Flammability Standards for Building Materials

Promote Safety – Flammability Testing For Building Materials

Construction is one of the most stimulating aspects of a functioning economy. New construction projects provide people with places to live and conduct business. They encourage money flow to create new jobs, goods and services. But even more than that, new construction offers protection and safety for the individuals within.

Fire safety for building materials is an important part of keeping people safe. As a manufacturer, you have a responsibility to create products that pass fire safety codes for building materials. Failing this can result in fines and other consequences. One way to make sure your materials pass inspection is to undergo flammability testing for building materials.

Why Flammability Testing for Building Materials Is Important

Testing the flammability of construction materials can make a real difference on several levels. Plus, it’s in your best interest to get your materials inspected for flammability. Here’s why it’s important:

• Safety: Flammability testing ensures your materials can resist combustion and slow a fire’s spread if one does start. It’s an investment in the public’s safety as they go about their lives in the built environment. The wellbeing of a building’s occupants depends on your strict adherence to safety standards. Testing can help you create building materials that benefit the public and keep everyone safer.
• Laws and requirements: Organizations implement various requirements to guide the creation of building materials. These laws can exist on an international, national, state and local level. If you want to stay compliant with regulations and standards, then you need to test the flammability of your materials. You may have a hard time conducting business if your materials are not up to spec.
• Quality: Flame-resistant building materials contain plastics that slow the spread of fire and offer sturdier construction. This makes testing the flammability of building materials an investment in quality. More companies will trust your materials, giving you a better reputation in the construction community.

What Types of Building Materials Need to Be Tested?

When it comes to understanding the flammability standards of building materials, you should first know what types of materials need testing. The good news is that you usually don’t need to send completed building materials for testing. People already know the flammability of materials made from wood and other flammable components. Testing such items would be redundant.

Flammability standards — and the labs that test for them — are more concerned with the plastic materials you add to your components. That’s why most flammability tests inspect the plastic you use in your products before you add them to your building materials. Like other substances, plastic will burn. So it’s not a matter of resisting fire completely. Labs will test the plastic you use in your materials to discover the temperature needed for combustion and the speed at which fire consumes it.

The following items require flammability tests:

• Wall materials
• Flooring materials
• Ceiling materials
• Interior finish products and trim
• Sealing compounds including caulking and adhesives
• Insulation products
• Reinforced cement
• Products that transmit light, including light covers
• Plastic wall and roof panels that transmit light
• Skylights
• Interior signs used to transmit light

Testing only the plastic might not give enough information in certain situations. You may need to send your finished products for further flammability testing. These tests will determine how the finished product resists fire when used for its intended purpose. Testers will analyze and inspect your product in action using controlled fires. They can get accurate results on your item’s ability to resist fire by seeing how it fares when put to the ultimate test of purposeful combustion.

What Test Standards Should You Use for Building Materials?

National and local fire codes guide the tests used to inspect a material’s level of flammability. Here are a few of the most common tests for building materials flammability standards:

• NFPA 259: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) created the NFPA 259 test to measure the heat resistance of construction and engineering materials. Passing this test shows your materials can resist affecting nearby structures and occupants from excessive heat and fire hazards.
• ISO 1716: The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) instituted the ISO 1716 test to determine an item’s thermal characteristics during complete combustion. This test uses a calorimetric bomb contained in two water baths to measure the heat an item gives off by tracking how warm the surrounding water becomes.
• ASTM E136: The International Residental Code (IRC) and the International Building Code (IBC) set requirements for certain construction materials to be non-combustible. The ASTM E136 test uses a verticle furnace at 750 degrees Celsius to see if materials can resist combusting.
• ASTM D635: The ASTM D635 test determines a plastic’s rate of burning. For this test, a certified lab tracks the time it tasks for plastic to burn in a horizontal position.
• ASTM E119: One of the most common tests is the ASTM E119 test. It measures the flammability of common construction and furniture items by increasing temperatures over time.

Who Should Perform the Flammability Testing for Building Materials?

You should trust your construction material flammability tests to a reputable lab with a proven track record. The right lab will do the following:

• Minimize your risks: A trustworthy lab will perform tests that reduce your risks. Passing tests performed by a certified laboratory will keep you regulation-compliant and help you achieve a respectable reputation in the construction materials industry.  You can enjoy peace of mind knowing your materials will keep people safe.
• Employ trained experts to avoid retesting: The last thing you want is to have to send an item back for retesting. The right lab will use trained experts to get accurate test results the first time, saving you time and aggravation.
• Follow strict policies and procedures: The right lab will follow all policies and procedures. This ensures that they are up-to-date on the latest test standards. It also helps achieve trustworthy results.
• Perform routine quality control tests: You should choose a lab committed to consistency. The best labs perform routine tests to make certain they can deliver accurate results every time. They calibrate their equipment to ensure it is ready for every test.

Choose VTEC Laboratories to Test the Flammability of Your Building Materials

At VTEC, we specialize in satisfying our clients every time. We’ve been conducting tests since 1982 and have earned the reputation for being a leader in international testing and commercial services. We even specialize in labeling, listing and follow-up inspections.

We conduct safety tests for building departments in New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Wisconsin and Denver. We even have contracts with governmental agencies including the Coast Guard and the Navy, so you can trust our level of expertise when testing your building materials.

Contact us today for more information or request a quote online. We look forward to helping your business stay compliant with local and international flammability standards.