Breaking down fire rated sheathing
Sheathing is a panel used to form a surface on a building onto which other materials can be applied. The use of fire-resistant sheathing in wall assemblies helps protect the integrity of the structure and contain and isolate a fire.
To make your builds as safe as possible for now and the future, it’s important to understand the role of Fire-Rated Sheathing. Let’s explore here RCM Y-wall sheathing board.
RCM Y-wall is distributed by well known company - Roofing and Cladding Materials LTD. Company has been for more than 20 years, a leading innovator in the fire proof facades sector. Company expanded its product line to include a variety of construction materials such as single panel called Y-wall.
Y-wall board is a calcium silicate sheathing board manufactured from a mixture of Portland cements, lime, calcium silicate, mica and cellulose. The Y-wall board is manufactured from wet sheet, prior to a process of autoclave and surface finishing.
RCM Y-wall fire-resistant sheathing board is most commonly used in 1-hour and 2-hour fire-resistance rated assemblies for commercial and residential construction.
Not only resists fire damage but meets code, provides design flexibility and also offers the high strength. RCM Y-wall fireproof panels combine complete flame-spread and burn-through resistance.
Board has been designed and engineered to outperform traditional wood, gypsum, and fiber cement sheathing panels, not only from a structural standpoint but also in terms of speed of installation on-site.
Let’s answer one of the more important questions.
Where can I use Y-wall?
This sheathing board can be used in fire-rated wall applications, as well as for fire retardant structural sheathing on the exterior and interior walls, pitched roofs, flat roof decks, and floors.
It is primarily used as an external sheathing board on both metal and timber structures of all types of façade solutions, including; residential, commercial and industrial buildings.
How can I cut Y-wall board?
Y-wall board can be cut with a fine tooth hand saw or power saw.
How do I screw Y-wall board?
Y-wall sheathing board can be install with standard tools and methods. It can be nailed or screwed directly to wood or steel framing. Screws should be a minimum of 12 mm from board edges and spaced at a maximum of 300 mm. The screws must not be over-tightened. RCM Y-wall can be drilled and nailed using conventional hand tools.
What are the fixings for Y-wall?
For fixing into SFS framing, 4.8 x 38 mm self-drilling wingtip fixings suitably treated against corrosion should be used.
For fixing into timber framing, 4.2 x 42 mm self-drilling fixings suitably treated against corrosion should be used.
How many fixings are required for RCM Y-wall?
· 27 No. fixings per 2400mm x 1200mm sheet when fixed in a vertical orientation.
· 25 No. fixings per 2400mm x 1200mm sheet when fixed in a horizontal orientation.
What blade is suitable for cutting RCM Y-wall?
Poly Crystalline Diamond (PCD) blades suitable for cutting RCM Y-Wall.
Is Y-wall Fire Rated?
Y-wall has been fully tested to achieve a to two hours through wall solution with external sheathing board properties. It is a code-compliant Class A1 non-combustible fire-rated sheathing product and provides unparalleled resistance (A1 in accordance with BS EN 13501-1 : 2007.BS 476-4).
What is the Y-wall finish like?
RCM Y-wall has one smooth face and one textured face, the smooth face should be fixed outermost.
Is Y-wall soundproofing good?
RCM Y-wall is not designed for soundproofing walls but can contribute to noise reduction as per below.
6 mm.
24 dB sound insulation.
Nominal mass: 7.3 kg/m².
9 mm.
29 dB sound insulation.
Nominal mass: 11.1 kg/m².
12 mm.
31 dB sound insulation.
Nominal mass: 14.6 kg/m².
15 mm.
Nominal mass: 18.2 kg/m².
33 dB sound insulation.
Can RCM Y-wall be used as a permanently exposed external board?
No, RCM Y-wall cannot be left permanently exposed.
RCM Y-wall durability?
The boards will have a life equal to that of the building in which it is installed.
How Y-wall boards are marked?
Each pack contains a label incorporating the manufacturer’s name, product name, thickness, width, length, batch number, number of boards per pallet, pallet weight, recommended storage and handling method.
Is Y-wall waterproof?
Y-wall has excellent water resistance. It is highly moisture tolerant.
Can Y-wall be used above 18m?
RCM Y-wall can be used as an external sheathing board on all structure where a fire rating is required including those greater than 18m in height, where a structure is over 18m in height RCM Y-wall should be used from ground level all the way up the structure.
Which way round should RCM Y-wall be fitted?
The smooth face should be fixed outermost.
What should be used to tape the board to board joints?
RCM Dafa tape should be applied to all board to board joints as soon as possible after fixing the boards, unless an airtight seal is required to the external face of the sheathing board, for an airtight seal then the RCM Joint Seal system should be used.
During the construction phase, how long can RCM Y-wall be left exposed?
If the joints are taped using RCM Dafa tape as soon as the boards are fitted they can be left exposed during the construction phase for twelve months.
