Construction Law

An Overview of Gypsum Board and Gypsum Panel Products and Plaster Part 1 featured image

An Overview of Gypsum Board and Gypsum Panel Products and Plaster Part 1

Gypsum is a commonly used material in an array of applications. Gypsum board is often utilized as a finish for walls and ceilings. It is commonly referred to as drywall, wallboard, sheetrock, or plasterboard. There are even gypsum blocks utilized in the same way concrete blocks are used to build structures. However, before your contracting company utilizes gypsum on a project, it’s important to review Chapter 25 of the 2018 North Carolina State Building Code with a Greensboro construction attorney from Cotney Construction Law.

In this two-part series, a member of our Greensboro construction law firm will discuss the codes and guidelines for using gypsum boards and gypsum panels in various construction applications.

Vertical and Horizontal Assemblies

Any construction that involves gypsum boards, gypsum panels, or lath and plaster in vertical and horizontal assemblies requires the following:

  • Wood framing: Supporting lath, gypsum panels, or gypsum boards with wood requires the use of wooden supports measuring more than two inches (51mm) nominal thickness.
  • Studless partitions: Vertical, studless solid plaster partitions must be a minimum of two inches (51mm) thick.

Shear Wall Construction

Building with wood-frame shear walls that have been sheathed with gypsum, whether board or panel, requires the builder to meet the requirements for wind resistance and seismic loads outlined in Section 2306.3 of the 2018 North Carolina State Building Code. Similarly, cold-formed, steel-frame shear walls that have been sheathed with gypsum board or gypsum panel must be able to resist wind and seismic loads as outlined in Section 2211.6 of the 2018 North Carolina State Building Code. A constructed wall that is graded to resist seismic loads must also meet the requirements of Section 12.2.1 of ASCE 7.

Gypsum Board and Gypsum Panel Product Materials

All products utilizing gypsum boards or gypsum panels must comply with the standards established by ASTM International, formerly known as American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Compliance with these standards, which include regulations on the use and storage of these products, is important for contractors in the Tar Heel State. The appropriate standards for gypsum board and gypsum panel products materials and accessories are listed below:

  • Accessories for gypsum board – ASTM C1047
  • Adhesives for fastening gypsum board – ASTM C557
  • Cold-formed steel studs and track, structural – AISI  S200 and ASTM C955, Section 8
  • Cold-formed steel studs and track, nonstructural – AISI S220 and ASTM C645, Section 10
  • Elastomeric joint sealants – ASTM C920
  • Fiber-reinforced gypsum panels – ASTM C1278
  • Glass mat gypsum backing panel – ASTM C1178
  • Glass mat gypsum panel 5 – ASTM C1658
  • Glass mat gypsum substrate – ASTM C1177
  • Joint reinforcing tape and compound – ASTM C474, C475
  • Nails for gypsum boards – ASTM C514, F547, F1667
  • Steel screws – ASTM C954, C1002
  • Standard specification for gypsum board – ASTM C1396
  • Testing gypsum and gypsum products – ASTM C22, C472, C473

To learn more about gypsum board and gypsum panel products, read part two.

If you would like to speak with a Greensboro construction lawyer, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.