Bob Welch, technical director of the Master Painting Institute, gave a two-hour presentation on the standards developed by that organization on paint products. Those standards currently address ranges of gloss levels and work is proceeding on scrubbability and washability.

"The situation with paint is that there are no industry or ASTM standards," says Charlie Thomas, president of the DWFC. "Such standards are necessary for specifiers to determine the gloss level they desire that will then affect the level of gypsum board finish necessary to produce an acceptable decorated surface."

Welch advised that the standards developed by his organization have been adopted by the U.S. Navy Department and are being considered by the General Services Administration.

"These specs should filter down to the entire industry," Thomas says.

Another hot topic at the meeting was centerline cracking in ceilings applied over wood trusses.

"These trusses are typically 24 inches on center and can span 30-plus feet," Thomas says. "Based on studies done in the United States and Australia, control of job conditions (temperature and humidity) can minimize the problem."

As part of the study in the U.S. the DWFC, as a member of the study group, determined that application of the drywall over resilient channel greatly minimized cracking.

"This method changes the spacing to 16 inches on center, not 24," Thomas adds. "Also, the joints of the wallboard are parallel to the trusses and the entire system is more resilient. Therefore, the effect of elongation or shrinking of the trusses is minimized."