Understanding the cost of fire-rated wall is crucial for ensuring safety in your building. These walls offer enhanced protection against fire, making them an essential investment. Factors like material choice, wall thickness, and installation impact the overall cost. What do you need to know about the cost of fire-rated wall, helping you make informed decisions for your project?
Fire-resistant Drywall Prices $0.35 to $0.45 per square foot.
Sound-Control Drywall Prices
$1.0 to $2.50 per square foot.
Where Can I Buy Fire-Rated Drywall?
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 building codes.
Type C fire-rated drywall is similar in composition to Type X, except that it has more glass fiber reinforcement. Other ingredients in the gypsum core that make its fire-resistive properties superior to Type X. Type C gypsum board is available in 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) and 5/8-inch (15.9mm) thicknesses.
Fire-rated Type X Shaftliner is 1” (25.4 mm) thick and used in special Shaftwall and Area Separation Firewall assemblies.
Factors Influencing the Cost of Fire-Rated Wall
The cost of fire-rated wall varies based on several key factors. Material selection is a major influence, with options like gypsum, concrete, or specialized fire-resistant boards affecting the price. Wall thickness also plays a role, as thicker walls provide better fire resistance but come at a higher cost. Additionally, the complexity of installation, including labor and time, impacts the overall expense. Understanding these factors helps in accurately estimating the cost of fire-rated walls for your building project.
Does 1/2 drywall have a 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. Also, it is slightly stronger than conventional 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch drywall.
How many layers of drywall do I need for a 2-hour rating?
Gypsum Board: Two hour-rated walls have two layers of 5/8″ Type ‘X’ gypsum wallboard panels on each side.
Can you screw it into a fire-rated wall?
You may use screws instead of nails in fire-rated assemblies, but you must substitute them one for one, ensuring the screw head diameter and length exceed those required for the nails.The spacing of the screws can be no greater than that of the nails.
Garage drywall must be fire-rated.
Fire-rated systems are required only if the garage shares a wall or ceiling with the home. If you are doing repairs in the garage you should replace it with similar materials. Remember, the wall system is fire-rated, not the product itself.
How can you tell if a wall is fire-rated?
Use lettering at least 3 inches high and 3/8 inch thick in contrasting color with the wording “FIRE/SMOKE BARRIER—PROTECT ALL OPENINGS.
You need to include insulation in fire-rated walls.
Without the right kind of insulation, and in the best-case scenario, the wall assembly will fail the testing regimen. But, in the worst-case scenario, the wrong insulation installed in the Assembly could potentially lead to the loss of life.
Is Class A fire rating 1 hour?
Having a Class A rating generally refers to the ASTM E84 standard for flame spread and smoke generation. A one-hour rated wall generally needs to comply with the E84 Class A rating requirements as well.
How do you do a 30-minute fire-resistant ceiling?
If plasterboarding the ceiling, use 12.5mm thick boards to achieve 30 minutes of fire resistance. You may have to provide an additional skim coat or additional plasterboard to the ceiling.