Field Measurements of a Demising Wall using an Intumescent Deflection Track and Exposed Concrete Ceiling

Exposed ceilings are becoming increasingly popular for the aesthetics and simplicity of design in concrete structures. Additionally, the cost of building walls is continually under scrutiny with property owners. This paper outlines the ASTC testing and analysis completed on a code minimum steel stud demising wall that implemented three total layers of gypsum board, resilient channel, and a rated deflection track head assembly. Fire rated sealant was not initially installed and was tested, with following tests completed in various states of sealant application, as well as a fourth layer of gypsum board. Data is presented comparing the different states of the sealant applied to the assembly. The results showed that the assembly performed well below lab performance of similar assemblies without sealant being properly applied to both sides of the wall, due to the inconsistency of the concrete surface interfacing with the deflection track, as well as potentially poor acoustic performance of the deflection track itself.