Exterior Wall Systems NFPA 285 Presented by: David Hintz Senior Project Engineer UL and the UL logo are trademarks of UL LLC 2014
Exterior Wall Systems Why Do We Test? A broad range of components that are commonly used in exterior wall construction happen to be very flammable. This can be catastrophic when they are not protected properly. Insulations (foam plastics, batts and blankets) Metal Composite and Aluminum Composite Cladding (MCM/ACM) High Pressure Laminates (HPL) Water resistive and Air Barriers (WRB) Combusible Stud Cavity Insulation (Foam Plastic) Combustible Exterior Insulation (Foam Plastic) Combustible Air/Weather Barrier over Exterior Sheathing
Exterior Wall Systems Why Do We Test? Torch Building Fire Dubai
Exterior Wall Systems Why Do We Test? Torch Building Fire Dubai
Exterior Wall Systems Why Do We Test? Monte Carlo Casino Fire Las Vegas,
Exterior Wall Systems Why Do We Test? Water Club Tower Fire Atlantic City Mermoz Tower France
Exterior Wall Systems Fire Hazards of Exterior Wall Assemblies Containing Combustible Components - Fire Protection Research Foundation 7
NFPA 285 FIRE PROPAGATION ANSI/NFPA 285 investigates the ability of a wall assembly to: 1. Resist flame propagation over the exterior face of the wall assembly, 2. Resist vertical flame propagation within the combustible core or within other combustible components from one story to the next, 3. Resist vertical flame propagation over the interior surface of the wall assembly from one story to the next, and 4. Resist lateral flame propagation from the compartment of fire origin to adjacent compartments or spaces.
NFPA 285 FIRE PROPAGATION APPARATUS Two-story steel framed test apparatus with rooms opening to the front at each floor. Each test room is app. 10 ft. x 10 ft. x 7 ft. high Two gas-fired burners One inside the first story room (burn room) One underneath the header of the first story window opening
NFPA 285 FIRE PROPAGATION TEST PROCEDURE Burners are ignited to deliver same gas flows as determined by calibration procedure. Adjustments are not made to those gas flows, regardless of sample performance. 30 minute test duration. First 5 minutes Interior first floor room burner only. 5 30 mins Interior first floor room burner and exterior window burner are in operation.
NFPA 285 EXAMPLE ASSEMBLY CONSTRUCTION Step 1 Stud Construction Step 2 Exterior Gypsum and Joint Treatment
NFPA 285 EXAMPLE ASSEMBLY CONSTRUCTION Step 2 Joint Treatment Complete Step 3 Weather Barrier Installation
NFPA 285 EXAMPLE ASSEMBLY CONSTRUCTION Step 3 Weather Barrier Install Complete Step 4 Exterior Insulation and Brick Ties
NFPA 285 EXAMPLE ASSEMBLY CONSTRUCTION Step 5 Stud Cavity Insulation Install
NFPA 285 EXAMPLE ASSEMBLY CONSTRUCTION Step 6 Brick Veneer Construction
NFPA 285 EXAMPLE ASSEMBLY CONSTRUCTION Step 7 Test It!
NFPA 285 Post Test Analysis Step 8 Post Test Analysis
NFPA 285 FIRE PROPAGATION CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTANCE Temperatures at exterior of wall must not exceed 1000 F at a height of 10 ft. above the window opening Exterior flames must not extend vertically more than 10 ft. above the window opening Exterior flames must not extend horizontally more than 5 ft. from the centerline of the window opening (red hatched area shows allowable extents of flame propagation)
Agenda: Exterior Wall Systems NFPA 285 Why Do We Test Exterior Wall Assemblies? NFPA 285 Testing and Requirements UL s Certification Program for Exterior Wall Assemblies & Components
Exterior Wall Systems & Components UL launched two new certification categories also known as Category Codes (CCN): Exterior Wall Systems (FWFO) - All Components within a system design Exterior Wall System Components (FWFX) - The System Design (EWS) incorporates all components and description of components Where can this be found? UL s Online Directory and Building Materials Directory 20
NFPA 285 FWFX Components UL MARK Product identity: Exterior Wall System Component (FWFX) The Certification Mark for these products includes the UL symbol, the words "CERTIFIED" and "SAFETY," the geographic identifier(s), file number, and the statement: ANSI/NFPA 285 SYSTEM EWS0001
UL Online Certifications Directory No charge to access No passwords Updated daily Searchable Keyword Manufacturer UL File Number Standard used for evaluation www.ul.com/database 22
Exterior Wall Systems (FWFO)
Contact Us David Hintz, Senior Project Engineer PH: (847) 664-1285 E-mail: David.Hintz@ul.com Dwayne Sloan, Principal Engineer PH: (919) 549-1676 Email: Dwayne.E.Sloan@ul.com