Deviation Report: Gypsum Board 09 29 00
Submittal proposes a 1/2 inch Type X gypsum panel in place of the spec-required 5/8 inch Type X panel for 1-hour fire-rated assemblies. The spec explicitly prohibits thickness substitution in fire-rated assemblies, and the submitted panel does not comply with the required UL Design L501. Multiple Blocker-severity deviations preclude approval.
Submittal:
- Meridian Interior Systems proposes Apex Building Products FireGuard Type X gypsum panel in 1/2 inch thickness for all interior partitions, including 1-hour fire-rated patient corridors, exit access corridors, and smoke-compartment partitions (approximately 184,000 square feet).
- The submitted panel is the correct manufacturer and product line (Apex FireGuard Type X, tapered edge, 4 ft by 8 ft), but at 1/2 inch thickness rather than the 5/8 inch thickness specified.
- ASTM E84 test report is included and meets Class A requirements; however, the UL Design L501 listing card is not attached, and the subcontractor acknowledges the 1/2 inch panel falls under different UL Designs (L502, L506), not L501.
2
Blocker
3
Fix-and-Resubmit
0
Note-Only
Top findings:
1.
Detail or Installation Mismatch
Blocker
2.
Performance Specification Gap
Blocker
3.
Missing Certification or Compliance Documentation
Fix-and-Resubmit
2 additional finding(s) detailed on subsequent pages.
PM signature: ________________________________ Date: ____________
Detailed findings
1. Detail or Installation MismatchBlocker
Spec:
Section 09 29 00, Part 2, 2.1A: Apex FireGuard Type X gypsum panel, 5/8 inch thickness... 2.1A.1: Thickness: 5/8 inch (15.9 millimeters) minimum.
Submittal:
Item 1, Product Data: Thickness submitted: 1/2 inch (12.7 millimeters)
Action: Blocker (escalated from default Fix-and-Resubmit because spec Section 1.1B explicitly states substitution of gypsum-panel thickness is NOT permitted in fire-rated assemblies, and this is an acute-care hospital with life-safety code applicability). Subcontractor must resubmit with the 5/8 inch Type X panel as specified. Do not approve the 1/2 inch panel for any 1-hour fire-rated assembly.
2. Performance Specification GapBlocker
Spec:
Section 09 29 00, Part 2, 2.2A.1: UL Design L501 (or Architect-approved equivalent UL Design): 1-hour fire-resistance rating verified.
Submittal:
Item 3, Note on UL fire-resistance design listing: UL Design L501 references the 5/8 inch Type X panel. The 1/2 inch Type X panel submitted here is covered under separate UL Designs (L502, L506) for non-load-bearing partition use.
Action: Blocker. The submitted 1/2 inch panel does not comply with UL Design L501 as required. The subcontractor's own note confirms this. Separate UL Designs (L502, L506) have not received prior written approval from the Architect of Record per Section 2.1B. Subcontractor must resubmit with the 5/8 inch panel that is listed under UL Design L501, or obtain prior written Architect approval for an equivalent UL Design before resubmitting.
3. Missing Certification or Compliance DocumentationFix-and-Resubmit
Spec:
Section 09 29 00, Part 1, 1.2A.2: UL fire-resistance design listing: copy of the UL Design L501 listing card, or the UL Design referenced in the Drawings, demonstrating that the proposed assembly meets the 1-hour fire rating specified.
Submittal:
Item 3: UL Design listing card is on file at the manufacturer; can be provided upon Project Manager (PM) request.
Action: Fix-and-Resubmit (default severity). The spec requires the UL listing card to be included in the submittal package. Offering to provide it upon request does not satisfy the submittal requirement. Subcontractor must include the actual UL Design listing card in the resubmittal.
4. Missing Certification or Compliance DocumentationFix-and-Resubmit
Spec:
Section 09 29 00, Part 1, 1.2A.3.b: ASTM test reports: Fire endurance per ASTM E119 (the panel manufacturer's test under the specific UL Design referenced).
Submittal:
Attachments list includes only Attachment A (product data sheet) and Attachment B (ASTM E84 test report). No ASTM E119 fire endurance test report is included.
Action: Fix-and-Resubmit (default severity). The ASTM E119 fire endurance test report is explicitly required by the spec and is entirely absent from the submittal. Subcontractor must include the ASTM E119 test report for the panel under the applicable UL Design in the resubmittal.
5. Submittal Package IncompletenessFix-and-Resubmit
Spec:
Section 09 29 00, Part 1, 1.2A.4: Warranty: sample of manufacturer's standard limited warranty against manufacturing defects.
Submittal:
Item 4: Manufacturer's standard warranty terms are included in the product data sheet (Attachment A). Separate warranty document not enclosed.
Action: Fix-and-Resubmit (default severity). The spec calls for a sample of the manufacturer's standard limited warranty as a distinct submittal item. A reference to warranty language embedded in the product data sheet may not contain the full warranty terms. Subcontractor should provide the standalone warranty document, or PM should verify that Attachment A contains the complete warranty language. If Attachment A does contain the full warranty, PM may accept at discretion.
Redlines
- Part 2, 2.1A and 2.1A.1: Highlight '5/8 inch (15.9 millimeters) minimum' and note that submitted product is 1/2 inch, which is below the minimum thickness and explicitly prohibited per Part 1, 1.1B for fire-rated assemblies.
- Part 2, 2.2A.1: Highlight 'UL Design L501 (or Architect-approved equivalent UL Design): 1-hour fire-resistance rating verified.' Note that submitted product references UL Designs L502/L506, which have not been approved by the Architect of Record.
- Part 1, 1.1B: Highlight 'Substitution of gypsum-panel thickness or type is NOT permitted in fire-rated assemblies.' The submittal directly violates this requirement.
- Part 1, 1.2A.2: Highlight 'copy of the UL Design L501 listing card' and note that the listing card was not included in the submittal package.
- Part 1, 1.2A.3.b: Highlight 'Fire endurance per ASTM E119' and note that no ASTM E119 test report was provided.
- Part 1, 1.2A.4: Highlight 'Warranty: sample of manufacturer's standard limited warranty' and note that a standalone warranty document was not enclosed.
Reviewer notes
1. The most critical issue is the panel thickness: 1/2 inch vs. 5/8 inch. This is a life-safety concern in an acute-care hospital. The spec explicitly prohibits thickness substitution in fire-rated assemblies (Section 1.1B). This is not a borderline call. 2. The subcontractor submitted the correct manufacturer and product line (Apex FireGuard Type X), so there is no manufacturer substitution issue. The deviation is in the thickness/configuration of the product. 3. ASTM E84 performance values (FSI 15, SDI 0) meet spec thresholds (FSI 25 or less, SDI 50 or less), so no performance gap exists on surface burning characteristics. 4. The subcontractor's own note in Item 3 confirms the 1/2 inch panel is not covered by UL Design L501. This is an explicit acknowledgment of non-compliance. 5. PM should communicate clearly to Meridian Interior Systems that the resubmittal must include the 5/8 inch Apex FireGuard Type X panel with UL Design L501 listing card and ASTM E119 test report. No partial corrections will suffice given the life-safety context.
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