Partitions

The space inside a building has to be subdivided into rooms to serve different functions. This is carried out by partitions which provide enclosures. It ensures privacy, and may also provide insulation against heat and sound. Openings with door leaves are provided in these partitions for giving access. The partitions can be permanent or sometimes, as in offices, it may be desirable to have a system of internal divisions which can be shifted to suit the possible changes in the use pattern of the spaces. They could be folding or sliding type also. They normally extend from the floor to the ceiling, but in some offices low partitions are used to afford a limited degree of privacy. They could be solid, hollow or louvred. Partitions can be opaque, transparent or translucent. Internal load bearing walls also serve the purpose of partitions. The details of such walls have already been dealt in the earlier parts of this unit. Non-load bearing partitions can be constructed from a wide variety of materials. The choice would depend on a number of factors such as thickness, weight, sound insulation, cost, ease of construction, necessity to shift, decorative treatment and fire resistance. For support of non-load bearing partitions, like for half brick masonry, there should be adequate structural arrangement. 

Types of Non-load Bearing Partitions 

Partitions can be divided broadly into two categories : 

1. Made from blocks and slabs laid in suitable mortar. 
2. Made of boards, sheets etc. 

Under the first category fall partitions made from bricks, cement concrete blocks, burnt clay blocks, gypsum blocks etc. These are normally self-supporting if confined within permissible spans and heights. The latter category consists of several types of construction made of wooden panels, plywood, gypsum board, lath and plaster, hard and soft fibre boards, metal sheets etc. These partitions are framed with timber, metal or concrete frames, the sheets being fixed to one or both sides by means of screws, nails, clamps or other means. Alternatively, these partitions can be of built-up construction type fabricated in factories. 

Brick Partitions 

These are constructed to half brick thickness by laying the bricks as stretchers. The mortar can be of lime or cement. Generally, the mortar used is sand cement mortars of 1 : 3 or 1 : 4 mix. The walls are plastered on both sides. For added strength reinforcement can be provided as indicated in the Section on reinforced brickwork. This type of partition is extensively used in buildings and is easy to construct alongwith the brickwork in the rest of the building. It has a good sound insulation and fie resistance properties. The earlier practice of providing timber frames called noggins and constructing the brickwork within is now not popular. 

Block Partitions 

This can be built from the various types of blocks described earlier, in suitable mortar and is generally 10 cm wide. The distance between supports for these partitions in the vertical or horizontal direction whichever is smaller should not be more than 48 times the thickness of the blocks. If required, reinforcement as in reinforced brickwork can be provided and both sides plastered. Hollow burnt clay blocks can also be used for partitions. They are comparatively lighter being only about 40 to 50% the weight of a solid brick wall of same thickness and provide good sound insulation. Other materials like gypsum blocks, wood wool slabs etc are also used. Glass blocks can be used where light is required to come in. Glass blocks of various sizes and shapes are available. Generally, they are hollow. It has to be ensured that no other load than self weight comes on these partitions. The blocks can be laid in cement lime mortar (1 : 1 : 4). If blocks are larger than 30 cm the joints are reinforced with hoop iron or expanded metal strips. It has an attractive appearance, can be easily cleaned and has good Bound insulation properties. 

Partitions of Sheeted Materials 

The conventional timber partitions known as stud partitions are constructed of 100 x 75 mm heads and sills with vertical members or studs of 75 x 38 mm or 100 x 50 mm framed at about 400 mm centres (Figure 5.12). The studs are stiffened by horizontal timber members known as noggings of size 100 x 38 mm. Timber boards are nailed on both sides of the frame and painted or polished. 

Other sheets like gypsum plaster board, fibre building board, plywood, particle board, block board, A.C. sheet, G.I. sheet etc., can also be used with a timber frame. The details of spacing of supports and the spacing of nails for some of the commonly used sheets are given in Table. 

  Spacing for Support and Fixing of Rigid Wall Board

Note 

1. Nails with shank diameter 2,2.34 or 2.50 mm are commonly used. 
2. Joint thickness shall be of 6 mm.  All vertical joints shall be staggered, particularly when both sides of the wall are covered. 

All portions of timber built into or against masonry or concrete shall be given two coats of boiling coal tar. All wood work shall be painted with approved wood primer. 

The framework for fixing the sheets can also be of light steel sections. 

Partitions with sheets are light in weight and hence, can be put up directly over slabs. They are easy to install and can be dismantled without any difficulty.