Use steel studs and two layers of 1/2-inch Type C drywall on each side of the studs for a two-hour fire rating on an interior wall. Mount a 1 1/2-inch fiberglass barrier inside the studs. Use special fiberglass rated for use in firewalls.
What makes a 1 hour fire wall?
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 . ... A few acceptance criteria for the test stipulate that the fire from the gas-fired furnace cannot penetrate through the assembly during the test.
How do you build a fire rated wall?
Use steel studs and two layers of 1/2-inch Type C drywall on each side of the studs for a two-hour fire rating on an interior wall. Mount a 1 1/2-inch fiberglass barrier inside the studs. Use special fiberglass rated for use in firewalls.
How long will a 2-hour fire wall last in a fire?
The minimum fire-resistance rating is 2 hours, but fire walls can have ratings of 3 and 4 hours .
How many layers of gypsum are needed for a 2-hour rating?
As 2 hours of fire protection has become the standard for fire safety in America, it has become somewhat of a standard practice to include two layers of type X drywall within a building's perimeter in order to achieve this required level of fire safety.
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 is the fire rating on 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 1⁄2-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 the fire rating of 1/2 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.
How do I know if my wall is fire rated?
The total fire rating is determined by adding each component to reach a minimum total of 60 minutes . Fire protection rating is calculated from the flame side of the assembly and of course some assemblies have multiple flame sides. Your wood framing members are required to be not more than 16′′ on center.
Can you screw into a fire rated wall?
Yes , screws may be used as an alternative to nails in fire rated assemblies, but must be substituted one for one with the head diameter and length equal or greater than required for the nails. Spacing of the screws can be no greater than that of the nails.
What is the difference between fire wall and fire barrier?
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 does a 2 hr fire rating mean?
When a building or system is said to have a 2-hour fire rating, what does that mean? It means that the system has satisfied the requirements for a 2-hour rating specified in a relevant standard test .
How thick is a 1 hour fire wall?
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 1⁄2-inch drywall. And it's not just thickness that makes the difference.
Is a concrete wall fire Rated?
As ap- plied to elements of buildings, it is char- acterized by the ability to confine a fire or, when exposed to fire, to continue to perform a given structural function, or both [ACI 216.1 (2014)]. Reinforced concrete is inherently fire resistant .
What is the fire rating of type C drywall?
Type 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.
Is all drywall fireproof?
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.
