Finished (Hard) Boards
Glass reinforced board / Calcium silicate - are still somewhat cost effective, these can be used where a decorative finish is required.  These types of boards can be tape and jointed, painted or plastered.
Products can achieve up to 4-hour rating with differing thicknesses of board, which depends on the section factor (Hp/A) of the steel section and the fire rating required.

High performance boards - these systems have been developed for various criteria including high impact, sterile environments, high levels of fire resistance and high decorative finishes.
The board insulates the steel, reducing the heating rate, so that its limiting temperature of the steel is not exceeded during the required fire resistance period.

Hard Board offers :

• Boxed appearance suitable for finished by plaster skim
• Clean dry fixing with assured thickness
• Can be applied to non-primed steelwork
• A number of products may be suitable for exterior use