The Gypsum Association has released the 21st edition of the Fire Resistance Design Manual. Revised every three years, GA-600 has been referenced by the model building codes as a source of fire resistive designs for more than 40 years.
The 2015 edition contains nearly 100 new systems that supplement existing assemblies for walls and partitions, floor-ceiling systems, area separation walls, and many others. Among these, are 20 new head-of-wall and base-of-wall systems that significantly expand the options for perimeter relief.
A more interactive digital version of the Fire Resistance Design Manual (FRDM) is available with the 2015 edition. More like an e-reader than previous PDF versions, the new digital manual is searchable, easy to navigate, delivered on demand, and allows users to print specific pages for reference, the association says. Customers who purchase the electronic version will receive a complimentary hardcopy.
The FRDM is referenced by the International Building Code, and The National Fire Codes, as well as many state and local jurisdictions in the U.S. and Canada as a source document for fire-resistance and sound-control rated designs that incorporate gypsum board in a variety of building systems.
Related Stories
| Apr 5, 2012
Model energy codes add thousands to cost of new apartment construction, study says
New energy codes could add thousands of dollars to the construction costs of each individual apartment residence in a multifamily building, according to new research commissioned by the National Multi-Housing Council and the National Apartment Association.
| Apr 5, 2012
LEED 2012 will include new requirements for data centers
The U.S. Green Building Council’s updated LEED 2012 standards will require two systems to be modeled for each project in order to show power utilization effectiveness.
| Mar 30, 2012
CSI webinar: Durable & energy efficient building envelope design, April 24
This seminar will review recent changes in North America energy codes, examples of building enclosure wall assemblies being considered for code compliance, potential moisture management and durability challenges, and design tools that could be used to assess and minimize potential problems.
| Mar 30, 2012
Improved construction that followed seismic codes helped avert loss of life in Mexico temblor
A magnitude-7.4 earthquake that shook Mexico from Mexico City to Acapulco damaged hundreds of homes and sent thousands fleeing from swaying office buildings, yet no one was killed, according to early reports.
| Mar 30, 2012
Chicago may allow people to live in retail spaces
The Chicago City Council’s Zoning Committee approved a zoning change that will allow up to 50% of work space in low-intensity business districts to be used for living space.
| Mar 30, 2012
LEED growing fast in the housing rental market
Last year, developers of 23,000 U.S. multifamily housing units applied for LEED certification.
| Mar 30, 2012
Forest Stewardship Council critical of proposed LEED 2012 changes
According to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the third draft of LEED 2012, if approved as written, would represent a step backward from the current Certified Wood Credit.
| Mar 22, 2012
Symposium on water efficiency: How much more water can be saved?
The Third International Emerging Technology Symposium by IAPMO and the World Plumbing Council features a session on water efficiency.