Applications
A range of applications, including mezzanines, plant room, data storage rooms and warehousing.
Planning - key factors
The position of services should be pre-determined and their installation planned into the frame erection stage.
Cavity fire barriers
12.5mm Gyproc plasterboard, screw-fixed into the web of perimeter channels or vertical studs, will provide a satisfactory closure to flame or smoke. Alternatively 15mm Gyproc FireLine or Glasroc F FIRECASE may be used. Refer to WHITE BOOK section 10 – Cavity fire barriers.
Services
Penetrations
Penetrations of fire-resistant or sound-insulating constructions for services need careful consideration to ensure that the performance of the element is not downgraded and also that the services themselves do not act as the mechanism of fire spread or sound transmission.
Refer to WHITE BOOK section 3.5 – Service installations.
Electrical
The installation of electrical services should be carried out in accordance with BS 7671. The cut-outs in the studs can be used for routing electrical and other small services (see GypWall CLASSIC Construction details – 1). Switch boxes and socket outlets can be supported from Gypframe 99 FC 50 Fixing Channel fixed horizontally between studs, or a high performance socket box detail where higher acoustic performance is required.
Fixing floor and ceiling channels
Gypframe Floor & Ceiling Channels must be securely fixed with a row of fixings at 600mm maximum centres. For 94mm channels and above, two rows of staggered fixings are required, each row at 600mm centres and each fixing 25mm in from the flange. If the floor is uneven, a 38mm thick timber sole plate equal to the width of the channel should be used.
If the concrete or screeded floor is new, consideration should be given to the installation of a damp-proof membrane between the floor surface and the channel or sole plate.
Deflection heads
Partition head deflection designs may be necessary to accommodate deflections in the supporting floor. Deflection heads may also be required to the underside of roof structures subjected to positive and negative pressures. See WHITE BOOK Construction details – 1 - 2. Refer to section WHITE BOOK 3.2.2 – Principles of building acoustics.
Openings
FireWall is used to divide space into fire compartments and, as such, openings are generally not required. If openings are to be specified they must be shown by fire test to maintain the fire performance of the wall.
Fixtures
Lightweight fixtures can be made directly to the partitions. Medium weight fixtures can be made to Gypframe 99 FC 50 Fixing Channel. Refer to WHITE BOOK section 3.5.2 – Service penetrations and fixing into drywall systems.
Board finishing
Refer to WHITE BOOK section 13 – Finishing systems and decorative effects.
For more information refer to the British Gypsum SITE BOOK.