What is the fire rating for 5/8 drywall?
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. Type X has a denser core and contains glass fibers that keep it from crumbling in the heat.
What constitutes an one hour fire rated wall?
What constitutes a 1 hour fire 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.
Do I need fire-rated 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 can also be installed in a basement or other places where a wood stove might be used. Click to see full answer
Is all sheetrock fire rated?
Is all Sheetrock fire rated? Fireproof drywall is the pejorative 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. Most Type X drywall has a one-hour fire rating. Rest of the in-depth answer is here.
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.
Is there 1/2 fire rated drywall?
Q:what is the fire rating of 1/2" type C Firecode gypsum board? A: It qualifies for fire ratings of up to 4-hours in walls, 3-hours in ceilings and 4-hours for column protection.
What is the fire rating of 3/4 drywall?
two-hour fireUSG Sheetrock® Brand Ultracode® Core Gypsum Panels can achieve a two-hour fire rating with single-layer construction when used with mineral wool insulation in steel framed walls.
What is the fire rating on 5/8 drywall?
a one hourA: Fire rated drywall (5/8") means it has a one hour burn thru rate. But it still is drywall ( prices vary ) 5/8" fire code drywall is usually used on ceilings ,demising walls, fire rated walls such as a garage walls.
What kind of drywall do you use around a fireplace?
Fire-rated Drywall Type X It slows down the passage of fire rather than stops passage completely. The drywall has a total thickness of 5/8 inches and is reinforced with glass fibers to help it retard fire.
Is purple drywall fire rated?
No. While all drywall is naturally fire-resistant, PURPLE drywall is unique because it also resists moisture, mold and mildew. Some PURPLE drywall products also stand up to scratches, scuffs, dents and sound.
What makes a 1 hour fire rated wall?
Ratings for fire resistance are given in accordance to the time a structure can contain a simulation fire. More specifically, if a wall is constructed in a manner that closely resembles a tested wall which has shown to contain flames and high temperature for one hour, it is eligible to receive a 1-hour rating.
What is the fire rating of 1/2 Type C drywall?
2-4 hoursType C drywall is known as the more durable version of Type X—there are more glass fibers in this product as well as more vermiculite components, giving it a fire resistance of 2-4 hours. You can find this product at your local drywall and insulation store in 1/2” and 5/8” thickness.
Do you need 5/8 drywall in garage?
The takeaway from IRC Code for Drywall in a Garage is that for an attached garage, play safe and use 5⁄8 -inch Type X gypsum board. For a detached garage, use drywall or an alternative to drywall, as a detached garage is not covered by any code for drywall in a garage.
Is half inch or 5/8 drywall better?
0:241:465/8" Sheetrock vs 1/2" Sheetrock (Drywall) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHalf inch sheetrock is what you see in most homes on the walls. And probably the last five to tenMoreHalf inch sheetrock is what you see in most homes on the walls. And probably the last five to ten years we've started using 5/8 sheetrock on the ceilings. It gives a much stiffer.
Does garage drywall need to be fire rated?
A: First, fire-rated systems are only required if the garage shares a wall or a ceiling with the home. If you are doing repairs in the garage you should replace with like materials, but remember it is the wall system that is fire rated not the product itself.
How thick is fire rated drywall?
The most common fire rated drywall is referred to as type X. It is 5/8 inches thick and is installed on each side ...
Why is fire rated drywall required?
The idea behind fire rated drywalls is to provide time for people in a building to safely exit them during a fire and make it to the fire assembly point. It is thus a requirement by many building codes for the fire rated drywall to be used especially in high risk rooms.
What are the different types of drywall?
Among the major categories are traditional drywall, moisture resistant drywall, eco-friendly drywall, soundproofing drywall and fire resistant drywall.
What is type C fire resistant?
While constructed in the same manner as type X, type C makes use of more fiber glass and other components added to the gypsum core which increases its fire resistant qualities. Next is the Type X Shaftliner which has even greater fire resistant qualities. It is one inch thick and is used in shaft walls and area separation firewall assemblies.
What is type X drywall?
The type X can also be used in other high risk areas depending on your budget. Aside from type X there is type C fire rated drywall which is an improvement on the type X. It is available in 1/2-inch and 5/8-inch thicknesses. While constructed in the same manner as type X, type C makes use of more fiber glass and other components added to ...
Where is drywall placed in a home?
At home the drywall is usually placed between the garage and the rest of the home. This is because the garage, with the combustible materials and chemicals often stored there, is an area where fires are likely to happen. The type X can also be used in other high risk areas depending on your budget. Aside from type X there is type C fire rated ...
Is drywall fire resistant?
The makeup of drywall makes it a natural fire resistant material. This is because it consists of 21% water. During a fire this water is released as steam and in the process it slows down the transfer of heat and thus fire to the other side of the wall. The problem with regular drywall is that after sometimes it crumbles and fire gets to spread.
Different Drywall Thicknesses Explained
Just like length and width, drywall is sold in standardized thicknesses. Different thicknesses of drywall are better suited to different applications (such as walls versus ceilings). Building code also sometimes requires certain thicknesses.
Pros and Cons of Thicker Drywall
Here are the pros and cons of using thicker drywall (5/8-inch over the standard 1/2-inch) for your next project:
Pros and Cons of Thinner Drywall
Here are the pros and cons of using thinner drywall (1/4-inch or 3/8-inch rather than the standard 1/2-inch) for your next project:
How to Determine Thickness of Current Drywall
Knowing the thickness of your current drywall is very important when it comes to replacing or repairing a small section.
Drywall Thickness FAQ
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about drywall thickness.
Final Thoughts on Drywall Thickness
Understanding the most common drywall thicknesses will help make your DIY project that much easier.
Where is fire rated drywall?
Fire rated drywall is typically found on attached garage walls and ceilings that are adjacent to the main living area of the home. For commercial buildings, fire rated gypsum drywall is specified for most of the building walls and ceilings to meet building code requirements for fire partitions and assemblies.
Is gypsum drywall fire resistant?
Fire rated gypsum drywall is more fire resistant because it contains glass fiber reinforcement and other additives within its specially formulated gypsum core to help it hold up longer to a fire exposure.
What is fire rated construction?
A: Fire-rated products are not typically used in single-family residential construction except for garages. These products are primarily used in commercial construction (high rises, office buildings, industrial, institutional) and any space requiring an area separation wall such as a hotel or multi-family home.
What is a type X drywall?
A: Drywall Type X and Type C are the industry standards for this type of construction and are used on all exterior-facing and joining walls. Interior walls are traditionally non-fire-rated ½" drywall.
What is a fire rating?
A: A certification process determines the fire-rating of a wall system. It is the wall system, not specific products, that are tested and certified. For example, a fire-rated drywall board is approved for use as part of a certified wall system. A basic wall system could include a drywall board, insulation, light gauge steel stud followed by another drywall board.
What is a 60 minute fire rating?
A: A 60 minute fire rating is a measure of the amount of time the wall system can withstand fire resistance in a fire-rating performance test. More than one hour is achieved by adding additional layers of boards to extend protection or by adding other elements to the system to make it more robust.
Is a fire rated garage a requirement?
A: No, in residential construction fire-rated assemblies are only specified for garages and most homeowners with attached garages are probably not aware of the fire-rating for that wall. Same can probably be said for occupants of multi-family homes with separation walls, and (unless you are replacing the drywall in an attached garage) there really is no need to be aware. The required fire-rating is specified in the building code. Your builder, your architect, your contractor, they need to be aware.
Do you need a fire rated garage?
A: First, fire-rated systems are only required if the garage shares a wall or a ceiling with the home. If you are doing repairs in the garage you should replace with like materials, but remember it is the wall system that is fire rated not the product itself. So if it's more than a patch job or you're repairing in an area that overlaps with the main living space, it's probably best to contact a professional.
Do condos need a fire rated wall?
A: Yes, any space requiring an area separation wall (a wall separating adjacent living units) like apartments, condos and townhouses, uses a fire-rated system. They are also required in any egress area in the apartment building.
What makes drywall stronger?
To make drywall stronger under fire conditions, manufacturers make type-X drywall, which has glass fibers added to its gypsum core. As water leaves these panels through calcination, the glass fibers act as a reinforcing mat that prolongs a panel’s structural integrity and its protective qualities.
Why does drywall shrink when exposed to heat?
When regular drywall is subjected to excessive heat, however, it shrinks due to the loss of water volume, and the panel can crack and fall apart. This type of failure permits the passage of fire and heat into the substrate material and beyond.
What is a noncombustible glass fiber?
Glass fibers enhance fire resistance. Added to the core of type-X and type-C panels, noncombustible glass fibers help gypsum panels to resist crumbling during a fire . 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 ...
What is type C drywall?
Type-C drywall is basically an improved type-X product. Typically, type-C panels contain more glass fibers as well as another noncombustible material: vermiculite. A mineral, vermiculite expands as it’s heated, so in fire conditions, it effectively replaces water lost during calcination.
Is gypsum a fire hazard?
Gypsum is noncombustible. The gypsum used to make drywall is a naturally occurring mineral composed of calcium sulfate dehydrate and water. The presence of water in gypsum contributes greatly to drywall’s natural fire resistance. When a drywall panel is subjected to high levels of heat, water begins to be released from the board as steam.
