Acoustic Solutions & Fire Wall Design Innovations: SCAFCO Steel Stud Company

• About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert
Acoustic Solutions &

Fire Wall Design Innovations
This Online Learning Seminar is available through a
professional courtesy provided by:
SCAFCO Steel Stud Company

2800 E Main Ave
PO Box 3949
Spokane, WA 99220
Tel: 509-343-9000
Fax: 509-343-9060
Email: Technical@SCAFCO.com
Web: www.SCAFCO.com
START
©2017, 2020 SCAFCO Steel Stud Company. The material contained in this course was researched, assembled, and produced by SCAFCO
powered by Steel Stud Company and remains its property. Questions or concerns about the content of this course should be directed to the program
instructor. This multimedia product is the copyright of AEC Daily.
©2017, 2020 ∙ Table of Contents < Slide 1 of 75 >

Acoustic Solutions & Fire Wall Design Innovations
To ensure the current status of this course, including relevant association approvals, please view the course details here.
The American Institute of Architects

Course No. AEC1383
This program qualifies for 1.0 LU/HSW Hour
Course Expiry Date: 01/21/2023
AEC Daily Corporation is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number J624. All registered AIA CES
Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this
learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3).
This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be
deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using,
distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive
continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA
members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon completion of the test.

This CEU is registered with the International Design Continuing Education Council Inc. (IDCEC) for continuing education
credits. This credit will be accepted by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), International Interior Designers
Association (IIDA) and Interior Designers of Canada (IDC).
The content included is not deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by IDCEC of any material or
construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing or dealing in any material or product.
Questions related to specific materials, methods and services should be directed to the instructor or provider of this CEU.
This program is registered for 0.1 CEU value. The IDCEC class-code is: CC-106790-1000
• This CEU will be reported on your behalf to IDCEC and you will receive an email notification. Please log in and
complete the electronic survey for this CEU.
• Certificates of completion will be automatically issued once you have submitted the online survey for this CEU.
• Attendees who do not belong to ASID, IIDA or IDC and do not have a unique IDCEC number will be provided with a
Certificate of Completion after this CEU.

AEC Daily Corporation has met the standards and requirements of the Registered
Continuing Education Program. Credit earned on completion of this program will be
reported to RCEP at RCEP.net. A certificate of completion will be issued to each
participant. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be
an approval or endorsement by the RCEP.

How to Use This Online Learning Course
To view this course, use the arrows at the bottom of each slide or the up and down arrow keys on your keyboard.
To print or exit the course at any time, press the ESC key on your keyboard. This will minimize the full-screen
presentation and display the menu bar.
Within this course is a test password that you will be required to enter in order to proceed with the online test.
Please be sure to remember or write down this test password so that you have it available for the test.
To receive a certificate indicating course completion, refer to the instructions at the end of the course.
For additional information and post-seminar assistance, click on any of the logos and icons within a page or any of the
links at the top of each page.

Purpose and Learning Objectives
Purpose:
With the range of ever-evolving uses of cold-formed metal framing, it is important for the building professional to be
current with the latest product developments and innovations. This course begins with an overview of steel specification,
followed by a discussion of a new, preassembled, double-stud sound guard system designed for superior acoustical
performance. Also included is a review of fire-rated assemblies, including the recent developments and the expansion of
UL assembly inclusions for the three different shaftwall studs (CH-stud, CT-stud, and I-stud).
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this program, participants will be able to:
• discuss the benefits of designing with cold-formed steel framing and the factors relating to steel specification,
including yield strength, coatings, dimensional properties, and manufacturing processes
• explain how traditional acoustic systems—including resilient sound channels, sound isolation clips, and chase wall
assemblies—operate to reduce sound transmission and improve the acoustical comfort of the building occupants
• state the advantages, assembly options, and technical data of a composite sound assembly system composed of
preassembled double studs designed for higher sound performance, and
• review the components, history, specification factors, and types/uses of different shaftwall studs for fire-rated
assemblies that are available.
Contents
Cold-Formed Steel Basics
Acoustical Framing Solutions
Preassembled Double-Stud Sound Guard Systems
Shaftwall Fire Design
Summary
Click on title to view

Cold-Formed Steel Basics

Introduction
With the varying degrees of familiarity with cold-formed steel framing, the first objective of this course is to become more
comfortable with steel specifications, yield strengths, coatings, and dimensional properties.
Traditionally, cold-formed metal framing gets referenced in two different areas of the specifications: Division 5 for metals
and more specifically, Section 054000, where you will find structural cold-formed products and standards for exterior and
load-bearing applications.
The other area where cold-formed steel products can be found is in Division 9, Sections 092116 or 092216 for
nonstructural (interior) cold-formed products. Typically, you will see the nonstructural products in use with gypsum board
assemblies as non-load-bearing partitions on the interior of buildings. This includes interior partitions as well as shaftwall
assemblies. These systems only support interior components and cladding along with minimum lateral pressures as
specified in the building code.
Keeping this concept in mind, the next few slides provide information for both nonstructural products and structural
products. You will be able to see that the different applications demand different properties and dimensions for each
product group.

Nonstructural Steel Products
Nonstructural steel products come in varying thicknesses from 18 mil (25 gauge) Nonstructural Steel Products
to 30 mil (20 gauge drywall). All thicknesses will have a yield strength of 33,000
18 mil–30 mil 33 ksi yield strength
pounds per square inch (psi), or more commonly referenced as 33 kips per
square inch (ksi) (one kip is equal to 1,000 pounds). Yield strength refers to the Supreme 57 ksi yield strength
maximum stress at which the material will elastically deform but will return to its Products
original shape when the applied stress is removed.
There are also Supreme products or Equivalent Framing (EQ ) designated

products that utilize higher yield strength material (57 ksi) with thinner steel that
achieve similar strength capacities. These members can be more economical
than the traditional material thicknesses as the higher yield strength steel allows
you to use thinner materials, thereby reducing the overall cost. Supreme
Framing System (SFS) assemblies are engineered and tested to meet or exceed
the requirements of the IBC. All SFS manufacturers are third-party certified to
meet the Supreme Steel Framing System Association’s (SSFSA) program
requirements. However, for the purposes of this course, we will be discussing
common steel products and will not be reviewing Supreme products in detail.

Structural Steel Products
Structural steel products vary from 33 mil (structural 20 gauge) to 118 mil (10 Structural Steel Products
gauge) thickness.
33 mil–43 mil 33 ksi yield strength
As you can see in the adjacent chart, there are two different designations for 54 mil–118 mil 50 ksi yield strength
yield strength. Once the material reaches 54 mil thickness (16 gauge) and
Supreme Products 57 ksi yield strength
heavier, the steel’s yield strength is increased to 50,000 psi, or 50 ksi.
Although not commonplace in the steel framing and accessory product world,
cold-formed steel is available in thicknesses up to 3 gauge (220 mil – 0.22
inches thick).

Galvanized Coatings
Nonstructural and structural cold-formed steel products have a zinc-based galvanized coating that offers two types of
protection: barrier and cathodic.
• Barrier protection shields the base steel product from the environment to eliminate the potential of rust formation.
• Cathodic protection is used to describe the property of the zinc to self-heal when it is scratched or altered. This means
the base steel will corrode only in exposed areas and corrosion will not spread over the rest of the material until the
adjacent zinc coating is compromised.
The galvanized coating is applied in a hot dipped process per ASTM A653 standards to the desired thickness (weight).
Each coated steel product has its own coating weight designation, for example G60. The “G” means the coating is
galvanized and the units are in the imperial system as opposed to a “Z,” which designates metric units. The two-digit
number (60) pertains to the weight of the zinc on the surface of the steel in ounces per square foot (0.60 oz/ft 2). The
greater the thickness (weight) of the coating, the longer the protection will last.

Standard Galvanized Coating Thicknesses
The nonstructural steel classifications are Nonstructural Steel Structural Steel Additional
typically used on the interior of the building Products Products Galvanized Coatings
thus requiring less galvanized protection 18 mil–30 mil 33 mil–118 mil 33 mil–220 mil
(G40). G40 galvanized coating G60 galvanized coating G115, G140, and
G185
Structural steel products may be used on the

exterior of the buildings or in harsher Supreme Products 68 mil–118 mil
G40 galvanized coating G90 galvanized coating
environments. That is why they require
thicker/heavier galvanized coatings (G60 or Supreme 33EQD Supreme Products
G90). G60 galvanized coating G60 galvanized coating
Heavier coatings may be required for special

circumstances and are available in G115,
G140, and G185.
A good resource for predicting the zinc coating life or for general capabilities is www.galvinfo.com where a coating life
predictor will help determine the expected life based on atmospheric and environmental conditions.

Dimensional Properties
Nonstructural steel shapes have web widths ranging from

1-⅝″ up to 8″ and flange designations of 1-¼″ for standard
thicknesses and 1-7/16″ for Supreme (EQ) shapes. The return
lengths vary based on the flange width and material thickness
and will range from 3/16″ to 3/8″.
Structural steel shapes have more options for web depth,

ranging up to 16″ and flange widths up to 3-½″. Similar to
nonstructural steel, the return heights of structural steel vary
Stud Track
based on flange designation and material thickness and range
from 3/8″ to 1″.
Tracks come in similar web depths as stud members, but are

designed to accommodate the studs inside the legs. The track
leg dimensions typically start at 1-¼″ and 1-½″, and then
increase by ½″ increments up to 3-½″.

Manufacturing Processes
Cold-formed steel members are manufactured

by one of two methods: progressive roll-
forming machines or by a brake press.
Roll-forming machines take large coils of

designated flat widths for each profile and
slowly transition the part through a series of
bends into the final shape. Roll-formed shapes
have no length limitations and almost any
standard profile can be made on the roll-
forming line.
Brake-press forming uses a manually-operated

machine that will make each bend in a single
“pressing” motion. Brake shapes can have
custom profile dimensions but are often limited
to 24′ in length.

Benefits of Designing with Cold-Formed Steel
Light-gauge, cold-formed steel offers many advantages for both structural and
nonstructural applications in comparison to other building materials such as concrete and
wood.
Some of the more notable highlights include the following:

• Consistent material quality that allows for long spans with precision tolerances.
• High strength-to-weight ratio that permits longer spans with higher load capacity
utilizing lighter products. Lighter products may increase efficiency for the installer and
provide a safer work environment.
• Unlike traditional wood-framed construction, cold-formed steel is noncombustible and
insect resistant.
• Steel is the most recycled building material and all cold-formed products are 100%
recyclable, which will reduce jobsite waste.
• Steel offers dimensional stability and flexibility in design.
• Building with cold-formed steel may contribute to LEED® v4 credits.

Interior Soffit: Curved Members
Following up the technical information

we just reviewed, we will now move
on to some in-field examples of cold-
formed metal framing and its many
uses.
In this picture, you can see an

intricate soffit that uses prefabricated
steel curved track and curved angles.
Standard steel studs give the soffit its

depth and strength, while the
prefabricated radius products keep the
members evenly spaced and eliminate
any flat spots or unsightly finishes.

Interior Soffit: Ellipse
This picture features a soffit utilizing

prefabricated curved members, but this time
the shape is actually an ellipse, as opposed to
circles that were highlighted in the previous
example.
By utilizing steel products and the proper

manufacturing techniques, manufacturers are
able to create single-piece members with a
changing radius. This allows the inner and
outer radii to keep perfectly parallel to one
another, so that the drywall section that is
visible will not have any segments that are
thinner or wider than the others.

Curved Exterior Framing
In this example, the exterior wall of the

building has been stick-framed in between
floors.
As the shape of the exterior is an abrupt

curve, prefabricated curved track members
are utilized, including curved wall track,
slotted top track for the deflection of the main
structure, and curved boxed headers for the
large window openings.
These curved members are a great example

of how these products can be used for
exterior envelope applications that resist the
wind loads on the building.

Exterior Framing
Here we find a more

traditional exterior assembly
on an office-type building.
You can see examples of

stick-framing, as well as
some bypass framing around
the outer structural steel I-
beams.
The cold-rolled channel used

for bracing the stud members
against rotation can also be
viewed in the outer walls.

Exterior Framing
This photo is another typical example of cold-

formed metal framing on the exterior of a
building.
The steel studs are used to frame between the

structural members, which are making up the
main structure or skeleton of the building.
In this application, the studs are used as curtain

walls between the gray steel beams and
columns, as well as for the roof joists.

Interior Demising Walls
The next example is of steel studs

being utilized for an interior
demising wall condition. Single-
span steel stud members are used
to build the 64′ wall.
The bracing used to help this wall

resist any rotation can also be seen
at a 6′ o.c. spacing up the wall.
This picture highlights the

advantageous properties of cold-
formed steel (including its
consistent quality over a very long
but slender member), which make it
such a popular building material.

Roof Trusses
The last example displays the use of steel stud

members to create roof trusses in a similar
fashion to wood trusses.
With the use of different steel sections, there

are many methods in which these trusses can
be designed to suit the numerous potential in-
field conditions.
In the United States, there are several

companies that design and assemble these
composite systems.
Note that steel truss systems can be built in

the field or delivered to the jobsite.

Review Question
What are some of the benefits of designing with cold-

formed steel?

Answer
What are some of the benefits of designing with cold-

formed steel?
Some of the more notable highlights include the following:

• Consistent material quality that allows for long spans with
precision tolerances.
• High strength-to-weight ratio that permits longer spans
with higher load capacity utilizing lighter products.
• Cold-formed steel is noncombustible and insect resistant.
• Cold-formed products are 100% recyclable, which will
reduce jobsite waste.
• Steel offers dimensional stability and flexibility in design.
• Building with cold-formed steel may contribute to LEED®
v4 credits.

Acoustical Framing Solutions

Acoustical Framing Solutions:

Introduction
In this next section, we will turn our focus to specialty acoustical
products.
All of the products in this section are specifically designed to

decrease sound transmission through wall or ceiling assemblies.
First, we will review sound transmission class (STC) ratings and

discuss some traditional methods for sound attenuation, including
resilient sound channels, sound isolation clips, and chase wall
assemblies.
Following that, we will look at a new composite sound assembly

composed of preassembled double sound guard studs that will
reduce field installation time and bring value back to the building
owner by saving square footage.

Gypsum Association Design Manual: STC
The Gypsum Association (GA) Fire Resistance and Sound Control Design
Manual (among others) lists sound transmission class (STC) ratings for tested
assemblies for both generic and proprietary systems.
The STC rating is an integer used to designate the effectiveness of an assembly

to reduce sound transmission. The higher the number, the less sound
transmission the assembly will have.
In order to determine the STC rating, the assembly is constructed and tested per
ASTM E90, “Standard Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Airborne
Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions and Elements.” Loudspeakers
with varying frequencies are played from one side of the wall while a receiver on
the other side measures the decibels lost at different frequencies. This data is
graphed with a contour curve, which is used to determine the STC rating.
Image source: www.gypsum.org

Gypsum Association Design Manual: STC
The Gypsum Association GA-600 Design Manual lists three different STC ranges for wall/ceiling assemblies:
• 50–54
• 55–59
• 60–64
Due to the method of data collection and different tested assemblies, these rating groups provide an estimated range of
performance for each assembly. A difference of one to two STC ratings may be accounted for by inconsistencies in the
test, or rounding of the STC integer. Oftentimes, assemblies with small differences will have the same performance to
the human ear.
In general, steel stud sound walls achieve the greatest acoustic performance when the amount of framing in the walls is
minimized. That is why most sound assemblies will have studs spaced at 24″o.c., and be of 25 gauge (18 mil or EQ) or
20 gauge (30 mil or EQ) material. Any increase in material thickness, or decrease in spacing, may result in lower STC
performance. In other words, the thinner the steel thickness and the greater the spacing, the higher the STC rating.

Acoustical Consultants & Testing Facilities
When choosing a sound assembly that is right for your project, it is important to consider the entities that have tested
and reviewed the product.
It is highly recommended that test results come from an accredited laboratory that has experience in testing these types
of assemblies.
There are also many different acoustical consultants who have worked with these types of products over the years and
have conducted field testing to verify performance of the assembly. As a general rule, it is expected the field assembly
test be within five STC points of the laboratory test. This will accommodate inconsistencies in the field and changes in
environmental aspects.

Resilient Sound Channels
Next, we will review some different sound attenuation products and

look at how they fare in increasing the sound performance of the
wall assembly.
The first is a resilient sound channel (RC) that effectively creates a

½″ gap between the sheathing material and the face of the framing.
The separation creates a discontinuity in the path of the sound,
reducing the sound transmission through the wall or ceiling.
RC can be used with both wood and steel studs in ceiling and wall
assemblies.

The versatility of RC, as well as its availability, are positive attributes, but as
with any sound assembly there are some disadvantages when comparing RC
to traditional partition assemblies. For example, the RC channel adds an
additional step to the construction process and makes installation of the board
more difficult. In addition, labor is added to the project scope to ensure the
proper installation instructions are met by means of sound caulking, channel
spacing, and orientation.
One of the largest issues with resilient sound channel installation is referred to
as “RC sandwiching.” This occurs when wall-hung items such as cabinets,
shelves, monitors, etc. are mounted directly to backing that is connected to the
steel stud. This construction method effectively eliminates the gap the RC was
trying to create between building materials. As a result, more pathways are
created for sound to transfer through the assembly, thereby decreasing its
overall sound performance.

There are many different shapes, hole and slot configurations, and material specifications among steel framing
manufacturers. Shown below are a few examples of different RC profiles that are commonly used (note the difference in
slot configuration between the products).

Research has found that the slot configuration will have a large effect on the overall effectiveness of the product. The slot
needs to be centered over the attachment location such that it creates an obstacle for the path of sound travel. In general,
the wider the slot, the better the performance.
RC configuration with slot and holes aligned to increase

the path that sound must travel through the assembly

Quality Resilient Sound Channels
Most all RC products will be accompanied by expected STC results derived Board Layer GA-600 STC
from testing for the following configurations: Configuration Ranges
• A single layer of gypsum board on each side with insulation (STC 50–54) 1x1 50–54
• An unbalanced assembly with one layer of gypsum wallboard (GWB) on one
side and two layers on the other with insulation in the cavity (STC 55–59) 2x1 55–59
• A configuration that has two layers of GWB on each side with insulation in 2x2 60–64
the cavity (STC 60–64)
Quality RC products have been tested for a variety of conditions that show elevated performance from formerly tested
assemblies. When selecting RC products, compare the STC ratings to the traditional ranges presented in the Gypsum
Association manual.
As previously mentioned, it is always recommended to use test results that are from an accredited laboratory to confirm
the RC effectiveness and assure the assembly in the field will be acceptable for the required performance. Keep in mind
that even the slightest change to the assembly can affect the sound performance. This includes stud size and thickness,
stud spacing, insulation thickness and type, screw spacing and frequency, and GWB orientation.

Sound Isolation Clips
Sound isolation clips are the next sound attenuation option for
discussion. These products act in a similar manner to resilient
channels with the main goal to “float” the wall or ceiling sheathing
away from the framing members. Sound must travel through the
furring or resilient channel then into the isolation clip which is
attached to the framing stud. A rubber grommet acts as an isolator
to help reduce the amount of sound transmission from the finishes
to the channel and into the framing members.
The sound performance of these products varies greatly from

moderate (STC 55 to 59) to high performance (STC 60 to 64),
depending on application, product type, and installation layout.
Additionally, there are many variations of rubber used to isolate the
framing components.
Note that high ratings are obtained with assemblies incorporating

multiple layers of GWB, tile, dense insulation, or other materials.

Sound isolation clips are commonly used in conjunction with a traditional

furring hat channel, or a double-legged resilient channel.
Installing these types of systems is a multiple-step process:
1. The clips need to be installed to the framing members to the desired

layout and spacing.
2. The hat channel, or double-legged resilient channel, needs to be

placed inside the clips before the wallboard can be installed. This
additional step adds more time, labor, and expense to the installation
process.

This diagram shows an example of a staggered pattern used for resilient clips during testing. To ensure maximum
performance is achieved, the specific layout used during testing should be followed. Each product and manufacturer has
different layouts for these products, and it is important to ensure that this is understood by the installer before
construction.

Boards, Sealants, Insulation
There are also many different variations of boards, insulation, and sealants on the market that all assist in increasing
sound performance.
Sound-dampening composite gypsum systems utilize noise-proofing compounds that laminate multiple layers of gypsum
board together for a single installation. When these products are used in conjunction with other isolation products, such
as clips and resilient channels, the sound performance ratings can reach up to STC 80.
Thicker or denser insulation can be effective to increase sound performance and can be used in addition to sound
isolation clips, resilient channels, and boards. Filling the cavity with thicker insulation adds more fibers in the wall
assembly, which break up and disperse sound as it passes through the wall.

Boards, Sealants, Insulation
Much like the resilient channels and isolation clips, proprietary boards and insulation are more expensive when
compared to traditional building materials.
Although the added labor of boards, sealants, and insulation may be less than the isolation clips and channels, it does
increase the time needed for installation when compared to traditional assemblies, and again this adds cost to the
contractor and building owner.
Furthermore, there are limited availability and options when it comes to these types of products, which could affect the
project schedule.

Chase Wall Assemblies
The traditional, most common, and oftentimes most effective method

to decrease sound between units or rooms is a chase or double-wall
assembly. This assembly has two separate top and bottom tracks in
which framing members are installed.
An “air gap” is left between the two wall assemblies to eliminate

material touching each side of the assembly. This makes it very Air Gap
difficult for sound waves to travel from one side of the assembly to the
other. Frequently, this will be the assembly used for superior STC
performance.
There are many different design resources that contain tested

chase/double-wall assemblies in a variety of configurations (board
layers, insulation type, etc.) such as the GA-600 Design Manual, the
USG Design Studio, and the National Research Council of Canada
(NRC). The NRC is a popular, highly trusted resource that provides a
large variety of different tested sound assemblies.

Chase Wall Assemblies
Along with their favorable attributes, chase wall assemblies have several
disadvantages:
• One of the biggest drawbacks of chase wall assemblies is the additional

time, labor, and cost required for installing two separate walls compared
to a single-stud partition assembly.
• The system offers limited heights for unbraced stud members as the
member will be more susceptible to buckling.
• By nature of the system, the overall wall thickness is increased, which in

turn results in wasted usable space of the building footprint.
• The complexity of the framing can sometimes lead to installation

complications and concerns.

Issues with Traditional Sound Wall Assemblies
The recurring issue with traditional, high-performance sound wall construction is this: sound attenuation is always
achieved by adding mass to the assembly either via additional isolation systems, thicker insulation, additional layers of
GWB, or larger air gaps.
Compared to traditional assemblies, all of these sound attenuation systems:

• result in a decrease in usable building space
• have greater labor and material requirements
• add time to the critical path of a project, and
• require additional installation instructions that often lead to concerns, complications, or additional processes for
compliance to building officials.

Preassembled Double-Stud Sound Guard Systems

Innovative Composite Assemblies
A solution to traditional sound assemblies is a preassembled double-stud sound

guard system (also referenced in this course as preassembled double-stud
systems), which offers superior acoustic performance while maintaining all the
benefits of a standard partition wall assembly.
A preassembled double-stud system is composed of two traditional metal studs

attached with a foam isolator every 48″ o.c. along the span and 2″ from each end.
These isolators help dissipate the vibrations between the two stud faces, which
are directly attached to a standard GWB board. This takes the sound guard
concept of a chase wall configuration by creating a break in sound transmission
between the two stud faces, combined with the benefit of a single-member
installation. The stud is used with a single top and bottom standard track section
that helps reduce the labor for installation and the overall footprint of the sound
assembly.
A preassembled double-stud sound guard system can be used to replace

traditional chase wall assemblies, sound isolation clips, resilient sound channels,
Preassembled Double-Stud Framing System
proprietary boards, or special insulations.

Advantages of Preassembled Double-Stud Systems
One of the biggest advantages of a preassembled double-stud system is

the potential gains that can be realized for the building owner.
PREASSEMBLED DOUBLE-
STUD SOUND GUARD SYSTEM
The reduced wall width assembly (when compared to traditional chase

walls) can save inches off of each sound wall on the project.
These inches add up to increased room dimensions and a greater amount

of additional, saleable square footage (and revenue gains) for the building
TRADITIONAL DOUBLE-
owner. STUD SOUND WALL
SQUARE FOOTAGE
SAVINGS

Advantages of Preassembled Double-Stud Systems
The example on the right shows the benefits of installing a

preassembled double-stud system in a 26-story residential
condo unit located in Seattle, WA.
This specific building saved 2-⅜″ on every sound wall for a

total of over 18,000 lineal ft. This equates to an additional
3,602 sq ft of useable space. Two each 2-½″ studs with 1″ air gap
6″ total wall width x 18,200 lineal footage of wall
Based on the average price of condos in Seattle as of March Preassembled Double-Stud Sound Guard System
2017 of $1,065/sq ft, this equals over $3.8 million in useable One each 3-⅝″ PDS Framing System stud
3-⅝″ total wall width x 18,200 lineal footage of wall
space/revenue gains to the building owner.
Traditional 9,100 sq ft – 5,498 sq ft PDS Framing System

Review Question
What are the problematic issues with traditional sound attenuation

systems?

Answer
What are the problematic issues with traditional sound attenuation

systems?
Traditional sound attenuation systems:

• result in a decrease in usable building space
• have greater labor and material requirements
• add time to the critical path of a project, and
• require additional installation instructions that often lead to concerns,
complications, or additional processes for compliance to building
officials.

Preassembled Double-Stud Systems: Assembly Options
A preassembled double-stud framing system is available in 3-⅝″, 4″, and 6″ wall assemblies, including a 6″ wide option
with a larger service cavity of 2-¾″ to allow for piping of other mechanical conduit.
6″ Stud
Assembly
6″Service
Cavity Stud
Assembly
Piping
6″Stud
Assembly 6″Bottom
Track

STC Performance / Fire Ratings
As shown in the adjacent table, the STC performances of the various Board Layer STC Ranges
preassembled double-stud system configurations are as follows: Configuration
1x1 STC 52
• One layer of GWB each side (1x1) with standard fiberglass
insulation: STC 52 1x2 STC 57
• An unbalanced GWB formation (1x2) with standard fiberglass 2x2 STC 60
insulation: STC 57
• Two layers of GWB each side (2x2) with standard fiberglass
insulation: STC 60
The composite assembly also achieves 1-hour partition fire rating

(ASTM E119) tested via UL V463.

Wall Heights
Preassembled double-stud systems are third-party tested to determine the span capabilities of the product.
As previously mentioned, chase wall assemblies with GWB on only the outside flanges have very limited span capabilities
due to the unbraced back (inner) flanges.
The chart on the next slide shows different limiting heights for both preassembled double-stud systems and chase wall
assemblies per the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) S100 Design Manual.

Wall Heights
Preassembled Double-Stud Framing System

Example:
(2) 362S125-30M
Wall Width: 8 ¼”
Wall Height 8’-6”
(2) 362S125-30M
Wall Width: 8 ¼”
Framing System
(1) 362SG-30EQD
Preassembled
362SG-30EQD
Double-Stud
Wall Width: 3-5/8”

Wall Heights
To expand on the chart, if we look at a common member used in chase wall configurations (362S125-30mil [20 gauge])
with the inner flanges of the two studs unbraced, assuming typical interior pressure of 5 psf, the limiting height is only
8′ 6″. Even if we were to add cross or U channel bridging/bracing at 48″ o.c., this member will still only reach 13′ 3″ under
typical conditions. If additional wall height is required, alterations to the tested assembly may need to be made, such as
increasing the thickness of material or increasing bracing. These types of changes would result in variations to the testing
assembly that would likely have a negative effect on performance.
In comparison, the tested allowable height of the 362SG-30EQD (preassembled double-stud system) is 14′ 0″. This
assembly would not require any additional bracing, and it reduces the overall footprint of the sound wall considerably.
Additionally, this assembly gives the designer the confidence that the assembly installed is exactly what was tested for
sound and fire, making the likelihood of the assembly performing in the field similar to the laboratory tests almost a
certainty.
Please take a moment to review how other typical double-wall configurations perform for strength in comparison to the
composite tested preassembled double-stud sound guard system.

Summary of Benefits of Preassembled Double-Stud Systems
This section of the course concludes with a summary of the benefits of using
a preassembled double-stud framing system as a sound attenuation strategy.
The preassembled double-stud sound guard system eliminates many issues

installers experience with traditional assemblies. Since this assembly is
installed as one piece, standard framing practices apply, meaning wall-hung
items can be handled with ease. Multiple board layers have been tested and
are easy to install directly to the stud flange.
No extra time or costs are incurred in framing the wall compared to traditional
single-stud installation.

Summary of Benefits of Preassembled Double-Stud Systems
The main takeaway of this system to the designer/architect is the additional

saleable square footage it creates for the building space. Just a few inches
of gain on each wall can add up to significant revenue gains for the building
owner.
The preassembled double-stud framing system comes in three standard

wall widths, 3-⅝″, 4″, and 6″ (two options for 6″) for compatibility with
standard building materials, such as door frames.
Lastly, the composite heights allow for greater spans and the assurance
that the installed assembly meets the specified sound ratings.

Shaftwall Fire Design

Shaftwall Fire Design: Introduction
The focus of the next section of the presentation will be on shaftwall fire design. Topics for review include the
components, history, and types/uses of the different shaftwall studs that are available.

Shaftwall Assembly Components
Shaftwall was designed to enable the framer to build a fire-rated wall

assembly around an elevator shaft or stairwell without the need of
scaffolding or other means to reach the inside of the shaft.
Components of a Shaftwall Assembly: I-Stud
• Shaftwall stud (I-, CH-, or CT-shaped members)

• J-track (top and bottom track)
• 1″ shaftliner board (inside of shaft)
• ½″ or ⅝″ gypsum board (outside of shaft)
J-Track

Shaftwall Installation
Shaftwall is assembled from only one side of the wall as a composite

assembly.
The J-track is attached to the floor above and below and the shaftwall
studs are upright and twisted into place similar to a traditional stud.
Once a stud is in place, a 1″ thick gypsum board, known as a core-board

or shaftliner, is slid inside of the tabbed, or channel-like profile, on the
shaft side of the wall. This board sits inside the track and is secured to the
stud through the tab or channel so there is no need to access the other
side (the shaft side) of the wall.
Being able to assemble the wall from only one side while maintaining the
fire rating for the assembly is a great advantage for the contractor and for
the project as a whole. The installation is much faster and safer than it
would be if access inside the shaft was needed, involving scaffolding and
harness equipment.

An Abridged History of Shaftwall Systems
The first shaftwall product to penetrate the market was the CH-stud, which was developed and manufactured by the
United States Gypsum Corporation (USG). This stud, which is still used today, features a 1″ channel on each side of the
stud for the shaftliner to slide into. The CH-stud is likely the most well-known type of shaftwall stud. Since its introduction,
its popularity within the construction community grew rapidly due to the ease of use and the safety benefits of the design.
The next two profiles to enter the market were the I-stud (created by Knorr Steel Framing Systems) and the CT-stud
(developed by Georgia-Pacific).
• The I-stud features an I-shaped profile with tabs spaced at 12″ o.c. on both sides, which are bent out of the web in
order for the shaftliner to slide in.
• The CT-stud has a similar profile shape to the CH-stud, but uses a combination of the channel on one side of the web,
and a tabbed layout on the other.
Originally, all of these profiles were only available in standard 18 mil (25 gauge) and 33 mil (structural 20 gauge) due to
the very intricate design and tight bends of the profiles.

As for the I-stud, a steel stud company eventually obtained the I-stud shaftwall
line and advancements were made in the development of new material
standards, composite wall height testing, and a new certification report.
The other point of interest regarding the I-stud in comparison to the CH and CT
studs is who the developer was. Since the CH and CT studs were developed by
gypsum board manufacturers, it was easy for them to obtain testing or
engineering studies to incorporate all of their different board types (including
proprietary board types) into UL fire-rated assemblies with only their shaftwall
stud of choice.
As the I-stud was originally developed by a steel framing manufacturer, it was not
initially available in UL assemblies with select gypsum board manufacturers.

Today, the different UL assemblies that used to specify only one type of shaftwall stud, or
one gypsum board manufacturer, are much more open.
For the most part, all three of the different shaftwall studs can be readily found in 1-hour
and 2-hour rated UL fire designs, including in all the gypsum board manufacturers, and in
the vast majority of their board types. This includes both fire-rated wall and ceiling
assemblies.
Furthermore, we have seen UL take on a larger role and certify the tested composite wall
heights for the shaftwall studs, whereas in the past, one used to rely on other third-party
certification agencies.

Review Question
What are the four components of a shaftwall assembly?

Answer
What are the four components of a shaftwall assembly?
The four components include:

1. Shaftwall stud (I-, CH-, or CT-shaped members)
2. J-track (top and bottom track)
3. 1″ shaftliner board (inside of shaft)
4. ½″ or ⅝″ gypsum board (outside of shaft)

Regarding the shaftwall studs themselves, as you can see in the Type Thickness
chart, there have been some advances with the steel strengths,
CH-Stud 18 mil, 34 mil
as well as with the available thicknesses. Recall, shaftwall was
(33 ksi yield strength)
first available in only 18 mil and 33 mil thickness, with the steel
having a yield strength of 33 ksi.
CT-Stud 18 mil, 33 mil (33 ksi)
43 mil (50 ksi, available on the East Coast)
Today, the CH-stud is available in an 18 mil and 34 mil
thickness. I-Stud 18 mil, 33 mil, 43 mil
(all 57 ksi high yield strength)
The CT-stud is available in 18 mil and 33 mil with 33 ksi yield
strength, and also in 43 mil thickness with a 50 ksi yield strength.
Finally, the I-stud, which was recently redeveloped and

composite tested in December of 2015, is available in 18 mil, 33
mil, and 43 mil thickness, all having a 57 ksi yield strength.

Shaftwall Composite Wall Heights
Here we have the CH-stud compared to the I-stud in a 2-hour assembly. This table is a good representation of typical
interior design criteria for a building (5 psf lateral pressure and L/240 deflection). For a sealed elevator shaft, we
sometimes see a pressure increase on the inside of the shaft, so it is common to see a 7.5 psf lateral pressure design, or
even an L/360 deflection criteria for stricter finishing tolerances.

Shaftwall Composite Wall Heights
To expand on the table on the previous slide, you will see that the I-stud has comparable wall heights to the CH-stud,
and the height advantages can be seen in the columns to the far right.
If you examine the 6″, 43 mil I-stud, compared to the 6″, 34 mil CH-stud, we see height gains of over 5′. These studs
and their correlating heights make up the maximum allowable height of each system.
This is a notable benefit for modern times as the designs of buildings have been trending towards a greater first-story
height. Oftentimes, this height reaches up to 25′, which would not be attained by single shaftwall members, until the 43
mil shaftwall stud became available.

Shaftwall Ceiling Spans
This next table compares the

allowable horizontal spans (aka
corridor or ceiling spans) for the CH-
studs and I-studs.
Instead of the assemblies being

controlled by the lateral pressure
design, it is more common for
corridor ceilings to be designed to
carry their own assembly weight.

Shaftwall Ceiling Spans
As you can see in the tables on the previous slide, the CH-stud and I-stud have both been designed to carry the weight of
the stud, the shaftliner board, and one or two layers of gypsum board, dependent on the fire rating.
The only deflection criteria that is called out is the L/360 criteria, as that is the industry standard for ceiling/corridor
assemblies.
Once again, we can see great gains in the allowable spans for the I-stud assemblies due to the 43 mil thickness, as well
as the high-yield strength steel used for these products.
Please remember the test password SPAN. You will be required to enter it in order to proceed with the online test.

Specifying Shaftwall Studs
When specifying shaftwall studs for a project, there are several key factors to keep in mind:
• It is important to verify that the specified shaftwall studs and manufacturers of these
materials have current and up-to-date third-party certification for the testing data (e.g., UL
Evaluation Report ER 3660-02).
• Check the availability of framing details or UL library details for the assemblies. This may
Image Source: http://www.ul.com
include specifying UL fire-rated assemblies that contain/allow all three shaftwall studs
with all of the gypsum board manufacturers and board types called out.
• Consider the ease of use and inspection of the shaftwall stud. Having a channel that holds the 1″ shaftliner board is a
good design, but it can be difficult for an inspector to verify at a glance that the board is fully seated in the channel.
Having a tabbed profile securely holds the board, while still allowing easy inspection of the installed assembly.
• Possibly the most important thing to consider is the allowable wall height of the specified shaftwall stud compared to
the project’s wall height requirement. Being assured that the member will reach the full wall height with the appropriate
design criteria is crucial. In fact, the source of most problems that come with the use of shaftwall (e.g., “sistering” or
adding in additional structural studs into the air cavity) is specifying shaftwall that does not meet wall height
requirements.

Steel Specification
When specifying any cold-formed steel

framing product, be specific on the steel
used on the project. This includes, but is
not limited to, specifying reputable
regional manufacturers, keeping
specifications up-to-date with current
ASTM and AISI standards, and being
aware of the source of the raw steel for
the products.
Cold-formed steel manufacturers should

be readily equipped to provide this
information, or assist with any questions
that are raised.

Summary

Important Points
This presentation provided information related to the following:
• Light-gauge framing and the basic cold-formed steel product characteristics, including strength standards, coating
specifications, and dimensional properties
• The role of cold-formed steel in the acoustical world, including tried-and-true standard techniques and assemblies,
such as sound isolation clips, resilient channels, and chase walls
• The components and benefits of a preassembled double-stud sound guard system, a space-saving interior framing
assembly designed to easily construct partition walls with high STC ratings
• Shaftwall and fire-rated assemblies, including the recent developments and the expansion of UL assembly inclusions
for the three different shaftwall studs (CH-stud, CT-stud, and I-stud), plus the most recent testing and developments
with the I-stud shaftwall system

Conclusion
If you desire AIA/CES, state licensing or CE credits for another organization,

please click on the button to commence your online test. A score of 80% or
better will allow you to print your Certificate of Completion; you may also go
to your AEC Daily Transcript to see your completed courses and certificates.
For additional knowledge and post-seminar assistance, click on the Ask an ©2017, 2020 SCAFCO Steel Stud Company. The material contained in this
Expert link. course was researched, assembled, and produced by SCAFCO Steel Stud
Company and remains its property. Questions or concerns about the content of
this course should be directed to the program instructor. This multimedia product
If you have colleagues that might benefit from this seminar, please let them is the copyright of AEC Daily.
know. Feel free to revisit the AEC Daily website to download additional
programs.
Questions? Ask an Expert – click here

MORE
Click Here to Take the Test
powered by Exit

Acoustic Solutions & Fire Wall Design Innovations: SCAFCO Steel Stud Company

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Acoustic Solutions & Fire Wall Design Innovations: SCAFCO Steel Stud Company

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

• About the Instructor • About the Sponsor • Ask an Expert

Acoustic Solutions &

SCAFCO Steel Stud Company

©2017, 2020 ∙ Table of Contents < Slide 1 of 75 >

Acoustic Solutions & Fire Wall Design Innovations

The American Institute of Architects

©2017, 2020 ∙ Table of Contents < Slide 2 of 75 >

©2017, 2020 ∙ Table of Contents < Slide 3 of 75 >

©2017, 2020 ∙ Table of Contents < Slide 4 of 75 >

How to Use This Online Learning Course

©2017, 2020 ∙ Table of Contents < Slide 5 of 75 >

Purpose and Learning Objectives

Cold-Formed Steel Basics

Acoustical Framing Solutions

Preassembled Double-Stud Sound Guard Systems

Shaftwall Fire Design

Click on title to view

©2017, 2020 ∙ Table of Contents < Slide 7 of 75 >

Cold-Formed Steel Basics

©2017, 2020 ∙ Table of Contents < Slide 8 of 75 >

©2017, 2020 ∙ Table of Contents < Slide 9 of 75 >

Nonstructural Steel Products

There are also Supreme products or Equivalent Framing (EQ ) designated

©2017, 2020 ∙ Table of Contents < Slide 10 of 75 >

Structural Steel Products

©2017, 2020 ∙ Table of Contents < Slide 11 of 75 >

©2017, 2020 ∙ Table of Contents < Slide 12 of 75 >

Standard Galvanized Coating Thicknesses

Structural steel products may be used on the

Heavier coatings may be required for special

©2017, 2020 ∙ Table of Contents < Slide 13 of 75 >

Nonstructural steel shapes have web widths ranging from

Structural steel shapes have more options for web depth,

Tracks come in similar web depths as stud members, but are

©2017, 2020 ∙ Table of Contents < Slide 14 of 75 >

Cold-formed steel members are manufactured

Roll-forming machines take large coils of

Brake-press forming uses a manually-operated

©2017, 2020 ∙ Table of Contents < Slide 15 of 75 >

Benefits of Designing with Cold-Formed Steel

Some of the more notable highlights include the following:

©2017, 2020 ∙ Table of Contents < Slide 16 of 75 >

Interior Soffit: Curved Members

Following up the technical information

In this picture, you can see an

Standard steel studs give the soffit its

©2017, 2020 ∙ Table of Contents < Slide 17 of 75 >

Interior Soffit: Ellipse

This picture features a soffit utilizing

By utilizing steel products and the proper

©2017, 2020 ∙ Table of Contents < Slide 18 of 75 >

Curved Exterior Framing

In this example, the exterior wall of the

As the shape of the exterior is an abrupt

These curved members are a great example

©2017, 2020 ∙ Table of Contents < Slide 19 of 75 >

Here we find a more

You can see examples of

The cold-rolled channel used

©2017, 2020 ∙ Table of Contents < Slide 20 of 75 >

This photo is another typical example of cold-

The steel studs are used to frame between the

In this application, the studs are used as curtain