Building Code Changes and their Effect on Flexible Wrap Enclosures

Building Codes ICBO wrote the Uniform Building Code BOCA wrote the National Building Code SBCCI wrote the Standard Building Code ICC writes the International Building Code NFPA writes the NFPA 5000 Building Code Local jurisdiction determines which code adoption

Evaluation Services ICBO ES (Evaluation Service) evaluates products for compliance to the Uniform Building Code – old way BOCA ES evaluates products for compliance to the National Building Code – old way SBCCI ES evaluates products for compliance to the Standard Building Code – old way ICC ES evaluates products for compliance to the International Building Code – NEW WAY

Grease and Air Ducts Requirements by Code Body SBCCIBOCAICBOIBC Grease Duct (internal exposure test) UL1978 AC101 Air Duct (external exposure test) E119 None Note: AC 101 is a more severe test than UL 1978 because of the thermocouple placement and fire test temperature

Codes and Standards Update Air Ducts Today SBCCI and BOCA ES legacy reports for Eastern US ICBO and ICC ES have no current acceptance criteria available OPL/UL listings to ISO 6944 are a potential option Air Ducts Tomorrow AC 176 is the ICC ES acceptance criteria currently under development (based on ISO 6944) Note: ISO 6944 is a more severe test than ASTM E 119 because a vacuum is placed on the duct, no hose stream and time temperature curve is different.

Codes and Standards Update Grease Ducts Today ICBO, SBCCI and BOCA ES legacy reports for all US where IBC has not been adopted For IBC areas, ICC ES is using AC 101 as a basis Grease Ducts Tomorrow ASTM E 2336 and/or UL 2221 (not exactly the same) will be the standard Testing will be done at UL/OPL to receive listings Above standards will be referenced in the building codes thus eliminating the need for ES reports

Code Example Proposed new verbiage in NFPA 96 (Grease Duct Code)…… "4.3.1 Field-applied grease duct enclosures and factory-built grease duct enclosures shall be listed in accordance with UL 2221, Standard for Tests of Fire Resistive Grease Duct Enclosure Assemblies, or ASTM E2336, Standard Test Methods for Fire Resistive Grease Duct Enclosure Systems and installed in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions and the listing requirements."

Building Code Summary ICBO ES, BOCA ES, and SBCCI ES do not exist today Current ICBO ES, BOCA ES, and SBCCI ES Evaluation Reports can be converted to ICC ES “legacy” reports for use where local jurisdiction has not adopted IBC New duct wrap approvals must comply with the ICC ES requirements because the old ES do not exist anymore

What does this mean to firestop contractors? More flexible wrap product will be used because, due to current product technology, it takes two layers of product to pass AC 101. Also, contract dollar amounts will increase with added material and labor costs in order to comply The use of flexible wrap will increase as the use of rigid shaft enclosures decreases because there will be a standard in place that they cannot comply to Clearance issues will lend itself to flexible wraps

Firestop Contractors Opportunities Markets – Where to look for work? Restaurants – McDonalds, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, etc. Facilities with food service – schools, hospitals, etc. Facilities with chemical exhaust – schools, factories, pharmaceuticals, etc. Facilities with rated air ducts – apartment buildings, hotels, stadiums, convention centers, etc.