What is Industrial Tablaroca?
The light construction system based on gypsum panels (commonly referred to as Drywall in Mexico) is a non-load-bearing structural solution designed for space division, thermo-acoustic insulation, and passive fire protection in industrial, commercial, and corporate environments.
This system consists of:
- Galvanized steel structure: Studs, tracks, furring channels, and angles of structural gauges (gauges 20 and 22) that form the framework.
- Specialized gypsum panels: Gypsum boards with specific additives (fire retardants, moisture repellents, vapor barriers, or high impact density) laminated with high-strength multi-fiber paper.
- Joint treatment: Reinforcing tapes (paper or fiberglass) and acrylic or vinyl compounds to achieve a monolithic and continuous surface.
- Internal insulation: Fiberglass or mineral rock wool batts that optimize the thermal and acoustic performance of the assembly.
When is it needed?
A plant or maintenance manager should consider the installation or reconfiguration of drywall systems when the following operational needs arise:
- Layout reconfiguration: Need to quickly and cleanly define new production areas, warehouses, laboratories, dining halls, or administrative offices.
- Civil Protection requirements: Demand for fire barriers to isolate electrical substations, chemical warehouses, or evacuation routes.
- Acoustic insulation deficiencies: High noise levels from the production floor affecting personnel performance in supervision offices or meeting rooms.
- Moisture or mold damage: Presence of deteriorated standard gypsum walls in restrooms, changing rooms, or laundry areas requiring replacement with water-resistant panels.
- Installation of technical ceilings: Need to conceal air conditioning installations, process piping, structured cabling, and lighting systems, while maintaining quick access for maintenance through accessible ceilings.
Problems it solves
- Downtime due to traditional civil work: Unlike block and brick, the light construction system reduces installation times by up to 70%, avoiding prolonged operational shutdowns.
- Fire spread: The use of certified fire-rated walls confines fire to specific areas, protecting the integrity of personnel and plant assets.
- Dust and debris contamination: Tablaroca installation generates a fraction of the waste of a wet construction project, allowing work in areas adjacent to packaging zones or offices without contaminating the environment.
- Thermal energy loss: Integrated insulation in gypsum walls reduces heat transfer, decreasing energy consumption in air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
- Lack of structural flexibility: Allows for easy disassembly, relocation, or modification of partitions as business production needs change.
Benefits for your plant
- Accelerated Return on Investment (ROI): The speed of assembly reduces labor costs and allows for the immediate commissioning of new operational areas.
- Regulatory Compliance: Facilitates obtaining safety and hygiene certifications by complying with fire resistance and noise control regulations.
- High-performance acoustic insulation: Noise reduction of up to 55 dB (STC) using double-board assemblies with rock wool insulation, improving concentration and safety for supervisory personnel.
- Structural lightness: With an average weight of 25 to 40 kg/m² (compared to over 200 kg/m² for concrete blocks), it significantly reduces the dead load on the building's main structure.
Types of solutions and systems available
| Panel Type / System | Common Thickness | Moisture Resistance | Fire Resistance | Recommended Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (Regular) | 1/2" (12.7 mm) | Low | Basic | Corporate offices, low-traffic hallways, simple partition walls. |
| Moisture Resistant (RH / Greenboard) | 1/2" and 5/8" | High (Silicone additives) | Basic | Restrooms, changing rooms, dining areas, and zones with moderate ambient humidity. |
| Fire Retardant (Type X) | 5/8" (15.9 mm) | Medium | High (Up to 1 hour per board) | Firewalls, electrical control rooms, document archives, evacuation routes. |
| High Density / Impact (Heavy Duty) | 5/8" (15.9 mm) | Medium | High | Heavy traffic hallways, maintenance workshops, areas exposed to impacts from service carts. |
| Suspended Grid Ceiling | Variable (2x2' or 2x4' tile) | High (depending on tile) | Class A Certification | Open-plan offices, laboratories, dining rooms, quality control areas. |
Materials and technologies used
At SINE México we do not compromise on the quality of components. We select materials from leading global brands that guarantee the stability and durability of the system:
- Gypsum boards: We work with the professional lines of USG (Sheetrock) y Panel Rey (Fire Rey, Guard Rey), ensuring that each board meets the required density and strength specifications.
- Metal structure: Hot-dip galvanized steel profiles from brands like Protekto Plus o Panel Rey, in structural gauges that prevent buckling and deformation due to thrust.
- Thermal-acoustic insulation: Fiberglass batts Owens Corning (QuietZone) or mineral rock wool Thermafiber, ideal for acoustic control and high-performance fire barriers.
- Compounds and finishes: Red Top, Ready Mix and controlled setting additives for invisible joints, free of cracking due to differential vibration.
Applicable Regulations and Standards
Our installations are designed and executed under strict compliance with national and international regulations:
- NOM-017-STPS-2008: Personal protective equipment for our installers on site.
- NOM-009-STPS-2011: Safety measures for performing work at height (installation of ceilings and high walls).
- ASTM C1396: Standard specification for gypsum board.
- ASTM E119: Standard test methods for fire tests of building construction materials.
- ASTM E84: Surface burning characteristics of building materials.
Our work process (SINE México)
- Survey and Diagnosis: We visit your plant in Torreón, Saltillo, or Piedras Negras at no cost to analyze the space, measure heights, evaluate vibrations, and determine acoustic or fire requirements.
- Detailed Engineering and Proposal: We present a technical proposal with the exact specification of gauges, board types, insulation, and stud modulation, accompanied by a work schedule.
- Safety Compliance: We provide IMSS registrations (Sua), DC3 certificates for our personnel, risk analysis (AST), and permits required by your plant's safety department.
- Structure Assembly: Precision layout and installation of the galvanized steel frame, mechanically fastened to slabs and floors with expansion anchors or powder-actuated fasteners.
- Insulation and Engineering Installation: Placement of thermal-acoustic blankets and routing of electrical, voice, or data conduits through the factory-punched holes in the studs.
- Boarding and Joint Treatment: Fastening of gypsum panels with phosphated screws and application of tape and compound to joints for a smooth and uniform finish (Level 3 to Level 5 as per specification).
- Quality Control and Delivery: Inspection of plumb, level, and flatness. Complete removal of debris and delivery of the area clean and ready for painting.
Common mistakes when hiring/installing (and how we avoid them)
- Use of light gauges (Gauge 26) in tall walls: Causes flexing and vibration when opening or closing doors. SINE strictly uses structural gauges (20 and 22) in industrial walls.
- Lack of deflection channels in dynamic slabs: If the upper slab deflects due to live loads, it crushes the drywall wall, causing cracks. We design control joints and deflection channels to absorb these movements.
- Omitting joint treatment in wet areas: The use of standard compounds in bathrooms leads to detachment. We use moisture-resistant compounds and fiberglass mesh tapes in wet areas.
- Poor planning of reinforcements for suspended loads: Hanging screens, cabinets, or pipes directly from the gypsum board causes catastrophic failures. We place internal reinforcements of treated wood or steel channel before closing the wall.
Factors determining cost
The budget for a light construction project is calculated based on specific technical variables, avoiding generic rates that compromise quality:
- Wall height: Walls exceeding 3 meters require scaffolding or lifting platforms and additional structural reinforcements.
- Required panel type: Fire-rated (Type X) or high-density panels have a higher material cost than standard panels.
- Thermal-acoustic requirement: The addition of mineral rock wool or fiberglass impacts material cost but optimizes space insulation.
- Working conditions: Projects executed during night hours, weekends, or in areas with extreme safety restrictions (hot work, confined spaces) vary in their operational cost due to labor.
- Project location: We provide direct service in Torreón, Saltillo, Piedras Negras, and throughout northeastern Mexico, optimizing logistical costs.
SINE Mexico Warranty
All our Tablaroca, ceiling, and finishing installation works come with a 1-year written warranty on labor and structural alignment. We ensure that the assemblies will maintain their plumb, rigidity, and surface finish under normal operating conditions. Additionally, we back the manufacturer's warranties for the materials used (USG, Panel Rey, Owens Corning).
Frequently Asked Questions
What gauge of metal stud do you use for partition walls in industrial buildings?
For heavy-duty industrial and commercial applications, we use 20 or 22 gauge galvanized steel studs and tracks. We avoid 26 gauge (common in residential construction) in industrial environments because it does not offer the necessary structural rigidity against machinery vibrations, foot traffic, or heights exceeding 3 meters.
How do you ensure fire resistance in drywall walls?
We install 5/8" 'X' type gypsum panels (Fire Rey or Sheetrock Firecode) with a high-density, non-combustible gypsum core formulated with fiberglass. Depending on civil protection requirements, we configure double-layer systems on both sides with mineral rock wool inside to achieve fire resistance of 1 to 3 hours, certified under ASTM E119 standard.
Do you perform work at heights within active industrial buildings?
Yes, we have personnel certified under NOM-009-STPS for work at height, using certified tubular scaffolding, aerial work platforms (genie/scissor lifts), and safety harnesses with lifelines. We coordinate night or weekend shifts to avoid interfering with the plant's production lines.
What type of ceiling do you recommend for a laboratory or food packaging area?
We recommend suspended grid ceilings with aluminum suspension and mineral fiber tiles with washable vinyl coating or fiber cement tiles. These materials are moisture-resistant, easy to sanitize, do not shed particles (complying with cleanroom standards), and have biocidal treatments that inhibit the growth of fungi and bacteria.
Request your quote
Do you need to reconfigure your offices, install firewalls, or renovate the ceilings of your plant in northeastern Mexico?
Contact the experts at SINE México to schedule a free technical survey visit:
- WhatsApp: +52 871 228 3838
- Email: ventas@sinemantenimiento.com
- Offices and Coverage: Torreón, Saltillo, Piedras Negras and throughout the northeast of the country.
