NFCA Free Webinar Series
Rectification of “Restrained vs. Unrestrained”
Tues. January 21, 2020, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Central Time
Kevin LaMalva, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
Join NFCA and Kevin LaMalva for this webinar.
For furnace testing of fire resistant floor and roof assemblies in the U.S., the ASTM E 119 standard (and similarly the UL 263 standard) permits two classifications for boundary conditions: “restrained” and “unrestrained.” When incorporating tested assemblies into an actual structural system, the designer, oftentimes a fire protection or structural engineer, must judge whether a “restrained” or “unrestrained” classification is appropriate for the application. It is critical that this assumption be carefully considered and understood, as many qualified listings permit a lesser thickness of applied fire protection for steel structures (or less concrete cover for concrete structures) to achieve a certain fire resistance rating if a “restrained” classification is confirmed, as compared to an “unrestrained” classification. Emerging standards in structural fire protection will greatly impact how designers consider restraint, and perhaps pave the way for reform of this controversial and paradoxical paradigm.
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The NFCA Award of Excellence recognizes NFCA Contractor Members for an exceptional fireproofing project that demonstrates innovation and safety.
- Deadline for Entry is February 5, 2020
- Winners will be announced in Austin at the 2020 NFCA Fireproofing Educational Conference & Meeting
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⛑
SAFETY TIP OF THE MONTH
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NFCA offers these reminders to keep your home & family safe this holiday season.
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- Keep trees well hydrated.
- Don’t overload electrical outlets.
- Opt for battery operated window candles.
- Post vacation photos after returning home.
- Inspect all electrical decorations before use and look for the UL Label.
- Stay in the kitchen when something is cooking. Unattended items are the leading cause of cooking fires.
- Don’t leave gifts in plain view in your car.
- Batteries should be stored away from small children and pets.
- Extension cords should never be run under carpet or furniture.
We hope these reminders will lead to a joyous Holiday Season!
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2020 Membership Invoices were emailed and mailed to the NFCA Membership in November. Annual Membership is due January 1st.
Thank you in advance, we appreciate your membership!
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Membership supports educational opportunities specific to fireproofing and advocacy efforts on behalf of the industry.
Thank you for your membership!
Not a Member? Join Now!
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Austin 2020 Registration Now Open
Make your plans now to join NFCA for the fireproofing industry's event of the year! Registration is now open for the 2020 NFCA Fireproofing Educational Conference & Meeting, April 15-17, 2020, in Austin, Texas.
Click here for all details!
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NFCA Fireproofing Education & Fireproofing Exams
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NFCA’s Education Program for the NFCA Fireproofing Exams
is about the fireproofing industry, the testing, installation, inspection, codes, standards, and more. It’s a great opportunity for contractors and fireproofing inspection agency personnel who want to know more abut the industry and prepare for the NFCA Fireproofing Exams.
Passing the NFCA Fireproofing Exams can be used by inspectors to prove their fireproofing competence.
The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) is required by Chapter 17 of the International Building Code (IBC) to approve Special Inspectors and the Special Inspection Agency inspecting fireproofing based on competency of the individual, plus experience of both the company and individual. The experience must be in the "same type and complexity of work inspected", according to the IBC's Chapter 17.
NFCA Fireprooofing Education and NFCA Fireproofing Exams are required by the NFCA Contractor Accreditation Program, as the first step in becoming a NFCA Accredited Contractor.
The next NFCA Fireproofing Education Program and Fireproofing Exams for IFRM and SFRM, will be held April 13-15, 2020, in Austin, TX.
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A common question we get at NFCA is how to patch fireproofing. What happens when the manufacturer and material name are known? If the manufacturer and product name is known, can we patch with something else? What about when we don’t know the manufacturer or product name, and cannot identify it? Can we patch with the same type of fireproofing material? Check out
NFCA’s article in Life Safety Digest
, a magazine focused on fire-resistance,
"Existing Buildings & Fireproofing - To Patch or Not to Patch"
. Watch for a NFCA Position Paper shortly on this topic.
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NFCA 2021 ICC, NFPA, NBCC Code Development Summary
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In the
International Building Code
, NFCA clarified special inspection requirements, which requires inspection in process AND at the end of the project. Previously, the code required all inspection after the rough installation of MEP trades, suspension ceilings. NFCA was able to have SFRM Fireproofing inspection limited to 110% of the amount prescribed in the code, putting an upper limit which was not previously allowed. The International Fire Code now has language that points to SFRM and IFRM Fireproofing, where it did not before, helping fire marshals know what to look for during visual inspections of fireproofing – no cracks or delaminations. It is simple, but means someone is paying attention to the fireproofing for the building life cycle.
In
NFPA 101, the Life Safety Code,
NFCA was able to add a section in Chapter 8 that points users to the fireproofing manufacturers installation instructions and the listings. We have more to do at NFPA, but are quite pleased that we have made an initial impact.
At the
National Building Code of Canada
(NBCC) development process, our proposal for Fireproofing Inspection was referred to the NRC Executive Committee. The NBCC is a performance based code, meaning objectives are met via technical requirements. There currently is no "objective" for installed quality. Our proposal was not disapproved, also a good thing. Our proposal advocating for a 45 minute fire-resistance rating for roofs was disapproved, however.
At
ASTM
, renewed work is taking place on the
ASTM Fireproofing Inspection Standards
as two separate standards. The standards will be focused at SFRM and IFRM individually. There also has been a proposal presented to produce ASTM Fireproofing Inspection Standards for Endothermic Wrap and Board Products – something new. Watch for more as this process ramps up.
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NFCA’s Educational Symposium in Los Angeles
had great attendance and presentations from the Office of Statewide Healthcare Planning and Development - OSHPD’s - Nancy Timmons and CALFire’s Crystal Sujeski. Both are leaders in California with great perspectives to share with NFCA Members and Code Officials from throughout California.
NFCA’s Board of Directors
met in September and gave great direction to us for the future. Many thanks to NFCA’s Board for all it does during the year, on conference calls, phone calls, and emails. It is their commitment to you, the members, that keeps NFCA moving in the right direction. They are all volunteers and their time is much appreciated!
NFCA
has had an active year…with much more in store for 2020 and beyond. Thanks for being a member. Not a member yet?
Join today
!
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National Fireproofing Contractors Association
www.nfca-online.org
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