1. An Easy to Use Menu Type Approach for Determining the Fire Resistance of Wood Stud Area Separation Walls
GORDON D. FELLOWS
____________________________________________
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
SPRING 2008
Photo: © East Coast CAD Solutions

2. Types of Construction Where Common Walls May Be Required . . .
Town houses
Apartments
Condominiums
Motels / Hotels
Office buildings
Schools
Duplexes
Single Family
Fire Resistance of Wood Stud Walls

3. Fire Resistance of Wood Stud Walls
Typical Wood Stud Wall
Fire Resistance of Wood Stud Walls

4. Fire Resistance of Wood Stud Walls
Test Variables
Gypsum Board
Shear Panels
Insulation
Loading
Resilient Channels
Type
Layers
Type
Thickness
Exposed side
Unexposed side
Type
Loaded
Non-loaded
Used
Unused
Exposed side
Unexposed side
Fire Resistance of Wood Stud Walls

5. Fire Resistance of Wood Stud Walls
FIRE RESISTANCE MENU
Non-Bearing Partitions
Base fire resistance
Add For:
5/8” Gypsum board 1
Double layer board 35
Insulation,
Cellulose 9
Fiberglass 10
Mineral fiber 11
Resilient channels 15
2x6 Plates with stag.
studs and insulation 15
Dbl. wall with insulation 23
Common wall construction: 2x4 wood framing, single layer regular or type X gypsum board
minutes
Fire Resistance of Wood Stud Walls

6. Fire Resistance of Wood Stud Walls
FIRE RESISTANCE MENU
Load Bearing Walls
Base fire resistance
Add For:
5/8” Gypsum board
Double layer board
Shear wall,
½” OSB
½” Plywood
3/8” Plywood
Insulation,
Fiberglass
Cellulose
Mineral fiber
Resilient channels,
With shear wall
Without shear wall
2x6 Plates with stag.
studs and insulation
Dbl. wall with insulation
Common wall construction: 2x4 wood framing, single layer regular or type X gypsum board
minutes
Fire Resistance of Wood Stud Walls

7. Fire Resistance of Wood Stud Walls
Variables Not Tested
Different wood species
4x4 studs
Fire retardant lumber
Use of adhesive
Reflective sheeting
Wall finishes
Ceramic tile
Wood paneling
Fire Resistance of Wood Stud Walls