Use and Care Guide

DensShield
®
Tile Backer
For latest information and updates:
Technical Service Hotline [phone] or www.gpgypsum.com
CAUTION: For product fire, safety and use information,
go to gp.com/safetyinfo.
14
30-34 STC Sound Trans.
Test Reference: OR 64-8
Partition Thickness: 4-3/4” (121 mm)
Weight per Sq. Ft.: 7.0 psf (34 Kg/m
2
)
5/8” (15.9 mm) DensShield Fireguard Tile Backer applied vertically (ULC W301) or
horizontally (UL U305) to 2 x 4 wood studs 16” (406 mm) o.c. with 1-7/8” (48 mm)
phosphate-coated nails 8” (203 mm) o.c. Joints staggered each side and covered
with 2” (51 mm) wide fiberglass mesh tape and tile adhesive. (Load-bearing)
1-Hour Fire Rating
Design Reference: WHI 495-0853, UL U305, ULC W301,
cUL U305
49 STC Sound Trans.
Test Reference: RAL-TL00-125
Partition Thickness: 4-5/8” (118 mm)
Weight per Sq. Ft.: 6.0 psf (29 Kg/m
2
)
5/8” (15.9 mm) DensShield Fireguard Tile Backer applied vertically or horizontally
(U465 only) to each side of 3-5/8” (92 mm) steel studs 24” (610 mm) o.c. with 1-1/4”
(32 mm) Type S drywall screws 8” (203 mm) o.c. to vertical studs and 12” (305 mm)
o.c. to perimeter track. Stagger joints each side. Sound tested with 2-1/2” (64 mm)
fiberglass batt insulation, friction fit.
1-Hour Fire Rating
Design Reference: UL U465, ULC W415, cUL U465
Partition Thickness: 6” (152 mm)
Weight per Sq. Ft.: 13.8 psf (67 Kg/m
2
)
Base Layer: 5/8” (15.9 mm) DensArmor Plus
®
Fireguard
®
or 5/8” (15.9 mm)
ToughRock
®
Fireguard
®
gypsum board. Base layer attached horizontally or vertically
to studs with 1-7/8” (48 mm) nails spaced 16” (406 mm) o.c.
Face Layer: 5/8” (15.9 mm) DensShield
®
Fireguard
®
Tile Backer applied horizontally
or vertically. Face layer attached to studs over base layer with 2-3/8” (60 mm) nails
spaced 8” (203 mm) o.c. Vertical joints located over studs. All joints in face layers
staggered with joints in base layers. Joints of each base layer offset with joints of
base layer on opposite side. (Load-bearing)
2-Hour Fire Rating
Design Reference: UL U301, cUL U301
Fire-Rated Assemblies
DensShield
®
Fireguard
®
Tile Backer is the only tile substrate to specify where a fire rating and moisture protection are necessary
and is the preferred high-performance tile substrate that protects a tile installation in wet areas while achieving a 1-hour fire
rating. Tile is not required to be used with DensShield Fireguard Tile Backer to achieve a 1- or 2-hour fire rating. Minimum
20-gauge (33 mils) steel stud required when fire-rated assembly is finished with tile.
DensShield Fireguard Tile Backer is UL and ULC classified as Type DS and included in numerous assembly designs investigated
by UL and ULC for hourly fire resistance ratings.
In addition, 5/8” (15.9 mm) DensShield Fireguard Tile Backer is classified as “Type X” in accordance with ASTM C 1178 and may
replace 5/8” (15.9 mm) gypsum panels specified as Type X in generic fire-rated wall assemblies. It also aligns perfectly with 5/8”
(15.9 mm) Type X gypsum board. Generic systems in the GA-600 Fire Resistance Design Manual are applicable to the products
of any manufacturer, including Georgia-Pacific Gypsum, provided they meet certain standards set forth in such manual, such
as Type X gypsum board per applicable ASTM standard with specified thickness and size described in the design. “Type X” as
used in this technical guide designates gypsum board manufactured and tested in accordance with specific ASTM standards for
increased fire resistance beyond regular gypsum board. Please consult the ASTM standard for the specific product (for example,
ASTM C 1178 for coated glass mat gypsum panel) for further information and significance of use. When tiling, refer to the
Fastener guide on page 3. When DensShield is finished with tile, the fasteners should be spaced no more than 6” (152 mm) o.c.
The following design assemblies are for illustrative purposes only. Consult the appropriate fire resistance
directory or test report for complete assembly information. For additional fire safety information concerning
DensShield, visit www.gp.com/safetyinfo.