What is the fire rating of a shaft wall?
USG Shaft Walls provide up to 4-hour fire resistance and sound ratings to 51 STC. They resist intermittent lateral loads up to 15 psf; also resist fatigue failure under cyclic lateral loading.
Can Shaftwall be used horizontally?
I-Stud Cavity Shaftwall Systems can be erected horizontally and used as economical fire resistive assemblies for corridor ceilings, stair soffits, and protection for mechanical ducts.
Do elevator shafts need to be fire rated?
Fire Resistance Requirements For this reason, a shaft containing an elevator ordinarily needs to be fire resistance rated for one-hour when connecting less than four stories, and ordinarily requires a two-hour rating when connecting four or more stories.
What is gypsum shaft wall?
USG Shaft Wall Systems are non-load-bearing gypsum wall partition assemblies constructed from outside the shaft at each floor. Shafts are enclosed early in construction, and the walls are finished later, along with interior partitions.
Are elevator shafts structural?
An elevator shaft is a critical part of any multi-story building. Not only is it an essential means of vertical conveyance within the building itself, it often serves as a structural backbone and connection point for many of the key structural elements of the building.
Can a shaft wall be used horizontally?
This is the only instance in the International Building Code (IBC) that allows an assembly that was tested vertically as a wall to be used in a horizontal application. Shaftwall systems were commonly used because they could be constructed from the bottom only.
How long is a 2 hour shaftwall?
This 2-hour horizontal shaftwall assembly consists of 4” shaftwall studs with shaftliner panels between each stud and three layers of 5/8” Type C gypsum board applied to the underside of the framing. UL design G586 can span 8’-0” from wall to wall or indefinitely when used in conjunction with the hanger assembly.
How much does a shaft wall weigh?
Masonry shaftwalls in high-rise buildings historically weigh between 20 and 45 lbs. per square foot compared to gypsum assemblies that weigh between 10 and 13 lbs. per square foot.
What kind of wall is used for air shafts?
WALL SYSTEMS—LIMITING HEIGHTS Gypsum shaft walls have been used for many years for vent and air shafts. Their fire-resistant features and economical dry construction make them ideal for this use. To function properly, vent and air shaft systems should be designed with the following performance provisions:
