Fire resistance of LSF wall systems lined with different wallboards including bio-PCM mat

Abstract

Light gauge steel framed (LSF) wall systems made of cold-formed steel studs and lined with different types of wallboards are increasingly used for various purposes. Gypsum plasterboards are commonly used for fire protection purposes, while recently other types of wallboards are being used based on their improved thermal and physical performance but without an understanding of their fire resistance. To increase the thermal mass of LSF wall systems, phase change materials (PCMs) with high thermal storage capacity can be used, but since some organic PCMs increase the fuel load in fire, bio-based PCMs are preferred as they are less flammable than paraffin based PCMs. However, the fire resistance of LSF wall systems incorporated with bio-based PCM has not been investigated. Therefore, this research study investigated the thermal properties of selected wallboards first and then the fire resistance of non-load bearing LSF wall systems lined with different types of wallboards such as gypsum plasterboard, magnesium sulphate board, vermiculux board and fibre cement board using standard fire tests including a thermal mass improved LSF wall system using bio-based PCM mat. Findings revealed that gypsum plasterboard gives the highest fire resistance, whereas the fibre cement board gives the lowest. Importantly, the thermal mass improved LSF wall system did not exhibit any reduction to its fire resistance due to the use of bio-based PCM mat. This paper presents the details of the standard fire tests of LSF wall systems and the results.