metal stud partitions

[kurnal]

I have come across three new build projects in the last month,  all student cluster flats as it happens,  in which "Fire Rated" walls are shown in the fire strategy document actually comprise either a single thickness or double thickness of board material mounted to one side of only of steel lightweight studding, the studwork being exposed on one side of the partition.

In one case this was an "hour" rated partition in a six storey timber framed building to form a "Protected shaft" passing through dead end corridors serving cluster flats.

In other cases the partitions were claimed to be 30 minute partitions in cluster flats, with GRP bathroom Pods, the corridor wall had exposed studding where it was unseen in the pod maintenance cupboard.

I have taken it up with each developer and AI and am awaiting the outcome. However does anyone know of any spec for lightweight stud partitions that does not require a board on both sides of the studding for a fire rated wall? I have checked all normal references without finding such an arrangement.

[wee brian]

it would need to be something pretty special. sounds like a cock up to me - well spotted.

[Mike Buckley]

Speedline drywall products do a good brochure on drylining with metal studwork. they give fire ratings for various setups but they are all douible sided. see www.speedlinedrywall.co.uk

I agree with wee brian. If these are ok why do you have to protect structural steelwork?

[Tom Sutton]

Kurnal a long time ago, when we upgraded doors we used to fix fire board to the room side (risk side) and nothing to the corridor side (low risk side) could this be a similar situation, protection on the risk side and nothing on the low risk side. This is assuming the single board has the necessary fire resisting standard.

[kurnal]

Thanks Tom but in each case the exposed studs are on the higher risk (but unseen) side.

[Dinnertime Dave]

Could it be magnesium oxide fire board. Common in high rises in America/Asia. Very lightweight reduces the weight of the structure saving on steel and cost.

Became aware of it about 5 years ago, although never seen it in use. It may become more common as plasterboard appears to have turned into the new asbestos if you try taking it to the tip.

[kurnal]

Nope it's plasterboard plain and simple. interested to hear more about magnesium oxide though DTD. Don't see why plasterboard should be a problem at the tip?

[Dinnertime Dave]

Further info on EU legislation banning plasterboard from landfill sites -


http://www.recycling-plasterboard.com/plasterboard-recycling-legislation.html

[AnthonyB]

I'm finding increasingly in newer builds I'm having to spend more time looking at passive FP than in older buildings that have been knocked about for decades due to the amount of corner cutting and snagging in the as built passive FP let alone the shoddy post build alterations.

I recently visited a late 00's building where every gap and edge around the protected shafts and cores (meant to be 30 & 60 minutes) had been filled with non FR Foam and large amounts of the intumescent coating to the steel work had flaked away.

I've come across a 60 minute structure using metal stud partition, but this was double sheeted.

[wee brian]

Hadn't realised the exposed studs were on the risk side - this won't work unless they are very very heavy studs.