DYK: the 4 methods of TB compliance

DID YOU KNOW?

There are more ways than special approval to meet thermal barrier code

The World of IBC Chapter 26 – International Code Requirements for Thermal Barriers

 

The International Building Code®  (IBC) and the International Residential Code® (IRC) define approved thermal barriers (“15-minute thermal barriers”) as:

 

  1. ½ inch (12.7 mm) gypsum wallboard;
  2. 23/32-inch (18.2 mm) wood structural panel (IRC only); or
  3. A material that is tested in accordance with and meets the acceptance criteria of both the temperature transmission fire test and the integrity fire test of NFPA 275

 

According to the code, all plastics installed into the building envelope require an additional thermal barrier. IBC Section 2603.4 defines thermal barrier, the various deviations, derivatives or direct compliance approaches to allow the safe application of plastics in the building envelope.

Four Ways the Code Addresses Thermal Barrier Requirements

Although the IBC defines three methods of permittable thermal barriers, the specific section of the code allows four different methods. These exist primarily due to the unavailability of complete solutions in some cases and are allowed as deviations until technology catches up with the need for improved fire safety. 


There are four specific methods in which plastic (and spray polyurethane foam - SPF) can comply with the thermal barrier code. The figure to the right illustrates three of the four methods: 


-prescriptive (grandfathered) method, in black, and

-two exceptions (deviations) in blue. These exceptions are permitted for niche approaches to meet the code without direct compliance to 2603.4


The fourth method, the ‘equivalent compliance’ method, identifies a multi-test test protocol (National Fire Protection Association – NFPA 275) for achieving an equivalent rating to gypsum (Figure 3). Any product that strives to be equivalent to ½” gypsum must meet this protocol.

Direct compliance, method four (NFPA 275 – also known as equivalent thermal barriers), is a test protocol that requires both tests – the temperature transmission test and the flame spread smoke generation test - both over a period of 15 minutes. Method four establishes a combination of both the prescriptive solution and the special approval solution and defines an equivalent replaceable thermal barrier to the gypsum prescriptive method.


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