What is the fire rating of drywall?
This rating measures the rate at which a flame will spread over a material. Red oak has a rating of 100 and anything considered Class A fire-resistant needs a rating of 0-25. Fire-resistant drywall has a flame spread rating of 15, well below the maximum spread for a Class A product. Some CertainTeed products have a flame spread rating of zero.
Do I need fire-rated drywall?
One of the main benefits of using regular drywall is that it is fire-resistant. However, it can only stop the spread of fire for about 30 minutes. And so if you want to make your home safer, using a material with a higher fire rating is imperative. You need Type X fireproof drywall because it will make your home safer incase of a fire.
Is all drywall fire resistant?
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.
Is drywall flammable?
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 the combustion temperature of drywall? Drywall is gypsum sandwiched between paper. Paper ignites at 451 degrees Fahrenheit.
Does regular drywall have a fire rating?
Most Type X drywall has a one-hour fire rating. The fire rating for the 1/2-inch drywall used throughout the rest of the home is 30 minutes. As an added benefit, Type X drywall absorbs sound slightly better and is slightly stronger than conventional 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch drywall.
What type of drywall is fire-resistant?
Types of Fire-Resistant Drywall Type X fire-rated drywall has a gypsum core enclosed in ivory-colored face paper. This product is used in fire assemblies from 1 hour up to 4 hours. A one-hour fire-rated assembly is the standard for many building codes.
What is the difference between fire-resistant and drywall?
Fire rated drywall comes with more proofing including fiberglass and other additives which increase its ability to withstand fire longer than regular drywall. A standard 1/2 type x drywall fire rating can offer up to half an hour of fire resistance.
How do you know if a wall is fire rated?
If it's an exterior – an interior/exterior wall – an inside surface of an exterior wall, like a garage wall, then you would use a 5/8-inch-thick, fire-rated drywall.
Are all drywall fire-resistant?
All drywall is fire-resistant to some degree. Also called gypsum board, ordinary drywall panels are made of a layer of soft, non-flammable mineral called gypsum pressed between two thick sheets of paper.
What makes a 2 hour fire rated wall?
Double the number of Type X sheets on the wall for a simple system installed over fire-resistant fiberglass insulation; each sheet of 5/8-inch Type X drywall is rated to resist fire for one hour, so two layers will produce a two-hour firewall.
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 makes a wall fire rated?
Fire Wall – A fire-resistance-rated wall having protected openings, which restricts the spread of fire and extends continuously from the foundation to or through the roof, with sufficient structural stability under fire conditions to allow collapse of construction on either side without collapse of the wall.
Can you use drywall around a fireplace?
Drywall + Fireplace = House Fire Unfortunately, this is highly flammable and is not an appropriate or safe fireplace surround. The sheetrock had to be removed and replaced with any type of non-combustible surround - stone, tile, marble, or metal.
Are all walls fire rated?
Building codes typically require that a structure's walls, floors and roof be fire resistant in accordance with standards set forth by the International Building Code (IBC). Fire resistant walls are designed to contain a fire to a room or building for a designated time period.
What are the 3 main classifications of fire rated walls?
Type 1: Fire-resistive: High-rise buildings made of concrete and protected steel. Type 2: Non-combustible: Newer buildings with tilt slab or reinforced masonry walls and a metal roof. Type 3: Ordinary: New or old buildings with non-combustible walls but a wood-framed roof.
What is the fire rating of 5/8 Sheetrock?
1 hourThe 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 is a fire resisting wall?
Within a building, a compartment wall is any fire-resisting construction (loadbearing or non-load bearing) that forms part of one or more compartments designed to help contain the spread of fire for a designated period of time.
What is a fire resistance rated wall?
– A fire-resistance-rated wall having protected openings, which restricts the spread of fire and extends continuously from the foundation to or through the roof, with sufficient structural stability under fire conditions to allow collapse of construction on either side without collapse of the wall.
What is a 30 minute fire rated wall?
Thermoguard Timbercoat 30 Minute System This means if a fire breaks out, a surface that has been treated correctly such as an interior wall, will be protected from the effects of a fire by a protective layer that is guaranteed to last for 30 minutes or 60 minutes, dependent upon which level is chosen.
Does 2 layers of plasterboard fire rating?
A double layer plasterboard wall construction is simply a stud with 2 layers of plasterboard mounted on either side to form a wall. Their simple construction and ability to provide a -/120/120 Fire Resistance Level (FRL) make them a popular choice for commercial applications (e.g. offices, data centers, etc.).
How much more does fire rated drywall cost?
Fire-rated drywall costs more than the regular drywall. As a rule of thumb, you can count on it costing about 10 percent to 20 percent more than conventional drywall of the closest possible thickness.
How thick is fire rated drywall?
Drywall typically comes in 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, and 1/2-inch thicknesses. Type X drywall is 5/8 inches thick. In addition to the usual gypsum found in regular drywall, fire-rated drywall contains glass fibers to form a super-tough core. The gypsum and fiberglass are packed tighter and denser than with regular drywall.
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.
What is USG drywall?
USG is the manufacturer of Sheetrock Brand Firecode C Gypsum Panels. USG makes the point that ASTM (American Society For Testing and Materials) testing of fire-rated drywall requires that entire "assembly/systems" be tested, not just the drywall. 1 .
How long does a 1/2 inch drywall wall last?
If a conventional 1/2-inch thick sheet of drywall will stand up to 30 minutes of fire, then the added 1/8-inch found in the Type X drywall, along with its other properties, will double your margin of safety to 60 minutes. For this reason, fire-rated drywall is sometimes called one-hour fire wallboard.
How long does it take for drywall to fire?
Most Type X drywall has a one-hour fire rating. The fire rating for the 1/2-inch drywall used throughout the rest of the home is 30 minutes.
Can fire rated drywall be installed throughout the house?
If you want fire-rated drywall to be installed throughout your house, you would need to request this with the contractor, as this is not normally done.
How long does it take for drywall to fire?
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.
Is Type X fire safe?
If you’re willing to shell out the extra dough, you certainly could use Type X throughout a house, yet it won’t necessarily be safer. You’d also have to close off all the other pathways for fire to travel-open doorways, non-fire-rated doors, walls without fire blocking-and that could get costly and look ugly.
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.
Why are fire rated products needed?
A: The purpose of fire-rated products is to delay the spread of a fire and extend the time a person has to leave the building. In a single family home, getting out is easier. There are fewer floors and multiple exits so the code focuses more on prevention. You will see requirements around electrical wiring, for example, to prevent fire risks caused by faulty wiring.
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.
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.
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 ...
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.
How much does fire resistant drywall cost?
The cost difference between type-X and type-C fire-resistant drywall is small, only a few cents per square foot. Expect to pay around $11 for a 5/8-in.-thick 4-ft. by 8-ft. type-X sheet and $12 for a sheet of type C with the same dimensions.
How thick is a Type X drywall?
Type-X drywall is available only in 5/8-in. thickness, in widths of 48 in. and 54 in., and in lengths up to 16 ft. Type-X drywall meets ASTM International standards and is often used in fire-rated assemblies such as walls and ceilings that separate garages from living spaces.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What is the fire rating of drywall?
The fire-rating that drywall gets usually depends on the type of studs used, the thickness of the drywall, the type of drywall, and the type of joints that one adopts during installation. Whether or not one uses fire tape and overall installation techniques also play a significant role in determining a wall’s fire rating.
How much does fireproof drywall cost?
The cost of fireproof drywall normally depends on the type of drywall, its size, and the thickness of the panel that you are looking to purchase. Generally, they tend to be slightly pricier than regular drywall. And as far as fireproof drywall types are concerned, type X drywall tends to cost slightly less than type C drywall.
What is type X drywall?
Type x drywall is drywall that has been reinforced with glass fiber in order to make it fire-resistant. It normally comes in ⅝ inch thick boards. And it is usually installed in order to retard the spread of fire.
What is 1 hour & 2-hour firewall?
A 1 hour rated firewall is a wall that can retard the spread of fire for at least 60 minutes. That is, when exposed to fire, it can withstand the heat for about an hour before it becomes overwhelmed by the fire.
Can I use type X drywall everywhere?
Even though it is inadvisable, it is possible to use Type X drywall everywhere. It is not prudent to do so mainly because type X drywall is incredibly more expensive than standard drywall. Using it everywhere in a one-family residential home is thus not prudent.
Is there special fire-resistant drywall mud?
No, there isn’t a special fire-resistant drywall mud that you need to use when install ing fire-rated drywall. Regular drywall will do just fine mainly because it is not flammable and it is heat resistant to a point where one can safely use a heat gun or a hairdryer to dry it.
What temperature does drywall ignite?
Drywall will ignite at 450 degrees Fahrenheit and this is mainly because the drywall contains paper. The fact that it is typically covered in paint that is flammable also contributes to its likelihood ignite especially right after exposure to fire.
What type of wall is needed for a separate apartment?
Firewalls between dwelling units in separate apartments require a bit more tho, and type X is called for, on both sides of the wall, with fire caulk at penetrations.
Is type X glass fiber?
The type X not only has glass fibers, but it is denser too ( this you notice when you try to lift a sheet, LOL) I think a lot has to do with what code they are trying to satisfy. are they looking for a twenty minute, a one hour, or an exterior grade one hour?<we all white well>
Is drywall a fire barrier?
Per wikipedia: "When used as a component in fire barriers, drywall is a passive fire protection item, subject to stringent bounding. In its natural state, gypsum contains the water of crystallisation bound in the form of hydrates. When exposed to heat or fire, this water is vapourised, retarding heat transfer.
Is drywall an ablative material?
This makes drywall an ablative material because as the hydrates sublime, a crumbly dust is left behind, which, along with the paper, is sacrificial. Generally, by increasing the layers of Type X drywall, the more one increases the fire-resistance of the assembly, be it horizontal, or vertical.
Can drywall burn?
If you wanted a wall that would not burn, regular drywall is sufficient. But drywall is also used for walls that resist transmitting a fire from one side to the other. This is done by providing an insulating barrier that holds up to the heat for a considerable amount of time.
Is 5/8 drywall fire resistant?
All 5/8" really all drywall has fire resistive properties but when the term fire rated is used it is generally used in the contex of a UL rated assembly. You can or used to be able to buy 5/8 with a regular core (slightly cheaper than the fire rated), you can buy it as type x and type C, both as I recall, have ratings for use in UL rated walls. I know the type C has fibers in it, not sure about the type X. When building a fire rated wall always use fire rated drywall. 1/2" is also available as firerated. The end of the rock tells you what type it is.
Is 5/8 inch wall fire rated?
Drywall is not necessarily fire rated just because it is 5/8 inch. Drywall can be non-fire rated in 5/8 inch, but it is probably something you'll never see.
