Building Codes
May 19, 2023
Addressing a common issue when installing walls and fire-rated floor-ceiling systems. Model code language addressing the intersection of a wall and a fire-rated floor-ceiling system continues […]
May 19, 2023
The WUI and what it contains and why it’s important A wildland-urban interface area is, “that geographical area where structures and other human development meets or […]
May 19, 2023
Passive fire protection is an essential aspect of gypsum construction. Gypsum firewalls of various types (shaft walls, simple partitions, etc.) prevent fire from spreading without relying […]
May 19, 2023
The International Code Council suite of I-Codes are perhaps the most robust building codes in the world. Protecting life and property—the goal of the I-Codes—requires ongoing […]
May 19, 2023
DUCT CALL Duct enclosures made with gypsum panel products can and are built and used successfully every day. Understanding the end use of the duct, the […]
Acoustics
May 23, 2023
A recent spate of new school construction and extensive renovations in the Washington Metropolitan-area, the same region where I spent much of my childhood, demonstrates how […]
May 23, 2023
The basics of acoustical performance standards The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) is increasingly acknowledging the important role sound attenuation can play in enhancing quality […]
Recycling
May 23, 2023
The Gypsum Association and its member companies are committed to sustainability, and now, our industry is embracing another opportunity to contribute to a greener world. Construction […]
May 23, 2023
When this column last addressed gypsum panel recycling in 2016, the focus was on development of an ASTM standard designed to facilitate closed-loop recycling of clean […]
Construction
May 23, 2023
More than two decades ago, abuse-resistant gypsum panels and impact-resistant gypsum panels were developed for application in high-traffic and heavy-wear areas. Often referred to as “AR” […]
May 23, 2023
Gypsum panel product manufacturers are constantly innovating and developing new and improved products in response to the needs of architects, builders and owners. In fact, the […]
June 1, 2023
As the technical, promotion, and information center of the gypsum industry, the Gypsum Association takes its responsibilities to the public and the contractor community very seriously. […]
May 23, 2023
Curved walls need control joints and the standard rules for control joint installation in straight walls should be used as a maximum spacing guideline. Read the […]
June 1, 2023
Gypsum area separation firewalls have been constructed for more than 35 years and are an excellent way to separate dwelling units in multi-unit residential construction—referred to […]
Sustainability
May 31, 2023
In April 2020, the Gypsum Association released a completely revised Environmental Product Declaration for type X gypsum panels to replace an industry average EPD for type […]
May 31, 2023
When I first came to work for the Gypsum Association in the mid-1990s, the green building movement was in its infancy. The U. S. Green Building […]
May 31, 2023
Interpreting sustainability information is often like following the single thread of a Celtic Knot. You begin to accumulate and interpret information, but ultimately you finish back […]
Resilience
June 1, 2023
Resilience is a newer design concern within the construction industry. With the apparent increase in natural disasters, such as hurricanes and wildfires, the desire for more […]