Table of Contents
What does NFPA 285 test?
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 285 fire test is a large scale wall assembly test used to determine the potential for flame spread from one story of a building to another through the exterior wall.
What NFPA 285?
In 1998, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) developed a standard NFPA 285 which is a test method designed to determine the flammability characteristics of exterior, non-load-bearing wall assemblies/panels that contain foam plastic insulation.
How long is the NFPA 285 test?
Fact #1: The fire exposure duration for NFPA 285 is 30 minutes. Fact #2: Several combustible materials are typically used in non-combustible wall construction including foam plastic continuous insulation, air and water barriers, high-pressure laminates, metal composites, and fiber-reinforced polymer panels.
Is NFPA 285 required?
Air/Vapor Barriers – Exterior walls in buildings with Type I, II, III, or IV construction more than 40 feet in height that contain a combustible water-resistive barrier are required to comply with NFPA 285.
Which of the following combustible claddings might require NFPA 285 testing?
NFPA 285 testing of the wall assembly is required under the International Building Code (IBC) for building construction types 1, 2, 3 and 4 if the assembly contains combustible components including foam plastic insulation, combustible claddings and air/water resistive barriers.
Does EIFS meet NFPA 285?
In looking at the wall system as a total assembly, it is important to first note that all EIFS have been tested for compliance with NFPA 285 for foam plastic insulation and air/ water-resistive barriers and pass the fire safety requirements accordingly.
Which of the following materials could trigger the need for NFPA 285 testing per the IBC?
Foam plastic will trigger NFPA 285 compliance in most buildings of Type I, II, III, and IV construction with very limited exceptions.
Is EIFS considered non combustible?
EIFS is considered combustible because it is polystyrene foam insulation. Actual fire performance, however, depends on many factors. Material defects, poor workmanship, impact damage, installation errors, and exposed insulation are among leading causes of fire.
Is EIFS a fire hazard?
However, the combustibility of the assembly components has proven to be a fire hazard; the insulation component, polystyrene foam, alone promotes flame spread when melted. There have been a number of documented fire incidents involving combustible exterior walls, and EIFS should be evaluated as a possible reason.
When did they stop using EIFS?
EIFS has been in use since the 1960s in North America, first on masonry buildings, but since the 1990s the majority on wood-framed buildings.
What is difference between stucco and EIFS?
What is EIFS? Unlike traditional stucco that utilizes natural ingredients and mesh, External Insulation and Finishing Systems (EIFS) stucco uses layers that add in synthetic materials. The first layer is comprised of a polystyrene foam board. Then, that is followed by a fiberglass mesh and a finishing coat.
What’s wrong with EIFS?
The problems with barrier EIFS cladding all stem from water intrusion. These problems include moisture accumulation in the wall cavity, subsequent wood damage and, in more advanced cases, mold growth and the infestation of pests such as carpenter ants or termites.
Can you power wash EIFS?
A: First of all, do not use a pressure washer on a synthetic stucco surface. This type of finish, known as an exterior insulation finish system or EIFS, is a barrier-type system.
Can I paint EIFS?
On a side note, EIFS can be painted just like traditional stucco. Depending on the characteristics and appearance wanted, our professional commercial paint contractors use either top-quality acrylic latex paints or elastomeric coating systems.
How long will EIFS last?
A. Dryvit EIFS are designed to last for the typical design life of a building. The actual longevity on any specific building will depend mainly on the building maintenance program. Some EIFS facades date back 50-60 years.
What is NFPA 285 testing and why is it important?
Protecting a building, its occupants, and its contents from fire is critical. Partially as a response to increased use of continuous insulation (ci) in building envelopes, enforcement of provisions requiring NFPA 285 testing has recently been stepped up.
Who can submit a question to the NFPA?
NFPA members and public sector officials may submit a question on an NFPA code or standard. Responses are provided by NFPA staff on an informal basis.
Is there a third-party compilation of fire-resistant assembly tests?
Unfortunately, there is no third-party compilation of assembly tests, unlike the thousands of variations of fire-resistive wall assemblies tested and documented in the FM Global Approval Guide, Intertek ETL SEMCO Directory of Listed Products, and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Fire Resistance Directory.