[Greenbuilding] [BULK] Re: Fire ratings and P U foam

[Lawrence Lile]

"The company's statistics also show that 43% of companies suffering a
fire close or are out of business in 3 years. Protection from fire is
critical . 
 the 10,000 degree temperature is reached in 3 minutes of the fire being
full blown."

[sarcasm]  Well, it sounds like it is good for business to go through a
fire.  50% of small businesses are out of business in three years
anyway, they could cut that to 43% by having a fire. [/sarcasm]

Ok, sarcasm aside, having just gone through a fire in a rental house, I
know what you mean.  This fire would have only involved the garage,
except the fire escaped into the attic through one of those disappearing
attic stairs that wasn't fire rated.  Getting a really tight, fire rated
wall system in your house can dramatically reduce your risks later on.
Fiberglass (ugh!) and fire treated cellulose should IMHO fare better in
a fire than foams, but any of these should be behind a fire rated wall
system like sheetrock.  

Have any of you considered residential sprinklers?  I have seen some in
residential mechanical rooms a time or two.  A couple of heads in key
risk areas might modify your chances dramatically.  

Lawrence Lile, PE, LEED AP
Project Solutions Engineering

-----Original Message-----
From: greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org
[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of Michael
Smith
Sent: Saturday, September 08, 2007 4:46 PM
To: greenbuilding
Subject: [BULK] Re: [Greenbuilding] Fire ratings and P U foam
Importance: Low

 I have talked to the Fomo Foam company MYSELF. The E84 fire rating
requires a fire resistant coating resisting fire to 1022 degrees F. Fire
stop materials must prevent fires to over 1500 degrees F. So much for
the 400 degree melt point. 
 The company's statistics also show that 43% of companies suffering a
fire close or are out of business in 3 years. Protection from fire is
critical . 
 the 10,000 degree temperature is reached in 3 minutes of the fire being
full blown. 
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