330
Partitions: Strength
334.3.3
Connections
For the range of loads stipulated, typical connections at the floor and at
the ceiling are adequate and the capacity of the basic ceiling design is
sufficient.
334.4
ATTACHMENTS
334.4.1
Gypsum Board on Metal Stud Partitions
Generally, except to support very light objects such as room thermostats,
no fasteners should be used without horizontal rails or back-up plates,
unless they are attached directly to the studs. Surface mounted horizontal
rails are far more adaptable that back-up plates though the issue of
asepsis may eliminate this option in some areas. The rails may be
proprietary or specially designed. Back-up plates can be installed in the
conventional manner, i.e., as required to support each predetermined
piece of equipment, or it may be economically feasible to install
continuous horizontal back-up plates at one or two predetermined heights.
The latter method is preferred in that it would facilitate the installation or
relocation of equipment at a later date, without the need to cut into the
partition face. The required number, size and height of continuous back-
up plates will vary in different functional areas of the hospital. The design
of the back-up plates is best integrated with the interior elevations of a
particular project so that convenient heights and sizes can be determined
in relation to typical wall hung equipment in the various functional areas.
The sizes of the back-up plates which could be used for various loads are
as follows:
1. If the plate acts alone, i.e., if it is located behind the gypsum board, use
3" x 16-gauge if pullout is less than 15 pounds between each stud. (A
pullout force of this magnitude could result from supporting on the
partition an eight-foot high by twelve-inch deep cabinet weighing 200
pounds per horizontal foot.)
2. For the same force, a 3" x 25-gauge plate may be used if it is located
between two thickness of gypsum board, i.e., if it acts in conjunction
with the gypsum board. This option may also be used in conjunction
with laminated gypsum board partitions.
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