Document ymZMx5JZdQxBeezknR0pRX52r

Replace Fireproofing without Getting Burned 002141 A cone calorimeter mwim tha boat energy within a material or compoeita.. By: GRAY WINEY R. eplacing fireproofing materials in a building is not simply a matter of removing the old material and putting up something new. Decisions must be made which will affect the price paid for fireproofing respray, fire insurance rates, and the viability of the building's fire insurance policy. With the cost of removing old fireproofing running around $30 a square loot, doing it right the first time is essential. Each building has a level of fire pro tection based on its construction and occupancy classification. This hourly fire rating is established by municipal building codes to protect lives and pro perty in the event of fire. Fite ratings assigned to construction determine the period of time a building should main tain structural integnty in the eventof a fire. Hourly fire ratings ate mandated by the law Under the laws of most municipalities, only registered architects and licensed engineers are qualified to interpret the building code to determine ratings. The Underwriters Laboratories, Inc (UL) fire resistive directory lists almost 1,000 types of construction assemblies with hourly rates which were deter mined under ASTM test method E-119. This resource is valuable in determin ing how a particular construction ele ment can be protected for a given hourly rating. lo determine the proper UL design and the appropriate thickness of fireproofing for the hourly rating re quited, the applicator should work from "as built" drawings. The cover sheet in dicates the class of building construc tion and often lists the requited hourly ratings which applied to the building when it was built. The architectural sheet shows crosssections of the building's floor and roof assemblies. Structural sheets indicate the structural steel framing plan for each floor and roof level concerning beam and'joist sizes, manufacturer and type ofdeck specified, column schedule, and concrete type and unit weight. The fireproofing specification from the specification book for the project may list a schedule of UL design numbers under which the project was originally designed and/or the hourly ratings originally required. Electrified floor plan sheets show the location and type of trench headers and electrical insera used for pulling those services out of die floor When original drawings ate not available, contact the architect or engineer involved at time of construc tion, who usually retain drawings on their projects. Or talk with the contrac tor on the building. Plans may be on file in the city government's municipal buildings department. That department may be able to provide current hourly ratings for die building. If these sources do not yield the necessary information, an architect or engineer can advise on hourly ratings. In choosing a replacement fireproof ing, the following criteria should be ad dressed. Is the product resistant to ac cidental damage, does it bond securely for die design life of the building, how extensively will its application disrupt building occupants in adjacent areas. After application, an independent testing agency can verify that the material has been applied in die proper thickness and at the proper density (weight per cubic foot). The laboratory reports will serve as evidence to the building department and insurance company that the building has been reinstated to required hourly fire ratings. About the author Gray Wlney la product manager at the eonatnictlon products dlvtalonof W. R. Grace A Co., manufacturers of Monobote* apny fireproofing tor new conatnictlon and Rotro-Guard* spray tlreproolfciy ter retrofit appllcatlona. 20 WALLS A CEILINGS / MAY 1990 006718