Shaftwall systems
Commercial
Ideal for stairwells and elevator shafts
Cavity shaftwall systems are unique fire-rated assemblies that are vital for life safety in multi-story buildings – protecting the means of egress for occupants. Commonly used in elevator shafts, stairwells and mechanical shafts, these assemblies are non-load bearing with fire ratings of one to four-hours. They can also be used as fire-rated, interior partitions where access is restricted to one side and as fire-rated horizontal membranes.
Cavity shaftwall systems utilize 1” thick gypsum board “shaftliner” panels and metal shaftwall studs (C-T, C-H, I) specially designed to hold the panel. These systems are constructed from one side of the wall. These systems are lightweight and easy to install and are more economical than other types of material constructions.
How to build a shaftwall in commercial construction
Learn the basics of building a shaftwall system from the experts at 1-800-NATIONAL®, including details for corners, duct and elevator door openings.
Technical resources
Cavity shaftwall systems
ViewShaftwall Assemblies
Information on various shaftwall system assemblies from The PURPLE Book®.
Shaftwall Repair
Details on repairing shaftwall assemblies from The PURPLE Book®.
Stair Shaftwall
Details on stair shaftwall assemblies from The PURPLE Book®.
Elevator Shaftwall
Details on elevator shaftwall assemblies from The PURPLE Book®.
UL Evaluation Report
Building code qualifications for shaftwall systems.
3-Part Guide Specs
Technical and performance requirements for specifications.
Shaftwall Partition Assemblies
Assemblies of various shaftwall partitions from The SoundBook®.
Short History of High Rise Cavity Shaftwalls
Life Safety Digest article on history of high rise cavity shaftwalls
Literature and technical guides
View
Literature & technical guides
View ResourcesNGC Construction Guide™
Comprehensive products and systems information.
The Wood Book™
Comprehensive guide for fire-rated assemblies in wood-frame construction.
The PURPLE Book®
The leading resource on fire-rated assemblies in commercial construction.
The SoundBook®
Technical details for acoustic assemblies with real-world sound-rated designs.
XP Family of Interior Products
PURPLE XP® family of paper-faced products are specially treated to provide Xtra Protection (XP) against mold and mildew.
eXP Family of Glass Mat Products
PURPLE eXP® family is a fiberglassed-faced gypsum line that provides a solution for most designs or building challenges.
From the NGC Blog
View All Posts
Understanding shaftwall design in commercial construction
Get answers to 10 common questions about shaftwall and stairwell enclosures for commercial buildings
Read Now
Designing shaft enclosures for wood-frame buildings
Find solutions for wood-frame design problems in The Wood Book.
Read Now
Shaft and area separation firewall assembly solutions
Solving challenges in fire-rated wood-frame assemblies.
Read Now
Top fire-rated assembly questions and answers
Learn which modifications are allowed for fire-rated assemblies.
Read NowProducts used in shaftwall systems
Gold Bond® Shaftliner XP®
Gold Bond® eXP® Shaftliner
Gold Bond® XP® Ultra-Shield FS® Gypsum Board
Gold Bond® Ultra-Shield FS® Gypsum Board
Design & Resource Center
Browse our digital library of tools, resources, and service options to support your team.
Learn More
Expert Connection
Gold Bond experts are ready to discuss project and product needs to meet your goals.
Expert ConnectionNeed Technical Information?
Call 1-800-NATIONAL®
National Gypsum Company is the exclusive service provider for products manufactured by Gold Bond Building Products, LLC.