How do you increase the fire rating of a wall?

Intumescent coating products such as intumescent paint are an option to be considered for enhancing a structure’s fire rating, as the products are recognized by IBC as valid for protection against heat and fire and can often provide a cheaper and more aesthetical solution compared to gypsum and foundation-to-roof …

How do you make drywall fire-resistant?

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 retard fire. Also, because it is denser than normal gypsum-and-paper drywall, it takes longer for the fire to degrade it.

How do you make 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.

Do interior walls need to be fire rated?

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.

How many layers of drywall do I need for a 2 hour rating?

two layers
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.

What’s the fire rating on 5/8 drywall?

1 hour
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. Type X has a denser core and contains glass fibers that keep it from crumbling in the heat.

How thick is a 2 hour fire rated wall?

3 1/5 inches
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. For cored units, the equivalent wall thickness is calculated by multiplying the percent solid by the wall thickness.

How much does 1 hour of drywall fire rating cost?

Type X fire rated gypsum drywall that is 5/8 -inch (15.9mm) thick and installed on each side of nominal 2-inch x 4-inch (38x89mm) wood studs spaced 16-inch (400mm) o.c. or 3-5/8 inch (610 mm) steel studs spaced 24” o.c. has a minimum fire rating for the assembly of 1 hour, which is a typical requirement for many …

Can you double up Sheetrock?

The acoustic installation inside a room can be improved with a double layer drywall installation. It’s not necessary to install a second layer of drywall, but it’s helpful to make the installation more resistant to fire, water, and sound.

What fire rating is 5/8 drywall?

How much weight can a half inch drywall hold?

Always consider the weight of the insulation: half inch regular drywall can support 1.6 lbs. per sq. ft.; half inch lightweight wallboard and half inch interior ceiling board can support up to 2.2 lbs. per sq. ft.

What is the standard thickness of a drywall panel?

1/2 inch This drywall thickness is available in a variety of panel lengths. It is often used for walls and ceilings, and are considered a standard type of drywall for most residential spaces. These drywall panels can be used with both steel and wood frames.

What is the fire rating for 1/2 inch 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. Type X drywall is by no means 100 percent fireproof.

What can I use instead of drywall for interior walls?

Interior Wall Types – Drywall Alternatives. 1 Plastic Panels. One of the best things about plastic panels is that there are plenty of designs to choose from. Plus, the panels can be installed 2 Wood Planks. 3 Plywood. 4 Pegboard. 5 Veneer Plaster.