Gypsum Association System Confusion

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Author Message David G. Axt, CCS, CSI ,SCIP Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 1359 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Friday, June 27, 2014 - 01:10 pm:    Okay I am confused. The architect has a gypsum shaftwall system show on the wall type schedule with GA WP7453 indicated. This system is NOT listed in the 20th Edition of Gypsum Association Fire Resistance Design Manual GA-600-2012, but it IS listed in the earlier 19th edition (GA-600-2009). Is this proprietary system still valid or has it been withdrawn? David G. Axt, CCS, CSI, SCIP Specifications Consultant/Web Publisher www.localproductreps.com Ronald L. Geren, FCSI, AIA, CCS, CCCA, SCIP Senior Member Username: specman Post Number: 1232 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Friday, June 27, 2014 - 03:29 pm:    What building code is applicable? The 2012 IBC references the 2009 GA-600. However, regardless of which GA-600 edition is adopted, the assemblies in GA-600 that are identified as "PROPRIETARTY" are not acceptable per the IBC. GA WP7453 is a PROPRIETARY assembly; therefore, the jurisdiction probably will not accept it (or should not accept it). If the manufacturer has a UL assembly for the same product, the architect should reference that instead of the GA number. Ron Geren, FCSI, AIA, CCS, CCCA, SCIP www.specsandcodes.com Mark Gilligan SE, Senior Member Username: mark_gilligan Post Number: 666 Registered: 10-2007 Posted on Friday, June 27, 2014 - 03:44 pm:    Ron Why is a proprietary system listed in a referenced standard not acceptable? There are problems when a proprietary system is the only way to obtain code compliance but if there are other options it might not be so. I believe that there are problems with the UL standards if they require that the report be prepared by UL or if the code reference is not to a specific version of the standard. When a standard requires that the report be issued by a specific organization the code is proprietarily, and I suggest wrongly, specifying the organization that will prepare the report. Ronald L. Geren, FCSI, AIA, CCS, CCCA, SCIP Senior Member Username: specman Post Number: 1233 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Friday, June 27, 2014 - 04:03 pm:    It is specifically mentioned in the IBC: The IBC Tables 721.1(1), 721.1(2), and 721.1(3) for prescriptive systems have footnotes to each (m, o, and q, respectively) that expressly does not accept the PROPRIETARY systems. Here's what each footnote states: "Generic fire-resistance ratings (those not designated as PROPRIETARY* in the listing) in GA 600 shall be accepted as if herein listed." Now, the AHJ could accept them if they want, but they aren't obligated to accept them like the GENERIC systems. Ron Geren, FCSI, AIA, CCS, CCCA, SCIP www.specsandcodes.com ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 782 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Friday, June 27, 2014 - 04:07 pm:    For what it's worth, GA WP7453 seems to be a USG system based on UL Design U415 - http://www.usgdesignstudio.com/assembly.asp?id=920443 Can you just change the reference to the UL Design number? Shouldn't be a problem then. I've found that as long as I refer to the ITS or UL design assembly, Code officials seem okay with it. Perhaps they're concerned that some GA designs have been tested for sound, not fire, or that the fire rating listed is based on engineer's judgment instead of testing. I've given up trying to figure out what motivates Code officials to do what they do sometimes. Just keep them happy and things seem to go smoothly.