Plasterboard alternative for garage

[orbit123]

Hi,

we're building quite a large timber garage and it looks likely it will need fire protection inside and out (after Building Control initially saying it did not and passing drawings!).

Plasterboard inside seems cheapest option for the required cover (30 minutes I think). I'm not a fan of plasterboard in outbuildings though - always seems to go a bit damp. We're in West Scotland so can be wet and cold a lot which doesn't help.

Any other ideas on what to use? I was planning to put OSB on the walls and I think you get fire resistant OSB but seems to be very expensive.

Thanks.

[V8RX7]

Assuming it's a detached garage without a habitable room above - why does it need fireproofing ?

Plasterboard is the easy / cheap option - paint it with masonry paint or similar to seal it ?

[TA14]

I guess that the need is because it's close to the boundary.

Hardie boards? http://www.jameshardie.co.uk/hardiebacker-12mm-cem...
http://www.jameshardie.co.uk/hardiepanel-cladding

[dublove]

Use 'Fermacell' board. It's like a super plasterboard, but not made with plaster. Much tougher, moisture, fire, impact proof etc. I held a chunk over the gas hob for 10 minutes and it just lightly browned up. Mental.

Not much more expensive either, I paid around £12 per 8x4 sheet at 12.5mm.

[orbit123]

It seems to be the size and fact it is within 5m of boundary.

Building control are torture though - none of this has been mentioned until build has started and even then I have it in a vague email from the BCO - but can't get hold of the guy to discuss with him. Been trying over a week now.

Any idea on the costs of Hardie Panels? Struggling to see any online.

Another idea was plasterboard (for fire cover) and then sheet over with OSB or ply. Plasterboard also not that great for knocks and bumps.

[TA14]

orbit123 said:

Any idea on the costs of Hardie Panels? Struggling to see any online.

I used it last year for a bathroom. The plasterer bought it and the price was quite reasonable.

I haven't heard of the Fermacell mentioned above but it looks OK from this: http://www.fermacell.com/en/content/fermacell_fire...

[orbit123]

Fermacell looks like what I was thinking of - seems like fibre reinforced plasterboard? Will get a look at both, thanks.

[Busa mav]

orbit123 said:

It seems to be the size and fact it is within 5m of boundary.

Building control are torture though - none of this has been mentioned until build has started and even then I have it in a vague email from the BCO - but can't get hold of the guy to discuss with him. Been trying over a week now.

.

Fire protection is only normally required if the wall is within 1m of the boundary .

Is this in England ?

Anybody who helped you prepare the drawings should have known that too as its the most basic requirement for a detached garage.

Inspectors are normally readily available just about any day before 10.30 or after 3.30 ish.


Something doesn't seem right here , I suspect the garage is over 30m2 and the plans weren't properly detailed,

or , it is under 30m2, doesn't need an application and whoever drew them missed the basic requirement for fire protection.

[orbit123]

I think chap that did the drawings has been terrible but don't have much to compare to.
I managed to find fire regulations via Google in 5 minutes though...

Someone at BC hopefully going to call me back today. They've actually been ok to be fair - just can't get hold of anyone over past few days.

[astroarcadia]

Glasroc F Multiboard is what you need.

[jason61c]

astroarcadia said:

Glasroc F Multiboard is what you need.

A chat with a BCO is what he really needs!

[orbit123]

Thanks all. Got BCO in end (different guy) and he was very helpful. Plasterboard inside is all we need for fire cover but something like the fermacell a bit harder for knocks and bumps. They all seem quite pricey but hopefully worth it vs standard plasterboard.
Reason for fire cover is the square meterage of the wall that lies along the boundary. There is a formula for distance from boundary and size of wall built from timber.

[EddyP]

Be careful with the Fermacell, it snaps very very easily.
I bought a sheet from the local building suppliers and they broke two sheets just trying to get one to my car!