What is a 30-minute fire rated 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 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.

What is considered a fire rated wall?

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 does 30 minute fire rating mean?

Thirty minutes at 1,200° means exactly that. Certain contents of safes are more susceptible to heat than others. Paper begins to discolor at just above 350° F and scorch at approximately 410° F.

What is a 30 minute rated wall?

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. 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.

How do you get 30 minute fire resistance?

If you wish to keep existing doors in place because of their architectural or historical merit, these will need to be upgraded to give 30 minutes' fire resistance. This can be achieved by the application of special fire resisting paints, papers or varnishes (intumescents).

AC 015 - What is a fire rated wall?

Do I need to use fire rated plasterboard?

Using Fireproof Plasterboard

Fire-resistant plasterboards with low thermal conductivity, non-combustible properties, and enhanced fire protection are suitable for any building type and many of the building contractors will suggest fireproof plasterboard.

Is pink plasterboard fireproof?

As it is not fire proof, merely fire resistant, pink plasterboard should not be relied on solely to prevent the spread of fire, but merely to halt it temporarily.

How can you tell if a wall is fire rated?

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.

What kind of drywall do you use for a fireplace?

Fire-rated Drywall Type X

It slows down the passage of fire rather than stops passage completely. The drywall has a total thickness of 5/8 inches and is reinforced with glass fibers to help it retard fire.

How do I know if my 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.

Is 30 minute fire protection enough?

For home safes, 30 minutes of protection is most common, although you can also find safes that offer one or more hours' worth, typically with higher price tags. Generally speaking, 30 minutes should be sufficient, Bonsib says. "Fires tend to move through a home, so 20 minutes is about the average in a room or an area."

What is a good fire rating for a home safe?

Fire Resistant safes and burglar fire safes should have a minimum of a 1 hour fire rating. Typically, a safe with less than a 1 hour fire rating will not provide adequate protection for paper or money in the event of a fire.

What is a good fire rating on a gun safe?

We recommend that you purchase a minimum 1-hour fire-rated gun safe. Why? Safes with less than a 1-hour fire rating rarely survive a home or business fire.

What are the 3 main classifications of fire rated walls?

There are three main classifications of fire rated walls: fire walls, fire barriers, and fire partitions.

Is a fire wall a smoke barrier?

Fire barriers are constructed to span vertically from the floor to the roof above. A smoke barrier is very similar to a fire barrier and is typically used in specific applications such as Group I-2 and I-3 occupancies and Areas of Refuge.

What do I put on the wall behind my wood stove?

Common fireproof wall ideas for behind a stove include stone, brick and tiles. The look of a wood burning stove can be enhanced by using a faux panel (such as a stone veneer look) or using a fireback.

Can you use fire rated drywall around fireplace?

Drywall + Fireplace = House Fire

Unfortunately, this is highly flammable and is not an appropriate or safe fireplace surround. The sheetrock had to be removed and replaced with any type of non-combustible surround - stone, tile, marble, or metal.

What's the difference in sheetrock and drywall?

Drywall is a flat panel made of gypsum plaster sandwiched in between two sheets of thick paper. It adheres to metal or wood studs using nails or screws. Sheetrock is a specific brand of drywall sheet. These terms are often used interchangeably.

How thick are fire rated walls?

The most common fire rated drywall is referred to as type X. It is 5/8 inches thick and is installed on each side of 2 by 4 inch wood studs spaced 16 inches.

What is a 1 hour fire wall?

According to the International Residential Code (IRC), specifically table R-302.1, a one-hour fire-rated, load-bearing wall–defined as one that will not collapse or transmit flame or high temperature for one hour after a fire commences–is required when two detached dwellings are within 5 feet (wall to wall) of each ...

Do exterior walls need to be fire rated?

Exterior walls are required to be rated for exposure to fire from: ▪ Both sides where the separation distance is 10 feet or less. Only the inside where the fire separation distance exceeds 10 feet.

Does 2 layers of plasterboard fire rating?

Two layers of standard plasterboard with staggered joints will give an hours protection and one layer half an hour.

Is 15mm plasterboard fire rated?

Gyproc FireLine 15mm is a plasterboard that contains glass fibre and other additives for extra fire protection. Use it in partitions, ceilings and steel encasement systems to achieve the fire performance required in domestic separating walls, corridors, garages and steel encasements.

What is blue plasterboard used for?

It is normally used in walls, ceilings and drywall partitions. The board itself consists of a layer of gypsum embedded between two pieces of paper. Known for its versatility and durability, this board can be painted or covered with other materials such as a multi finish plaster.

Can I tile straight onto plasterboard?

Can I tile directly onto plasterboard? Yes. You can tile directly onto plasterboard, just make sure to use an acrylic-based primer. Once the primer is dry, you can then apply a powdered adhesive.