Question 1

What types of commercial partitions do you install?

Accepted Answer

We install the full standard range: solid metal stud partitions for cellular offices, meeting rooms, circulation and back-of-house; fire-rated partitions (tested assemblies to EI 30, EI 60, EI 90 and EI 120) for compartment walls, escape routes and riser enclosures; acoustic partitions (multi-layer, resilient-fixed and high-performance assemblies for meeting rooms, boardrooms, healthcare consultation suites and education spaces with specific Rw targets); framed glazed partitions (aluminium-framed single and double-glazed walls for offices, meeting rooms and borrowed-light screens); demountable partition systems (proprietary modular systems for flexible floorplates); and shaft walls for lift shafts, services risers and staircase enclosures.

Question 2

What is the difference between solid partitions and demountable systems?

Accepted Answer

Solid metal stud partitions are built in place and are effectively permanent: relocating them produces site waste and requires replastering, redecoration and M&E modifications. They are the cost-effective answer for most commercial fit-out where the floorplan is unlikely to change during the occupancy. Demountable partition systems are proprietary modular products (typically aluminium framing with infill panels) designed to be stripped and re-erected in a different configuration with minimal waste and a short programme. They carry a higher installed cost per m² but a lower whole-life cost where reconfiguration is expected within the lease term.

Question 3

What acoustic performance does a standard partition deliver?

Accepted Answer

A metal stud partition with a single layer of standard plasterboard each side and 50 mm mineral wool infill typically achieves around Rw 38 to 42 dB (as published by the major manufacturers). Meeting rooms typically require Rw 43 to 45 dB. Confidential meeting rooms and boardrooms typically require Rw 50 to 55 dB. Healthcare consultation rooms under HTM 08-01 typically require at least Rw 45 dB. Higher ratings require stacked board layers, resilient bars or isolation framing, denser insulation, and fully sealed perimeters, heads and service penetrations. We specify from manufacturer system documents and confirm the target Rw before procurement.

Question 4

What is a fire-rated partition?

Accepted Answer

A fire-rated partition provides tested compartment integrity and insulation in a fire, rated in minutes: EI 30, EI 60, EI 90 or EI 120. The rating applies to the complete tested assembly: stud gauge, board specification and layers, fixing centres, insulation, jointing, perimeter detailing and firestopping at services penetrations must all match the manufacturer's system document. A "fire board" alone does not make a rated partition. We install fire-rated partitions to the approved system documents. Firestopping at penetrations is a separate specialist trade; we coordinate with the principal contractor's appointed specialist at pre-construction.

Question 5

What is a shaft wall?

Accepted Answer

A shaft wall is an asymmetric fire-rated partition installed from one side only, essential around lift shafts, services risers and stair enclosures in retrofit and tight-tolerance new build where both faces are not accessible. Shaft wall systems use coreboard panels inserted into a proprietary steel track framework from the accessible side, faced with standard plasterboard layers to achieve the fire rating. We install British Gypsum Shaftwall, Knauf Shaft Wall and Siniat Shaft Wall systems and coordinate the install with the lift contractor and riser packages.

Question 6

Can partitions be installed in occupied buildings?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a substantial part of our partition work is in live offices, healthcare, education and retail environments. The key controls are sequencing in zones with temporary screens and dust barriers, out-of-hours and weekend programmes for high-disruption activity, permit-to-work alignment with the client's facilities team, and controlled access for materials and waste. We produce method statements for every occupied-building programme and agree the noise and dust control plan at pre-start.

Question 7

What manufacturers do you install?

Accepted Answer

We install from the major UK manufacturers: British Gypsum, Knauf and Siniat for solid stud and fire-rated systems; Promat and Knauf Fire Panel for fire-rated shaft wall and high-rating applications; Rockwool and Knauf Insulation for acoustic mineral wool infill. System selection is driven by the project's fire rating, acoustic target, structural requirements and budget, not by supplier preference. Where a specifier has nominated a particular system, we install to that manufacturer's current technical guidance.

Question 8

Do you handle firestopping at partition penetrations?

Accepted Answer

Firestopping at service penetrations is a separate specialist trade and is not part of the Eastledge scope. We coordinate with the principal contractor's appointed firestopping specialist at pre-construction, identify all penetrations in advance, and sequence our partition installation around their work.

Question 9

How tall can metal stud partitions reach?

Accepted Answer

Standard metal stud systems (70 mm and 92 mm profiles) span economically to around 3.6 to 4.5 m. Greater heights (atria, industrial offices, high-ceiling warehouse space) require thicker-gauge, larger-section stud profiles, intermediate noggings or bracing, and typically a structural engineer's deflection-head design. We have installed partitions spanning 5 to 7 m on industrial and education projects and engage the structural engineer at pre-construction stage where the height exceeds the standard range.

Question 10

How long does a partition installation take?

Accepted Answer

Programme depends on wall area, partition type, acoustic and fire specification, services integration and access. A small office refit with 200 to 400 linear metres of single-skin stud typically runs one to two weeks by a small team. A complex hospital department or large Cat B floorplate adds programme for fire-rated and acoustic detailing, services coordination and phased access. On fast-track retail rollouts we run multi-gang teams to compress partition time into overnight or weekend windows.

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