2.1 Whitewall vs. Drywall WHAT TO CONSIDER Sustainability: Modular whitewall panels are completed in a factory setting, are fully finished, and ready for installation. Therefore, less transportation is required to get materials to site when compared to drywall construction. One installation team is required to erect whitewall panels, reducing the overall site set- up, resulting in less on-site labour, inductions, toolbox talks, and overall, down-time compared to drywall. Due to reduced labour on site, modular whitewall panels reduce management, and plant and equipment. With drywall construction, multiple trades are required to finish the partitions on site. Modular whitewall panels can be ordered to the sizes required for the project, creating opportunity for zero waste at both the manufacturing facility and the site. Less material cutting reduces safety risks, improves dust control, and reduces cleaning across the site. Additionally, the materials used to make the panels are recyclable. Quality: Reduced Site Inspections: Modular whitewall panels are pre-finished meaning partitions are completed in a single installation. This reduces the risk of quality issues when compared to drywall and reduces site quality inspections and potential schedule hold points. Comparatively, drywall is installed in multiple phases, requiring site inspections as each portion of the studs, boarding, taping, jointing, and painting are completed. Safety Another key benefit of whitewall over drywall is improved safety. As modular panels are fully finished, don’t require multiple trades, and reduce overall labour, the numbers of personnel required to compete a partition in whitewall is significantly lower when compared to drywall. Fewer people on site significantly reduces the risk to safety and reduces travel time to and from the site. Additionally, whitewall reduces the risk of dust inhalation associated with cutting, sanding, and taping and jointing during drywall construction. As mentioned, only one installation team is required to erect whitewall panels, reducing the overall site set- up, resulting in less on-site labour, inductions, toolbox talks, and overall, down-time compared to drywall. Speed and Productivity: The benefits introduced through modular whitewall panels are evident when observing speed of construction. Compared to traditional drywall construction, whitewall is up to 40% faster per meter squared. This can significantly reduce overall schedule activity throughout a project and enable early access for following trades such as MEP contractors and commissioning. Where a 5-person team can
install a fully complete whitewall partition, the same area of drywall will require a 12-person team including fitters, plasterers, and painters. This is largely down to the numbers of components required to complete the partition. For whitewall, 4 components are used. Comparatively drywall requires 17 components installed over several stages. Site storage and Logistics: Whitewall can be stored internally or externally, thanks to the material makeup of the panels. The internal stone-wool core is hydrophobic and rejects moisture, while the coated metal external skins are waterproof. This means whitewall can be moved during wet weather, stored externally or internally, and without temperature restrictions. Comparatively, drywall materials must be stored internally and at a minimum of 5°C, making them less flexible from a storage and logistics perspective. Additionally, temperature control also needs to be considered for taping, jointing & painting to drywall. Typically, a min. of 10°C and relative humidity at no greater than 70-80°C is advised. This can be highly impactful on a site where internal storage space is restricted, and use of external space is necessary for deliveries and storage. Service Penetrations and Firestopping: Whitewall partition systems have undergone comprehensive fire testing with certified, established firestopping materials for service penetrations for piping, ducts, cable trays etc. Certified, tested construction details are available for a broad range of service penetration types and can be verified as a certified partition system for assurances in line with project specific fire strategies. Although service penetrations can also be formed in drywall, this usually adds significantly to the amount of labour and materials as openings are required to be engineered, cut, re-framed, or braced and then re- finished creating more complicated construction. This also increases the amount of time spent working at height for site staff installing drywall, increasing risks relating to health and safety. Also, whitewall allows tested openings larger than drywall with regards to firestopping and service integration Similar benefits exist for openings required for steel door sets. Partitions are tested and certified with selected high quality EI fire tested door products eliminating the requirement for secondary steel framing typically used in drywall assemblies.
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