Drywall / Plasterboard Inspection

Per EN 14195, metal framing profiles (C-studs, U-tracks, resilient channels) must meet specified minimum steel thickness, dimensions, and corrosion protection. Stud spacing must comply with EN 520 requirements for the board type and height of partition. Floor and ceiling tracks must be fixed at maximum 600mm centres, and studs must be plumb and correctly orientated within the tracks.

1. Verify stud and track profiles match specification and are certified to EN 14195

2. Check steel thickness with a calibrated micrometer — minimum 0.6mm for standard partitions

3. Measure stud spacing — typically 600mm centres for single-layer boarding, 400mm for enhanced performance

4. Confirm studs are plumb using a spirit level — maximum deviation 3mm in 2.4m height

5. Verify floor and ceiling track fixings at maximum 600mm centres with correct fastener type

6. Check that head tracks allow for structural deflection where required (typically 15mm minimum)

- Stud spacing exceeding design requirements, causing board deflection

- Steel thickness below specification resulting in inadequate stiffness

- Studs not plumb, causing boards to sit unevenly

- Head track not allowing for deflection, transferring structural loads to the partition

Per EN 520, gypsum plasterboards are classified by type: Type A (standard), Type H1 (reduced water absorption), Type H2 (low water absorption for wet areas), Type DF (fire-resistant), and Type DFH2 (fire-resistant and moisture-resistant). Fire-rated boards must also comply with EN 15283 for fibre-reinforced gypsum boards. Board type, thickness, and number of layers must match the design specification for the required fire and acoustic performance.

1. Verify board type markings match the specification — check EN 520 type designation printed on each board

2. Confirm board thickness and number of layers per the design (e.g., 2 x 12.5mm Type DF for 60-minute fire rating)

3. Check boards are installed with the correct face outward (face side to the room)

4. Verify staggered joints between layers — offset by minimum half the stud spacing (typically 300mm)

5. Confirm boards extend to within 10mm of floor and ceiling, with gaps at floor level for moisture protection

- Wrong board type installed (e.g., Type A used instead of Type H2 in wet areas)

- Single layer installed where double layer is specified for fire rating

- Board joints not staggered between layers, weakening the system

- Boards cut short leaving excessive gaps at perimeter

Per EN 14566, mechanical fasteners (drywall screws) for gypsum plasterboard must meet specified pull-through resistance and dimensions. Screws must be of sufficient length to penetrate the steel framing by a minimum of 10mm. Screw spacing must comply with the system manufacturer's requirements and the tested assembly specification, typically 300mm at board edges and 300mm at intermediate supports.

1. Verify screw type and length match EN 14566 requirements — typically 25mm for single-layer 12.5mm board

2. Check screw spacing at board edges — maximum 300mm centres (or 200mm for fire-rated assemblies)

3. Confirm screw spacing at intermediate studs — maximum 300mm centres

4. Verify screws are set just below the board surface without breaking the paper face

5. Check that screws are positioned minimum 10mm from board edges and 15mm from board corners

- Screws over-driven, breaking the paper face and reducing holding capacity

- Screw spacing too wide, causing boards to flex between fixings

- Screws too short, not achieving minimum penetration into steel framing

- Screws placed too close to board edges, causing edge crumbling

Per EN 13963, jointing materials (compounds and tapes) for gypsum plasterboard must meet specified performance requirements for adhesion, shrinkage, and crack resistance. Finish quality levels Q1 through Q4 are defined per EN 13914-1, where Q1 is basic (for tiling), Q2 is standard (for textured paint or wallpaper), Q3 is high quality (for smooth paint finishes), and Q4 is the highest quality (for gloss paint or critical lighting conditions).

1. Verify jointing compound is certified to EN 13963 and is compatible with the board type

2. Check that all joints are taped with paper or fibre tape embedded in the first coat of compound

3. Inspect finished joints for the specified quality level — Q2 minimum for painted surfaces

4. Verify screw heads are covered with minimum two coats of compound and sanded smooth

5. Check internal and external corners for straightness and correct bead installation

6. Inspect under raking light to verify surface quality matches the specified Q level

- Jointing tape not properly embedded, causing bubbles or delamination

- Compound not feathered sufficiently, leaving visible joint ridges

- Quality level not achieved — joints visible under paint due to insufficient finishing

- External corner beads not plumb, creating visible irregularities

Per EN 1364-1, non-loadbearing partition walls must be tested to determine their fire resistance classification per EN 13501-2 (integrity E, insulation I, and radiation W criteria). Fire-rated plasterboard systems must be installed strictly in accordance with the tested assembly specification, including board type, number of layers, fixing details, and service penetration treatments. Any deviation from the tested assembly invalidates the fire rating.

1. Verify the partition assembly matches the tested configuration — board type, layers, stud type, and spacing per EN 1364-1 test report

2. Check that fire-rated boards (Type DF or DFH2 per EN 520) are used throughout the fire-rated assembly

3. Confirm all service penetrations are fire-stopped with tested and classified systems per EN 1366-3

4. Verify head-of-wall fire stopping is installed continuously with no gaps

5. Check that fire-rated junction details at walls, floors, and ceilings match the tested specification

- Assembly does not match the tested configuration, invalidating the fire rating

- Service penetrations not fire-stopped or using non-tested products

- Head-of-wall fire stopping missing or incomplete

- Wrong board type used in fire-rated partitions (e.g., Type A instead of Type DF)

- Gaps left in the assembly at junctions with other building elements

Per EN ISO 717-1, the airborne sound insulation of partitions is expressed as the weighted sound reduction index Rw in decibels. Minimum Rw values are set by national building regulations (typically Rw 43–55 dB for dwelling separating walls). The partition system must be installed to achieve the laboratory-tested Rw value, which requires attention to acoustic sealing at all edges, correct insulation infill, and avoidance of rigid connections that create flanking paths.

1. Verify the specified partition system achieves the required Rw value per EN ISO 717-1 test data

2. Check that acoustic mineral wool infill (typically 25–50mm, minimum 10 kg/m³) is installed continuously with no gaps

3. Confirm acoustic sealant is applied at all perimeter tracks (floor, ceiling, and abutting walls)

4. Verify no rigid connections bridge between independent frames in twin-frame constructions

5. Check that back-to-back socket boxes are offset by at least 150mm and sealed with acoustic putty pads

- Acoustic insulation infill missing or with gaps, reducing sound reduction

- Perimeter acoustic sealant omitted, creating flanking sound paths

- Back-to-back electrical outlets creating direct sound transmission paths

- Rigid connections between independent stud frames short-circuiting acoustic isolation

- Services running through the partition without acoustic sealing