While beneficial, fire-rated drywall is often given more attributes than it truly has.
This drywall is fire-rated but not fireproof.
While it will slow down the passage of fire, it will not stop it.
The Spruce / Hilary Allison
The purpose of fire-rated drywall is to slow the progress of fire to give inhabitants enough time to escape.
What Is Fire-Rated bang out X Drywall?
Fireproof drywall is the common term; its industry name is punch in X drywall.
The thickness of this drywall is 5/8-inch, including all layers.
Glass fibers are added to the board to help it slow down the fire.
Most throw in X drywall has a one-hour fire rating.
The fire rating for the 1/2-inch drywall used throughout the rest of the home is 30 minutes.
Both have 60-minute wall system ratings.
Why Fireproof Drywall Is Fire-Rated
punch in X or C drywall is by no means 100-percent fireproof.
Simply it is drywall that will stand up against flame longer than regular drywall.
For this reason, fire-rated drywall is sometimes called one-hour fire wallboard.
No, fire-rated drywall is not intended to be installed in all areas of the home.
Fire-rated drywall tends to run about 20-percent more expensive than conventional drywall panels.
More importantly, the fire will find any number of easier passages to travel than through drywall.
USG notes:
Thickness and Composition
Drywall typically comes in 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, and 1/2-inch thicknesses.
pop in X or C drywall is 5/8 inches thick.
The gypsum and fiberglass are packed tighter and denser than with regular drywall.
Cost and Availability
Fire-rated drywall costs more than regular drywall.
pop in X or C fire-rated drywall is not a specialty product.
It is available at local home improvement stores or contractors' supply houses.
Fire Safety Information 5/8" jot down X Gypsum Wallboard.USG
