From building science to continuing education courses, National Gypsum Company is committed to providing the information and tools architects and contractors need to meet project goals and building code requirements.

The company’s newest resource — the Fire & Sound Assembly Selector — is an interactive tool allowing users to quickly identify fire- and sound-rated assemblies to meet project needs.

4 benefits of National Gypsum’s Fire & Sound Assembly Selector

1. Centralized database: Explore fire-rated systems, featuring nearly 350 UL fire designs from National Gypsum, including V438 and W419.
2. Searchable platform: Experience seamless searching and browsing, enriched with visuals to enhance the user experience and streamlined access to related resources.
3. Downloadable documentation: Access details on fire-rated assemblies, acoustical test reports and Revit files to support construction documentation and assist with adherence to code requirements.
4. Assembly instructions: Review detailed assembly instructions, complete with fastener patterns, on a single PDF sheet, simplifying understanding and collaboration during the building process.

How to use the Fire & Sound Assembly Selector

The interactive nature of the new Fire & Sound Assembly Selector allows the tool to meet the user where they are in the design process. That means, whether they know the UL and are looking for assembly options that fit their needs or know the parameters but need to identify the UL, the search and filter options can guide users to the fire- and sound-rated solution that best fits the project.

Users can search by UL assembly number or choose from a variety of filtering options, including:

• Assembly type

• Hourly fire rating

• Sound Transmission Class rating

• Framing

• Stud spacing and sizes

• Insulation type

• Accessibility

“For builders and contractors, the Fire & Sound Assembly Selector provides a single document that details all the components that are needed to build the assembly down to the fastener pattern,” Halverson says. “You can build it from information on a single sheet of paper — which is also a useful document for code officials to have and review during inspections.”

Other features to assist users in finding and specifying the correct assembly include:

• Assembly details pages

• Quick access to UL documentation

• CAD and BIM files

• Sound test reports

Determining fire and sound ratings

Fire and sound ratings are essential components in commercial construction for very different reasons. Fire ratings help prioritize life safety, protect property and ensure code compliance. Sound ratings, on the other hand, are crucial for sound control within commercial buildings such as offices, hospitals and hotels, as well as multifamily residential buildings. When designing wall systems and floor-ceiling assemblies, meeting the standards for both fire and sound ratings creates safer and more desirable spaces.

Fire ratings

Fire resistance is the ability of an assembly constructed in a laboratory to contain a fire in a carefully controlled test setting for a specified period of time. ASTM E119, Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials, is the test standard for determining the fire-resistance rating of partitions, floor-ceiling assemblies, roof-ceiling assemblies, beams and columns.

Fire-resistance ratings represent the results of tests on assemblies made up of specific materials constructed a certain way. When selecting construction designs to meet certain fire-resistance requirements, caution must be used to ensure that each component is the one specified in the assembly.

Sound ratings

Gypsum board wall and floor-ceiling assemblies are also laboratory tested to establish their sound attenuation characteristics. Airborne sound insulation is reported as the Sound Transmission Class. Impact noise, tested on floor-ceiling systems only, is reported as the Impact Insulation Class.

ASTM E90, Standard Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Airborne Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions and Elements, is the test standard for airborne sound reduction. The test measures the sound transmission loss at 16 one-third octave frequencies to generate a single acoustic rating.

When selecting systems based on laboratory performance ratings, note that field conditions such as flanking paths caused by design or workmanship and the addition of windows, doors and vents can reduce acoustic performance. To achieve maximum sound isolation from an assembly, follow published construction details completely. Use nonhardening acoustic sealant at penetrations and floor, ceiling and wall intersections to prevent flanking paths for sound.

Bookmark it!

For quick and easy access to fire- and sound-rated assemblies, bookmark the new Fire & Sound Assembly Selector today.