In residences, fire-rated drywall is typically required by building codes to be installed in a few of these places:
- Near furnace and utility rooms
- Places where a wood stove is used
- Garages and especially the garage walls that separate that area from the main house
- Garage ceilings that have living areas above
How to construct a fire resistant wall?
Top 5 Fire-resistant Building Materials
- Brick. If we learned anything from the popular children's tale of the "Three Little Pigs," it's that you should make your house out of brick.
- Gypsum. Gysum boards typically are treated to be even more fire-resistant. ...
- Stucco. ...
- Concrete. ...
- Fire-resistant Glass for Windows. ...
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.
What is "Type C" drywall?
Type C drywall is the improved version of the x type. This fire-rated drywall type is available in 1/2" and 5/8" thicknesses and its gypsum core still consists of glass fibers. The difference with this type of drywall is that it contains more glass fibers than its x type counterpart and also additional vermiculite components.
What is the best heat resistant material?
- Nitrile ( Buna-N) is a general purpose material suited for petroleum oils, water, and some hydraulic fluids. ...
- Ethylene Propylene Rubber (EPR) operates in a temperature range between -60 degrees Fahrenheit to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. ...
- Fluorocarbon (Viton) is an all-around, versatile material with excellent high-temperature capability. ...
Where do you need fire-resistant drywall?
In residences, fire-rated drywall is typically required by building codes to be installed in a few of these places:Near furnace and utility rooms.Places where a wood stove is used.Garages and especially the garage walls that separate that area from the main house.Garage ceilings that have living areas above.
What is fire-resistant drywall?
All drywall is manufactured using fire-resistant materials. Different types of drywall resist burning for different periods. Type C fire-rated drywall can resist burning for up to four hours. Fire-resistant drywall costs 50% more than regular drywall. Proper installation can increase drywall's fire-resistance.
Do I need fire rated drywall in basement?
There is absolutely no codes, IRC or otherwise that require fire rated materials between a standard domestic furnace space and other living spaces as you describe. Do the walls with whatever you want, you have no problems with that.
Do I need fire-resistant drywall in garage?
Drywall between a house and garage should be 1/2 inch, fire-resistant. Garage ceilings with habitable rooms above should have 5/8 inch, fire-resistant drywall installed.
Do I need fire rated drywall?
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.
Is regular drywall fire rated?
Regular drywall has naturally occurring fire resistance due to the presence of gypsum in the core but is not fire rated. Type X drywall has special core additives that allow it to be used in fire rated designs and usually comes in 5/8” thickness.
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 type of drywall is best for basements?
Basement Board: This type of drywall, usually used in basements, has a standard core and mold-resistant face and back paper. It's not as effective as standard mold and moisture-resistant drywall, but it's less expensive.
What type of drywall is used for a furnace room?
Fire resistant drywall is made with glass fibers in an extra-thick design. This makes them ideal for use in utility rooms, garages and areas near a furnace or wood stove.
What kind of drywall do you use for garage walls?
The most commonly used drywall for garages are standard ½ inch panels. The exception is ceilings that need ⅝ panels. Also, for attached garages, you'll need to use ⅝ panels or type X rated drywall on the wall that connects the house to the garage.
How many layers of drywall do I need for 1 hour fire rating?
Typically one layer of Type X drywall promises 45 minutes to one hour of fire protection for the building constructed with this type of material.
Can I use plywood instead of drywall in my garage?
Plywood Garage Walls is useful for the type of garage and storage spaces where homeowners frequently hang their tools, shelves, trophies, machinery etc. Due to the extra strength provided by plywood, there is high resistance to dents and damage, which is something that plagues drywall.
What is the most fire resistant material?
Which Building Materials Are Most Fire-Resistant?Concrete. Concrete is highly resistant to heat, and it is noncombustible, so it's generally considered one of the most effective building materials for slowing down fires. ... Brick. On an individual basis, bricks are extremely resistant to fire. ... Gypsum.
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 does 1 hour fire rating mean?
A “one-hour” fire rating is given to an assembly consisting of various building materials that can resist the exposure of a standardized fire exposure for one hour.
What is fire resistant board?
Fireboards. Fireboards are used for new constructions or for the installation of cassette stoves where there is no existing chimney breast. Certain fire resistant boards are made for construction where proper insulation is required, whereas others are utilised in order to store and redistribute the heat.
Are There Different Types of Firewalls?
Yes, there are multiple kinds of firewalls and different types of materials to build them. Some walls use wood construction. Others use metal. For the purpose of this essay, we’ll only be addressing wood constructed walls. Most Orange County homes are built using wood construction.
How Can I Receive More Information?
If you would like more information on enjoying the best shower, bathroom, kitchen, and interior remodeling experience, call Dan at (949) 380-0177 or at [email protected] for a free in home consultation.
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.
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 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 resistant drywall?
It is a type of drywall that has a higher fire-resistance rating than normal drywall. Generally, it is thicker than other types of drywall. It also contains fiberglass and additives that enhance its ability to withstand direct flames.
Why do you need fireproof drywall?
You need Type X fireproof drywall because it will make your home safer incase of a fire. In most areas, you will also have to install it in certain spaces because building codes require it such as near fireplaces, ovens and cooktops. This is because it has a higher fire rating than regular drywall, something that makes it one of the most effective ways of stopping the spread of fires.
What is Type X drywall?
It is a type of drywall that has a higher fire-resistance rating than normal drywall. Generally, it is thicker than other types of drywall. It also contains fiberglass and additives that enhance its ability to withstand direct flames.
Where do you Install Type X Drywall?
It is commonly installed in areas that pose a high risk of fire. In a residential construction, these areas include:
How long does drywall slow down fire?
While regular drywall can slow down the spread of fire by about 30 minutes, this drywall can slow it down for up to 60 minutes. That is twice the effectiveness of drywall as far as retarding fire is concerned.
What is a 2 hour rated wall?
A 2-hour rated wall is a wall system that can withstand direct flames for up to 2 hours without crumbling. In most cases, high performance type C drywall is used in such wall systems as it can withstand direct flames for up to 2 hours.
How thick is drywall?
They are usually 5/8 inches thick, while drywall sheets tend to be 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch in thickness. This is not accidental. It is something that is designed to enhance their ability to resist fire.
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 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.
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.
Do you need a fire tape coat for a garage?
A quick job: Only the tape-embedding coat is necessary when fire-taping garages and other nonliving areas. Garages, utility rooms, and furnace rooms are often hung with fire-resistant drywall.
Does fire tape need joint compound?
There is a self-adhesive fire-rated tape available that doesn’t require a coat of joint compound to maintain its fire rating. It is an excellent choice for fire-taping gable ends and attics. Use the right tape: Fire tape is a self-adhesive drywall tape that does not require joint compound to achieve its fire rating.
Where is fire resistant drywall used?
It’s also commonly used around furnaces and in the utility rooms of homes.
Which is better for a ceiling: drywall or drywall?
Prevent Ceiling Sagging – Thicker drywall is better for ceilings because it is less prone to sagging than thinner drywall panels.
How thick is drywall to hang alone?
1/2-inch thick drywall is possible to hang alone, although it’s certainly easier with a partner and/or a drywall lift.
Why do studs show through drywall?
Studs Can Show – Studs and joists often slightly show through thin drywall because it’s so thin.
How thick is a wall panel?
Once the hole is cut, use a tape measure to measure the thickness of the panel. Most likely, any wall panels will be 1/2-inch thick while ceilings panels will be either 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch thick.
What is the standard thickness of drywall?
1/2-inch is the standard thickness for drywall. It’s the most commonly used thickness for interior walls.
When is it important to know the thickness of drywall?
Knowing the thickness of your current drywall is very important when it comes to replacing or repairing a small section.
What Kind Of Drywall Do You Need For A Gas Fireplace?
When building a gas fireplace, you need to consider several other safety precautions that need to be taken, with many area codes being quite strict.
What Is The Drywall Around A Fireplace Called?
The drywall around your fireplace is called the surround; it consists of the entire structure around the fireplace. Including the mantel, legs, returns, and everything else that is part of your fireplace’s assembly, this includes the parts of your fireplace where the fire is being made.
How Do You Cover A Fireplace With Drywall?
When covering the fireplace, you should consider construction adhesive or glue combined with nails or screws to secure everything .
What Material Do You Use Around A Fireplace?
Most commonly, you will use steel, concrete, and stone around your fireplace as these are materials that cannot spontaneously combust. Fire bricks are used directly on the fireplace to prevent heat from being transferred into the wrong place or back into the structure of your house.
What Are The US Codes For Fireplace Surround?
Each state in the US will have specific codes for the building of a fireplace, this usually depends on the types of fireplaces usually used in the state. This means you will have to get a local expert who knows what to use and what not to use when building your fireplace.
Can You Use Cement Board Around A Fireplace?
You can use cement boards, often called Hardiebacker, around your fireplace, given you are adhering to the national code to keep everything six inches away from the fireplace. When working with the cement board, you should also ensure that you are not putting anything directly onto the fireplace.
Should You Insulate Around A Fireplace Insert?
Yes , when using a fireplace insert, you will have to use insulation around the insert and around the flue that goes through the roof. The insulation will prevent the heat from the fireplace from escaping directly through the walls and roof to the outside.
