NFPA 285 - Fire Test for Exterior Walls PANEL / PRESENTERSBrian Kuhn, PE – Consultant at Code Red Consultants, LLCBrian is a professional fire protection engineer and code consultant with Code Red Consultants. The focus of his work is to provide fire protection and life safety code consulting services to architects, designers, building owners, and end users in both new and existing buildings. Typical project responsibility includes the evaluation of prescriptive-based compliance with local, state, and federal codes, as well as the development of performance-based alternative approaches for unique fire protection and life safety situations. His experience also includes egress modeling for large assembly and transportation projects, structural steel fire-resistance rating analysis, and smoke-control models for atria tenability.

Donald M. Havener, PE – Principal Fire Protection En gineer at Cosentini AssociatesMr. Havener joined Cosentini Associates in 2011 as a code consultant and fire protection engineer in the Boston, MA office. Though he specializes in performance based design and engineered compliance alternatives, Mr. Havener regularly provides fire, building, and life safety code analyses for a variety of projects. By combining his extensive knowledge of industry standard codes with his training as a “hands-on” engineer, Mr. Havener is able to solve complex construction problems with solutions that are code-compliant and constructible. Mr. Havener is a member of the SFPE Standing Committee on Research, Tools, and Methods which is responsible for overseeing SFPE’s technical products and research work.

Keith Nelson – Senior Architect at ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLCMr. Nelson brings over 19 years of professional experience to technical and complex building enclosure design and failure investigations. He is a Licensed Architect in the District of Columbia, Delaware, and Virginia and is an ASHRAE Certified Building Commissioning Professional (BCxP). Mr. Nelson earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design and a Bachelor of Architecture from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He is currently a voting member of the ASHRAE 90.1 Envelope Subcommittee, ASTM E06.55 Performance of Buildings, and ASTM E06.41 Air Barriers. He has provided training nationally on the topics of Building Science & Enclosure Performance, Air Barriers, Code Compliance, Building Enclosure Commissioning, and NFPA 285 Compliance.

What and Why is NFPA 285?BRIAN KUHN, P.E.

CODE RED CONSULTANTS

NFPA 285 Overview

NFPA 285 Overview

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NFPA 285ASTM E 119

NFPA 285 OverviewExterior Walls

Non-combustible Combustible

NFPA 285 Overview

Roubaix building (France, 2012)

NFPA 285 Overview

Monte Carlo (Las Vegas, 2008)

NFPA 285 Overview

Wooshin Golden Suites(South Korea, 2010)

By Natalie Oxford [CC BY 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Grenfell Tower Grenfell Tower Grenfell Tower Grenfell Tower (London, 2017)

NFPA 285 Overview

Wooshin Golden Suites(South Korea, 2010)

What Triggers NFPA 285

Compliance?DON HAVENER, PECOSENTINI ASSOCIATES

NFPA 285 - TriggersFor Exterior Walls in Types I-IV Construction:

◦ Combustible water resistant barriers (MSBC §1403.5)◦ Limited Exceptions for non-tested assemblies

◦ Metal Composite Materials (MCM) (MSBC §1407)◦ NFPA 285 testing required for unrestricted use (MSBC §1407.10.4)

◦ Limited installations up to 75 feet above grade without testing

◦ Exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) – MSBC 1408

◦ High Pressure Laminates (HPL) – MSBC 1409

◦ NFPA 285 testing required for unrestricted use (MSBC §1407.10.4)

◦ Limited installations up to 50 feet above grade without testing

◦ Foam Plastic Insulation – 2603.5.5

◦ Unique MSBC Exceptions

NFPA 285 Triggers: Water Resistive BarriersNoncombustible exterior walls (i.e. Type I, II, III, or IV construction) may have a combustible WRB in any of the following conditions (MSBC §1403.5):

• Wall is ≤ 40 feet above grade.

• Tested as part of the wall assembly in accordance with NFPA 285.

• It is the only combustible material and covered with brick (2.625”), concrete, stone (2”), terra cotta (1”), stucco (.375-.875”), or steel (.0149”) finish with thickness as noted (MSBC Table 1405.2).

• It is the only combustible material with the following:� Peak heat release rate of 150 kW/m2

� Total heat release rate of 20 MJ/kg

� Heat of combustion of less than 18 MJ/kg

� Flame spread index of 25 or less

� Smoke developed index of 450 or less

In this case, fenestration and associated flashing are not considered part of the WRB.

NFPA 285 Triggers: Metal Composite Materials• For any building, MCM must have a flame spread index of 75

or less and a smoke-developed index of 450 or less when tested in accordance with ASTM E 84 or UL 723.

• For Type I, II, III, or IV construction; MCM must

� Have a flame spread index of 25 or less and a smoke-developed index of 450 or less when tested in accordance with ASTM E 84 or UL 723.

� Be separated from the interior of the building by a ½-inch gypsum wallboard or equivalent material.

� Be tested in accordance with NFPA 285 on MCM systems in the maximum thickness intended for use (full scale test)

• In lieu of NFPA 285 testing, MSBC §1407 includes other prescriptive options for installations up to 40, 50, and 75 feet in height.

� Limitations generally based on fire separation, specific fire performance metrics, and distance between panel “sections”.

NFPA 285 Triggers: Exterior Insulation + Finish Systems

• Nearly all EIFS use Foam Plastic Insulation (FPI)

• Historically poor fire performance

� Improper installation, especially penetrations and terminations

� Deterioration of stucco/cement plaster.

� Impact damage

• For Type I, II, III, or IV construction

� Must be tested in accordance with NFPA 285 on EIFS systems in the maximum thickness intended for use (full scale test)

• In lieu of NFPA 285 testing, IBC Section 2603.5.5 Ex 1 allows FPI where covered by 1-inch thickness of masonry, concrete, etc. or ½-inch Type X GWB.

� NFPA 285 loophole?

NFPA 285 Triggers: High-Pressure Laminates• For any building, HPL must have a flame spread

index of 75 or less and a smoke-developed index of 450 or less when tested in accordance with ASTM E 84 or UL 723.

• For Type I, II, III, or IV construction; HPL must

� Have a flame spread index ≤ 25 and a smoke-developed index ≤ 450 per ASTM E 84 or UL 723.

� Be separated from the interior of the building by a ½-inch gypsum wallboard or equivalent material.

� Be tested in accordance with NFPA 285 on HPL systems in the maximum thickness intended for use (full scale test)

• In lieu of NFPA 285 testing, MSBC Section 1409 includes other prescriptive options for installations up to 40 and 50 feet in height.

NFPA 285 Triggers: Foam Plastic Insulation• For Type I, II, III, or IV construction; FPI must

� Have a flame spread index ≤ 25 and a smoke-developed index ≤ 450 per ASTM E 84 or UL 723.

� Be separated from the interior of the building by a ½-inch gypsum wallboard or equivalent material (thermal barrier).

� Be tested in accordance with NFPA 285 on FPI systems in the maximum thickness intended for use (full scale test)

• In lieu of NFPA 285 testing, MSBC §2603.5.5 Ex 1 allows FPI where each face is covered by 1-inch thickness of masonry, concrete, etc. or ½-inch Type X GWB.

� Drainage/Air Gaps limited to 1-inch

NFPA 285: What about wood?Mixed-use projects of Type III over IAconstruction.

Exterior walls can be framed/sheathed with FRTW◦ Wood is highly sensitive to moisture (WRBs)

◦ Energy code trends: > R-values, CI, and < ACH (FPI)

Large residential projects in urban settings◦ Need greater density (5-stories, above podium)

◦ Owners want: “cool” look, low maintenance (MCM, HPL, etc.)

Type III Exterior walls > 60’ above grade plane◦ NEW: Combustible water resistive barrier requires NFPA

285 test.

◦ Foam plastic insulation, metal composite panels, and high pressure laminates also trigger NFPA 285.

◦ Height and materials – can’t avoid NFPA 285 in MSBC §§1403.5, 1407, 1409, 2603.5.5

NFPA 285: What about wood?FRTW is a Combustible material.

◦ Doesn’t pass ASTM E 136 – MSBC 703.5◦ In 1,380ºF Furnace, samples monitored for temp rise, flaming, and

weight loss.

◦ Exceeds potential heat threshold of 3500 Btu/lb. for NFPA definition of Limited Combustible material.

Still permitted for certain exterior wall applications in non-combustible construction.

Type III Construction

◦ FRTW framing and sheathing for exterior walls

Types I and II Construction◦ FRTW framing and sheathing for nonbearing, non-fire

resistance rated exterior walls

Type III Construction with FRT WoodKEITH NELSON, ARCHITECTECS MID-ATLANTIC, LLC

NONNONNONNON----COMBUSTIBLECOMBUSTIBLECOMBUSTIBLECOMBUSTIBLE

703.5 Noncombustibility tests.

703.5.1 Elementary Materials

Materials required to be noncombustible shall be tested in accordance with ASTM E136.

703.5.2 Composite Materials

Materials having a structural base of noncombustible material as determined in accordance with Section 703.5.1 with a surfacing not more than 0.125 inch (3.18 mm) thick that has a flame spread index not greater than 50 when tested in accordance with ASTM E 84 or UL 723 shall be acceptable as noncombustible materials.

NONNONNONNON----COMBUSTIBLECOMBUSTIBLECOMBUSTIBLECOMBUSTIBLE

Type III ConstructionType III ConstructionType III ConstructionType III Construction

NONNONNONNON----COMBUSTIBLECOMBUSTIBLECOMBUSTIBLECOMBUSTIBLE

NONNONNONNON----COMBUSTIBLECOMBUSTIBLECOMBUSTIBLECOMBUSTIBLE

How to Comply with NFPA 285?KEITH NELSON, ARCHITECTECS MID-ATLANTIC, LLC

1. Use existing NFPA 285 compliant system

OR

2. Test new assembly per NFPA 285

OR

3. Use and Engineering Judgment to modify

an existing NFPA 285 compliant system

COMPLIANCE PATHSCOMPLIANCE PATHSCOMPLIANCE PATHSCOMPLIANCE PATHS

Is EXTERIOR CLADDING Combustible?

ANDInstalled greater than 40’ above grade

Is FOAM PLASTIC Insulation in the exterior wall assembly?

Non-CombustibleConstruction Types I, II, III, or IV?

(Per Commercial Building Code, IBC)

NFPA 285

Compliance

NOT

REQUIRED

NO

REQUIRED

YES

YES

NO

Is WRB*Combustible? AND

Installed greater than 40’ above grade

NO

YES

YES

NO*PER 2012 IBC REVISION, EXCEPTIONS APPROVED FOR 2015 IBC RELEASE

COMPLIANCE PATHSCOMPLIANCE PATHSCOMPLIANCE PATHSCOMPLIANCE PATHS

1. Use Existing NFPA 285 compliant system

• All Materials must match the tested system• Details must match the tested system

Includes window details

May not be “Manufacturer’s Standard Details”

COMPLIANCE PATHSCOMPLIANCE PATHSCOMPLIANCE PATHSCOMPLIANCE PATHS

2. Test new assembly per NFPA 285

• Limited Testing Laboratory AvailabilityOnly 3-4 labs provide NFPA 285 testing

• Potential CostsTesting Cost ~ $15-25K per test (Pass or Fail)*

Lead Time?

• Results are owned by the company paying for testing

Minimal Listings

No direct method for substituting components

* Based on data provided in the JBED Summer 2012

COMPLIANCE PATHSCOMPLIANCE PATHSCOMPLIANCE PATHSCOMPLIANCE PATHS

3. Use an Engineering Judgment

• Written by an independent source;Qualification are required

Approved by AHJ

• Using engineering practices; andReference a compliant wall

assembly

Support substitutions with test data

• Approved by AHJNot all AHJ’s are the same

Letter Expands Assembly Test Results by 4 Products

http://www.exponent.com

1. Use existing NFPA 285 compliant system

OR

2. Test new assembly per NFPA 285

OR

3. Use and Engineering Judgment to modify

an existing NFPA 285 compliant system

There is a 4th way!

COMPLIANCE PATHSCOMPLIANCE PATHSCOMPLIANCE PATHSCOMPLIANCE PATHS

Is EXTERIOR CLADDING Combustible?

ANDInstalled greater than 40’ above grade

Is FOAM PLASTIC Insulation in the exterior wall assembly?

Non-CombustibleConstruction Types I, II, III, or IV?

(Per Commercial Building Code, IBC)

NFPA 285

Compliance

NOT

REQUIRED

NO

REQUIRED

YES

YES

NO

Is WRB*Combustible? AND

Installed greater than 40’ above grade

NO

YES

YES

NO*PER 2012 IBC REVISION, EXCEPTIONS APPROVED FOR 2015 IBC RELEASE

COMPLIANCE PATHSCOMPLIANCE PATHSCOMPLIANCE PATHSCOMPLIANCE PATHS

The 4th Path to Compliance

Design wall assemblies sufficiently

“non-combustible” to avoid NFPA

285 triggers, by:

• Eliminate FRT wood framing and sheathing; • Choose a WRB which meets 2015 IBC

1403.5, Exception 2;

• Choose non-combustible insulation; AND• Choose non-combustible claddings.

NFPA 285 - Fire Test for Exterior Walls PANEL / PRESENTERS

Brian Kuhn, PE – Consultant at Code Red Consultants, LLCbkuhn@crcfire.com(857) 259-5998

Donald M. Havener, PE – Principal Fire Protection Engineer at Cosentini Associatesdhavener@cosentini.com(617) 748-0031

Keith Nelson – Senior Architect at ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLCknelson@ecslimited.com(571) 324-2853

Questions?