EP7: Commercial shaftwall enclosure design and construction essentials
NGConnects by National Gypsum Company
Release Date: 07/23/2025
EP10: How wall assembly components affect STC ratings
NGConnects by National Gypsum Company
A day doesn’t pass without an architect reaching out to the 1-800-NATIONAL® Construction Services team or the National Gypsum regional Construction Design Managers for assistance with acoustic wall assemblies. That’s why returning guests, Sam Halverson and Scott Hughes, joined host Chris Whitmire to discuss the six variables that affect STC ratings. Listeners will learn: The science of sound waves How wall assemblies are tested and Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings calculated Common STC ratings and their equivalent sound blocking ability The six variables —...
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EP9: Why use hard roof coverboards?
NGConnects by National Gypsum Company
Buildings such as data centers, distribution facilities, big box retailers, schools and hospitals contain precious lives and expensive equipment. The roof system is essential to protecting these assets from everyday service traffic and wind pressures to extreme weather events such as hail, hurricanes and tornadoes. Hard roof coverboards offer numerous benefits that enhance the durability, safety and performance of the entire roof assembly. In this episode, Chris Whitmire, director of product marketing for National Gypsum, talks to Warren Barber, senior manager gypsum & specialty...
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EP8: Role of EPDs and HPDs in sustainable construction
NGConnects by National Gypsum Company
Plus, meet the new EVOLVE family of sustainable gypsum boards and learn its role in lowering a project’s embodied carbon Whether it’s a project seeking LEED status, an architectural firm participating in the AIA 2030 Commitment or a construction company aiming to achieve carbon reduction goals, sustainability documentation such as Environmental Product Declarations and Health Product Declarations are essential to today’s construction world. Join Chris Whitmire, national product director, Amy Hockett, National Marketing Manager - Architectural Services & Sustainability, and...
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EP7: Commercial shaftwall enclosure design and construction essentials
NGConnects by National Gypsum Company
Understand these critical life safety systems to avoid costly installation errors The gypsum board shaftwall system was first implemented in 1973 to accommodate increasingly tall buildings and was first used in the World Trade Center. Shaftwall assemblies enclose all manner of shafts: elevators, stairs, trash chutes and ventilation ducts to name a few. They are designed to prevent fire from spreading between floors via these shafts and to protect stairways as an escape route for building occupants during fires. Gypsum board is lighter than traditional shaft enclosure materials, such as...
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EP6: Understanding abuse- vs. impact-resistant gypsum board
NGConnects by National Gypsum Company
When specifying gypsum board for commercial projects, it is important to differentiate between abuse-resistant and impact-resistant types to ensure the contractor selects the correct board. Otherwise, the building owner may experience unexpected damage, resulting in callbacks and repairs. Listeners will learn: The difference between standard, abuse-resistant and impact-resistant gypsum boards How Gold Bond® XP® Hi-Abuse® Gypsum Board, Gold Bond® XP® Hi-Impact®, Gold Bond® eXP® Interior Extreme® AR Gypsum Panels and Gold Bond® eXP® Interior Extreme® IR Gypsum Panels are...
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EP5: What’s the difference between a Level 4 and a Level 5 finish?
NGConnects by National Gypsum Company
Understanding the different levels of gypsum board finishes is crucial for achieving the desired look and durability in any construction project. While the five levels of finish build each upon the next to create smoother and more refined surfaces, this podcast explores what separates the two highest-quality finishes: Level 4 and Level 5. Listeners will learn: The requirements for Level 0–5 drywall finishes The role the putty knife size plays as a drywall finisher ascends through the finish levels The key differences between Level 4 and Level 5 finishes Design scenarios where a Level 5...
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EP4: Understanding the ratings behind acoustical wall, ceiling and roof assemblies
NGConnects by National Gypsum Company
Noise pollution can have harmful effects on human health, ranging from simple annoyance and distraction to increased blood pressure and stress.* Effectively reducing the distance sound can travel is critical to creating pleasant spaces where people live, work and play. The first step toward designing quality acoustical assemblies is understanding the differences between Sound Transmission Class (STC), Impact Insulation Class (IIC), Ceiling Attenuation Class (CAC) and Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class (OITC). Listeners will learn: Why noise reduction is important What the four...
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EP3: Key insights into area separation wall use and construction
NGConnects by National Gypsum Company
Area separation walls in multifamily wood-frame construction are an essential part of designing safety into the structure. They give residents time to escape during a fire and are designed and constructed to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent units. Construction Services Manager Sam Halverson explains the technical details of area separation walls with National Gypsum Director of Product Marketing Chris Whitmire in this episode of the NGConnects Podcast. Listeners will learn: Which types of construction utilize area separation walls The purpose of area...
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EP2: Simplify mixed-material exteriors in any climate with PermaBASE CI
NGConnects by National Gypsum Company
Specifying continuous insulation has become common as communities adopt more current versions of the International Energy Conservation Code. At the same time, current exterior design trends for commercial, multifamily and mixed-use retail/residential favor mixed-material facades which break up storefronts and lend a scaled down neighborhood feel. Combining veneers — thin brick, thin stone, stucco and tile, to name a few — empowers architects and builders to create unique exteriors. In this episode, Eddie Neel, market manager for PermaBASE® Building Products, talks to Chris...
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EP1: How to use Type X and Type C gypsum board in UL assemblies
NGConnects by National Gypsum Company
What is the difference between Type X and Type C gypsum board and when should you use each? Chris Whitmire, director of product marketing at National Gypsum Company, sits down with Mark Chapman, senior manager of the 1-800-NATIONAL® Construction Services team, to discuss the nuances between these types of gypsum board and how to best use them in fire-rated assemblies. Listeners will learn: How Type X gypsum board is defined by ASTM C1396, Standard Specification for Gypsum Board, for ½", ⅝" and 1" thicknesses and how each relates to hour ratings What Type C gypsum...
info_outlineUnderstand these critical life safety systems to avoid costly installation errors
The gypsum board shaftwall system was first implemented in 1973 to accommodate
increasingly tall buildings and was first used in the World Trade Center. Shaftwall assemblies
enclose all manner of shafts: elevators, stairs, trash chutes and ventilation ducts to name a few.
They are designed to prevent fire from spreading between floors via these shafts and to protect
stairways as an escape route for building occupants during fires.
Gypsum board is lighter than traditional shaft enclosure materials, such as masonry, and
provides efficient and economical installation. In this episode, Sam Halverson, construction
services manager with the 1-800-NATIONAL Construction Services team, talks with host Chris
Whitmire about why it’s important to correctly design and install shaftwall enclosures.
Listeners will learn:
- The purpose and history of shaft enclosures
- The difference between 1-hour and 2-hour UL fire-rated shaftwall systems
- A breakdown of materials used to construct a shaftwall and how it is constructed
- Gold Bond Building Products gypsum boards and shaftliner panels recommended for
use in shaft enclosures - How a shaftwall is designed to be fire-rated from both sides
- Tips for including elevator guide rail support posts in a shaftwall
- When the building code requires shaft enclosures to have impact resistance
- How shaftwall assemblies can be used as ceiling assemblies
- Best practices for ensuring fire-resistance continuity in shaftwall corners
Want to know more?
- Visit the shaftwall systems resource page
- Watch the shaftwall installation video, available in English and Spanish
- Explore shaftliner products manufactured by Gold Bond Building Products, an affiliate
manufacturer of National Gypsum Company - Download a compilation of shaftwall assemblies and details from The PURPLE Book ®
- Download The Wood Book™ for shaftwall assembly details in wood-framed buildings
- Read the blog article, “Understanding shaftwall design in commercial construction”
- Read the blog article, “Designing shaft enclosures for wood-frame buildings”
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National Gypsum Company is the exclusive service provider of reliable, high-performance
building products manufactured by its affiliate companies and marketed under the Gold Bond®, ProForm® and PermaBASE® brands.
The National Gypsum name has been synonymous with high-quality, innovative products and
exceptional customer service since 1925.
The information provided in this podcast is for general information purposes only. For specific
building or design questions, please consult with the 1-800-NATIONAL® Construction Services team or your regional National Gypsum construction design manager. Always use products according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.