Description

Understand these critical life safety systems to avoid costly installation errors

The gypsum board shaftwall system was first implemented in 1973 to accommodate
increasingly tall buildings and was first used in the World Trade Center. Shaftwall assemblies
enclose all manner of shafts: elevators, stairs, trash chutes and ventilation ducts to name a few.
They are designed to prevent fire from spreading between floors via these shafts and to protect
stairways as an escape route for building occupants during fires.


Gypsum board is lighter than traditional shaft enclosure materials, such as masonry, and
provides efficient and economical installation. In this episode, Sam Halverson, construction
services manager with the 1-800-NATIONAL Construction Services team, talks with host Chris
Whitmire about why it's important to correctly design and install shaftwall enclosures.


Listeners will learn:

• The purpose and history of shaft enclosures
• The difference between 1-hour and 2-hour UL fire-rated shaftwall systems
• A breakdown of materials used to construct a shaftwall and how it is constructed
• Gold Bond Building Products gypsum boards and shaftliner panels recommended for
  use in shaft enclosures
• How a shaftwall is designed to be fire-rated from both sides
• Tips for including elevator guide rail support posts in a shaftwall
• When the building code requires shaft enclosures to have impact resistance
• How shaftwall assemblies can be used as ceiling assemblies
• Best practices for ensuring fire-resistance continuity in shaftwall corners

Want to know more?

• Visit the shaftwall systems resource page
• Watch the shaftwall installation video, available in English and Spanish
• Explore shaftliner products manufactured by Gold Bond Building Products, an affiliate
  manufacturer of National Gypsum Company
• Download a compilation of shaftwall assemblies and details from The PURPLE Book ®
• Download The Wood Book™ for shaftwall assembly details in wood-framed buildings
• Read the blog article, "Understanding shaftwall design in commercial construction"
• Read the blog article, "Designing shaft enclosures for wood-frame buildings"

Connect with us!

Do you have a question you'd like us to answer or a topic we should cover? We want to hear
from you. Email your ideas to podcast@nationalgypsum.com.

Be the first to hear the NGConnects Podcast, subscribe here for early access.

Find all NGConnects Podcasts at nationalgypsum.com/podcasts.

National Gypsum Company is the exclusive service provider of reliable, high-performance
building products manufactured by its affiliate companies and marketed under the Gold Bond®, ProForm® and PermaBASE® brands.

The National Gypsum name has been synonymous with high-quality, innovative products and
exceptional customer service since 1925.

The information provided in this podcast is for general information purposes only. For specific
building or design questions, please consult with the 1-800-NATIONAL® Construction Services team or your regional National Gypsum construction design manager. Always use products according to the manufacturer's recommendations.