The Metal Construction Association (MCA) has published a new white paper, “Fire Safety of Insulated Metal Wall Panels.”
The document contains detailed information on the efficacy of insulated metal panels (IMPs) for insulation and fire safety requirements in the U.S. and other countries. IMPs are lightweight composite exterior wall and roof panels with two layers of coated thin sheet metal (typically steel or aluminum) wrapped around a rigid foam core to form a stiff composite.
They are tested for fire, structural, thermal transmittance/resistance, foam core properties, water leakage, and air pressure differential. “In some cases, each component of a product can get good fire test results while the entire assembly burns vigorously, and vice versa,” according to a MCA news release. “Therefore, U.S. codes typically require composite assemblies to be fire tested both as a complete assembly and as separate components, particularly foam plastic insulation materials.”
"It's a misconception that non-combustible materials are always preferable to foam plastic materials in exterior claddings,” said Marcelo Hirschler of GBH International, a company specializing in fire test instruments and consulting services, in the release. “IMPs can be used safely in exterior claddings and should continue to be a significant part of building construction.”
Related Stories
| Jul 11, 2014
California Supreme Court rules that architects can be sued by condo association
The decision held that even though, on most projects, the developer has the final say on design choices, the architect can’t escape liability to the end user.
| Jul 10, 2014
Latest construction accident fatality statistics reverse trend of declining deaths
The latest data on construction site fatalities for 2012 shows a rise in the death rate to 9.9 per 100,000 workers after 2011 had reached a recent low of 9.1 per 100,000, according to an analysis of data by the AFL-CIO.
| Jul 10, 2014
EPA seeking public comments on site contamination rules
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting public comment on its proposal to eliminate the dual standard for compliance with rules pertaining to testing of land that may have been contaminated by chemical pollution.
| Jul 10, 2014
Southern California city considers new water fee for developers
A persistent drought in Southern California could lead to a water fee for new construction projects in Ventura.
| Jul 1, 2014
$1 billion master planned development in California clears key hurdle
Plans for a new section of the proposed $1 billion La Entrada master-planned community in Coachella, Calif., moved ahead after the developer and city council agreed that the plan would include 500 affordable housing units.
| Jul 1, 2014
Dept. of Labor reaches settlement for $5 million in back wages for workers on federally assisted project
The U.S. Department of Labor and MDG Design & Construction LLC have reached a settlement over wage violations at the federally-assisted 26-story Grand Street Guild rehab project in New York City’s Lower East Side.
| Jul 1, 2014
GSA, Homeland Security research leads to performance-based design guide
The National Performance Based Design Guide, based on research and development supported by the Science & Technology Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security and the Public Buildings Service of the General Services Administration, is now available.
| Jul 1, 2014
FEMA grant helps fund school theater that will double as tornado safe room
Scott City School District in Missouri recently broke ground on an 8,990-sf performing arts theater that will also function as a tornado safe room.
| Jun 30, 2014
Research finds continued growth of design-build throughout United States
New research findings indicate that for the first time more than half of projects above $10 million are being completed through design-build project delivery.
| Jun 26, 2014
Canadian groups combine forces to support EPD program for LEED v4
The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Group and the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) will collaborate to support LEED v4 and CSA Group’s Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) program.
