FAQs/Technical Assistance Submittal Form
The Association's technical staff is available for consultation on specific issues relating to the specification or use of gypsum board. Most of the technical questions that arise are answered in one of the Gypsum Association publications; many specific gypsum and construction issues are addressed by one of the Association's topical papers, and a large number of code and compliance matters are covered by one of the Evaluation Reports or code acceptances published by local, state, or model code bodies. Regardless of the published information available, there may be times when it is necessary to speak with or contact an expert on the subject.
Great numbers of questions regarding interpretations of Gypsum Association publications have been addressed by our technical experts. Issues and concerns that seem unique to a specific project often need the advice of someone specializing in gypsum board technology. However, what seems unique to a given project, may not be so unique. So, before you contact the technical department for help and advice, you might benefit from checking out the answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below. FAQs are updated periodically, especially as seemingly unique questions recur.
Feel free to contact the Association staff by fax, phone, mail, or E-mail; we welcome the opportunity to assist you.
FAQs
Q) Is it necessary to tape the joints in the base layers of fire-resistance rated multi-layer gypsum board systems to maintain the fire resistance rating?
A) No. In multi-layer systems, the joints and fasteners in the base layers are covered and protected by the overlying layers of gypsum board.
Q) The system I am installing calls for "cooler" nails. I am having trouble locating a supply of these nails in my area. What kind of nail can I substitute for the cooler nail?
A) Any nail having a length, shank diameter, and head diameter equal to or greater than the dimensions specified for the cooler nail in the system description can be substituted for the cooler nail.
Q) Can water-resistant gypsum backing board ("green board") be applied to ceilings?
A) Under certain conditions, water-resistant gypsum backing board can be applied to ceilings; ½" thick green board may be applied to ceilings when ceiling framing, furring, or blocking does not exceed 12" on center, and 5/8" thick green board can be applied to ceilings when ceiling framing, furring, or blocking does not exceed 16" on center.