Proposed Change 2226

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2226
Page: Last modified: 2026-10-20
Code Reference(s):
NBC25 Div.B 5.9.1.1. (first printing)
NBC25 Div.B 9.29.5.2. (first printing)
Subject:
Environmental Separation
Title:
Fibre-reinforced Gypsum Panels
Description:
This proposed change introduces ASTM C1278/C1278M-24, “Standard Specification for Fiber-Reinforced Gypsum Panel,” in the NBC.
Related Code Change Request(s):
CCR 1834
This change could potentially affect the following topic areas:

Problem

Several common fibre-reinforced gypsum panels are available on the market and used across Canada. However, Table 5.9.1.1. and Sentence 9.29.5.2.(1) of Division B of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) do not currently reference a standard for panels made of this material, which limits the flexibility of design and construction. The NBC does not currently reference a performance standard for panels made of this material, which is safe, appropriate and commonly used. The absence of such a referenced performance standard in the NBC may add a regulatory barrier to the use of these panels and increase design and construction costs.

This proposed change updates the NBC to reflect standard industry practice and the gypsum products that are currently used in Canada.

Justification

This proposed change introduces references to ASTM C1278/C1278M-24, “Standard Specification for Fiber-Reinforced Gypsum Panel,” in Table 5.9.1.1. and Sentence 9.29.5.2.(1), which would permit fibre-reinforced gypsum panels to be used in several applications. 

This proposed change would improve flexibility in the design and construction of buildings and reduce costs and regulatory barriers since more options would be available to Code users.

For consistency with the existing requirements of Table 5.9.1.1., this proposed change also requires the flame-spread rating of gypsum panels to be determined in accordance with CAN/ULC-S102, “Standard Method of Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials and Assemblies.”

PROPOSED CHANGE

NBC25 Div.B 5.9.1.1. (first printing)

[5.9.1.1.] 5.9.1.1.Compliance with Applicable Standards

[1] 1)Except as provided in Sentence (2) and elsewhere in this Part, materials and components, and their installation, shall conform to the requirements of the applicable standards in Table 5.9.1.1. where those materials or components are
[a] a)incorporated into environmental separators or assemblies exposed to the exterior, and
[b] b)installed to fulfill the requirements of this Part.
(See Note A-5.9.1.1.(1)PROPOSED CHANGE A-5.9.1.1.(1).)
[2] 2)The requirements for flame-spread ratings contained in thermal insulation standards shall be applied only as required in Part 3.
Table [5.9.1.1.] 5.9.1.1.
Standards Applicable to Environmental Separators and Assemblies Exposed to the Exterior
Forming Part of Sentence [5.9.1.1.] 5.9.1.1.([1] 1)
Issuing Agency Document Number Title of Document
ANSI A135.6 Engineered Wood Siding
ASME B18.6.1 Wood Screws (Inch Series)
ASTM A123/A123M Standard Specification for Zinc (Hot-Dip Galvanized) Coatings on Iron and Steel Products
ASTM A153/A153M Standard Specification for Zinc Coating (Hot-Dip) on Iron and Steel Hardware
ASTM A653/A653M Standard Specification for Steel Sheet, Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) or Zinc-Iron Alloy-Coated (Galvannealed) by the Hot-Dip Process
ASTM C4 Standard Specification for Clay Drain Tile and Perforated Clay Drain Tile
ASTM C73 Standard Specification for Calcium Silicate Brick (Sand-Lime Brick)
ASTM C126 Ceramic Glazed Structural Clay Facing Tile, Facing Brick, and Solid Masonry Units
ASTM C212 Standard Specification for Structural Clay Facing Tile
ASTM C412M Standard Specification for Concrete Drain Tile
ASTM C444M Standard Specification for Perforated Concrete Pipe
ASTM C553 Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Blanket Thermal Insulation for Commercial and Industrial Applications
ASTM C612 Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Block and Board Thermal Insulation
ASTM C700 Standard Specification for Vitrified Clay Pipe, Extra Strength, Standard Strength, and Perforated
ASTM C726 Standard Specification for Mineral Wool Roof Insulation Board
ASTM C834PROPOSED CHANGE Table 5.9.1.1. Footnote (1) Standard Specification for Latex Sealants
ASTM C836/C836M Standard Specification for High Solids Content, Cold Liquid-Applied Elastomeric Waterproofing Membrane for Use with Separate Wearing Course
ASTM C840PROPOSED CHANGE Table 5.9.1.1. Footnote (1)PROPOSED CHANGE Table 5.9.1.1. Footnote (2) Standard Specification for Application and Finishing of Gypsum Board
ASTM C920 Standard Specification for Elastomeric Joint Sealants
ASTM C991 Standard Specification for Flexible Fibrous Glass Insulation for Metal Buildings
ASTM C1002 Standard Specification for Steel Self-Piercing Tapping Screws for the Application of Gypsum Panel Products or Metal Plaster Bases to Wood Studs or Steel Studs
ASTM C1177/C1177M Standard Specification for Glass Mat Gypsum Substrate for Use as Sheathing
ASTM C1178/C1178M Standard Specification for Coated Glass Mat Water-Resistant Gypsum Backing Panel
ASTM C1184PROPOSED CHANGE Table 5.9.1.1. Footnote (1) Standard Specification for Structural Silicone Sealants
ASTM C1278/C1278M-24PROPOSED CHANGE Table 5.9.1.1. Footnote (3) Standard Specification for Fiber-Reinforced Gypsum Panel
ASTM C1280 Standard Specification for Application of Exterior Gypsum Panel Products for Use as Sheathing
ASTM C1311PROPOSED CHANGE Table 5.9.1.1. Footnote (1) Standard Specification for Solvent Release Sealants
ASTM C1330PROPOSED CHANGE Table 5.9.1.1. Footnote (1) Standard Specification for Cylindrical Sealant Backing for Use with Cold Liquid-Applied Sealants
ASTM C1396/C1396MPROPOSED CHANGE Table 5.9.1.1. Footnote (4) Standard Specification for Gypsum Board
ASTM C1658/C1658MPROPOSED CHANGE Table 5.9.1.1. Footnote (5) Standard Specification for Glass Mat Gypsum Panels
ASTM D1227/D1227M Standard Specification for Emulsified Asphalt Used as a Protective Coating for Roofing
ASTM D3019/D3019MPROPOSED CHANGE Table 5.9.1.1. Footnote (6) Standard Specification for Lap Cement Used with Asphalt Roll Roofing, Non-Fibered, and Fibered
ASTM D3679PROPOSED CHANGE Table 5.9.1.1. Footnote (7) Standard Specification for Rigid Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Siding
ASTM D4477PROPOSED CHANGE Table 5.9.1.1. Footnote (8) Standard Specification for Rigid (Unplasticized) Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Soffit
ASTM D4479/D4479M Standard Specification for Asphalt Roof Coatings – Asbestos-Free
ASTM D4637/D4637M Standard Specification for EPDM Sheet Used in Single-Ply Roof Membrane
ASTM D4811/D4811M Standard Specification for Nonvulcanized (Uncured) Rubber Sheet Used as Roof Flashing
ASTM D6878/D6878M Standard Specification for Thermoplastic Polyolefin Based Sheet Roofing
ASTM D7254PROPOSED CHANGE Table 5.9.1.1. Footnote (9) Standard Specification for Polypropylene (PP) Siding
ASTM D7793PROPOSED CHANGE Table 5.9.1.1. Footnote (10) Standard Specification for Insulated Vinyl Siding
ASTM E2190 Standard Specification for Insulating Glass Unit Performance and Evaluation
BNQ BNQ 3624-115 Polyethylene (PE) Pipe and Fittings for Soil and Foundation Drainage
CGSB CAN/CGSB-12.1 Safety Glazing
CGSB CAN/CGSB-12.2-M Flat, Clear Sheet Glass
CGSB CAN/CGSB-12.3-M Flat, Clear Float Glass
CGSB CAN/CGSB-12.4-M Heat Absorbing Glass
CGSB CAN/CGSB-12.8 Insulating glass units
CGSB CAN/CGSB-12.9 Spandrel glass
CGSB 37-GP-9Ma Primer, Asphalt, Unfilled, for Asphalt Roofing, Dampproofing and Waterproofing
CGSB CAN/CGSB-37.50-M Hot-Applied, Rubberized Asphalt for Roofing and Waterproofing
CGSB CAN/CGSB-37.54 Polyvinyl Chloride Roofing and Waterproofing Membrane
CGSB CAN/CGSB-51.33-M Vapour Barrier Sheet, Excluding Polyethylene, for Use in Building Construction
CGSB CAN/CGSB-51.34 Polyethylene sheet for use in building construction – Material specification
CSA A23.1 Concrete materials and methods of concrete construction
CSA CAN/CSA-A82 Fired masonry brick made from clay or shale
CSA CAN3-A93-M Natural Airflow Ventilators for Buildings
CSA CAN/CSA-A123.2 Asphalt-Coated Roofing Sheets
CSA A123.3 Asphalt Saturated Organic Roofing Felt
CSA CAN/CSA-A123.4 Asphalt for Constructing Built-Up Roof Coverings and Waterproofing Systems
CSA A123.5 Asphalt shingles made from glass felt and surfaced with mineral granules
CSA CAN/CSA-A123.16 Asphalt-coated glass-base sheets
CSA A123.17 Asphalt Glass Felt Used in Roofing and Waterproofing
CSA A123.23 Product specification for polymer-modified bitumen sheet, prefabricated and reinforced
CSA A123.24 Standard test method for wind resistance of vegetated roof assembly
CSA A123.25 Asphalt core boards used in roofing
CSA A123.51 Asphalt shingle application on roof slopes 1:6 and steeper
CSA A165.1 Concrete block masonry units
CSA A165.2 Concrete Brick Masonry Units
CSA A165.3 Prefaced concrete masonry units
CSA CAN/CSA-A179 Mortar and Grout for Unit Masonry
CSA CAN/CSA-A220 Series Concrete Roof Tiles
CSA CAN/CSA-A371 Masonry Construction for Buildings
CSA A3001 Cementitious Materials for Use in Concrete
CSA B182.1 Plastic drain and sewer pipe and pipe fittings
CSA G40.21 Structural quality steel
CSA G401 Corrugated steel pipe and buried structures
CSA CAN/CSA-O80 Series Wood preservation
CSA O118.1 Western Red Cedar Shakes and Shingles
CSA O118.2 Eastern White Cedar Shingles
CSA O121 Douglas fir plywood
CSA O141 Softwood Lumber
CSA O151 Canadian softwood plywood
CSA O153 Poplar plywood
CSA O325 Construction sheathing
CSA O437.0 OSB and Waferboard
HPVA ANSI/HPVA HP-1 American National Standard for Hardwood and Decorative Plywood
ULC CAN/ULC-704.1 Standard for Thermal Insulation, Polyurethane and Polyisocyanurate, Boards, Faced
ULC CAN/ULC 712.1 Standard for Thermal Insulation – Light Density, Open Cell Spray Applied Semi-Rigid Polyurethane Foam – Material Specification
ULC CAN/ULC 712.2 Standard for Thermal Insulation – Light Density, Open Cell Spray Applied Semi-Rigid Polyurethane Foam – Installation
ULC CAN/ULC 717.1 Standard for Flat Wall Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) Units – Material Properties
ULC CAN/ULC-S701.1 Standard for Thermal Insulation, Polystyrene Boards
ULC CAN/ULC-S702.1 Standard for Mineral Fibre Thermal Insulation for Buildings, Part 1: Material Specification
ULC CAN/ULC-S703 Standard for Cellulose Fibre Insulation (CFI) for Buildings
ULC CAN/ULC-S705.1 Standard for Thermal Insulation – Spray Applied Rigid Polyurethane Foam, Medium Density – Material Specification
ULC CAN/ULC-S705.2 Standard for Thermal Insulation – Spray Applied Rigid Polyurethane Foam, Medium Density – Application
ULC CAN/ULC-S706.1 Standard for Insulating Wood Fibre Boards for Buildings
ULC CAN/ULC-S710.1 Standard for Bead-Applied One Component Polyurethane Air Sealant Foam, Part 1: Material Specification
ULC CAN/ULC-S711.1 Standard for Bead-Applied Two Component Polyurethane Air Sealant Foam, Part 1: Material Specification

NBC25 Div.B 9.29.5.2. (first printing)

[9.29.5.2.] 9.29.5.2.Materials

[1] 1)Except as provided in Sentence (2) regarding flame-spread ratings, gypsum board shall conform to
[a] a)ASTM C1177/C1177M, "Standard Specification for Glass Mat Gypsum Substrate for Use as Sheathing",
[b] b)ASTM C1178/C1178M, "Standard Specification for Coated Glass Mat Water-Resistant Gypsum Backing Panel",
[c] --)ASTM C1278/C1278M-24, “Standard Specification for Fiber-Reinforced Gypsum Panel”,
[d] c)ASTM C1396/C1396M, "Standard Specification for Gypsum Board", or
[e] d)ASTM C1658/C1658M, "Standard Specification for Glass Mat Gypsum Panels".
[2] 2)The flame-spread ratings of gypsum board shall be determined in accordance with CAN/ULC-S102, "Standard Method of Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials and Assemblies".

Impact analysis

No additional costs are expected to be incurred as a result of adding references to this standard in Table 5.9.1.1. and Sentence 9.29.5.2.(1). The proposed change simply adds more options of panel material. Formally including more gypsum board products that are commonly used in the construction industry would remove potential regulatory barriers to the use of gypsum board products that are more appropriate for the end use.

Adding a reference in the NBC for fibre-reinforced gypsum panels could reduce costs where designers spend time and resources to identify appropriate materials for panels and to verify that fibre-reinforced gypsum panels perform as intended.

Enforcement implications

This proposed change can be enforced by the existing Code-enforcement infrastructure. The industry and regulators should already be familiar with the products that conform to this standard, which was first published in 1999. As such, no additional training is anticipated to be necessary for Code users. Formally including more gypsum board products commonly used in construction and clarifying the application of requirements for flame-spread ratings for these products would simplify enforcement of the NBC.

Who is affected

Adding references to this standard would decrease the likelihood of confusion for building officials, building owners, designers, specification writers, contractors, and manufacturers since there would be explicit minimum performance requirements in the NBC for fibre-reinforced gypsum panels.

OBJECTIVE-BASED ANALYSIS OF NEW OR CHANGED PROVISIONS

NBC25 Div.B 5.9.1.1. (first printing)

[5.9.1.1.] 5.9.1.1. ([1] 1) [F20,F22,F51,F54,F55,F61,F63,F80-OH1.1,OH1.2][F41,F55-OH1.1][F55,F61,F80-OH1.3]
[5.9.1.1.] 5.9.1.1. ([1] 1) [F20,F80-OS2.1][F20,F22,F51,F61,F63,F80-OS2.3][F51-OS2.5]
[5.9.1.1.] 5.9.1.1. ([1] 1) [F20-OS2.2][F80-OS2.3]
[5.9.1.1.] 5.9.1.1. ([1] 1) [F80,F61,F63-OS3.1]
[5.9.1.1.] 5.9.1.1. ([1] 1) [F80,F61,F63-OH4]Applies to floor assemblies.
[5.9.1.1.] 5.9.1.1. ([1] 1) ([a] a)[F61,F63-OS1.4]Applies where required life safety systems are incorporated in environmental separators.
[5.9.1.1.] 5.9.1.1. ([1] 1) [F20,F80-OP2.1,OP2.3][F22,F80-OP2.4]
[5.9.1.1.] 5.9.1.1. ([1] 1) [F42-OH2.5]
[5.9.1.1.] 5.9.1.1. ([2] 2) no attributions

NBC25 Div.B 9.29.5.2. (first printing)

[9.29.5.2.] 9.29.5.2. ([1] 1) [F20,F80-OP2.1,OP2.3][F22,F80-OP2.4]
[9.29.5.2.] 9.29.5.2. ([1] 1) [F20,F80-OS2.1,OS2.3]
[9.29.5.2.] 9.29.5.2. ([1] 1) [F20,F22,F80-OS1.2]Applies where interior finishes are required to act as fire protection for foamed plastics or to contribute to the required fire resistance of assemblies.
[9.29.5.2.] 9.29.5.2. ([1] 1) [F20,F22,F80,F81-OH1.1,OH1.2]Applies where interior finishes support or serve as required environmental separation elements.
[9.29.5.2.] 9.29.5.2. ([2] 2) [F02,F03-OS1.2]
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