Tab track fire-rated wall assembly with dynamic movement

Abstract

A fire-rated head-of-wall assembly includes a header track having bendable tabs, a pair of which is configured to hold a wall stud in place relative to the header track. An upper wallboard piece abuts against the ceiling and a lower wallboard piece is spaced from the upper wallboard piece to form a gap. A fire-resistant material, such as mineral wool, is positioned within the gap. An outer wallboard piece spans across the gap.

Description

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS[0001]Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUNDField of the Invention[0002]The present disclosure relates generally to metal stud and track framing systems and fire-rated head-of-wall assemblies for use in building construction, particularly for use in the interior and / or exterior wall of a building. In particular, one of the present inventions relates to a fire-rated and non-fire rated track having a stud retention feature. Another of the present inventions relates to fire-rated head-of-wall assemblies.Description of the Related Art[0003]A wall assembly commonly used in the construction industry includes a header track, bottom track, a plurality of wall studs and a plurality of wall board members, possibly among other components. A typical header track resembles a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0025]In one aspect, a fire-rated wall assembly seals a deflection gap in a head-of-wall joint. The assembly includes a footer track, a ceiling and a plurality of wall studs. An elongated sheet-metal header track holds the plurality of wall studs in place relative to the header track. The header track has a web and a first leg and a second leg. The first and second legs extend in the same direction from opposite edges of the web in a general U-shape. An upper wallboard piece is adjacent to the first leg and contacts the ceiling. A lower

Problems solved by technology

If the wall studs are rigidly attached to the slotted track and not allowed to move freely in at least one direction, the stability of the wall and the building might be compromised.

During installation, extra labor is required as mechanical framing screws are used through the slotted track into the stud on both sides of the wall.

When the drywall is installed over this framing attachment point, the drywall humps up around the framing screw causing the drywall to flare out away from the framing.

When the drywall flares out away from the framing, it no longer maintains a tight seal to the framing and can provide smoke or sound flanking paths through and or around the slots.

The fire block arrangements often involve the time-consuming process of inserting by hand a fire resistant material into the wall gap and then applying a flexible sealing layer to hold the fire resistant material in place.

Head-of-wall joints often present a serious challenge in terms of reducing or preventing the spread of smoke and fire during a building fire.

In the past, metal stud wall framing asse

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