Designation: C 1280 – 07

Standard Specification for

Application of Gypsum Sheathing1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1280; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This specification covers the minimum requirements for 2.1 ASTM Standards: 2
and methods of application of gypsum sheathing for use as a C 11 Terminology Relating to Gypsum and Related Build-
substrate for exterior wall cladding. ing Materials and Systems
1.2 Details of construction for a specific assembly to C 954 Specification for Steel Drill Screws for the Applica-
achieve the required fire resistance shall be obtained from tion of Gypsum Panel Products or Metal Plaster Bases to
reports of fire-resistance tests, engineering evaluations, or Steel Studs from 0.033 in. (0.84 mm) to 0.112 in. (2.84
listings from recognized fire testing laboratories. mm) in Thickness
1.2.1 This specification shall govern where it is more C 955 Specification for Load-Bearing (Transverse and
stringent (size or thickness of framing and size and spacing of Axial) Steel Studs, Runners (Tracks), and Bracing or
fasteners) than the fire-rated construction. Bridging for Screw Application of Gypsum Panel Products
1.3 Where sound control is required for a gypsum sheathing and Metal Plaster Bases
assembly, the details of construction shall be in accordance C 1002 Specification for Steel Self-Piercing Tapping
with the acoustical test report of an assembly that has met the Screws for the Application of Gypsum Panel Products or
required acoustical value(s). Metal Plaster Bases to Wood Studs or Steel Studs
1.3.1 This specification shall govern where it is more C 1007 Specification for Installation of Load Bearing
stringent (size or thickness of framing and size and spacing of (Transverse and Axial) Steel Studs and Related Accesso-
fasteners) than the sound-rated construction. ries
1.4 Where resistance to racking loads or shear is required C 1063 Specification for Installation of Lathing and Furring
for a gypsum sheathing assembly, the details of construction to Receive Interior and Exterior Portland Cement-Based
shall be in accordance with the racking or shear test report of Plaster
an assembly that has met the required racking or shear value(s). C 1396/C 1396M Specification for Gypsum Board
1.4.1 This specification shall govern where it is more 2.2 U.S. Department of Commerce Publication:
stringent (size or thickness of framing and size and spacing of PS20 American Softwood Lumber Standard3
fasteners) than the racking or shear-tested construction.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 3. Terminology
as the standard. The SI (metric) values given in parentheses are 3.1 Definitions: Definitions shall be in accordance with
approximate and are provided for information purposes only. Terminology C 11.
1.6 The text of this standard references footnotes which 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
provide explanatory material. These footnotes shall not be 3.2.1 exterior cladding, n—a permanent material or system
considered as requirements of the standard. that impedes the transmission of environmental elements to the
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the sheathing.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.2.2 fastener, n—nails, staples, or screws used for applica-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- tion of the sheathing.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 3.2.3 framing member, n—studs, headers, bracing, and
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. blocking that serve to receive the sheathing.

1 2
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C11 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Gypsum and Related Building Materials and Systems and is the direct responsibility contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
of Subcommittee C11.03 on Specifications for the Application of Gypsum and Other Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Products in Assemblies. the ASTM website.
3
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2007. Published December 2007. Originally Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as C 1280 - 04. Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 C 1280 – 07
3.2.4 horizontal application, n—a synonym for perpendicu- 5.2.2.1 Screws for fastening gypsum sheathing to wood
lar application. framing members, and to steel framing members less than
3.2.5 parallel application, n—gypsum sheathing applied 0.033 in. (0.84 mm) in thickness, shall meet the requirements
with the edges parallel to the framing members; a synonym for of Specification C 1002.
vertical application. 5.2.2.2 Screws for fastening gypsum sheathing to steel
3.2.6 perpendicular application, n—gypsum sheathing ap- framing members from 0.033 to 0.112 in. (0.84 to 2.84 mm) in
plied with the edges at right angles to the framing members; a thickness shall meet the requirements of Specification C 954.
synonym for horizontal application. 5.2.3 Staples—Staples shall be of galvanized steel, not less
3.2.7 require, v—to mandate by a force outside this speci- than 16-gauge, 7⁄16-in. (11.1-mm) wide crown outside measure-
fication, such as a building code, project specification, contract, ment. Legs shall have divergent points.
or purchase order. 5.3 Framing Members:
3.2.8 specified, adj—pertaining to a mandatory requirement 5.3.1 Wood Framing—Wood framing members shall con-
of this specification or a referenced requirement. form to PS20.
3.2.9 specify, v—to mandate by an obligation of this stan- 5.3.2 Steel Framing—Load-bearing steel framing shall
dard or a referenced document. meet the requirements of Specification C 955.
3.2.10 vertical application, n—synonym for parallel appli-
cation. 6. Substrate, Surface Preparation
3.2.11 weather resistive barrier, n—a temporarily exposed 6.1 The maximum spacing for framing members for gyp-
protective membrane that is intended to impede the penetration sum sheathing shall be not more than 24 in. (610 mm) on
of environmental elements until the installation of a permanent center on walls.
exterior cladding. 6.1.1 Wood framing shall be straight and true, attached
securely following accepted engineering practices and as
4. Exposure After Installation required for the intended design. The surfaces to which
4.1 Gypsum sheathing board is a substrate that shall be abutting edges or ends of gypsum sheathing are to be attached
covered by an exterior cladding or other weather-resistive shall be not less than 11⁄2-in. (38-mm) wide. The bearing
barrier and is not intended for long-term exposure. It shall not surface shall be not less than 3⁄4 in. (19 mm) for internal
be exposed to the elements for more than 30 days after it has corners or angles.
been installed. Gypsum sheathing shall be covered with a 6.1.2 Load-bearing metal framing members shall be of the
weather-resistive barrier within 30 days if the exposure time proper size and design for their intended use and shall be
will be more than 30 days. installed in accordance with Specification C 1007.
NOTE 1—Some building codes require an additional weather-resistive
barrier. The exterior face paper of the sheathing shall be dry prior to 7. Framing Alignment
application of the additional weather-resistive barrier. 7.1 Framing members shall be installed so that the surface
will be in an even plane, unless otherwise specified, after the
5. Materials and Manufacture
gypsum sheathing has been applied.
5.1 Gypsum Sheathing—Specification C 1396/C 1396M.
5.1.1 Type X (Special Fire-Resistant) Gypsum Sheathing— 8. Cutting and Application of Gypsum Sheathing
Gypsum sheathing that provides a greater degree of fire
8.1 Cutting Gypsum Sheathing:
resistance than regular gypsum sheathing as defined in Speci-
8.1.1 The gypsum sheathing shall be cut by scoring and
fication C 1396/C 1396M.
breaking or by sawing, working from the face side. The face
5.2 Fasteners—Fasteners shall be as described in 5.2.1
paper shall be cut with a sharp knife or other suitable tool when
through 5.2.3. The fastener length shall be not less than that
cutting by scoring. The gypsum sheathing shall be broken by
specified in Table 1.
snapping the gypsum sheathing in the reverse direction or by
5.2.1 Nails—Nails shall be not less than 12-gauge
cutting the back paper with a knife or suitable tool.
galvanized, 7⁄16-in. (11.1-mm) diameter head.
8.1.2 The cut edges and ends of gypsum sheathing shall be
5.2.2 Screws:
trimmed to obtain neat fitting joints when installed.
8.1.3 Holes for pipes, fixtures, or other small openings shall
TABLE 1 Minimum Fastener Lengths be scored on the face paper before removing the cutout with a
Minimum
saw or special tool designed for this purpose.
Framing Fastener Sheathing 8.1.4 Where gypsum sheathing meets projecting surfaces,
Fastener
Type Type Thickness, in. (mm)
Length, in. (mm) the gypsum sheathing shall be scribed and cut neatly.
Wood nails ⁄
12 (12.7) 11⁄2 (38) 8.2 Application of Gypsum Sheathing:
⁄
58 (15.9) 13⁄4 (45) 8.2.1 Gypsum sheathing shall be fitted snugly around all
screws 1⁄ 2 (12.7) 11⁄4 (32)
5⁄ 8 (15.9) 11⁄4 (32) window and door openings.
staples 1⁄ 2 (12.7) 11⁄2 (38) 8.2.1.1 Sheathing joints shall be offset a minimum of 4 in.
5⁄ 8 (15.9) 13⁄4 (45) (100 mm) from the edge of any opening.
Steel screws 1⁄ 2 (12.7) 1 (25)
5⁄ 8 (15.9) 11⁄4 (32) 8.2.1.2 Gypsum sheathing shall be flashed at openings so
that water intrusion will not contact the sheathing.

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 C 1280 – 07
8.2.2 All vertical end and edge joints shall abut over the 8.2.6.3 Fasteners shall be driven so that the heads are at or
centers of framing members and shall be offset a minimum of slightly below the surface of the gypsum sheathing without
one framing space between adjacent rows of gypsum sheath- breaking the face paper or fracturing the core.
ing. 8.2.6.4 Screws shall be driven without stripping the framing
8.2.3 Control Joints: member around the screw shank.
8.2.3.1 Control joints shall be provided in wall runs exceed- 8.2.6.5 Staples shall be driven with the crown parallel to the
ing 30 ft (9100 mm) in length. The distance between control framing member.
joints shall be not more than 30 ft (9100 mm). 8.2.7 Application of Gypsum Sheathing Under Self-Furred
8.2.3.2 Control joints shall be installed in walls wherever Metal Lath—Where fire resistance or shear resistance is not
there is a building construction joint or where required. required, and when metal lath and portland cement plaster are
8.2.3.3 The location of the control joints shall be as required to be applied as the exterior cladding over gypsum sheathing
by either the building design or the exterior cladding specified. installed over framing members spaced not more than 16 in.
8.2.3.4 Control joints, other accessories, and metal plaster (406 mm) on center, and the metal lath shall be installed in
base shall be fastened through gypsum sheathing to framing accordance with Specification C 1063 within 24 h after the
members. gypsum sheathing, the gypsum sheathing shall be permitted to
8.2.4 Gypsum sheathing, 4-ft (1220-mm) wide, shall be be applied as specified in 8.2.7.1 and 8.2.7.2, and fastening of
applied either parallel or perpendicular to framing members. the gypsum sheathing shall be completed with the attachment
8.2.4.1 Square edge gypsum sheathing applied perpendicu- of the self-furred metal lath.
lar to framing members shall be covered with a weather- 8.2.7.1 For 2-ft (610-mm) wide sheathing installed in ac-
resistive barrier, or horizontal joints shall be sealed. cordance with 8.2.5, vertical ends of gypsum sheathing shall be
8.2.5 Tongue and groove gypsum sheathing shall be applied fastened in accordance with 8.2.6. Gypsum sheathing shall be
with the long dimension perpendicular to framing members, fastened in place at each intermediate stud with a minimum of
with the grooved edges down, interlocking the tongue of the two fasteners per board spaced not more than 2 in. (50 mm)
panel below without forcing. from opposite edges.
8.2.6 Fasteners shall be spaced not more than 8 in. (203 8.2.7.2 For 4-ft (1220-mm) wide sheathing installed in
mm) on center along vertical ends or edges and intermediate accordance with 8.2.4, vertical ends or edges of gypsum
supports. The length of fasteners shall be as indicated in Table sheathing shall be fastened in accordance with 8.2.6. Gypsum
1. sheathing shall be fastened in place at each intermediate stud
8.2.6.1 Fasteners shall be located not less than 3⁄8 in. (9.5 with fasteners spaced not more than 24 in. (610 mm) on center.
mm) from the ends and edges of the gypsum sheathing.
8.2.6.2 Gypsum sheathing shall be held tight against the 9. Keywords
framing when driving fasteners. 9.1 exterior walls; gypsum; sheathing

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee C11 has identified the location of selected changes to this specification since the last issue,
C1280–04, that may impact the use of this specification. (Approved November 1, 2007)

(1) Replaced references to Specification C 79/C 79M to Speci-

fication C 1396/C 1396M throughout.

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