What Is Fire-Rated Plasterboard?
Fire-rated plasterboard — also called fire-resistant or Type X board — is a gypsum plasterboard with a denser core reinforced with glass fibres. The modified core slows heat transfer and maintains the integrity of the wall or ceiling assembly during a fire event, giving occupants more time to evacuate and protecting structural elements.
In Australia, the fire performance of a wall or ceiling element is expressed as a Fire Resistance Level (FRL), stated as three numbers: structural adequacy / integrity / insulation — for example, 90/90/90. This means the element maintains structural integrity, prevents flame passage, and limits heat transfer for 90 minutes under standard fire test conditions.
Fire-rated plasterboard is the primary material used to achieve required FRLs in lightweight framed wall and ceiling systems. The FRL achieved depends on the board thickness, the number of layers, framing type and spacing, and the system tested by the manufacturer. CSR Gyprock and Knauf both publish tested and certified system details that builders and certifiers can reference directly.
FRL Ratings Explained
FRL 30/30/30
30 minutes structural adequacy, integrity, and insulation. Used for garage-to-living separations in Class 1 buildings and some inter-tenancy walls.
FRL 60/60/60
60 minutes. Commonly required for party walls between townhouses and duplexes, and Class 2 apartment separations in lower-rise buildings.
FRL 90/90/90
90 minutes. Standard for Class 2 mid-rise buildings, commercial stairwells, and fire compartment walls in Class 5-9 buildings.
FRL 120/120/120+
120 minutes and above. High-rise commercial buildings, lift shafts, and elements protecting critical escape routes in large-format buildings.
Products We Stock
CSR Gyprock Fyrchek
CSR Gyprock Fyrchek is Australia's most widely used fire-rated plasterboard. Available in 13mm and 16mm thicknesses, Fyrchek is used in single and double-layer systems to achieve FRL ratings from 30/30/30 to 120/120/120 depending on the system configuration. Fyrchek is CodeMark certified and carries full CSIRO test reports for all listed systems. It is compatible with both steel stud (Rondo, Knauf Drywall Systems) and timber framing.
Knauf Fireshield
Knauf Fireshield is a high-performance fire-rated plasterboard manufactured to meet AS/NZS 2588 and certified for use in Knauf fire-rated wall and ceiling systems. Available in 13mm and 16mm, Fireshield is used in a range of single and double-layer configurations to achieve FRLs up to 120/120/120. Knauf publishes full system details including framing type, fastener patterns, joint treatment, and head and base track details for certifier reference.
Thickness and Layer Guide
A single layer of 13mm fire-rated board on 64mm steel studs at 600mm centres typically achieves FRL 30/30/30 to 60/60/60 depending on framing and insulation. FRL 90/90/90 is commonly achieved with a double layer of 13mm board, or a single layer of 16mm on closer stud spacing with insulation. For higher FRLs, consult the relevant system detail from CSR Gyprock or Knauf, or contact our team for guidance.
NCC 2022 Fire Separation Requirements in Queensland
NCC 2022 (National Construction Code) prescribes fire resistance requirements based on building class. Key requirements for Queensland residential and commercial construction include:
- Class 1a buildings (houses): Separation between a garage and a habitable room typically requires FRL 30/30/30 or -/60/60 depending on the configuration.
- Class 1b and Class 2 buildings (duplexes, apartments): Separating walls between dwellings require FRL 60/60/60 minimum. Fire compartment floors may require 60/60/60 or 90/90/90.
- Class 5-9 commercial buildings: Fire compartment walls and stairwell enclosures typically require FRL 90/90/90 or 120/120/120.
Always verify the FRL requirement with your building certifier or fire engineer based on the specific building class, rise in storeys, and floor area compartment size. Our team can provide product data sheets and certified system details to support your compliance documentation.
Fire-Rated Plasterboard FAQs
NCC 2022 Part H1.3 requires a minimum FRL of -/60/60 (integrity and insulation only) or 30/30/30 for walls separating a garage from a habitable space in a Class 1 building, depending on the specific configuration. A single layer of 13mm Fyrchek or Fireshield on steel or timber framing is typically sufficient. Confirm the requirement with your certifier based on your specific design.
No. Standard plasterboard does not have the dense core and glass fibre reinforcement needed to maintain integrity and insulation performance under fire test conditions. Only tested and certified fire-rated products — CSR Gyprock Fyrchek, Knauf Fireshield — should be used in systems where an FRL is required. Using standard board in these applications is a compliance failure.
13mm is the standard thickness for most residential fire-rated applications. 16mm is used where a higher FRL is required from a single layer, or to reduce the number of layers needed. For FRL 90/90/90 and above, double-layer systems using two layers of 13mm or a combination of 13mm and 16mm are common. Always specify the exact system listed in the manufacturer's certified system details.
Some fire-rated wall systems include insulation in the stud cavity as part of the tested system. In others, insulation is optional or not part of the tested configuration. Whether insulation is required depends on the specific system detail being followed. Bradford or Knauf Earthwool glasswool batts are commonly used in fire-rated systems where insulation is specified.
Yes. CSR Gyprock and Knauf both publish full system details including CSIRO test reports, CodeMark certificates, framing requirements, fastener patterns, and joint treatment for each certified system. We can provide product data sheets and direct you to the manufacturer's system documentation to support your certifier's compliance review.
Stock Fire-Rated Plasterboard Across Brisbane
CSR Gyprock Fyrchek and Knauf Fireshield in stock at our Brisbane, Redlands, Gold Coast, and Northside branches.
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