The use of high-quality materials in construction ensures the longevity and safety of buildings. A significant pain point is the prevalence of sub-par products in the market, leading to post-installation failures and compliance issues. 

This article aims to shed light on the importance of using the right moisture-resistant boards in wet areas, focussing on the South African standards, as outlined in SANS 266. 

Industry standards 

In the construction industry, compliance with industry standards is non-negotiable. According to SANS 266, the South African standard for gypsum boards, a moisture-resistant board is a special wallboard that contains additives to reduce water absorption, making it suitable for wet areas. These areas are typically divided into residential and non-residential segments, each with specific performance requirements. 

Tolerance levels 

There are two key performance characteristics: 

• Total water absorption, which measures the penetration of water into the core of the board. SANS 266 tolerance levels require this to be less then >5%.  
• Surface water absorption measures the quantity of the water penetrating through the surface of the board. As per SANS 266, this must not be more than <160 g/m². 

A global grading system is used to differentiate these boards, referred to as an H1 type board. The SANS 266 standard does not acknowledge moisture-resistant type H2 and H3 boards. This is primarily due to their inferior performance in terms of water absorption. 

Water absorption 

H1 boards are designed to absorb up to 20% less water than H3 boards. When exposed to water, the weight of a partition may increase by up to 20%, increasing the risk of wall collapse. 

Over time, moisture exposure can lead to severe issues, such as: 

• Tile detachment, causing tiles to pop out or fall off. 
• Mould growth, which damages the drywall backing and also poses health risks. 
• Performance deterioration by compromising fire resistance, acoustic performance and overall duty ratings, leading to minimal or no performance over time. 

Gyproc solutions 

One of the primary causes of post-installation failures is the use of sub-quality products that do not meet the required standards. 

Gyproc RhinoBoard® MoistureResistant™ boards meet the performance criteria of SANS 266, helping to maintain the integrity of the structure, and ensuring that performance attributes such as fire resistance, acoustic properties and durability are not compromised. 

Issue: Post-installation failures due to the use of sub-quality products. 

Solution: By using SANS 266 compliant moisture-resistant boards, architects and developers can significantly mitigate these risks. 

For more information, please visit Gyproc: 

Website: www.gyproc.co.za