Changes
to fire resistance-rated assemblies may be required or desired in
certain situations. To maintain the desired fire protection, some
changes can be made, some cannot, and some can be made provided
modifications are also made according to the Gypsum Association and UL
Solutions.
The most
common change is the addition of insulation to an assembly that was
fire-tested without it. In wall assemblies, faced or unfaced mineral
wool, glass fiber or cellulose fiber insulation may be added to the stud
cavity. The insulation must be sized to allow for a friction fit into
the stud cavity. Because adding insulation may improve the acoustic
performance of the wall assembly, it is one of the most common changes.
If an assembly was tested with insulation, it cannot be omitted.