Framed Partition Systems, Types of framed partition systems
Framed partition systems speaks to types of framed partition systems and what are framed partition systems.
This speaks to partition framing and the fireblocking of combustible concealed spaces.
Partition Framing
Partitions that will be finished in plaster or gypsum board are usually framed with wood or metal studs. Framing with wood studs is permitted by the building code only in buildings of certain combustible types, including Types III and V. Partitions in buildings of Type I or Type II which use non-combustible materials, the construction must be framed with metal studs.
Partitions in Type IV, Heavy Timber Construction, must either be framed with metal studs or constructed with wood members assembled into solid, laminated partitions as specified in the code. With certain limitations, fire retardant ant treated wood is also permitted for partition framing in Types I, II and IV construction.
Metal partition framing is directly analogous to wood light framing, but constructed of light gauge steel studs and runner channels made of galvanized steel sheet metal 0.018 t0 0.054 inch (0.45 to 1.37 mm) thick. Light gauge steel members and framing methods are often used. Because of its noncombustibility, mryal partition framing is permitted in all building code construction types.
If plaster or gypsum board surfaces are to be applied over a masonry wall, they may be spaced away from the wall with either wood or metal furring strips. Furring allows for the installation of a flat wall system over an irregular masonry surface and provides a concealed space between the finish and the masonry for installing plumbing, wiring and thermal insulation.
Fireblocking of Combustible Concealed Spaces
Building codes require that concealed hollow spaces within combustible partition or wall assemblies, that is partitions framed with wood studs, but not those framed with light gauge steel, be internally portioned into spaces sufficiently small in size to limit the ability of fire to travel undetected within such spaces.
Materials used for this purpose are called fireblocking and may consist of solid lumber, plywood, OSB, particleboard, gypsum board, cement fiberboard or even glass fiber insulation batts when securely installed.
The International Building Code requires fireblocking in combustible concealed spaces at all ceiling and floor levels, as well as at horizontal intervals not exceeding 10 feet (3 m), such as may occurred behind furred finish systems or within double stud walls constructed to accomaodate plumbing piping or to improve acoustical separation.
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