Code Requirements for Tests / Assemblies

Class “A” ratings are defined by an old standard established in the 1920’s (ASTM E84), with very limited performance.As a result, they have very limited, non code driven applications, which in turn means very limited markets. The Code provisions (UBC and ICC) which deal with fire protections issues in the overall construction industry, have adopted other, more stringent, standards (such as ASTM E119 and UBC 26). Until the advent of Firefree coatings, no coating has been able to meet such standards. By passing the required testing standards, Firefree has unlocked the vast markets for overall fire protection in the construction industry, markets which were unreachable by fire protection coatings until now.

Class “A” fire retardant rated coatings have a fire performance rating limited to a ten minute flame spread, smoke developed rating. Because the Class “A” ratings are not code driven and have a very limited and insignificant performance rating, uses for this type of coating are extremely limited in the residential, commercial or industrial building markets.

Due to our considerable efforts in this field, Firefree Coatings, Inc. has advanced far beyond the narrow and limited, non code driven uses of fire retardants. We have developed the first coatings to pass the code required fire ratings that are at the core of the construction industry. As a result, Firefree is now an integral part of the construction industry and will impact not only the fire coating industry but the gypsum and sprinkler industries as well.

The test requirements that are significant are the code driven hourly fire ratings required for the walls, ceilings, corridors, shaft walls, etc found in all building structures in the United States and internationally.These code requirements are clearly defined in either the Uniform Building Code (UBC) or by the International Code Council (ICC).  The standard is known as ASTM E 119 and is found in both the UBC and ICC codes. In this standard, wall assemblies are tested in a vertical oven and floor assemblies are tested in a horizontal oven. The testing, in both ovens, is run at 1800° Fahrenheit for one hour and at 2300° F for the second or third hour, and beyond. The Class “A” rating is completely irrelevant in this category.

A second code standard that is pertinent to the Firefree coatings, in particular, is the room corner test, listed in the UBC and ICC code as the UBC 26-3, FM4880 or UL 1715 room corner test. NFPA has recently come out with their 2000 code revision for foam plastics listed as the NFPA 286 room corner test. The Class “A” rating is completely irrelevant in this category.

A third, new standard that is being is being put into place is the new exterior wall/eave exterior test for use in the California Urban Wildland Interface. This new code standard is being developed by the office of the California State Fire Marshal. Their criteria will effect a market of over five million homes in California and over 42 million homes in the United States.  The Class “A” rating is also completely irrelevant in this category.

On the other hand, the Firefree line of coatings has grown and will continue to meet the code driven needs for hourly assembly ratings on gypsum wall board, wood, lath and plaster, concrete and metal as the assemblies pertain to all residential, commercial and industrial structures in both the US and abroad.Additionally, Firefree coatings currently meet the room corner test requirements for foam, wood and fiberglass where required by code.  Firefree Coatings, Inc. has been a leader in the development in creating a product to meet the new exterior fire requirements as set forth in the new California Wildland Urban Interface.