All drywall is fire-resistant. However, standard drywall only has a 30-minute rating, meaning it can delay the spread of a fire by up to 30 minutes. While 30 minutes is sufficient for most homes, areas containing combustible materials, such as garages or furnace rooms, may need walls with a higher fire rating. In these areas, fire-resistant drywall is often required. This added safety is a critical component of fire-resistant drywall construction trends.
Fire-resistant drywall has a gypsum core placed between layers of fiberglass or paper. Although fiberglass provides some protection against fire, gypsum is what makes drywall fire-resistant. Gypsum's chemical name is calcium sulfate dihydrate, and it has a water content of 21%. When heated, the water vaporizes through a process known as calcination.
This process makes gypsum board fire-resistant. Gypsum-based drywall will not transmit heat above the boiling point of water until its water content has been wholly vaporized or calcined. The delay gives building occupants time to evacuate, compartmentalizes fire and smoke damage, and provides firefighters time to contain fires. Consider these fire-resistant drywall construction trends so your organization can adopt best practices and stay on top of emerging changes.
Type X and C Fire-Rated Drywall
Building codes often require fire-rated drywall in specific areas of a home or building, such as surrounding a furnace or fireplace. Depending on code requirements, contractors may use Type X or Type C fire-resistant drywall. Although either drywall type can slow a fire, it is not fireproof. Nevertheless, it can delay the spread of a fire by as much as 60 minutes, which is 30 minutes more than standard drywall.
Type C drywall is an example of how technological advances in construction are improving building safety. Engineers have increased drywall fire resistance by adding materials such as vermiculite to Type X drywall. With more additives, Type C drywall can extend its rating by as much as 45 minutes, giving occupants and firefighters almost two hours to clear a building or contain a fire.
Current Trends in Fire-Resistant Drywall
The drywall market saw a 9.6% increase in its compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2023 to 20241. Housing market trends and population growth were two driving forces of increased demand. Other factors that directly impacted the fire-resistant market were energy efficiencies, renovation influences, and added safety concerns.
Fire-resistant drywall construction trends include the following:
Regulations
Government incentives for sustainable practices and environmentally friendly materials have contributed to market growth. More local building codes require fire-resistant drywall in specific locations in buildings and residences. These regulatory pressures combine with technological advancements to create a market for climate-resistant systems.
Technology
Automation in building layout and drywall installation lowers the impact of construction labor shortages, allowing for improved market growth. It also helps with temperature control, energy efficiency, and occupant safety. Companies must integrate new construction technologies to expand their markets and capitalize on increased opportunities.
Keeping both of these fire-resistant drywall construction trends in mind can help support your business’s growth.
Benefits of Fire-Resistant Drywall in Construction
Fire-resistant drywall not only protects against fire but also helps the environment. Buildings contribute to climate change1 by adding to greenhouse gas emissions during and after construction. When buildings burn, they can release chemicals that pollute the air and groundwater, increasing climate-related risks.
Fire Safety
Type X fire-resistant drywall comes in 1/2, 5/8, and one-inch thicknesses. The drywall is installed on both sides of a wood or steel stud. Where thickness is of concern, 1/2-inch Type C drywall can be used instead of 5/8-inch Type X. Most roof and ceiling installations require 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch Type C drywall.
When exposed to heat, standard drywall shrinks, creating paths for fire to pass through the wall to the supporting structure. Once the infrastructure is compromised, the risk to firefighters and occupants increases. Fire-resistant drywall releases water as steam. However, vermiculite expands when heated, effectively filling the gaps where water has vaporized and creating a more substantial fire barrier.
Durability
Fire-resistant drywall is thicker and denser than standard drywall. Where standard drywall comes in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch thicknesses, Type X and C start at 1/2 inch. They are heavier than regular drywall because the gypsum and added glass fibers are packed tighter. Because of their added density and thickness, fire-resistant drywall is less likely to show the impact of normal wear and tear.
Role of Fire-Resistant Drywall Tape
Many drywall accessories have a fire-resistant counterpart. There's tape to block smoke and fire-resistant caulk. The purpose of fire-resistant drywall tape is to reduce the spread of building fires. It enhances the fire protective capabilities of fire-resistant drywall and is often required when installing fire-resistant assemblies.
Fire-resistant drywall tape uses a water-activated, gummed adhesive and a fibrous material with a flame retardant additive. When dampened, the tape adheres to the drywall with a one-hour fire rating. Submerging the tape in water compromises the installation.
After dampening the tape, it is applied directly over a drywall seam. Joint compound is only used after the tape has dried. The number of layers of joint compound depends on the seam, its location, and the drywaller. With fire-resistant drywall tape, installers do not have to rely on the joint compound for a wall's fire rating.
Looking to the Future
Installing fire-resistant drywall is no different from hanging standard drywall. There’s no special training or tools. Unfortunately, installing drywall is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Errors in wall placement can result in hours of rework. Construction layout robots such as HP SitePrint can simplify the process by marking layouts on the job surface. The robots can also print layouts more accurately by using CAD or BIM files.
Automation
Automation improves efficiency and helps keep work on schedule. With more precise layouts, drywall contractors minimize errors and reduce the time spent carrying, lifting, and positioning the heavier fire-resistant drywall. Finishing robots, like layout robots, automate repetitive tasks that can lead to injuries. Automation is improving building operations with construction layout robots
Fire Safety
Using fire-resistant drywall helps the construction industry offset its carbon footprint by delaying the spread of a building fire. Fewer pollutants are released as firefighters can contain fires faster with less property damage. The reduced risk of releasing hazardous chemicals improves occupant and firefighter safety.
To learn more about the HP SitePrint robot and how it can help you capitalize on fire-resistant drywall construction trends, contact us today.
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Footnotes
1. https://blog.tbrc.info/2024/04/drywall-and-insulation-contractors-market-growth/
(general research) https://www.nationalgypsum.com/who-we-are/blog/fire-resistance/science-fire-resistant-drywall-types-testing-safety