Gypsum Area Separation Firewalls (Jan. 2021)
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 as “townhouses” in the residential code. The panels are compatible with a variety of wall framing systems. The ease of construction makes these walls more time, labor, and cost efficient than other technologies such as masonry. Also, gypsum shaftliner firewalls can be installed year-round without costly cold weather provisions for drying because there is no mortar to freeze.