Partition walls - Using Wood instead of Plasterboard???
Discussion
Hi,
If I'm building Partition Walls in a warehouse, instead of using regular plasterboard, is it ok to using a wood panel, such as MDF, Chipboard, Sterling Board, Hardboard or Plywood. I will be covering the surface of these with fire rated sheet plastic, but just wanted to ask if it was against regulations to use any of the above that I've mentioned.
The only reason I ask is that I'll only be at the premises for 2 years max, so won't be keeping the walls up and plasterboard will just be wasted, whereas if I spent extra on something like a Plywood, I'd be able to take this off and reuse it in the future.
Thanks
(PS. Who would I need to check the walls or would it just be a fire risk assessment of the property.)
If I'm building Partition Walls in a warehouse, instead of using regular plasterboard, is it ok to using a wood panel, such as MDF, Chipboard, Sterling Board, Hardboard or Plywood. I will be covering the surface of these with fire rated sheet plastic, but just wanted to ask if it was against regulations to use any of the above that I've mentioned.
The only reason I ask is that I'll only be at the premises for 2 years max, so won't be keeping the walls up and plasterboard will just be wasted, whereas if I spent extra on something like a Plywood, I'd be able to take this off and reuse it in the future.
Thanks
(PS. Who would I need to check the walls or would it just be a fire risk assessment of the property.)
Building Control, definitely. If you ring them and then pop in to see them, they'll talk you through what you need.
As I'm in the process of doing something similar I'll tell you what they told me:
All the walls dividing the warehouse from any offices need to be 30 minutes fire rates (as a minimum). This also means that all doors and windows have to have the same fire rating, which means fire doors and, generally, Georgian Wired glass.
You also need to make sure the ceilings are fire rated to 30 mins, at least on the underside, although your building control person will tell you exactly.
The wood for the walls would not be a problem, but it would need to be treated to ensure its' fire resistance. In my case, I'm going to use plasterboard, because it's cheap and easy to work.
You will also need to consider fire escape routes, fire escape signage, possibly emergency lighting too.
I think also that you'll need to get building control approval, which will mean submitting drawings (they can be 'fag packet' if need be, they don't necessarily need architect's drawings). There's also a fee involved. However, check with your local building control, as they may have different requirements.
Finally, if they're partitions, with a flat ceiling above, you're not supposed to put anything up on top of the ceiling, although they know very well that people use them as a junk store/mezzanine etc.
As I'm in the process of doing something similar I'll tell you what they told me:
All the walls dividing the warehouse from any offices need to be 30 minutes fire rates (as a minimum). This also means that all doors and windows have to have the same fire rating, which means fire doors and, generally, Georgian Wired glass.
You also need to make sure the ceilings are fire rated to 30 mins, at least on the underside, although your building control person will tell you exactly.
The wood for the walls would not be a problem, but it would need to be treated to ensure its' fire resistance. In my case, I'm going to use plasterboard, because it's cheap and easy to work.
You will also need to consider fire escape routes, fire escape signage, possibly emergency lighting too.
I think also that you'll need to get building control approval, which will mean submitting drawings (they can be 'fag packet' if need be, they don't necessarily need architect's drawings). There's also a fee involved. However, check with your local building control, as they may have different requirements.
Finally, if they're partitions, with a flat ceiling above, you're not supposed to put anything up on top of the ceiling, although they know very well that people use them as a junk store/mezzanine etc.
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