Knauf Drywall develops yellow core Safeboard

Knauf Drywall offers an alternative to lead-based radiation shielding for X-ray facilities in healthcare sectors, with a new core formulation plasterboard.

Knauf Safeboard is a 12.5mm gypsum board used in one or more layers to provide the specified shielding in standard drywall constructions.

Yellow-cored Safeboard has been recognised by the Construction Products Association as one of the most innovative products of the year.

Knauf Safeboard is an effective alternative to lead sheeting in the walls of X-ray facilities in medical, dental, veterinary and industrial environments.

Typical drywall constructions using Knauf Safeboard offer the same radiation protection as 1-2mm of lead sheeting, the requirement for the more than 80 per cent of X-ray equipment in the 70-125kV range.

Safeboard constructions also provide effective acoustic insulation and fire resistance.

Safeboard's distinctive yellow core incorporates barium sulphate, which is already in common medical use for X-ray examination of the digestive system.

Each board is thoroughly X-rayed on the production line to ensure radiation-tightness.

Knauf Safeboard is installed in the same way as other Knauf Drywall plasterboards, with minimal additional training required for installers.

It can be cut to size using the score and snap technique.

For most healthcare applications, one or two layers are fixed on each side of 70mm Knauf C Studs, and Knauf Crown Partition Roll in the void.

The construction may be finished with a layer of 12.5mm Knauf high performance plasterboard, where specified for enhanced acoustic, fire, moisture or impact resistance.

To ensure continuous radiation protection, joints in Knauf Safeboard are staggered and filled with Safeboard Putty; a yellow-dyed gypsum powder with radiation protection, supplied dry in 5kg tubs and is mixed with water on site.

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