RCMA

74 Drywall Partitions in HDB Flats Have you noticed how the internal walls in some HDB flats are made of a different material? This material is known as drywall, and here is what you need to know about it. In terms of performance, what is the difference between drywall and concrete wall? The drywalls used in HDB flats are of the Severe Duty grade, which means they can withhold a loading of up to 25kg at each point. Like concrete walls, drywalls can support common fixtures such as television sets and wall cabinets with the use of appropriate anchors. HDB provides samples of the screws and anchors in your unit for reference, along with a user guide. The drywalls installed in your flat are filled with sound insulation material for soundproofing that is as good as, or better, than concrete walls. Can I mount common fixtures, such as TV or shelves, onto the drywall? Yes, you can. The drywall used in your unit can support common fixtures such as television sets and wall cabinets with the use of appropriate anchors. In selecting the location of installing anchors, please avoid the concealed electrical wiring. Visit www.hdb.gov.sg/concealedwiring to check the no-drill area on walls with concealed electrical wiring. How do you maintain drywalls? Drywalls are low-maintenance, and do not require any special upkeep. To remove dirt or stains on internal partition walls, you can use a slightly damp cloth and mild detergent. With effect from 1 November 2014, BCA mandated for all non- landed residential developments to adopt drywall as internal partitions for dry areas. Other useful information To find out more information about drywalls, you may download a copy of BCA’s guide on Good Industry Practices for Drywall Internal Partition, which covers topics like design, handling, installation, protection, defects remedies and fixing of items to the wall. The publication is free and available here: www.bca.gov.sg/publications/ enhancementseries/dw.html Up to 3 kg load per point Up to 12 kg load per point Up to 25 kg load per point Cross-sectional view of a drywall Why is HDB using drywalls as the internal partition walls? HDB has implemented the use of drywalls for the internal partition walls in dry areas as part of efforts to boost construction productivity. It is resilient, yet easier to construct and remove as compared to traditional walls. Advisory HDB