Since 1973, model building codes such as the IBC and the NEC
have referenced the GA-600 Fire Resistance and Sound Control Design Manual as a
primary source of fire resistant and sound control rated designs.

The 2021 edition contains more than 750 fire- and
sound-rated systems including:

• Walls
      and interior partitions


• Shaft
      walls and exterior walls


• Area
      separation fire walls


• Floor-ceiling
      and roof-ceiling systems


• Horizontal
      membrane systems


• Column,
      beam, girder, and truss protection systems

To maintain industry-wide quality assurance standards for
gypsum panels defined in this Manual as “type X,” the Gypsum Association
requires that all companies listing proprietary tests or systems, or relying on
the generic systems in this Manual, shall subscribe to an on-going third-party,
in-plant product inspection and labeling service.

Additionally, each member company makes annual written
certification to the Gypsum Association that its products manufactured for use
in systems listed in this manual continue to be inspected and labeled by an
independent third-party testing service.