NFPA Journal - September/October 2016 - 76

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION THE IMPORTANCE OF CERTIFICATION ON FIRE TESTED PRODUCTS A look at how fire testing, labeling and certification shape our built environment By Karl Houser, P.E., Sr. Fire Protection Engineer Intertek - Building & Construction W We see certification marks all around us-from gypsum board to smoke alarms to fire doors. These marks represent that a product has met the minimum safety requirements set forth by the relevant standard or code. This article discusses the importance of testing and Testing laboratories evaluate products against recognized tests and standards. certification to the fire and life-safety aspects of a building façade, and how the combination of certified products and on-site inspection can help to mitigate the incidence of exterior building fires. Our Built Environment The numerous exterior building façade fires that have occurred abroad in recent months offer a dramatic, visual example of what can happen without rigorous building and life-safety codes. While the idea of product testing and certification may not attract the general public, the image of a fire traveling up the side of a 30-story building has captured the attention of a larger audience. For building and construction professionals who are familiar with codes and standards, inevitable questions arise: How did these fires happen? Could these kinds of fires happen here in the U.S.? The general consensus is that it is less likely to occur where codes mandate the proper tests; where products are tested, maintained in a certification program with a listing and installed in accordance with their listing, and where there is effective jobsite inspection. Exterior wall systems provide energy efficiency, resistance to water infiltration and air permeability, and other functions, not to mention their extraordinary aesthetic value. In order for these important building products to function safely, it is essential that both codes and the requirements set forth by product manufacturers be followed carefully. After testing and certifying a product or system, thirdparty testing agencies provide a label signifying that the product meets relevant codes and standards. Below are two common certification marks from Intertek. WARNOCK HERSEY MARK The Warnock Hersey Mark has long been one of the building product industry's most recognizable certification marks and can be found on a variety of products, 76 NFPA JOURNAL SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016 Exterior building façade systems may, in some cases, have unusual fire propagation characteristics that affect how they perform in a fire scenario-which is true for many other building materials. These characteristics can relate to the types of building fires that have recently been seen abroad. Building safety is dependent upon ensuring that products are installed in a manner consistent with how they have been shown to comply with accepted test standards. The relationship between how a product is tested and how it is installed can help in our understanding of the exterior building fires that have occurred abroad. Fire Testing Fire testing standards are an important element in mitigating the risk of fire in tall buildings. NFPA 285, Standard Fire Test Method for Evaluation of Fire Propagation Characteristics of Exterior Non-Load-Bearing Wall Assemblies Containing Combustible Components, outlines a standardized fire test method for evaluating exterior, non-load bearing wall assemblies that include combustible components. Other similar test standards include CAN/ULC-S134, Standard Method of Fire Test of Exterior Wall Assemblies, and BS 8414-2, Fire Performance of External Cladding Systems. Manufacturers look to testing laboratories and most prominently on fire doors, solid fuel hearth products, and on manufactured homes. ETL MARK The ETL Mark is one of North America's most recognized certification marks. Previously only utilized as a mark of conformance for primarily electrical products, the ETL Mark is now utilized on building products and construction materials. For information on NFPA Journal sponsored content visit Æ nfpaadvertising@nfpa.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - September/October 2016