Definition of Ignifuge & explanation of the use of asbestos in gypsum board or drywall products to improve "fire-resistance" or "ignifuge".

Définition de Ignifuge et explication de l'utilisation de l'amiante dans les panneaux de gypse ou les plaques de plâtre pour améliorer la "résistance au feu" ou "ignifuge".

Cette série d'articles explique où l'amiante est susceptible d'être trouvé dans les panneaux de gypse ou les systèmes de cloisons sèches, en particulier dans le composé de rubanage et dans les couches de finition utilisant de la "boue" de cloison sèche qui contenait de l'amiante.

This article series explains where asbestos is likely to be found in gypsum board or drywall systems, particularly in the taping compound and in skim coats using drywall "mud" that contained asbestos.

Asbestos Content in Gyproc® or Other Ignifuge Fire-Rated Wallboard

Definition of Ignifuge: (adjective) fire-retardant: rending inflammable materials that are naturally combustible.

A substrance or product that has the property of making flammable materials incombustible that it impregnates or covers. Fire retardant coating.

From this we find that "Ignifuge" should not be confused with a gypsum board or drywall brand or specific product.

Rather the word word "Ignifuge" may appear among the data describing gypsum board or drywall that has been rendered fire-restant by some means.

So in our photo of a Gyproc™ brand gypsum board stamp, "Ignifuge" appears as a French term above the brand GYPROC and is synonymous with the English phrase "Fire Protective" appearing below.

Depending on the specific drywall or gypsum board product, brand, and age, ignifuge properties may have been added by the use of asbestos (or by other non-asbestos means).

From early in the development of gypsum board or drywall panels in North America and Europe and up to the 1980's it was common to include asbestos shorts and fibers in the gypsum mix to make the drywall both lighter (easier to handle) and stronger (long fibres strengthen the material) and in specialty products, more-fire-resistant. (Asbestos was added to joint compound for the same reasons.)

Asbestos is not used in contemporary (post 1986) gypsum board or drywall including fire-rated or fire-resistant drywall. (Georgia Pacific 2013).

Ignifuge Gyproc Fire-Rated Drywall Identifying Stamp

On 2019-06-25 by Tom

I'm wondering if a reference is available for the moderator comment about the "Gyproc Ignifuge Fire Protective" wallboard containing asbestos.

I tore some out 2.5 years ago that looked like it might be from original build (1964 - Winnipeg, Canada - numbered 07 1210358)).

At the time, I had some concerns that it was dated and fire resistant.

An enquiry to an environmental company had a rep respond to not concern myself with the wallboard and only the joint compound (even after I specifically mentioned the Ignifuge). Asking for peace of mind (or confirmation of my past concerns).

Shown above is a stamp identifying Ignifuge Gyprock fire protective gypsum board, a Canadian product.

On 2019-07-03 by (mod) - where to find information on Canadian Gyproc Ignifuge Drywall

Tom:

See these two articles

CANADIAN DRYWALL ASBESTOS

IGNIFUGE GYPSUM BOARD ASBESTOS?

Contact: Saint Gobain Gyproc Corporation, Saint-Gobain, Website: http://www.saint-gobain-gyproc.com/ Saint-Gobain S.A. is a French multinational corporation located in Courbevoie, France.

(Nov 5, 2019) Nathalie said:

In my semi-finished basement, I have gyproc company drywall. There is no date but the making says "Ignifuge Gyroc Fire Protective." I don't need an exact date, just hoping this clears me of Asbestos.

This Q&A were posted originally at DRYWALL TYPE IDENTIFICATION STAMPS

(Nov 5, 2019) (mod) said: Ignifuge Gyroc Fire Protective

To make sense out of a reasonable guess we would need to know at least the age of the house and perhaps even the age of the gypsum board in the basement where you raise this concern

On 2018-08-13 by Rusty - Ignifuge gyproc from 1978 contains asbestos?

Does anyone know if Ignifuge gyproc from 1978 contains asbestos.

On 2018-08-14 by (mod) - Ignifuge defined - Ignifuge gyproc from 1978 contains asbestos?

Rusty

Ignifuge is a term referring to a fire-resistant material. I have searched without finding any North American gypsum board or "gyproc" pane marketed under that specific brand or product name. If you know of such a product please give me details and if possible photos, and I will resfearch further.

[Click to enlarge any image]

There was an Ignifuge gyproc product sold by British Gypsum Limited and there are current ignifuge products sold in the E.U. common market and current products that are ignifuge are sold in Europe as Gyproc plaque WR ABA 12,5 mm (for example) described as fire resistant gyproc:

Comme des fibres sont ajoutées à la plaque Gyproc WR, elle fait également partie de la gamme de plaques Gyproc ignifuges.

Les plaques Glasroc H sont conformes aux exigences posées dans la norme EN 15.283-1 – Plaques de plâtre renforcées de fibres. Type GM-FH1: Plaque de plâtre ignifuge renforcée de fibres à niveau d’absorption d’eau réduit.

Since fibers are added to the Gyproc WR plate, it is also part of the Gyproc flame retardant range.

Glasroc H sheets comply with the requirements of EN 15.283-1 - Reinforced plasterboards fiber. Type GM-FH1: Flame retardant fiber reinforced plasterboard with reduced water absorption level. - retrieved 2018 08 14, original source www.gyproc.be/webobjbpb/PIBFIP/FIP%20GLASROC%20H%20fr.pdf

Some fire-resistant drywall or gypsum board materials indeed contained asbestos - as you can see

at ASBESTOS PRODUCING COMPANIES

Take a look at our data for CertainTeed corporation

in ASBESTOS in CERTAINTEED DRYWALL

and you'll see that some CertainTeed products including gypsum board products contained asbestos.

While there were gypsum board products made without asbestos, and while asbestos was more common in gypsum board that was rated for fire resistance, and while as you doubtless read most of the asbestos is in the joint compound not in the gypsum board panels, nevertheless we're stuck with having to advise that unless you had a test performed you can't be certain that the product that you have is asbestos free.

Generally that means avoid making a Dusty mess.

Research on Asbestos Content in Ignifuge / Gyproc Ignifuge Gypsum Board

• De, Aéparla, And Corrélation D’images Numériques Cin. "Effets Des Agents Ignifuges Sur La Déformation De Surface De Panneaux Sandwich Aéronautiques Évaluées Par La Méthode De Corrélation D’images Numériques (Cin)."
• Gaquere, Ludovic, Jevgenij LAZKO, Nicolas LANDERCY, Rolf DAVID, Lisa DANGREAU, Skander KHELIFI, and Franck POUTCH. "Amélioration des propriétés hydrophobes et ignifuges des isolants naturels à base de fibres de lin et de chanvre par traitement au plasma atmosphérique." [PDF]
• Georgia Pacific, GP TougRock® FIREGUARD Abuse-Guard Gypsum Board [PDF] (2013) eorgia Pacific, Website: www.gpgypsum.com TRel: 1-800-225-6119 retrieved 2020/01/17 original source: http://gproulxinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/5_8-ignifuge-ultra-resistant-GP.pdf
  Excerpt: [this is NOT an asbestos-containing material - Ed.]
  
  ToughRock Fireguard Abuse-Guard Gypsum Board consists of a noncombustible (per ASTM E136 or CAN/ULC S114), dimensionally stable gypsum core formed between a face layer of heavy, smooth, abuse-resistant paper and a back layer of heavy liner paper.
  
  The heavy-duty face paper is highly resistant to scuffing when sanding joints and fasteners and provides a superior surface for decoration. It readily accepts a wide range of decorative finishes.
  
  The 5/8( (15.9 mm) ToughRock Fireguard Abuse-Guard Gypsum Board has a Type X core (per ASTM C1396) that may be used in many fire-rated assemblies.
  ...
  
  Flame spread rating of 15 and smoke developed 0, when tested in accordance with ASTM E84 or CAN/ULC S102.
  
  The core is noncombustible when tested in accordance with ASTM E136 or CAN/ULC S114. The 5/8” (15.9 mm) ToughRock Fireguard Abuse-Guard is UL and ULC classified, Type 9.
• Chiarotto, Nereo. "Fibrous composition of matter." U.S. Patent 3,913,309, issued October 21, 1975.
  Abstract:
  
  An ignifuge or fire resistant intimate blend of fibres in the form of a composite yarn, a woven fabric made of such composite yarns, a non-woven fabric and textile articles obtained therefrom. The fibres are selected among glass fibres or ceramic fibres surrounded by at least two different kinds of fibres selected among synthetic and/or natural fibres.
  
  One of such two fibres has a melting point different from the other of the two fibres and both of the two fibres have melting points lower than the melting point of the glass or ceramic fibre wool and chlorovinyl fibres are among the preferred fibres surrounding the glass fibres.
  
  During the melting of the fibres surrounding the glass fibre, at least a partial disintegration thereof takes place and a carbonous deposit is formed on the glass fibres protecting them from heat and increasing heat resistant properties thereof.
• GYPROC FIRELINE Product Data Sheet, [PDF] Used in British Gypsum partition, wall lining and ceiling systems to give increased fire protection.
  
  Also used for protection to structural steel. British Gypsum, Tel: 0844 800 1991, Website: www.british-gypsum.com email: bgtechnical.enquirires@bpb.com
• GYPROC FireLine® Saint-Gobain product information [PDF] (2014) op. cit.
• HEALTH CONSULTATION, DOMTAR GYPSUM AMERICAN, INC., [PDF] Domtar Gypsum American, Inc. 801 Minaker Drive Antioch, Contra Costa County, California Epa Facility Id Cad089182810 May 7, 2008 Contact ATSDR Toll Free at 1-800-CDC-INFO or Visit our Home Page at: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov
  
  Vermiculite use and handling in wallboard manufacture is discussed in this study.
  Excerpt:
  
  Libby vermiculite was distributed to and processed by facilities located throughout the United States. Because human exposure to asbestos has possibly occurred in communities near these facilities, the Division of Health Studies of the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) initiated a nationwide follow-up effort.
  
  This project is designed to screen for similar impacts on the health of populations living near facilities that received shipments of Libby vermiculite.
• ZHANG, Jinwei, Fan CHENG, A. I. Zhengwu, and C. H. E. N. Wuyong. "The synthesis and application of phosphorus-nitrogen flame retardant retanning agent." Revista de Pielarie Incaltaminte 15, no. 3 (2015): 179.

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2019-06-13 by (mod) -

Ryan, Greenboard won't date from 1927. See if you can find out when the basement was renovated.

On 2019-06-13 by Ryan - asbestos in old drywall?

I live in a home built in 1927. I recently removed an old DIY-style partition wall in my basement, with green (mold-resistant) drywall (see image).

My method involved breaking off pieces with my hands. I generated dust, but not incredible amounts. I wore a respirator during most of this work. It wasn't until I finished that I realized drywall and joint compound can contain asbestos. I'm curious to hear what you think about possible levels of exposure. Thanks.

IMAGE LOST by older version of Comments code - now fixed. Please re-post the image if you can. Sorry. Mod.

 

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Continue reading  at ASBESTOS-DRYWALL REMEDIATION / REMOVAL or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• ASBESTOS CEMENT CEILING & WALL PANELS
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  • BESTWALL DRYWALL ASBESTOS
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• ASBESTOS-DRYWALL REMEDIATION / REMOVAL
• ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN BUILDINGS
• ASBESTOS LIST of PRODUCTS
• ASBESTOS in PLASTER - what about the use of asbestos in plaster walls & ceilings?
• ASBESTOS PRODUCING COMPANIES & TRUSTS - complete list includes all asbestos-containing drywall producing companies

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IGNIFUGE GYPSUM BOARD ASBESTOS? at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to ASBESTOS HAZARDS

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