 UNIMAST Area Separation Wall Framing
provides a lightweight, easy-to-install way of constructing a 2-hour vertical fire barrier
between neighboring wood-framed apartments, condominiums and townhouses up to four stories
high.
Performance engineered system design combined with low
labor and material costs make Unimast steel framing the preferred method of area
separation wall construction over heavy masonry systems.
BENEFITS
Fire Resistance
- A 2-hour fire rating for common walls separating occupancies in wood-frame dwelling
units.
Easy Handling
- Unimast framing weighs at least 50% less than commonly used masonry walls.
Lower Cost -
Easy-to-install components assure faster installation. One trade erects both UNIMAST Area
Separation Wall Framing and structural building framing.
Space saving
- Use of UNIMAST Area Separation Wall Framing gains valuable floor space. Thickness is
2" for Unimast framing, compared to 4" to 12" for a masonry wall without
interior finish.
Sound Isolation
- STC ratings are excellent and can be further improved with the addition of insulation
blankets in adjoining stud cavities.
PACKAGED COMPONENTS
Unimast framing may be job-site packaged. The following
components make up the system:
- 2" 25-gauge UNIMAST Steel H-studs (8', 9',
10' or special order)- key structural component
- 2" 25-gauge UNIMAST Steel C-runners (10') - maintain
horizontal integrity
- 0.0063" UNIMAST Aluminum Breakaway Clips - designed to
melt away on fire-engulfed side wall, while holding wall in place on unaffected side
HOW UNIMAST AREA SEPARATION WALL
FRAMING WORKS
Gypsum liner panels (two layers) framed in steel forms
an effective fire barrier that maintains its integrity for 2 hours or more at high
temperatures. In contrast, aluminum melts when subjected to intense fire. The Unimast Area
Separation Wall System takes advantage of the differences in material properties. In the
event of fire, aluminum clips break away on the fire affected side of the wall, allowing
the barrier to remain intact.
INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
UNIMAST AREA Separation Wall Framing is erected by
installing the 2" C-runner to the foundation and inserting (2) 1" gypsum liner
panels into the runner. Next, the 2" H-stud is inserted into the C-runner and over
the liner panel edges. These steps are repeated until the desired wall length is achieved.
Then the wall top is capped (liner panel and H-studs) with a 2" C-runner.
Once the wall is plumbed it is secured at the floor line
with aluminum angle clips at each H-stud. The wall assemblies may be built to heights of
10' between floors and stacked to a total height of 44'. Complete installation details are
available from Unimast Incorporated.
- Attach 2" C-runner to foundation using power actuated
fasteners or concrete nails. Where specified, caulk base with a 1/4" bead of
acoustical/smoke sealant.
- Set 2" C-runner against perpendicular wall or erect
true at building perimeter where it will abut siding or brick work.
- Insert two gypsum liner panels back-to-back into C-runner at
foundation and C-runner against perpendicular wall.
 C-runner is attached to
foundation with power-driven fasteners. Liner panels are then inserted into runner. |
 H- stud is inserted into C-runner
and over panel edges. |
 C-runner is installed over studs
and panels. Second C-runner is the screw-attached back-to-back to lower runner to hold
next level of studs and panels. |
 Aluminum breakaway clip is
screw-attached to studs and framing. Under fire exposure, clip breaks away, permitting
fire-damaged wall to fail and leaving separation wall intact. |
|
