Drywall and Plasterboard Installation

EN 14195 specifies requirements for metal framing components including studs, tracks, and channels. CTE DB-HR requires that partitions achieve specified acoustic performance, which depends on correct framing installation. Stud centres must not exceed 600 mm (or 400 mm for enhanced performance) and tracks must be fixed to floor and ceiling at maximum 600 mm intervals.

1. Verify stud spacing does not exceed the specified centre-to-centre distance (typically 400 mm or 600 mm) per design and UNE 102040

2. Check that floor and ceiling tracks are fixed at maximum 600 mm centres with appropriate fixings for the substrate

3. Confirm studs are plumb (within 2 mm over full height) using a spirit level or laser

4. Verify that acoustic isolation strips are installed under floor and ceiling tracks per CTE DB-HR requirements

5. Check that stud height allows for minimum 10 mm clearance at the head for structural movement

- Stud spacing exceeding maximum centres causing board deflection

- Missing acoustic isolation strips under tracks compromising sound insulation

- Studs fixed rigidly to head track preventing structural movement

- Incorrect stud gauge (thickness) for partition height and loading

EN 520 defines plasterboard types: Type A (standard), Type H (moisture-resistant), Type F (fire-resistant), Type D (controlled density). CTE DB-SI requires fire-rated boards in fire compartment walls. CTE DB-HS1 requires moisture-resistant boards in wet areas. Board thickness and number of layers must match the tested system configuration.

1. Verify board type matches the specification — check board colour coding and markings per EN 520 (pink for Type F, green for Type H)

2. Confirm board thickness corresponds to the design (typically 12.5 mm or 15 mm per layer)

3. Check that fire-rated partitions use the correct number of board layers as per the tested fire assembly

4. Verify moisture-resistant boards (Type H per EN 520) are used in bathrooms, kitchens, and areas per CTE DB-HS1

5. Confirm boards carry CE marking with Declaration of Performance referencing EN 520

- Standard Type A boards used in wet areas instead of Type H

- Single-layer boarding where double-layer fire-rated system is specified

- Board thickness reduced without recalculating fire and acoustic performance

- Mixed board types within a single fire-rated assembly invalidating test certification

UNE 102040 and EN 520 require plasterboards to be fixed to metal framing with self-drilling screws at specified centres. Perimeter screws at maximum 200 mm centres, field screws at maximum 300 mm centres. Screws must penetrate the metal framing by minimum 10 mm and be set just below the board surface without breaking the paper face.

1. Verify screw spacing — maximum 200 mm at board edges and 300 mm in the field per UNE 102040

2. Check screw depth — heads should be set 0.5-1 mm below board surface without tearing the paper liner

3. Confirm screws are minimum 10 mm from board edges and 15 mm from board corners to prevent edge cracking

4. Verify correct screw length for board thickness (screw must penetrate stud by minimum 10 mm)

5. Check that boards are staggered between layers in multi-layer systems — joints offset by minimum 600 mm

- Screws overdriven breaking paper face and reducing holding strength

- Screw spacing too wide causing board movement and joint cracking

- Board joints aligned between layers in fire-rated double-layer systems

- Screws placed too close to board edges causing breakout

EN 13963 specifies requirements for jointing materials for gypsum plasterboards. UNE 102040 details the jointing process including tape embedding, filling, and finishing coats. Joints must be finished to the quality level specified (Q1-Q4 per UNE 102040) depending on the final finish. All joints, screw heads, and corner beads must be treated.

1. Verify correct joint compound type is used — setting compound for first coat, finishing compound for topcoats per EN 13963

2. Check that paper or fibreglass tape is fully embedded in the first coat with no bubbles or wrinkles

3. Confirm joints are built up in minimum two coats (three for Q3/Q4 finish levels) with adequate drying between coats

4. Verify screw heads are filled flush with the board surface

5. Check that external corners have metal or PVC corner beads installed plumb and properly finished

6. Inspect finished surface under raking light for visible joint lines, ridges, or depressions

- Joint tape not fully embedded causing bubbles and delamination

- Insufficient coats resulting in visible joint pattern under paint (joint photographing)

- Corner beads not plumb creating visible waviness

- Joints finished in conditions too cold or humid causing cracking

CTE DB-SI Section SI 1 requires fire compartment walls to achieve specified fire resistance ratings (EI 60, EI 90, EI 120). The drywall assembly must match the tested configuration exactly per EN 1364-1 (fire resistance test for non-loadbearing walls). Head-of-wall fire stopping, junction details, and service penetration sealing are critical for maintaining the fire rating.

1. Verify the complete partition build-up matches the tested fire assembly — board type, layers, thickness, stud type and gauge

2. Check that partitions extend full height from slab to slab, not stopping at the suspended ceiling per CTE DB-SI

3. Confirm head-of-wall detail includes fire-rated sealant or intumescent strip per the tested assembly

4. Verify all junction details (wall-to-wall, wall-to-floor, wall-to-soffit) are sealed to maintain fire rating

5. Check that service penetrations are fire-stopped with tested and approved intumescent products per EN 1366-3

- Fire-rated partitions terminated at suspended ceiling level instead of extending to structural soffit

- Head-of-wall fire stopping omitted or incorrect product used

- Service penetrations not fire-stopped breaking the fire compartment

- Assembly modified from tested configuration (e.g. different board thickness or stud gauge)

CTE DB-HR establishes minimum airborne sound insulation requirements between dwellings (DnT,A >= 50 dB) and between dwellings and common areas. EN ISO 10140 defines laboratory measurement methods and EN ISO 16283 defines field measurement methods. Flanking transmission paths must be addressed to achieve the required in-situ performance.

1. Verify the partition system Rw rating (laboratory value per EN ISO 10140) meets the design requirement including a margin for flanking transmission

2. Check for flanking paths — wall-floor junctions, wall-ceiling junctions, and service routes per CTE DB-HR Annex

3. Confirm that acoustic sealant is applied continuously at all perimeter joints (floor, ceiling, abutting walls)

4. Verify that no rigid connections bridge the two leaves of twin-frame partitions

5. Where required, commission field sound insulation testing per EN ISO 16283 to verify DnT,A performance

- Acoustic sealant gaps at partition perimeter allowing flanking transmission

- Rigid bridging between independent frames in twin-frame walls

- Services creating flanking paths through the partition

- In-situ performance significantly below laboratory rating due to workmanship issues

- Flanking via lightweight ceiling void not addressed