What Drywall Is Fire Rated?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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What is fire rated? 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 slow down the fire. Also, because it is denser than normal gypsum and paper drywall, it takes longer for the fire to degrade it.

How can you tell if a drywall is 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. Type X drywall products will have a UL/ULC Marking printed on the back of each board identifying it as a fire-resistance rated board.

What is the fire rating of 3/4 drywall?

USG 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.

Where do you need to use 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.

What is the fire rating of 5/8 drywall?

A: Fire rated drywall (5/8′′) means it has a one hour burn thru rate .

How do you get 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. Put two sheets together on one side or use one sheet on each side of a wall.

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.

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 for 1/2 drywall?

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.

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.

Is half inch or 5/8 drywall better?

How thick is 2-hour fireproofing?

The construction is type 1B as defined by the International Building Code IBC [3] and the floor system is required to have a 2-hour fire resistance rating. A 2-hour restrained assembly rating can be achieved with a 3 1⁄4 in. light- weight concrete thickness over 2 in.

What is a 2-hour fire rating?

A building or system with a 2-hour fire rating means that the system has satisfied the requirements for a 2-hour rating specified in a relevant standard test .

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 required for a fire rated wall?

The required fire-resistance rating of exterior walls with a fire separation distance of less than or equal to 10 feet (3048 mm) shall be rated for exposure to fire from both sides.

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.

Does drywall need to be taped for fire rated?

Things You'll Need

Once you have measured, cut and hung your fire-resistant drywall, it must be taped and at least one coat of joint compound applied for the proper installation and fire rating.

Do fire rated walls require insulation?

So why is insulation such an important component of a Fire Rated Wall Assembly? Insulation reduces the exchange of energy (heat) through a surface such as a wall, attic, duct or roof . So with an assembly that is supposed to withstand HEAT, utilizing the right kind of insulation becomes quite important.

Is green drywall fire resistant?

Greenboard Is Not Fire Resistant

There is a fire-resistant drywall product known as Type X that's sold in 5/8′′ sheets for use around fireplaces and other high-risk locations in the home.

What color is fire resistant drywall?

The color of confidence

While all gypsum-based drywall is naturally fire-resistant , the PURPLE family of products is unique because it also resists moisture, mold and mildew. In addition, some PURPLE drywall products also stand up to scratches, scuffs, dents and noise.

What is purple colored drywall used for?

Purple drywall resists moisture, mold and mildew . In addition, Purple drywall also resists scratches , scuffs and dents so it's good choice for high-traffic areas. Purple drywall is about 30% more expensive than regular drywall. Here is a collection of tips for preventing bathroom mold.

When should you use 3/8 drywall?

3/8-Inch Drywall: Just slightly thicker than 1/4-inch drywall, 3/8-inch drywall is also a good choice for curved walls . This thickness is most often used to repair existing drywall that needs patching.

Why do you use 5/8 drywall on the ceiling?

The reason most builders use 5/8′′ sheetrock on the ceiling is that that thickness of sheetrock is much stiffer . Another reason to go with a 5/8′′ on the ceiling is that you will greatly reduce the chance of the sheetrock bowing between the ceiling joist, especially if they're on 24′′ centers.

What is the difference between sheetrock and drywall?

Sheetrock is a brand of drywall that is a registered trademark of the U.S. Gypsum Company. With the exception of a couple of chemicals that allow the Sheetrock formula to be patented, there is practically no difference between Sheetrock and other drywall.

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.

What is a 4 hour fire rated wall?

Combined, the level of protection against a fire increases significantly. To create 4-hour fire rated protection, things like cold-formed steel clips, gypsum board, and corner beads are included . At this level of protection, the thickness of the gypsum and the casing attachment meet tight specifications.

What is a two hour fire wall?

The SANCTUARY Two-Hour Firewall is constructed of two opposing and offset studded walls . Studs on each wall are set to standard 16 inches on center distance. When offset, the actual distance between opposing studs is 8 inches on center, creating an 8-inch cavity into which Greenfiber FRM Insulation is spray-applied.

Is plywood fire rated?

Flame Spread Ratings Material Flame Spread Rating Red oak lumber 100 PS 1 construction plywood 75-200 OSB 74-200

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 .

How do you install a fire rated wall?

How do you identify a fire wall?

Include lettering not less than 3 inches (76 mm) in height with a minimum 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) stroke in a contrasting color incorporating the suggested wording, “FIRE AND/OR SMOKE BARRIER–PROTECT ALL OPENINGS,” or other wording.

How thick is a fire wall?

Normally a 2-inch thick firewall is assembled at least 3/4 of an inch away from the wood-stud or steel-stud framing. This allows space for fire-blocking product to be installed between the floor levels.

What does Class A fire rated mean?

Flame spread classifications are developed using the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) “tunnel test.” Class A fire ratings indicate flame-spread of 0-25 and smoke developed between 0-450 and is the highest of the ratings . The Class A or Class I rating indicates superior fire protection.

How thick is fire rated 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 slow down the fire. Also, because it is denser than normal gypsum and paper drywall, it takes longer for the fire to degrade it.

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.

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.

Rebecca Patel
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Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.