Posted by Lee Hinsley on Thu, Jun 17, 2010 @ 03:40 PM
ASTM E-84 measures the flame spread and smoke index, which are considered the surface burning characteristics of a material. Depending on the numbers, materials can have classifications of Class A, B, or C according to NFPA , ANSI/NFPA No. 101, "life Safety Code" , 2006 Edition, or IBC (International Building Code), 2006 Edition, Chapter 8, Interior Finishes, Section 803, if they pass any level of this standard. The test is conducted in a fire tunnel using a 22" x 24' sample of the material. The ignition source is 7 seconds in duration, total test is 10 minutes. The flame front cannot exceed 24" during the test. Results are expressed as Flame Spread Index, and Smoke Developed Value. Following are the criteria for each level of this test, regardless of whether NFPA or IBC.
Class A, Flame Spread 1-25, Smoke Developed Less than or equal to 450
Class B, Flame Spread 26-75, Smoke Developed Less than or equal to 450
Class C, Flame Spread 76-200, Smoke Developed Less than or equal to 450.
Please note, this test is comparable to UL 723, ANSI/NFPA No 255, and UBC No. 8-1
NFPA 701-04 Test 1 or 2 (the most recent revision of the NFPA 701) measures the mass before test, mass after test, mass loss percentage, the number of seconds of any burning drips, and the after flame of the material in seconds during and after a specified burn period at a specified flame temperature. Once the flame is extinguished the after flame in seconds is measured. 10 samples are tested, 5 in the machine direction, 5 in the cross direction (also known as warp/weft respectively). This test is a Pass/Fail test based on the following criteria. If the material fails any of the following criteria, it fails the test
Mass Loss: 40% Max Average or Average + 3 standard Deviations Max Individual
Drip Burn/Afterflame: 2 seconds Max. Avg.
For products that pass these criteria,click here
Posted by Nana Hinsley on Wed, Aug 05, 2009 @ 04:27 PM
The witching hour is quickly approaching, and all the little ghosts and goblins will be running about. In most jurisdictions the fire marshals are now making haunted houses use fire retardant products, like drywall, orplastic sheeting (polyethylene) that is Fire Retardant. Many haunted houses have been made to install basic walls in recent years, because their fire marshals insisted they were necessary for meeting the fire safety requirements, and did not know there were far less expensive options available.
For the past number of years we have been supplying Black FR Polyethylene that fire marshal's love for this application. This polyethylene has been chemically altered when it was extruded, so it can no longer contribute significantly as a fuel source in the event of a fire. This product provides a very low cost option for making your haunted attractions meet the local codes.
Don't let those precious little "monsters" burn your house down by using plastic sheeting that is not fire retardant!
Most fire marshals are looking for products that pass the NFPA 701-04 Test 1, and/or the CA Fire Marshal Title 19 fire standards. One should always check with fire authorities in their jurisdiction before erecting any haunted attraction.