Dual plasterboard bracing systems

Specify once.
Line with Freedom.

What if the plasterboard decision didn’t have to be made at consent? With SwitchBrace®, it doesn’t. One bracing design covers both EPB® and GIB® Plasterboard, so the choice stays open right up to lining stage.

Download the technical manual Find a system
Built on two independently appraised systems EPB QuickBrace®GIB EzyBrace®SwitchBrace®
How SwitchBrace works

The brand decision moves from consent to lining stage.

A bracing plan that names one brand’s system locks the build in. Changing brand later means review, amendment fees and a Minor Variation. SwitchBrace® codes keep both options consented from day one.

01 · Design stage

Specify the SwitchBrace code

The architect or designer places dual codes — e.g. DSSN or DB-H — on the bracing plan.

02 · Lining stage

Choose GIB® or EPB®

Your client picks the board on quality, price or innovation. Each code lists the matching board from both brands.

03 · Installation

Install and pass post-line

Fix to the SwitchBrace® requirements. Building officials accept either brand because the design used the most conservative ratings.

Change the board, not the paperwork.

What happens when the plasterboard brand changes during the build.

WITHOUT SWITCHBRACE One brand, locked into consent. Any change on site goesback through council. ? Technical review Bracing Recalc Minor Variation + weeks Brand named on plan Brand changes on site Review, recalc, variation Build delayed WITH SWITCHBRACE Both brands, consented from day one. The board is chosen atinternal lining stage. DB-H GIB®EPB® Signed off. No review. No variation. No fees. Dual code on plan Either board fitted Post-line inspection passes
WITHOUT SWITCHBRACE One brand,locked into consent. Any change on site goes back through council. Brand named on plan ? Brand changes on site Review, recalc, variation Technical reviewBracing Recalc · Minor Variation + weeksBuild delayed WITH SWITCHBRACE Both brands,consented from day one. The board is chosen at internal lining stage. DB-H Dual code on plan Either board fittedGIB® · EPB® Post-line inspection passes Signed off. No review. No variation. No fees.
Numbering system

Read any code in four characters.

Designers, builders and building officials can see exactly which board goes where — for both brands.

D
System
D = Dual plasterboard
        (GIB® or EPB®)
B
Side one
S = EPB® Standard or
        GIB® Standard
B = EPB BraceSmart® or
         GIB Braceline®
–
Side two
–   = Single-sided system only
S  = EPB® Standard or
         GIB® Standard
P  = Plywood
H
Fixing
N = No hold-downs
H = Panel hold-downs required
R = Regular fastener pattern, no
         hold-downs
Performance table · August 2026

All SwitchBrace systems at a glance.

Full system details
Plasterboard on One Side
DS-NPanel hold downs No
Min length (m)BU’S/m WindBU’S/m EQ 0.405055 1.207060
EPB Plasterboard® LiningsEPB® Standard Plasterboard
one side
OR
GIB® Plasterboard LiningsGIB® Standard Plasterboard
one side
DB-HPanel hold downs Yes
Min length (m)BU’S/m WindBU’S/m EQ 0.409095 1.20125105
EPB Plasterboard® LiningsEPB BraceSmart® one side
OR
GIB® Plasterboard LiningsGIB Braceline® one side
Plasterboard on Both Sides
DSSRPanel hold downs N/A
Min length (m)BU’S/m WindBU’S/m EQ 0.405050 1.25050
EPB Plasterboard® LiningsEPB® Standard Plasterboard
on both sides
(Regular EPB® Installation Guide fastener pattern)
OR
GIB® Plasterboard LiningsGIB® Standard Plasterboard
on both sides
(Regular GIB® Site Guide fastener pattern)
DSSNPanel hold downs No
Min length (m)BU’S/m WindBU’S/m EQ 0.407565 1.209585
EPB Plasterboard® LiningsEPB® Standard Plasterboard
both sides
OR
GIB® Plasterboard LiningsGIB® Standard Plasterboard
both sides
DBSHPanel hold downs Yes
Min length (m)BU’S/m WindBU’S/m EQ 0.40110115 1.20150145
EPB Plasterboard® LiningsEPB BraceSmart® one side,
EPB® Standard Plasterboard the other
OR
GIB® Plasterboard LiningsGIB Braceline® one side,
GIB® Standard Plasterboard the other
Plasterboard One Side, Plywood the Other
DSPHPanel hold downs Yes
Min length (m)BU’S/m WindBU’S/m EQ 0.40100115 1.20150150
EPB Plasterboard® LiningsEPB® Standard Plasterboard one side,
7mm structural plywood the other
OR
GIB® Plasterboard LiningsGIB® Standard Plasterboard one side,
Structural Plywood the other
DBPHPanel hold downs Yes
Min length (m)BU’S/m WindBU’S/m EQ 0.40120135 1.20150150
EPB Plasterboard® LiningsEPB BraceSmart® one side,
7mm structural plywood the other
OR
GIB® Plasterboard LiningsGIB Braceline® one side,
7mm structural plywood the other
SwitchBrace® Dual Plasterboard Numbering Systems
Switchable lining requirements
Dual
code
Min
length (m)
BU’S/m
Wind
BU’S/m
EQ
Panel hold
downs
EPB Plasterboard® Linings
OR
GIB® Plasterboard Linings
Plasterboard on One Side
DS-N
0.40
50
55
1.20
70
60
No
EPB® Standard Plasterboard
one side
OR
GIB® Standard Plasterboard
one side
DB-H
0.40
90
95
1.20
125
105
Yes
EPB BraceSmart® one side
OR
GIB Braceline® one side
Plasterboard on Both Sides
DSSR
0.40
50
50
1.2
50
50
N/A
EPB® Standard Plasterboard
on both sides
(Regular EPB® Installation Guide fastener pattern)
OR
GIB® Standard Plasterboard
on both sides
(Regular GIB® Site Guide fastener pattern)
DSSN
0.40
75
65
1.20
95
85
No
EPB® Standard Plasterboard
both sides
OR
GIB® Standard Plasterboard
both sides
DBSH
0.40
110
115
1.20
150
145
Yes
EPB BraceSmart® one side,
EPB® Standard Plasterboard the other
OR
GIB Braceline® one side,
GIB® Standard Plasterboard the other
Plasterboard One Side, Plywood the Other
DSPH
0.40
100
115
1.20
150
150
Yes
EPB® Standard Plasterboard one side,
7mm structural plywood the other
OR
GIB® Standard Plasterboard one side,
Structural Plywood the other
DBPH
0.40
120
135
1.20
150
150
Yes
EPB BraceSmart® one side,
7mm structural plywood the other
OR
GIB Braceline® one side,
7mm structural plywood the other

* Timber Floors – It is required by NZS 3604:2011 to limit BU ratings to 120 BU/m for timber floors. For a higher floor frame uplift, a specifically engineered design will be required.

Row of new two-storey timber-framed homes
WHEN PLANS MEET THE BUILDING SITE

Brands change.
Your bracing plan doesn’t have to.

Designed on the more conservative rating of both brands, a SwitchBrace® code holds whichever board turns up on the truck.

Find your system
Board on back-order? Line with the other brand. Same code, same rating.
Better price from another merchant? Take it. The design already covers both brands.
Client prefers one brand? Their call, right up to internal lining stage.
Architects · designers · engineers Design the bracing plan once. Choose the dual code, check ratings at 0.40 m and 1.20 m, and annotate the plan. Calculate demand with the SwitchBrace® software. Choose a system Builders · installers Line with the board you can get. Read the code on the plan, pick EPB® or GIB®, and follow the fixing details for that system. Installation details
Building officials Check the code, the listed lining and its installation requirements at post-line. Homeowners See how SwitchBrace® keeps your plasterboard choice open.
Cover of the SwitchBrace Dual Plasterboard Systems manual, August 2026
Technical manual

SwitchBrace Dual Plasterboard Systems

Numbering system, performance table, and framing, fixing and lining details for all systems.

Download PDF
Software

SwitchBrace Software

Calculate bracing demand and complete the design, to the rules of NZS 3604:2011.

Request a copy
FAQs

Common questions

Does switching between GIB® and EPB® need a Minor Variation?

No. When the bracing plan specifies SwitchBrace® codes, either listed lining can be installed at internal lining stage without amendment fees, Minor Variations or extra design costs. Building officials accept either brand at post-line because the design used the most conservative ratings.

Where do the bracing ratings come from?

Each SwitchBrace® rating is the most conservative of the equivalent EPB QuickBrace® and GIB EzyBrace® system values. Both are independently appraised.

Are there limits on timber floors?

Yes. NZS 3604:2011 limits ratings to 120 BU/m on timber floors. For higher floor-frame uplift, a specifically engineered design is required.

Questions on a bracing design?

Talk to the SwitchBrace® technical team.

0800 353 742 info@switchbrace.co.nz Send a technical enquiry
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