What is a 2-hour separation wall?

Description. Area Separation Walls are non-load bearing, 2-hour and 3-hour rated vertical wall assemblies that provide fire-resistant protection between adjacent living units in apartment buildings, condominiums and townhouses.

Can you penetrate a 2-hour fire wall?

The ceiling membrane of 1- and 2-hour fire-resistance-rated horizontal assemblies is permitted to be interrupted with the double wood top plate of a wall assembly that is sheathed with Type X gypsum wallboard, provided that all penetrating items through the double top plates are protected in accordance with Section …

What makes a wall 2-hour rated?

A 2-hour rating can be achieved by a wall with an equivalent thickness of as little as 3 1/5 inches when expanded slag or pumice is used or 4 1/2 inches when siliceous gravel is used as the aggregate.

How thick is a fire separation wall?

The separation layer is normally constructed of two layers of 1-inch thick gypsum board (drywall), rather than the 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch drywall used for surface walls.

What is a fire separation wall?

Fire Barriers – are interior walls that extend from the floor‐to‐floor or floor‐to‐roof, including concealed and interstitial spaces. They are designed to sub‐divide portions of the building, and can be supported by structures, such as roofs, columns or floors.

What is considered a firewall?

A firewall is a fire-resistant barrier used to prevent the spread of fire. Firewalls are built between or through buildings, structures, or electrical substation transformers, or within an aircraft or vehicle.

Can you put plumbing in a fire wall?

If a wall is fire-resistance-rated, it can still have plumbing fixtures. Any penetrations of the wall for piping would need to comply with the requirements for membrane penetrations per Chapter 7 of the IBC.

Can you have openings in a firewall?

A Party Firewall cannot have any openings in it. The Gypsum Association’s Fire Resistance Design Manual contains construction details for party walls, which have been accepted by IBC as firewalls.

What is the difference between a firewall and a fire separation?

A firewall is often made of masonry and will extend up through the roof of the building. In contrast, what is required in residential construction is usually a continuous fire separation, which is made of fire rated sheetrock that is mudded and tapped and an approved and rated fire door.