What is a firewall and where do you need fire code drywall? A firewall is a special wall or door assembly that is designed to limit the spread of fire into or out of living or occupied spaces. Examples of firewalls are:. Notice I said slow the spread of fire. A firewall will not stop or prohibit a fire. The concept behind a firewall is to slow the spread of fire. This allows you and your family time to safely evacuate the premises. If you would like more information on enjoying the best bathroom, kitchen, and interior remodeling experience, call DAD at or at dan dadsconstruction.
Examples of firewalls are: All walls and ceilings between the garage and inside living spaces. Walls and ceilings in attached housing. Any walls on zero lot lines. In high fire hazard areas, all ceilings and outside walls of the house. All walls and ceilings under stairs. Walls and ceilings inside furnace and water heater closets. All of these items use fire in a controlled environment combustion. When a fire happens, time is of the essence for survival.
Provided you have properly installed and working smoke alarms, a firewall provides those critical minutes to get safely out of the house. Alternative names for gypsum board include:. Besides the fact that one of the main components of this material is non-combustible, there are many other reasons why it has become the more popular choice of substrate in construction. In general gypsum board is not as expensive as other options such as fiberglass.
Further, the material is easy to manage and has a diverse range of applications within the construction field. As gypsum board is an incredibly popular choice in the design of modern buildings, it grows increasingly important that the proper fire rating is achieved for this substrate.
There is some variation that comes with different drywall types, which are primarily based on differences in the dimensions that drywall panels are manufactured in. These variations are seen in differences in thickness, panel length, panel width, as well as the components used to create the boards.
There are also a number of differences in drywall properties that ultimately dictate their intended function. For example, some specific drywalls are recommended for fire protection, while others are used for water resistance. Listed below are the most common types of drywall and their associated uses. There are still more differences within drywall that include texture, edging, and other characteristics that should be considered when picking a drywall for its desired use.
There are many different types of drywall the uses of which vary based on the needs of a project, and at times the wrong material may be used unintentionally. If this occurs certain upgrades may later be required. In the context of fire protection, if the selected board does not provide the necessary rating then intumescents may be incorporated as a solution to raise the fire-rating.
While gypsum is not considered flammable on its own, the other components of drywall make it relatively more sensitive to the effects of fire. Water is incorporated in the formulation of drywall, and its presence may be considered a basic line of defense in the face of fire. If a fire were to occur in a building composed of drywall, the moisture within the drywall would react with the fire's heat, causing it to vaporize slowly. This helps slow the transfer of heat and therefore slow the spread of the fire.
That being said, if a contractor or architect were to rely only on this component of the drywall as a defense against a fire, then the building would not last very long, and would not be considered safe from the perspective of fire safety. 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.
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. Although this approach achieves the mandated goal, it does not come without its drawbacks. In general, the added layer of drywall can significantly reduce the surface area of the room that it is protecting. With it, the gypsum remains more stable and intact.
You can also opt for Type X Shaftliner which is the most fire-resistant type on the market, but it is usually used in specific situations and commercial properties. Even though it is very beneficial, installing drywall throughout the entire house is rarely practiced.
In fact, some experts avoid using it in residential houses that have no contact with other properties. However, building codes require fire-rated drywall installation in garages and walls that separate the garage from the rest of the house including ceilings. Additionally, it is also recommended in areas that are more fire-prone like kitchens, utility rooms, and behind furnaces. If you live in an apartment or a townhouse, fire-rated drywall is necessary. Installing fire-repelling drywall on walls that connect you with other residences is the smartest option you can choose.
Fire ratings vary from room to room, each having a different hourly rate that must be satisfied. The decision can be complicated and if you want to avoid installing the wrong drywall, it is best to consult with drywall contractors in Toronto and find out the building codes and requirements which apply to your property.
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