5/8 in. Type X “Firecode” drywall is the fire-rated gypsum panel Los Angeles builders reach for whenever an assembly has to carry a one-hour fire rating — garage-to-house separations, multifamily demising walls, occupancy separations, and any wall or ceiling a plan checker flags as fire-rated. This guide explains what makes USG Sheetrock Brand Firecode X different from standard drywall, where Los Angeles code actually calls for it, how it compares to the lighter EcoSmart Firecode 30 and moisture-resistant Mold Tough panels, and how to handle it on the jobsite.
Spec snapshot — USG Sheetrock Firecode X (5/8 in. × 4 ft. × 8 ft.)
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Panel: 5/8 in. Type X fire-rated gypsum
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Ratings: UL Classified · ASTM C1396 · GREENGUARD Gold
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Weight: ~70 lb · tapered long edges for finishing
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Where it goes: one-hour fire-rated walls & ceilings, garage separations
What “Type X” and “Firecode” actually mean
Type X is a fire classification, not a brand name. A Type X panel has a noncombustible gypsum core reinforced so that a single 5/8 in. layer can help an assembly achieve a one-hour fire-resistance rating. USG Sheetrock Brand Firecode X is USG’s Type X board: it is UL Classified for fire resistance, surface-burning characteristics, and noncombustibility, and it can be used in any UL Design that lists Type SCX panels. It meets ASTM C1396 and is GREENGUARD Gold certified for low emissions. The UL type designation is printed along the long edge of every panel — exactly what a Los Angeles building inspector looks for when signing off on a fire-rated wall.
One point worth stating plainly: the fire rating belongs to the tested assembly, not to the board on its own. You earn the rating by building the exact UL design — the specified studs, spacing, fasteners, and number of layers — with Firecode X as the panel. Swapping in a different board or changing the fastener pattern can void the rating.
Where 5/8 in. Type X is required on Los Angeles jobs
The most common residential trigger is the garage. Under the California Residential Code (R302.6), the wall and ceiling separating an attached garage from the dwelling must be protected with gypsum board, and where habitable space sits above the garage the ceiling requires 5/8 in. Type X. Many Los Angeles contractors run 5/8 in. Type X across the entire garage separation for a cleaner, higher-rated result rather than mixing thicknesses.
Beyond garages, 5/8 in. Type X shows up on multifamily demising and corridor walls, occupancy separations, and shaft walls — anywhere the approved plans call out a one- or two-hour assembly. Always confirm the specific assembly against your stamped plans and LADBS requirements before you order, since the required layers and fasteners come from the listed design.
Firecode X vs. EcoSmart Firecode 30 vs. Mold Tough
Supply Ontime stocks three 5/8 in. Type X panels, and the right one depends on the room:
| Panel |
Best for |
Weight (4×8) |
Why choose it |
| Firecode X |
Standard one-hour fire-rated walls |
~70 lb |
The baseline — best value |
| EcoSmart Firecode 30 |
Ceilings & overhead work |
~54 lb |
Same fire rating, lighter, lower carbon |
| Mold Tough Firecode X |
Baths, laundry, garage walls near plumbing |
~77 lb |
Adds moisture & mold resistance |
For a standard fire-rated wall with no moisture exposure, standard Firecode X is usually the smart choice.
Handling and jobsite tips
- A 4 ft. x 8 ft. Firecode X panel weighs about 70 lb — plan on two-person handling or a panel cart, especially for ceilings.
- Score and snap with a sharp utility knife; the tapered long edges are made for taping and finishing with a Sheetrock joint-treatment system.
- Fasten to the spacing in your listed assembly — fastener type and spacing are part of what earns the fire rating.
- Keep panels dry and stored flat off the slab until installation; gypsum that has taken on moisture should not go into a rated wall.
- For fire-rated joints, finish with a setting-type compound and reinforce with the right tape — see our guide on paper vs. mesh drywall tape.
Order 5/8 in. Firecode X drywall in Los Angeles
Supply Ontime keeps USG Sheetrock Brand Firecode X and the full range of drywall sheets in stock and delivers across Greater Los Angeles, same-day or scheduled, with curbside or white-glove unloading for heavy panels. Order the 5/8 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. Firecode X panel here, or use the product box below to add it straight to your cart.
