Patent ID: 8640415

Claim:
A fire-retardant wall system, comprising: a horizontal ceiling element; a plurality of vertical wall studs; a header track for receiving the wall studs, the track connected to the horizontal ceiling element, the track comprising a web and at least one flange constructed from a unitary piece of metal, the flange extending from the web and having a first planar portion proximal the web and a second planar portion distal the web, the first planar portion having a first surface defined by the unitary piece of metal; at least one surface on the web for accepting a fire-retardant material strip thereon; at least a first fire-retardant material strip attached to the at least one surface on the web and configured to expand when exposed to elevated heat, the first fire-retardant material strip positioned between and contacting both the web and the horizontal ceiling element to create at least a substantial seal inhibiting the passage of air from one side of the track to the other side of the track through a gap between the horizontal ceiling element and the web when the fire-retardant material strip is in an unexpanded state; at least one piece of wallboard supported by the wall studs, wherein the at least one piece of wallboard supported by the wall studs is in direct contact with the first surface of the first planar portion of the flange, and wherein the second planar portion of the flange is recessed inwardly from the first portion, such that the at least one piece of wallboard supported by the wall studs is not in direct contact with the second portion.