Article Reprints

Building Codes

May 19, 2023

Issues with Walls and Fire-Rated Floor Ceiling Systems (March 2014)

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

Fire Resistance Codes (July 2017)

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 […]
May 19, 2023

Gypsum Area Separation Firewalls (Jan. 2021)

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

Code Updates: The 2021 I-Codes (March 2020)

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

The International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (Oct. 2022)

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 […]

Acoustics

May 23, 2023

Sound attenuation for buildings (Aug. 2014)

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 […]
May 23, 2023

Quality Educational Environments (Feb. 2015)

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 […]

Recycling

May 23, 2023

Recycling Gypsum Today (March 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 […]
May 23, 2023

Developing an Industry Standard for Scrap Board Recycling (Jan. 2016)

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 […]

Construction

June 1, 2023

Gypsum Association Revises Text in GA-216 (2016)

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. […]
June 1, 2023

Gypsum Area Separation Firewalls (May 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 […]
May 23, 2023

Reducing Spinout With Abuse-Resistant And Impact-Resistant Gypsum Panels

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 Board Uses in Different Applications (March 2021)

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 […]
May 23, 2023

Curved Walls and Control Joints  (Sep. 2013)

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 […]

Sustainability

May 31, 2023

How Green is My Product? (July 2020)

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

Product Category Rules for Gypsum Board (Jan. 2014)

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 […]
May 31, 2023

The GA Preserves Natural Resources: Enhancing Sustainability (July 2014)

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 […]

Resilience

June 1, 2023

The Four Basic Principles of Resilience and How they Interact (Dec. 2019)

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 […]