Moisture and mold can be problematic in any public building. But in a hospital, the issue is especially critical because mold problems result in poor indoor air quality, which in turn can trigger health issues and exacerbate existing conditions in sensitive patients. The construction and design team (architects NBBJ and LS3P and builder BGKS, a joint venture of Birmingham, Alabama-based Brasfield & Gorrie, and M.B. Kahn Construction and Southern Management Group) for the Medical University of South Carolina’s (MUSC) Hospital Replacement project in Charleston were well aware of this issue when selecting the construction materials for the project.

Located in Charleston, S.C, the MUSC buildings had to be designed and constructed to withstand hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and high-risk soil conditions. To avoid moisture intrusion and mold growth, and to assure the best indoor air quality, the construction team selected Georgia-Pacific Gypsum’s mold- resistant gypsum panels for interior walls, stair and elevator shaftwall assemblies and exterior sheathing applications. “The paperless concept came up early in the design cycle,” says Project Director Chris Malanuk. “The original idea was to reduce both short-term and long-term mold risk.”

The paperless construction of Georgia-Pacific Gypsum DensArmor Plus drywall replaces the paper facers on the front and back of traditional drywall with fiberglass mat facers that are extremely moisture and mold resistant. These facers add durability to the panel and provide a high level of moisture “forgiveness” should the walls or ceiling get wet during construction or in the operation of the building.

In addition to being moisture- and mold-resistant, DensArmor Plus paperless drywall is GREENGUARD Certified as a low-emitting product. For more information about products from Georgia-Pacific Gypsum, and for copies of product warranties, contact your representative or visit www.gpgypsum.com.