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The Daily Insight

What is fire rating Type X

Author

Sophia Edwards

Published Mar 19, 2026

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. … Still, Type X does have another often overlooked virtue: it dampens sound transmission through the walls.

Is Type X gypsum board considered non combustible?

Type X gypsum board is defined by ASTM C1396 and generally requires a fire-resistance rating of not less than one hour for 5⁄8” thick boards or 45 minutes for ½” boards. … For other gypsum boards including Type X, although they are all non-combustible, shrinking occurs when exposed to a flame or heat.

What is the difference between Type C and Type X gypsum board?

Type C drywall is the improved version of the x type. … The difference with this type of drywall is that it contains more glass fibers than its x type counterpart and also additional vermiculite components. These extra qualities make it even more resistant to fire since it will slow its spread by 2-4 hours.

Is all gypsum board fire rated?

All gypsum panels are fire resistant and produced in a range of thicknesses, core formulations and optional special performance enhancements.

Is gypsum board flammable?

Gypsum is a soft mineral that by itself is not flammable. Additionally, water is incorporated into its structure. In the presence of fire, heat energy vaporizes the water, removing it gradually. Water effectively blocks the transfer of heat through the drywall.

How can you tell if a drywall is fire rated?

Find other printing on the back of the drywall: some drywall products such as CertainTeed’s GlasRoc sheathing and Diamondback don’t use end-tapes but have text printed across the whole board surface, indicating the manufacturer, product, and other data such as fire-rating.

What insulation is fireproof?

Fiberglass: Made of glass that is spun into fibers, then combined with plastic polymers, fiberglass insulation is naturally fire resistant.

Is Gyprock considered combustible?

Gyprock Party Wall Systems are ideal for use to provide fire separation between attached dwellings. Gyprock also has a broad range of non-combustible products that are suited for use with wall and ceiling systems in bushfire prone areas.

What is the fire rating of DensGlass?

DensGlass Sheathing is manufactured to meet ASTM C1177. Flame spread and smoke develop rating of 0/0 when tested in accordance with ASTM E84 or CAN/ULC S102. This product contains fiberglass facings which may cause skin irritation.

Is gypsum heat resistant?

Gypsum board is the most commonly used material for false ceilings due to its many benefits. One of those advantages is the heat-resistant property of this material. It has a noncombustible core that contains chemically combined water (in calcium sulfate).

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What is the fire rating of 1/2 gypsum board?

The fire rating for the 1/2-inch drywall used throughout the rest of the home is 30 minutes. As added benefits, Type X absorbs sound slightly better and is slightly stronger than conventional 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch drywall.

What is released when exposed to fire gypsum?

When a gypsum panel is exposed to high temperatures it does not ignite. Instead, the surface releases steam as the chemically combined water in the core is released. Heat transmission is obstructed until this slow process, known as calcination, is complete.

What is fire rated gypsum board?

Fire-rated gypsum board is a form of drywall that helps prevent the spread of flames across a home or business. … Fire-rated gypsum drywall is more fire-resistant because it contains glass fiber reinforcement and other additives within its specially formulated gypsum core to help it hold up longer to fire exposure.

What is class A fire rating?

Flame spread classifications are developed using the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) “tunnel test.” Class A fire ratings indicate flame-spread of 0-25 and smoke developed between 0-450 and is the highest of the ratings. … Fabrics used in these building types are also required to be flame retardant.

How flammable is pink insulation?

Since the insulation is made from glass, fiberglass insulation is considered non-flammable and will not catch fire. … Fiberglass manufacturers can add flame-retardant adhesives and foils to kraft paper backings.

Can you use insulation around a fireplace?

Install an air barrier behind fireplaces installed on exterior walls. Install insulation without misalignments, compressions, gaps, or voids in all exterior wall cavities behind fireplaces. … Seal any seams, gaps, and holes in the air barrier with fire-rated caulk or foam before fireplace installation.

What is a fire-resistant material?

A fire resistant material is one which is designed to resist burning and withstand heat. An example of a fire-resistant material is one which is used in bunker gear worn by firefighters to protect them from the flames of a burning building.

Why does gypsum have excellent fire resistance characteristics?

Gypsum Board is an Effective Fire Barrier Because steam will not exceed 212 degrees F under normal atmospheric pressure, it very effectively retards the transfer of heat and the spread of fire.

Is all drywall fire retardant?

Although all drywall is fire resistant to a degree, type-X and type-C drywall are designed specifically to be used in fire-rated assemblies. These products help to contain fire in the area of its origin much better than regular drywall.

How do you date gypsum?

Board Date Code: The board date code is printed on the back of all gypsum board. This code lists the month, day, year, plant, and time that the board was manufactured. i. For example, a board manufactured on October 15, 2005 in Seattle at 10:15, would have a board date code of 10 15 05 S 10:15.

Is DensGlass fireproof?

Fire Resistance DensGlass Sheathing is noncombustible as described and tested in accordance with ASTM E136 or CAN/ULC S114.

Is DensGlass gold fire-rated?

DensGlass Gold® panels are noncombustible when tested in accordance with ASTM E 136. … 5/8″ DensGlass Gold Fireguard® type X sheathing qualifies for fire-resistant constructions when tested in accordance with ASTM E 119 and can be used in the following UL assemblies: Design Nos.

Is DensGlass sheathing fire resistant?

This DensGlass sheathing gypsum panel from Georgia-Pacific will help improve the performance and durability of a wide range of fire-rated and non-fire-rated building assemblies.

Is plasterboard fire resistant?

Plasterboard boasts natural fire-resistance.

What fire rating is standard plasterboard?

If the ceiling is plasterboarded, then 12.5mm thick boards are required to give 30 minutes’ fire resistance. You may have to provide an additional skim coat or additional plasterboard to the ceiling.

Is plasterboard flammable?

Plasterboard is officially a combustible material. … You are safe with brick, stone and plaster as these are NON-combustible materials.

Why is gypsum used as fire protection materials?

Properties of gypsum plasterboard as a building material The reason behind it is the presence of water in gypsum offerings. When the water comes in contact with the fire, it starts evaporating. It helps the board to develop a protective layer that helps to prevent fire from spreading for some time.

Which gypsum board is best?

  1. Gyproc by Saint-Gobain. Saint-Gobain is the parent company of Gyproc, which is started almost 100 years ago. …
  2. Armstrong. Armstrong World Industries (AWI) is also a market leader in residential and commercial false ceiling manufacturing. …
  3. SHERA. …
  4. USG Boral. …
  5. Gypcore.

What are the disadvantages of gypsum board?

Advantages of gypsum board include low cost, ease of installation and finishing, fire resistance, sound control, and availability. Disadvantages include difficulty in curved surface application and low durability when subject to damage from impact or abrasion.

What is the fire rating of type C drywall?

Type C drywall is known as the more durable version of Type X—there are more glass fibers in this product as well as more vermiculite components, giving it a fire resistance of 2-4 hours. You can find this product at your local drywall and insulation store in 1/2” and 5/8” thickness.

Does garage drywall need to be fire rated?

A: First, fire-rated systems are only required if the garage shares a wall or a ceiling with the home. If you are doing repairs in the garage you should replace with like materials, but remember it is the wall system that is fire rated not the product itself.