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InternationalThe NFPA 285 standard was developed by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), an international non-profit organization established in 1896. Their mission is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.
In 1998, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) developed a standard NFPA 285 which is a test method designed to determine the flammability characteristics of exterior, non-load-bearing wall assemblies/panels that contain foam plastic insulation. Foam plastic insulation can consist of open and closed cell spray polyurethane foams, extruded polystyrene, expanded polystyrene, rigid board stock, or polyisocyanurate products. The intent of this test method is to evaluate the inclusion of combustible components within wall assemblies/panels that are required to be of noncombustible construction. It is intended to simulate the multistory flammability fire performance of entire exterior wall assemblies.
The International Building Code (IBC) contained NFPA 285 requirements in the 2006 and 2009 editions, and in 2012, additional requirements for NFPA 285 were added which required that exterior wall assemblies greater than 40 feet in height for Type I, II, III, and IV construction containing a combustible water resistive barriers must pass NFPA 285.
Chapter 13 of the 2012 IBC states that buildings shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The IECC states that “a continuous air barrier shall be provided throughout the building thermal envelope” and since the air barrier typically functions in a wall assembly as the water resistive barrier, this then becomes part of an assembly that is required to pass NFPA 285.
W. R. MEADOWS’ air barrier materials are included in numerous NFPA 285 compliant wall assemblies that meet the performance requirements of the IBC. Certification of these assemblies provided are by engineering judgements as W. R. MEADOWS did not participate in the testing or certification process and therefore assumes no responsibility for the results. All listed assemblies contain a reference to the full report provided to W. R. MEADOWS which can be provided if requested.
Structural Insulated Sheathing
Walls containing Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Insulation
Styrofoam™ XPS NFPA/285 Test Summary