Gypsum industry news

US: National Gypsum Company has published SoundBook 2.0, an updated version of its manual for technical information and architectural drawings of sound-rated assemblies for architects and contractors seeking to achieve required sound transmission class (STC) ratings on their projects. The publication includes details and drawings of 310 sound-rated assemblies for steel and wood stud construction, as well as for floor-ceiling applications. The book also features acoustical terms, concepts and proper installation methods for optimal sound control. The original SoundBook was published in 2015.

“Acoustical performance is one of the most popular topics covered by our Construction Services Team,” said John Bianchi, gypsum product manager for National Gypsum. National Gypsum’s goal in publishing SoundBook 2.0 is to provide architects, contractors and others involved in specifying products current information and illustrations on sound-rated wall, ceiling and floor assemblies.

National Gypsum has released several new acoustical gypsum products as part of the company’s SoundBreak XP family of products since the initial rollout of its SoundBreak XP Wall Board, including SoundBreak XP Retrofit Board, designed for use as an extra noise reducing layer over existing wallboard, and its most recent innovation, SoundBreak XP Ceiling Board, a board for floor-ceiling applications.

US: The Gypsum Association (GA) has released the 22nd edition of its GA-600-2018 Fire Resistance and Sound Control Design Manual. Revised on a three-year cycle, GA-600 has been referenced by the model building codes as a source of fire-resistive designs for more than 40 years. The 2018 edition contains more than 140 new systems that supplement existing designs for walls and partitions, floor-ceiling systems, area separation firewalls and other assemblies.

GA-600 is currently referenced by the International Building Code, the National Fire Protection Association Codes (NFPA 703 and NFPA 5000), as well as many state and local jurisdictions in the US and Canada as a source document for fire-resistance and sound-control rated designs that incorporate gypsum board in a variety of building systems.

US: The Gypsum Association has revised its GA-216 Application and Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products technical document. It has been revised in 2018 to fit a three year cycle to coincide with the 2021 code revision cycle and to better align with the Association’s other code-referenced documents, namely GA-600 Fire Resistance and Sound Control Design Manual and GA-253 Application of Gypsum Sheathing. GA-216 is referenced in the International Building Code (and other I-Codes) as well as NFPA 5000 as a standard for the application and installation of gypsum panels.

The 2018 specification provides appropriate installation methods for the various types of gypsum panels. New to the 2018 specification is clarification of language on steel studs and abuse-resistant and impact resistance panel products and updated criteria for panel installation over concrete. Direct adhesion to concrete is no longer acceptable; panels must be installed on framing. Also, GA-223 Gypsum Panel Products, Types, Uses, Sizes, and Standards has been added to the appendix as a reference to ASTM standards and Gypsum Association publications that provide additional information and specifications.

US: The Gypsum Association (GA) has released revisions to five of its technical documents to update them with current best practice. These include: GA-220-2016 Gypsum Board Winter Related Installation Recommendations; GA-223-2016 Gypsum Panel Products, Types, Uses, and Standards; GA-226-2016 Application of Gypsum Board to Form Curved Surface; GA-234-2016 Control Joints for Fire Resistance Rated Systems; and GA-338-2016 Guidelines for Prevention of Mold Growth on Gypsum Board.

"Regular review and revision of GA documents is a key component of the association's technical services mandate and the GA's Building Code and Technical Committee (BCTC) has made a three-to five-year revision cycle for all documents a high priority," said GA Director of Technical Services Michael Schmeida.

All the documents are available for free via the GA.