on both sides and offers superior abrasion, mold-, mildew- and moisture-resistance.

What is the difference between fire wall and fire barrier?

So what is the difference between firewalls and fire barriers? Basically, firewalls are thick exterior walls with a higher fire-resistance rating, while fire barriers are interior walls with a lower fire-resistance rating.

What is the fire rating of type C drywall?

Surface Burning Characteristics: Flame Spread rating of 15 and Smoke Developed rating of 0, in accordance with ASTM E 84, (UL 723, UBC 8-1, NFPA 255, CAN/ULC-S102). “UL Classified for Fire Resistance (ANSI/UL 263; ASTM E119)

Does drywall catch on fire?

Does drywall catch on fire? Drywall is relatively fire resistant. It’s composed of gypsum pressed between two sheets of thick paper. Gypsum is a soft mineral that by itself is not flammable.

What is fire rated ceiling?

An Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) fire resistant rated ceiling system provides separation between the elements of the building services (i.e. ductwork and piping) and the occupied space below. A UL fire resistant rated ceiling also provides a known, specified fire resistance period.

Can you use 1/2-inch drywall ceiling?

1/2-Inch-Thick Drywall Half-inch drywall panels are the standard thickness for interior walls, as well as ceilings. Even easier to carry are ultra-light 1/2-inch panels, which are 13 pounds lighter than conventional 1/2-inch drywall.

Do you need 5/8 drywall in garage?

OK so in a finished garage. The IRC code requires 1/2″ rock on the garage side of the garage walls and any supporting structure (steel posts, stud walls, etc). If there is habitable space above the garage then 5/8″ is required on the ceiling and any horizontal members such as steel beams.

How thick is a 1 hour fire rated wall?

The most common fire rated drywall is known as type X, which is 5/8 inches thick, placed on each side of 2 by 4 or 2 by 6 inch wood studs and has a minimum fire rating of 1 hour.

What is code for drywall in a garage?

R302. 6 Dwelling/garage fire separation: The wall between a house and garage must be separated by 1/2″ drywall. This also applies to structural members, and this extends to the attic in a common-sense type of way; the garage needs to be separated from the house.

What’s the fire rating on 5/8 drywall?

Norm Abram replies: The 5/8-inch, “fire-code” drywall (called Type X) increases a wall’s fire rating to a minimum of 1 hour, from the 30-minute rating for standard ½-inch drywall. And it’s not just thickness that makes the difference.

How do you make a 2 hour fire rated wall?

Build a two-hour exterior wall with steel studs, rather than wood, and special metal stud fiberglass insulation between the studs. Install 5/8-inch Type C drywall on the interior surface and 1/2-inch gypsum sheathing on the exterior. Finish the wall with a 1-inch coat of Portland cement gypsum plaster.

How thick is a fire rated wall?

What Is Fire-Rated Type X Drywall? Fireproof drywall is the common term; its industry name is Type X drywall. The thickness of this drywall is 5/8-inch, including all layers. Glass fibers are added to the board to help it retard fire.

Do I need fire resistant drywall?

In residential homes, installation of fire rated drywall is often required by state/province and local building codes on interior and exterior walls near furnaces and utility rooms. Fire rated drywall is typically found on attached garage walls and ceilings that are adjacent to the main living area of the home.

What does 3 hour fire rating mean?

The 3-hour Area Separation Wall System is a 3-hour fire wall consisting of two layers of 1 in. The steel H-Studs are attached to adjacent framing on each side with heat-softenable, aluminum break-away clips (ASW clips) that allow for collapse of the fire-exposed unit without collapse of the Area Separation Wall.

What makes a 2 hour fire rated wall?

A 2-hour rating can be achieved by a wall with an equivalent thickness of as little as 3 1/5 inches when expanded slag or pumice is used or 4 1/2 inches when siliceous gravel is used as the aggregate.

How thick is a 2-hour fire rated wall?

A 2-hour rating can be achieved by a wall with an equivalent thickness of as little as 3 1/5 inches when expanded slag or pumice is used or 4 1/2 inches when siliceous gravel is used as the aggregate.

What makes a wall fire rated?

A fire-rated wall is a feature of a building’s passive fire protection system that has been checked and certified by the proper regulatory agency. The first is a structurally stable wall that also is certified to prevent a fire from spreading from one side of a building to the other.

How thick is a 3 hour fire rated wall?

Gypsum wallboard – 3/8″ thick, both sides, long dimension parallel to furring members – all joints finished.