LEAD LINED X-RAY PLASTERBOARD

Lead lined plasterboard consists of gypsum board laminated to thin lead layer to provide radiation shielding from high-level gamma ray and x-ray radiation and is also very effective for waterproofing and isolating mechanical vibration. Thanks to its high density, lead plasterboard is also an exceptional material for sound-proofing. In fact, lead lined drywall may also be referred to as lead-lined sheetrock, lead wallboard or lead-lined gypsum board. When fitted, the lead is completely hidden from view. This gives the benefit of complete x-ray protection whilst the finished piece is aesthetically like any other high quality room-lining material. Lead lined plasterboards come in 600mm x 2400mm, 625mm x 2400mm or 600mm x 3000mm size either 12.5mm or 15mm thick. The lead side is on the reverse and should be always installed facing the stud wall.
Knauf, as a leading, innovative manufacturing company, also feels responsible in the X-ray field for creating solutions in which everything simply has to match. Company’s Knauf Safeboard is a part of the X-ray resistant plasterboard family. It is made in a slightly different way. It has barium sulphate in its core and significantly reduces the amount of lead needed within X-ray shielding partitions, in many cases removing the need for lead altogether. Moreover, Knauf X-Ray Partitions incorporate the revolutionary Knauf Safeboard into a Knauf Performer partition system to provide protection from X-ray radiation without the need for lead. Knauf X-Ray Partitions are light, easy to install and safe.

LEAD LINED SHEETS CLASSIFICATION CHART 

Depending on the levels of radiation shielding, lead sheets come in standard codes 1-8 or any thickness in-between (9mm, 12.5mm or 15mm). Lead thicknesses can range from 1.32mm to 3.55mm with an increment of 0.44. The lead thickness required for shielding should be calculated by a fully qualified Radiation Protection Advisor. To achieve higher lead equivalences for greater radiation protection multiple layers can be used. For instance, dental surgeries require 2 layers of Knauf Safeboard or one layer of Code 3 lead lined drywall. 

Weakening of radiation depends on:

• the rated voltage of the X-ray tubes in kilovolts (kV),
• the distance between the device and the surrounding building elements,
• the density of the surrounding building material (in g / cm3) and its lead equivalent (in mm).

 You may need to calculate the actual weight of the lead plasterboards before applying them to walls or ceilings. Based on 12.5mm plasterboard core lead sheet weight:

• 23kg (Code 3 – 1.32mm) 
• 29kg (Code 4 – 1.80mm)
• 34kg (Code 5 – 2.24mm)
• 39kg (Code 6 – 2.65mm)
• 44kg (Code 7 – 3.15mm)
• 49kg (Code 8 – 3.55mm)

Please note the weights are provided as a guide and for information only. 

WHAT X-RAY PLASTERBOARD CODE DO I NEED?

In order to find out what kind of code you should be buying you would firstly need to receive a lead code or a lead thickness from the Radiation Protection Advisor (RPA) and identify the output of the X-ray source (in kV). 

LEAD LINED PLASTERBOARD APPLICATIONS

Being highly resistant to environmental and chemical corrosion, lead lined plasterboard or Knauf Safeboard can be used in nearly any indoor applications including medical, dental surgeries, veterinary, nuclear, security, detection, checkpoint, NDT, therapy areas, radiology, fluoroscopy, CT scanner rooms, laboratories, veterinary practices, surgeries and industrial radiation areas. Lead-lined boards also prevent the escape of noise from either internal or external sources so have a wide range of potential applications in media studios, cinemas, leisure, maritime and industrial environments where enhanced acoustic protection is needed.
Lead Lined Gypsum plasterboard is suitable for applications up to 10kg/m² (0.88mm). Due to excessive weight, it is recommended that Code 6 and above is bonded to plywood. Due to its weight, lead lined plasterboard is not recommended to be used on ceilings. Similar products such as lead lined plywood would be sufficient. Lead-lined plywood is typically utilized in applications requiring a lead thickness between 3.15 - 3.55mm. However, when lead lined drywall is used on the ceiling, additional fasteners are required to secure the panels to the ceiling. 

UK LEAD LINED PLASTERBOARD STANDARDS

UK lead lined gypsum board is available in various lead thickness and heights. According to UK safety regulations, panels should not exceed an overall weight of 62kg for plasterboard and 75kg for plywood. Loading and unloading from forklifts and drywall carts should always be by hand and done with care. It is also recommended that panels are reduced in size and therefore weight, if fixed to walls at high levels. 

LEAD LINED PLASTERBOARD INSTALLATION ǀ PARTITIONS

LEAD LINED PLASTERBOARD INSTALLATION

Lead lined drywall is heavy and difficult to move without cracking the gypsum wallboard backing. It is recommended that several people handle each sheet and that they lift from near each end and the middle of each piece as it is moved. The lead lined drywall should be fastened at a minimum of 8" on center at the edges of each sheet and at a minimum of 12" on center at the intermediate studs with normal drywall screws. 2" wide strips of sheet lead of the same lead thickness should be applied to each of the joint studs using a standard type of construction adhesive, prior to installing the Lead Lined Drywall.

During installation, the panels are mechanically fastened to either an existing wall or stud partition. When installed to an existing wall, a lead batten is fastened to the wall at 600 centres, which the lead panels are then fixed to. On a stud partition a lead strip is bonded to all the vertical studs, before the panels are fixed. For shielding above 2400mm in length, a horizontal leaded batten or lead strip is installed, which covers the joint between the panels. These are also used when fixings are needed to be shielded. If protection is required above the 3000mm maximum panel height then a horizontal noggin will be added (either leaded batten or leaded tape) to provide protection at that panel joint. 

KNAUF SAFEBOARD INSTALLATION

All boards are to be fixed horizontally. Knauf Safeboard should be screwed to the framework with Knauf Drywall Screws at maximum 300mm centres, reduced to 200mm centres at the corners. Ensure all vertical and horizontal board joints are staggered on each layer of a multi-layer system, and on each side of a partition. Vertical joints should be staggered by at least one stud spacing, and horizontal joints by half a board width. All joints, screw heads, and surface defects should be filled with Knauf Safeboard Joint Filler. If installing a multi-layer system the joints and screw heads on all layers should be filled. No tape is required for joining Knauf Safeboard. 

LEAD LINED PLASTERBOARD PRICE

The cost (prices) of manufacturing lead lined plasterboard is considered linearly proportional to its lead gauge. Code 3 lead lined plasterboard price is the lowest compared to the thicker lead sheets and it is commonly used in dental practices. The the cost of Code 3 lead lined plasterboard is around £531.22 per board 2400mm x 600mm which results in £184.37 per m2. The Knauf Safeboard radiation panel should be double skinned which increases its price to £168 (2 x£84).

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LEAD LINED PLASTERBOARD INSTALLATION GUIDE

Picture credit:https://www.protektor.ch