Common Terminology for Fire-Rated Walls
A fire-rated wall assembly or system is a great way to prevent, or slow, a fire from spreading through your building. The system can ensure that your staff are able to safely evacuate the building if a fire occurs. Still, you should understand the terminology and various types of materials used, though it might be challenging to determine the differences between the different types of fire-rated walls and materials. That is why you will want to familiarize yourself with the terminology. That way, you can make more informed decisions and keep everyone in your building safe when choosing a fire-rated wall panel, such as DuraWall.
What Is a Fire-Rated Wall Panel?
You may have heard the term “fire-rated wall” which is more correctly referred to as a fire resistance rated wall. This type of wall assembly has been exposed to a standard fire exposure for the required duration, without openings occurring on the unexposed face, while also limiting the temperature rise on the exposed face. At the conclusion of the test, or after 1 hour, the sample is removed from the furnace and exposed to a hose stream test at different pressures based on the fire test durations, and for a duration based on the test sample size.
You may have also have heard about “Class A Fire Ratings,”. This is actually an interior wall and ceiling finish materials rating, that measures the finish materials ability to spread flames and create smoke. There are three classes, each with a different limit on allowed flame spread and a maximum amount of smoke developed.
Class A = Flame spread index 0−25; smoke-developed index 0−450. Class B = Flame spread index 26−75; smoke developed index 0−450. Class C = Flame spread index 76−200; smoke developed index 0−450.
