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Fire rating of gypsum wallboard partitions - vertical loads

blugosi

blugosi

SAWHORSE
Joined
Sep 25, 2018
Messages
130
Location
Greece
I am trying to find the conditions under which we can hang loads on rated wallboard partitions, not very successfully I'm afraid.

Looking at table 721.1(2) of the 2021 IBC, item 13-1.2 "Noncombustible studs—interior partition with gypsum wallboard each side", there is a note d. "d. Shall be used for nonbearing purposes only."

What does that mean? If i hang a TV on a wall bracket on a rated gypsum wall, am I canceling its rating? How about a clothes hanger? Or a toilet tissue paper holder?

I mean, where can i find guidance on the weight limits on rated gypsum board walls, and specific instructions? I do not worry for the drywall screws penetrations, these I know hot to plug using Hilti materials. It is the weight I am worried about.

Any pointers?
 
Look at Chapter 2's definition of a bearing wall structure. Although the footnote in the table does not use this terminology specifically, this definition would still apply since a "nonbearing" wall would be a wall that is not a bearing wall structure.
 
RLGA said:
Look at Chapter 2's definition of a bearing wall structure. Although the footnote in the table does not use this terminology specifically, this definition would still apply since a "nonbearing" wall would be a wall that is not a bearing wall structure.
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Thank you!
So if I am reading this right, a wall not supporting a floor or roof is not a bearing wall, thus note (d) does not apply, right?
Does that mean that the fire rating of a gypsum board wall is not affected by vertical loads on these walls?
Is there any code or standard defining vertical load restrictions on rated gypsum board walls? Do we need to align screws on studs or something?
 
blugosi said:
So if I am reading this right, a wall not supporting a floor or roof is not a bearing wall, thus note (d) does not apply, right?
Click to expand...
Correct.
blugosi said:
Does that mean that the fire rating of a gypsum board wall is not affected by vertical loads on these walls?
Click to expand...
Footnote 'd' means the assembly which has this note was not tested under loaded conditions. A wall under load conditions has less fire resistance than a similarly constructed wall with no load on it since heat and flame will reduce the loadbearing capacity causing the wall to collapse, thus removing the wall as a barrier to the spread of the fire. Therefore, if you used a 1-hour fire-resistance-rated wall assembly identified for non-loadbearing conditions in a situation that is loadbearing, the actual fire resistance of that wall may be less than 1 hour.
blugosi said:
Is there any code or standard defining vertical load restrictions on rated gypsum board walls? Do we need to align screws on studs or something?
Click to expand...
The manufacturers of metal studs and ASTM C754 include tables for the maximum height for a given lateral load based on stud thickness, depth, and spacing. However, a wall's loadbearing capacity needs to be engineered based on the expected vertical load and the section properties of the studs. Gypsum board only factors into the wall assembly structurally in regard to lateral loading. Gypsum board has a negligible effect on the imposed vertical loads of a wall. However, for fire resistance purposes, the location and number of fasteners in a panel are usually described in explicit detail in UL, FM, GA-600, and IBC prescriptive assemblies.
 
RLGA said:
Correct.

Footnote 'd' means the assembly which has this note was not tested under loaded conditions. A wall under load conditions has less fire resistance than a similarly constructed wall with no load on it since heat and flame will reduce the loadbearing capacity causing the wall to collapse, thus removing the wall as a barrier to the spread of the fire. Therefore, if you used a 1-hour fire-resistance-rated wall assembly identified for non-loadbearing conditions in a situation that is loadbearing, the actual fire resistance of that wall may be less than 1 hour.

The manufacturers of metal studs and ASTM C754 include tables for the maximum height for a given lateral load based on stud thickness, depth, and spacing. However, a wall's loadbearing capacity needs to be engineered based on the expected vertical load and the section properties of the studs. Gypsum board only factors into the wall assembly structurally in regard to lateral loading. Gypsum board has a negligible effect on the imposed vertical loads of a wall. However, for fire resistance purposes, the location and number of fasteners in a panel are usually described in explicit detail in UL, FM, GA-600, and IBC prescriptive assemblies.
Click to expand...
Thank you again!

So, If a metal stud gypsum board is rated at say 60 minutes by prescriptive code or by a UL test and I do not hang any loads over 100 pounds per linear foot on it, this wall is not considered loadbearing and the fire rating is not affected, correct?

My current project is a hotel in Europe, where 30 minutes rating is required between individual rooms and between room and corridor.

The architects need to hang flat TVs on each side of the wall separating two adjacent rooms and we are looking for the best way to do it.

I have ordered a copy of ASTM C754, maybe there are some details in there.
 
blugosi -- If you are in Greece and the project is in Europe, why are you looking at the IBC? Has the country or province or city where the project is located adopted the International Building Code?
 
Yankee Chronicler said:
blugosi -- If you are in Greece and the project is in Europe, why are you looking at the IBC? Has the country or province or city where the project is located adopted the International Building Code?
Click to expand...

For complex projects, foreign Codes and Standards (IBC, NFPA 5000, NFPA 101/13/409 etc.) are frequently accepted in Europe.

Furthermore, if the installation is NAVFAC or any other UFC driven project, there is a requirement for compliance with both US and host nation Standards.

The same applies for major US companies with have corporate policies for their facilities around the world.

Now, the actual issue we are facing is that fire rated drywall assemblies available in Europe need to tested according to European Standards, not ASTM.
Some manufacturers claim that if we hang anything on their system, the certification is void.

I cannot accept that if we drill a hole for an approved fastener and hook to hang a bath robe will reduce the rating of the wall.

From experience, US C&S provide more guidance for such things, and if I find the right train of thought, we can justify hanging items on these walls.
 
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