Type of construction separation material

[hammer1]

Bit of a hard one here to explain.

We have now obtained x 2 residential period properties that are 4 storey, with ground floor retail unit. The property was constructed in 1800's.

A single wooden timber staircase serves the property with residential flats leading onto the staircase.

The compartmentation of the staircase from the flats seems to be a thin plaster panelling which if you tap seems very hollow. One of the properties have just timber floorboards separating the floors, which are covered by carpet. The retail unit has a basement level. The retail unit is only a clothes shop, but seeing what can happen at First Look on Oxford St, adequate fire separation would need improvement.

Does anyone know the type of material used to separate the staircase and the flats from this description, would there be lathe and plaster behind the panels??? Wonder if these pics might help

[hammer1]

Another pic........

[nearlythere]

Would be difficult to determine the construction of the seperation unless you carry out a more intrusive examination Hammer1.
Could it be that the thin plaster panelling compartmentation you are describing is plasterboard or other builders board on battens covering solid walls, or lath and plaster, for decorative reasons hence the "hollow" sound? May have been cheaper and easier to face the walls like this rather than take them back to the stone and replaster.
Are all of the walls between and stairway and the flats covered in the panelling?
Can you not make out the construction of the walls from inside the flats?

[kurnal]

Looks a bit like MDF to me

[nearlythere]

Looks a bit like MDF to me

The dado certainly looks familiar (MDF) but not as well finished as mine.
Who picked the colours?

[hammer1]

Would be difficult to determine the construction of the seperation unless you carry out a more intrusive examination Hammer1.
Could it be that the thin plaster panelling compartmentation you are describing is plasterboard or other builders board on battens covering solid walls, or lath and plaster, for decorative reasons hence the "hollow" sound? May have been cheaper and easier to face the walls like this rather than take them back to the stone and replaster.
Are all of the walls between and stairway and the flats covered in the panelling?
Can you not make out the construction of the walls from inside the flats?

I think you are right there mate. Had no success as yet trying to gain access to the flats being new agents and the tenants being from the top of the born with a silver spoon type.

[hammer1]

Looks a bit like MDF to me

100% not MDF.

[kurnal]

The only way may be to drill or ease back an architrave. There are numerous issues here- the nature of the covered wall, the nature of the decorative boarding, fire stopping in the gap.
Another approach may be to use a builders stud detector to determine the layout of the studs or battens which may give some clues.

It is possible to identify lath and plaster from plasterboard from MDF or plywood by tapping it, though Basil Fawlty used the wrong technique.   Takes a bit of practice but if you find a few samples of each you will soon get it. The plywood MDF is a harsher knock from the unyielding surface, more reverberation and more bounce. Plasterboard gives a much deader sound but a little reverberation, lath and plaster is a dead sound with little reverberation and bounce. (Solid walls give little sound and bruised knuckles)
As the note changes with proximity to the studding you have to try it a number of times before you get the feel for it.  

Manuel!!!

[nearlythere]

 Takes a bit of practice but if you find a few samples of each you will soon get it. The plywood MDF is a harsher knock from the unyielding surface, more reverberation and more bounce. Plasterboard gives a much deader sound but a little reverberation, lath and plaster is a dead sound with little reverberation and bounce. (Solid walls give little sound and bruised knuckles)
As the note changes with proximity to the studding you have to try it a number of times before you get the feel for it.  

Manuel!!!

Yes! That would be British Standard number double zero, treble zero, bugger all, blank. - 2010

[wee brian]

How old is this?

 Could it be asbestos cement?

[Tall Paul]

I am assuming that the facing panels are the same on both sides of the wall and that easier access cannot be gained from the room.

Is the room provided with a radiator or similar object that would allow invasive inspections to be hidden after the event?

[Mar62]

Its a tried and tested method. You shouldn't knock it?