Technical Specification

...DB 1400...

PARTITIONS – PLASTERWORK - INSULATION

International edition

WARNING – The MERCURE specifications define the minimum rules which should be applied to all construction
or refurbishment projects, in all countries. They shall not replace the need for an individual design for each
project, which should incorporate the standards and regulations applicable locally if they are more demanding.
This specification also mentions (in footnotes) certain standards and regulations that are applicable in France.

This document is published by ACCOR exclusively for use on MERCURE projects.

Its distribution or reproduction (in full or in part) for other uses is forbidden.

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 INTRODUCTION
A TERMINOLOGY USED IN THIS DOCUMENT

• CLIENT (or OWNER) - indicates the person or company on behalf of whom the services or work are to
be carried out.

• CONSTRUCTORS - indicates all of the architects, interior designers (or decorators), specifiers, quantity
surveyors, consulting engineers, co-ordinators, consultants, statutory supervisors, contractors and
suppliers, who are responsible for the design, site management and execution of the works and the
technical supervision of the construction work, the services installations and the external works.

• ACCOR SPECIFICATIONS - indicates the whole of the written documents, drawings and diagrams, as
laid down by ACCOR (including this technical specification) which comprise the hotel (or trade)
requirements of the Brand and which define the criteria for the construction of projects for each of the
Accor brands. These documents may be copied partially for the construction of an ACCOR project (but
never reproduced in full) provided that they are checked and adapted in order to satisfy the
obligation to produce a result and, in particular, to meet construction regulations and particular site
conditions.

ACCOR shall retain the intellectual property rights to these documents, which are provided solely for
the project which is to be constructed. The use of these documents on another project or their
distribution to third parties having no direct connection with the project shall be strictly forbidden.

• CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS - indicates all of the regulations, standards and local practices
applicable to the design, calculation and execution of the works. The Construction Regulations shall
be those of the country, region or locality. They shall apply in addition to ACCOR'S specifications. If
there is any contradiction between certain technical data, the Construction Regulations shall take
precedence, but the effects of such a contradiction must be examined so that the hotel functions and
levels of technical performance are nevertheless satisfied.

• PARTICULAR SITE CONDITIONS - indicates the climatic, geological and hydrological data and the natural
dangers of the site where the project is to take place, which the CONSTRUCTORS must identify, analyse
and make allowance for in the design and execution of the works.

B OBLIGATION TO PRODUCE A RESULT

The ACCOR SPECIFICATIONS do not replace the need for the CONSTRUCTORS, including mainly the
Consulting Engineers, to carry out a full technical design so that the works can be carried out in
accordance with their undertaking to produce a result, which shall comprise:

- the completion and the functionality of the works

- the application of the ACCOR SPECIFICATIONS and of the CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS
- obtaining the specified levels of performance
- making allowance for the particular conditions of the site
- the guarantees to produce a result and of proper operation.

C CONSTRUCTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES AND GUARANTEES

The CONSTRUCTORS shall assume full responsibility for the design, the execution and the technical
supervision of the works. The ACCOR SPECIFICATION documents shall not be a substitute for the project
drawings, specifications, technical notices and working drawings which are to be prepared by the
CONSTRUCTORS. They shall not relieve the CONSTRUCTORS of their responsibilities or of the guarantees
arising from them.

The documents produced by ACCOR, and the work for which they are appointed in order to integrate the
criteria for the Brand, shall not be used to challenge the contractual commitment of the CONSTRUCTORS,
or the responsibilities and guarantees that they are to provide. For the application of this clause, the
CONSTRUCTORS' responsibility shall be considered overall, without any allowance for a sharing of
responsibility between them, and shall depend on the allocation of work between them, as defined in the
participants' appointments and in the contractors' contracts.

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 FIELD OF USE
The MERCURE specification "Partitions - Plasterwork - Insulation" shall apply to all
construction projects:
• New buildings
• Conversion of existing buildings
• Refurbishment of existing hotels
This specification shall apply to all works in association with "Partitions – Plasterwork -
Insulation" involving several trades STRUCTURE – PLASTERWORK – INSULATION

CONTENTS

1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES 4

2. SPECIFICATIONS AFFECTING ALL THE WORKS 4

2.1. WINDBRACING OF THE BUILDING.........................................................................................4
2.2. PREVENTION OF THE DANGER OF CRACKING OR DAMAGE ............................................5
2.3. FIRE SAFETY ...........................................................................................................................6
2.4. ACOUSTIC INSULATION..........................................................................................................6
2.5. THERMAL INSULATION ...........................................................................................................6
2.6. PROTECTION AGAINST DAMP ...............................................................................................6
2.7. CONSTRUCTION IN AN EARTHQUAKE ZONE.......................................................................7
3. ASSOCIATED WORKS AND FINISHES 7

4. PARTITIONS 8
4.1. DEFINITION OF THE TYPES OF PARTITIONING ...................................................................8
4.2. FIELDS OF USE OF PARTITIONS .........................................................................................10
5. INTERNAL THERMAL OR ACOUSTIC LININGS 10
5.1. COMBINED PLASTERBOARD AND INSULATION UNITS – Figure A ...................................11
5.2. PLASTERBOARD AND INSULATION ON A FRAMEWORK – Figure B.................................11
5.3. LINING PARTITIONS – Figure C. ...........................................................................................11
6. PLASTERBOARD FALSE CEILINGS 12

7. PLASTERBOARD DUCTS AND CASINGS 13

8. DOORS AND INSPECTION HATCHES ON DUCTS 13

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1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES
This document does not define the principles of construction, which shall remain the
responsibility of the CONSTRUCTORS, but it comprises specifications and recommendations
for structural systems and details, which experience has shown to be important to satisfy
hotel functions.
The PARTITIONS, RENDERS, PLASTERWORK AND INSULATION works form an integral part of the
building and participate in the essential functions of fire safety, thermal insulation and
acoustic insulation that are covered by the ten year liability.
The overall works must comply with the general principles of the reliability of structures as
defined in international standards ISO 2394 and ISO 8930, which set out three objectives:
1 - STRUCTURAL SAFETY 2 - SERVICEABILITY 3 - DURABILITY.

Of basic data: Of hotel functions: Of all functions:

• Stability in a fire • Acoustic comfort. • Durability of the structure
• Earthquake resistance • Thermal insulation • Resistance to the climate
• Appearance of completed works • Behaviour in use
• Retention of appearance
In order to meet these objectives, the CONSTRUCTORS must:

Apply the official national or international CONSTRUCTION RULES.1.

Take into account all the CLIMATIC CONDITIONS AND CONSTRAINTS OF THE REGION OR OF THE
SITE, in compliance with specification MER_DA0010 (article 4).

Use the criteria for fire resistance of the structure as defined by THE SAFETY CONSULTANT
in compliance with specification MER_DB3610

Define the whole scope of the work on the basis of an overall coherent concept in order
to meet the various criteria:
- Acoustic insulation Specification MER_DA0040
- Thermal insulation Specification MER_DA0060
- Protection against damp See below – article 2.5

Have the works carried out by contractors who are qualified for the relevant works and
have the working drawings and the works checked by an independent STATUTORY
SUPERVISOR approved by the INSURANCE COMPANY.
NOTE – In order to prepare their design, it is essential for the DESIGNERS to be provided with
the MERCURE specifications referred to above: MER_DA0010 - MER_DB3610-
MER_DA0040 - MER_DA0060.

2. SPECIFICATIONS AFFECTING ALL THE WORKS

2.1. WINDBRACING OF THE BUILDING
The windbracing of the building must be provided exclusively by the structure, the load-
bearing walls and the floor slabs. The partitions shall never be required to assist this
function.

1
French rules DTU 20.1 Masonry works DTU 25.1 Plaster renders
DTU 25.2 Plasterboard ceilings DTU 25.31 Plaster tile partitions
DTU 25.41 Plasterboard partitions DTU 26 Cement renders
Rules PS 92 Earthquake-resistant structures
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 This may mean, for transverse partitions that
are likely to suffer movement caused by
Wind
windbracing forces, particularly at the upper Resilient
levels, the need for resilient strips to be strip
installed.

2.2. PREVENTION OF THE DANGER OF CRACKING OR DAMAGE

MINIMUM THICKNESSES OF PARTITIONS – The thickness of a partition

shall be determined according to its height up to ceiling level and Minimum
the length of the panel. For this, the rules of construction must be 5 cm
followed.
Bath or
Allowance must also be made for the chasing in of electrical shower
conduit and, particularly, the minimum distances of conduit from
the face of the partition where against baths or showers:
PREVENTION OF THE DANGER OF TRANSFERRING LOADS ONTO THE PARTITIONS

Partitions of masonry or of Plasterboard partitions must

plaster tiles must have a be finished flush at their
resilient plate at their head head but have a 1 cm joint
in order to prevent loads at their foot.
being transferred onto them
from the floor slabs.
This shall apply to all
partitions, except those
formed by load-bearing walls.
JUNCTIONS BETWEEN ELEMENTS OF CONSTRUCTION
The connections between the elements must be made by means that are suitable for the
various methods of construction, depending on whether it is necessary to lock together
elements that are next to each other or to separate them with a resilient strip. These
measures are essential to prevent the danger of cracking and must be defined in the
working details of the junctions and of the finishes to all the elements:

Floor Insulation of the
Around the window
external wall:

Soffit of floor slab

Wall False ceiling:
Wall
Junction in partition
Identical partition -
Tall partition

Different partition -
Partition under
ceiling

Insulation of the -
Insulation of the
external wall external wall

Door frame -

These details are particularly sensitive for

junctions between bathroom partitions and
the separation walls to the bedrooms, Danger of Bath or shower
particularly where tiling is fixed with adhesive infiltration
and water can infiltrate. Bedroom Bathroom

PROTECTION TO PLASTER ARRISSES

The external angles of plaster partitions must be protected with galvanised steel angle beads
recessed into the plaster tiles (Figure A) or fixed with adhesive to cardboard faced
plasterboard (Figure B).

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 For external angles exposed to impacts, particularly in corridors, reinforced type angle
beads should be used (Figure C).
A B C

2.3. FIRE SAFETY

Partitions, ducts, ceilings and casings must meet the fire-resistance criteria specified by the
SAFETY CONSULTANT (See specification MER_DB3610).
Compliance with these criteria for the partition and door assemblies means that the junctions
around the frames must be properly formed to meet the test criteria for the classification of
door sets, in accordance with working details to be co-ordinated between the relevant
contractors.
The finishes to cardboard-faced plasterboard must be classified as:
- Non-inflammable (M 1) 2within bedrooms
- Incombustible (M 0) in all other cases.
Thermal insulation materials such as polyurethane foam, or other products likely to emit
harmful gases in the event of a fire, shall not be used. Thermal insulation materials used in
false ceiling voids shall be incombustible (M 0).
2.4. ACOUSTIC INSULATION
Partitions, ducts and other structures that may play a part in the acoustic insulation (linings to
internal or external walls, false ceilings, etc.) must allow the objectives set in specification
MER_DA0040 to be achieved, and for this purpose it shall be essential:
- To select the products according to their certified criteria, making a distinction between
laboratory tests and results measured on site, which will always be lower by 6 to 9
dB(A),
- To monitor workmanship, particularly for plaster tile partitions, for which the levels of
performance will vary considerably, depending on the quality of workmanship,
- To take precautionary acoustic measurements at the start of repetitive items of work,
particularly on the partitions around bedrooms.

2.5. THERMAL INSULATION

The characteristics of the thermal insulation materials, and their vapour barriers when
necessary, must be selected to meet the U-values 3specified in specification MER_DA0060.
See also the above requirements relating to fire safety.
2.6. PROTECTION AGAINST DAMP
PROTECTION FROM DAMP ON THE FLOOR All works in plaster tiles or plasterboard, partitions,
insulating linings, etc. must be protected from damp on the floor by means of a plastic U-
shaped section and a first course of waterproof tiles (Figure A) or plastic sheets stapled to
the plasterboard (Figure B). This requirement shall apply to all rooms without exception
(even those finished with carpet). Where floors are very damp, in a tiled shower for example,
the partition must be built on a concrete sole plate (Figure C).

A B C
1st course in
waterproof
tiles

2
The classifications M0, M1, etc. are French rules which will be replaced in 2001 by European standards.
3
The thermal transmittance factor U is defined by European standards.
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 CHOICE OF PLASTER PARTITIONS IN PARTICULAR ROOMS - Partitions in bathrooms and toilets
must be in waterproof tiles or boards, which can be recognised by their blue or green colour.
These partitions shall be waterproof for their full height (not just the first course).
IN THE CASE OF A TILED SHOWER - The plaster facings must, in addition, be given a
waterproofing film before the tiling is fixed with adhesive to the walls.
IN A TROPICAL CLIMATE OR IN A PARTICULARLY DAMP ENVIRONMENT - The use of plaster tiles
shall be excluded and the use of plasterboard shall be restricted to waterproof boards.
2.7. CONSTRUCTION IN AN EARTHQUAKE ZONE
In the case of construction in an earthquake zone, the construction techniques for the
partitioning and the ceilings shall be subject to a particular design study to ensure that they
comply with the rules of calculation of earthquake-resistant buildings.
WALLS AND PARTITIONS - Construction and partitioning units of concrete blockwork, hollow
brickwork or other discontinuous units will be permitted, with the appropriate vertical and
horizontal reinforcement, but they shall be avoided in locations where they are sensitive to
the danger of cracking that is incompatible with the operation of a hotel.
Preference should rather be given to plasterboard partition techniques, which are a good
solution for construction in an earthquake area.
PLASTERBOARD CEILINGS - The frameworks and suspension systems must be reinforced in
order to withstand the forces generated by an earthquake, must have bracing in a vertical
plane and be designed in such a way that, if one unit falls, it does not cause neighbouring
units to fall.
THERMAL LININGS FIXED WITH ADHESIVE – The normal method of fixing insulating panels with
dabs of adhesive must be supplemented at high level with screwed fixings onto battens.

3. ASSOCIATED WORKS AND FINISHES

For all partitioning, insulation and ceiling work, the associated works and finishes shall
require particular attention, as they can have an adverse effect on several functions,
including for example:
- Fire safety Badly filled holes can create a danger of the rapid spread of
smoke in the event of a fire.
- Acoustic insulation The same fault can be a weak point in the acoustic insulation
of a wall.
- Danger of leaks The cracking of a defective joint at the corner of a bath or a
shower may cause water to leak through.
- Appearance The wall and ceiling units form the background for paintwork
and other finishes, through which any cracks may be visible.

In order to avoid these risks completely, it is essential for the details of workmanship to be
co-ordinated with the other contractors: JOINERY, PLUMBING, AIR CONDITIONING, ELECTRICITY
etc. and for the finishing details to be properly specified, in particular:
- Holes, fixing of sleeves, grouting, connections and making good.
- Chases and the building in of electrical conduit and boxes, filling and making good.
- Packing around door frames and linings.
- Incorporation of bearers for units fixed to plasterboard partitions.
- Strips of packing in internal angles (below)

Partition / wall

Partition / ceiling

NOTE CONCERNING SLEEVES

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 Depending on the gap between the sleeve
and the pipework or cable, packing should be
provided to one or both sides by the
contractor who carries out the installation.
This packing is to ensure that the functions of Small gap Packing necessary
fire or acoustic insulation and of finished
appearance are met.

4. PARTITIONS
4.1. DEFINITION OF THE TYPES OF PARTITIONING
The specifications below are those of the types of partitions used most commonly in
MERCURE hotels, but other techniques may be possible depending on usual practice and
locally-available materials.
However, construction techniques such as load-bearing concrete blockwork or hollow brick
partitions with a smooth face or cement render or plaster finish, will require a particular study
in order to ensure that they meet all the requirements - FIRE RESISTANCE, ACOUSTIC, DAMP
RESISTANCE, EARTHQUAKE RESISTANCE - and that they are compatible with the programme of
works.
A REINFORCED INSITU Reinforced concrete walls can be used for the main
CONCRETE. partitioning, particularly for bedrooms. Their smooth faces are
suitable for the direct application of paint and sprayed finishes
16 to 20 cm thick, depending or finishes fixed with adhesive.
on fire resistance and/or
acoustic criteria or more, For acoustic insulation, especially between bedrooms, it is
depending on the structural important for formwork holes to be filled and for electric
design. conduit and boxes not to be recessed into the separation
walls.
OK

B PRECAST REINFORCED Precast units may be used for repetitive service ducts.They
CONCRETE. may vary in thickness between 6 and 12 cm, depending on the
level of fire resistance and prefabrication constraints.
6 to 12 cm thick

C FAIR FACED
CONCRETE BLOCKWORK.
Usual thicknesses:
10 to 20 cm.
Concrete blockwork (hollow or solid) walls and partitions may
be used for services zones, stores or other secondary areas.
Depending on the sizes of the panels, they should have
vertical or horizontal reinforcement and reinforced concrete
lintels. It is important for the horizontal and vertical joints to be
properly pointed. They may be finished with paint, without a
render.
OK

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 D CONCRETE BLOCKWORK
+ CEMENT RENDER.
Usual thicknesses:
10 to 20 cm.
Plus render on one or both
sides:
E SMOOTH PLASTER
TILES.
Usual thicknesses:
5, 7 and 10 cm.
F CARDBOARD FACED
PLASTERBOARD.
Usual board thicknesses 13
and 18 mm.
Thicknesses of partitions vary
from 7 to 20 cm depending on
fire-resistance and/or
acoustic criteria.
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These walls and partitions, identical to "C", may be used as
the main partitions in the public common areas or as
secondary partitions in wet areas (kitchens, laundry, toilets).
The horizontal and vertical joints should be finished as
indicated above. The cement render should be smooth
enough to allow the application of high quality paintwork or of
finishes fixed with adhesive.
Note that masonry of this kind has a lower acoustic insulation
value than concrete walls.
These tiles are generally available in several qualities:
NORMAL – WATERPROOF – EXTRA HARD and are fixed with
adhesive. They have a good level of fire resistance, but are
sensitive to the dangers of cracking.
These boards are generally available in several qualities:
NORMAL – WATERPROOF – EXTRA HARD – FIRE-RESISTANT and
with NON-COMBUSTIBLE or NON-INFLAMMABLE facings.
The partitions have a galvanised steel framework (single or
double), faced with 1, 2 or 3 boards and, in certain cases,
have glass wool insulation incorporated into them. Depending
on their composition, they can comply with several levels of
fire-resistance and of acoustic insulation.
9 / 14
 4.2. FIELDS OF USE OF PARTITIONS
S
CRITERIA SAFETY Fire safety: Level of fire-resistance MER_DB
These levels can vary from room to room 3610
A ACOUSTIC Acoustic insulation MER_DA
This insulation can vary from room to room 0040
W W ATER Damp-resistant partitions
(Bathrooms, toilets, kitchens, etc.)
Types of ABCDEF Selection of partitions commonly used or that can be
partitions used. This selection is not limitative (see § 4.1 above).
BEDROOMS Criteria 4 Types of partitions
5 1 5
4
6 S A W A B C D E F

ACOUSTIC

Concrete
Pre-cast
3 2 1

Render

Boards
SAFETY

Plaster
WATER

Blocks
1 Partitions between bedrooms S A A F
2 Partitions between bathrooms S A W A F
3 Partitions to service ducts S A A B D E F
4 Partitions between bedrooms and corridors S A A D F
5 Partitions to bathrooms and WCs W D E F
6
6 Partitions between bedrooms and bathrooms W D E F
Vertical connections
7 Stair wells S A A D D E
7
8 Lift shafts S A A C D
9 Sundry service ducts S A A C D D E
PUBLIC COMMON AREAS
8
10 Public areas External envelope S A D F
11 Internal divisions S A D E F
14 Offices and services External envelope S A D E F
15 Internal divisions A D E F
14 Public toilets External envelope S A W D E F
15 Internal divisions A W D E F
14 Kitchens and laundries External envelope S A D
15 Internal divisions D
16 Store rooms External envelope S C D
17 Internal divisions S C D
18 Staff areas External envelope S A W D
19 Internal divisions S W D
9
20 Plant rooms External envelope S A W A C D
21 Internal divisions S W C D
22 Basement car parks S W C D

5. INTERNAL THERMAL OR ACOUSTIC LININGS

These internal linings are those to external walls and certain internal walls. They provide
thermal insulation and, in certain cases, they contribute towards acoustic insulation.

4
The criteria S and A will vary from room to room (see specifications MER_DB3610 and DA0040)
5
Plaster partitions types E and F shall not be used in tropical or humid climates
6 Between a bedroom and a bathroom, a thicker partition is generally needed because of the electrical conduit it contains
7 The pointed face shall be inside the duct
8 In general, in the public common areas, concrete walls should be avoided in order to maintain flexibility for subsequent
alterations.
9
Criterion W is not essential for "electrical" plant rooms.
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 A B C

5.1. COMBINED PLASTERBOARD AND INSULATION UNITS – Figure A

These units comprise a layer of cardboard-faced plasterboard stuck to a layer of thermal
insulation with, if necessary, an aluminium vapour barrier inserted between the layers. They
are fixed with dabs of adhesive to the walls to be insulated.
Insulating material, depending on location:
a) In bedrooms and offices (except c and d) Expanded or extruded polystyrene
b) In corridors and other areas Mineral wool + vapour barrier
c) If an acoustic function is required Mineral wool + vapour barrier
d) In all areas of tower buildings Mineral wool + vapour barrier.
The mineral wool must be non-combustible and non-hydrophilic.
As the material is being applied to the external walls, it is essential to check that the
weatherproofing joints around openings in the external walls have been properly
installed. The thermal insulation must never be used to contribute to this function as air could
get into the air gap and enter the building via the skirtings.
5.2. PLASTERBOARD AND INSULATION ON A FRAMEWORK – Figure B.
These linings are used:
a) When the external or other wall to be insulated does not allow the panels to be glued
on. This is particularly the case with walls below ground level, which will always have a
potential risk of damp.
b) When a level of acoustic insulation is sought that is higher than can be achieved with
panels glued on.
They comprise a galvanised steel framework, an insulating material and a cardboard-faced
plasterboard finish, in a single layer or several superimposed layers.
The thermal or acoustic insulation is generally made from non-combustible and non-
hydrophilic mineral wool, with an aluminium vapour barrier.
5.3. LINING PARTITIONS – Figure C.
These linings are used for thermal or acoustic insulation in "wet" areas (toilets, kitchen,
laundry, etc.) where materials containing plaster cannot be used.
They comprise an insulating material and a partition built from hollow concrete blockwork or
hollow brickwork, finished with a cement mortar render, trowelled smooth. The thickness of
the partition, and any necessary reinforcement, shall be determined so as to prevent the
danger of cracking caused by shrinkage of the render.
The thermal insulation shall generally be extruded polystyrene. On external walls, it should
be built with spacer battens in order to leave an air gap and so that it is not in contact with
the wall behind.
For acoustic insulation, non-combustible and non-hydrophilic mineral wool, with an
aluminium vapour barrier, should be used.

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6. PLASTERBOARD FALSE CEILINGS
These ceilings are used both in new buildings and, very often, in the refurbishment of
existing buildings. They may be used to fulfil several functions, which, in certain cases can
be combined:
a) Fire-resistant protection to a steel frame.
b) Fire-resisting protection under a floor.
c) Fire-resisting ceiling under a roof void.
d) Thermal insulation of a floor.
e) Improvement of the acoustic insulation of a floor.
f) Thermal insulation under a roof void.
Various compositions of ceilings.

A
G
C H

F D

The ceilings comprise a primary (Ref A) and secondary (Ref B) framework, in galvanised
steel, fixed with hangers, a non-combustible and non-hydrophilic mineral wool insulating
material (Ref C) and a cardboard-faced plasterboard finish, in a single layer or with several
superimposed boards (Ref D).
CEILING TO ROOF VOID – The secondary partitions Secondary partition
may be fixed under the ceiling. The main walls and
partitions must be continued up to the roof slope or
at least 50 cm above the ceiling in order to ensure
the level of acoustic insulation Main

IF THE ROOF VOID IS VENTILATED - The thermal insulation must be held in position by the use
stainless steel plates (G) or mesh.
INTERNAL VAPOUR BARRIER - When a vapour barrier is necessary on the inside face, it may be
glued to the insulation (Ref E), but it is recommended that an aluminium-faced board (Ref
F) should preferably first be fixed, with strips glued over the joints. The continuity of the
vapour barrier is essential under a roof void, as a defect can cause water leakage.
EXTERNAL VAPOUR BARRIER – This is generally made from aluminium foil and can be fixed
with an external panel (Ref G) or glued to the insulation (Ref H).
HANGERS FOR LIGHT FITTINGS AND OTHER ELEMENTS – As a general rule, light fittings, cable
trays, pipework and ductwork must each be fixed on their own hangers, independently of the
hangers and structure of the plasterboard false ceiling. Only small downlighters may be fixed
to the plasterboard ceiling.
Where a false ceiling is constructed below a plasterboard ceiling, the framework must be
reinforced and clearly marked so that the fixings are supported through the plasterboard.
The plasterboard must never move under the load from these hangers.
FIRE-RESISTING CEILINGS – These ceilings must never have light fittings or other elements
recessed into them, which could compromise the continuity of the fire-resisting layer.
Services installations inside the ceiling void (cables and pipework) shall only be permitted if it
can be proved that they do not have an adverse effect on the fire-resisting insulation
between floors

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7. PLASTERBOARD DUCTS AND CASINGS
This work may involve:
a) The fire protection of steel columns and beams.
b) The construction of horizontal or vertical ducts
c) Or the fire-resisting protection of horizontal or vertical ducts.
They shall be formed from non-combustible, extra hard, plasterboard (not cardboard-faced)
fixed on top of each other and screw fixed to the galvanised steel framework and junction
strips. The boards are available in several thicknesses, from 10 to 20 mm, and, depending
on the total thickness of the layers of boards, levels of fire resistance of between ½ hour and
4 hours can be achieved.
In the case of the construction of ducts, the level of
fire resistance shall be achieved in both directions,
which means that the metal elements between the
boards must be protected.

When the boards form the airtight duct directly (without a metal duct inside them), they must
be made to be continuous where passing through walls and floors.

8. DOORS AND INSPECTION HATCHES ON DUCTS

The doors and inspection hatches on ducts are important for operational purposes and must
be designed and co-ordinated to suit:
- the services installations, their controls and their critical points
- the level of fire resistance or flame resistance required around the service ducts
- the acoustic insulation between the installations in the ducts and the rooms
- the appearance of the completed works, depending on where they are located.
The doors to ducts shall mainly be located in the corridors and shall give access to the major
part of the installations serving the bedrooms and their bathrooms.
The hatches may be integrated into the partitions or the ceilings. Their precise locations are
important for access to the control devices.
The contractor who constructs the partitions and the ceilings must anticipate where they are
needed, ask for their locations and sizes to be shown on the drawings and agree with the
other contractors the details for fixing the frames

ACCOR DGTH – Expertises et Méthodes

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ACCOR DGTH – Expertises et Méthodes

MER_WE_DB1400_PARTITIONS_PLASTERWORK_INSULATION V 1.0 Feb 01 14 / 14
ASIAN EDITION-10/2007