Georgia-Pacific Gypsum Raises Awareness for Increased Risk of Water Damage

It has been more than 30 years since residential fire sprinklers were introduced into the market. Beginning in ‘09, fire sprinklers will begin being written into the International Residential Code (IRC) http://www.iccsafe.org/ for one- and two-family homes. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, more than 1,000 Americans lose their lives in fire-related incidents every year, and the new code requirements have the potential to drastically reduce that number. However, the additional plumbing required for fire sprinklers lends to an increased risk for water damage and potential mold growth due to leaky pipes and fixtures or, as a result of the sprinklers accidentally being set off.

As a result, during the planning phase architects and builders should consider incorporating moisture-resistant products in vulnerable areas to help mitigate the risk of potential water damage and mold growth as water is being introduced inside the house. Unlike traditional paper faced gypsum panels that are highly absorbent, DensArmor Plus® High Performance gypsum panels are moisture- and mold-resistant as they feature fiberglass mats on the front and back. When mold resistance tested in accordance with ASTM D 3273, DensArmor Plus panels have earned a 10, which is the highest rating.

Using fiberglass mat gypsum panels from Georgia-Pacific Gypsum is an integral part of any successful moisture-resistance or preparedness building strategy as it features multiple benefits for the construction teams as well as the home or business owner. Moisture- and mold-resistant DensArmor Plus gypsum panels can help mitigate the risk of costly repairs should the sprinkler system be set off. Additionally, to support better indoor air quality, DensArmor Plus panels are GREENGUARD® Indoor Air Quality Certified for low chemical emissions and are GREENGUARD listed as microbial-resistant.

Building codes are designed to protect the health, safety and welfare of people by creating better buildings and safer communities. Nearly every state and the District of Columbia have adopted all or parts of the previous IRC guidelines. With the new code for fire sprinklers, there has been some concern that homeowners would reject the guidelines due to the perception that the home would cost more. Yet, a recent study by Harris Interactive revealed that homeowners are open to having sprinklers in their homes:

45 percent of homeowners say a home with sprinklers is more desirable than a home without sprinklers 

69 percent of homeowners say having a fire sprinkler system increases the value of a business/home.

Not every municipality has adopted the IRC codes, however many have or have plans to in the near future. Overall, it is imperative to increase industry awareness of the coming IRC changes, to communicate proper installation methods and innovative building materials (e.g., DensArmor Plus gypsum panels) that help the building industry remain competitive and apply better building practices sooner. The code changes are made to best serve the public as a whole by providing minimum standards in proper building practices. To check the status of your municipality, visit www.iccsafe.org and click on the I-Code Adoptions link.

For general information on Georgia-Pacific Gypsum products, visit www.gpgypsum.com.

For additional Gypsum product fire, safety and use information please go to www.gp.com/safetyinfo.