Guide
The National Building Code of Canada permits firewalls having a fire-resistance rating of not more than 2h to be constructed with non-combustible materials other than masonry or concrete. One type of system is proprietary firewalls offered by the gypsum industry. This guide provides background information on gypsum firewalls and design considerations when gypsum firewall is used with wood-frame construction meeting the requirements of the NBCC. Particular attention is given to discussing the structural issues so that due attention is paid to the structural detailing of these firewalls to ensure that they are sufficiently robust and will perform as expected.