Citing IBC Non-Compliance in Most Horizontal Assemblies, Conquest Firespray Head of Engineering Cites “Lack of Code Awareness” as Cause for Errors in Major US Projects
“No One Knew!” Declares Conquest Firespray Principal and Head of Engineering John Pattillo. “It Was Hard For Me To Believe, But Ceramic Fiber Duct-Wrap and Drywall Assemblies Used In Most Horizontal Applications Are Not IBC Compliant.”
Warren, MI – May 31, 2017 – Conquest Firespray, a manufacturer of fire-rated architectural and engineered duct systems, today announced that John Pattillo, a Conquest Principal and Head of Engineering, acknowledged that he, like most construction professionals throughout the U.S., had responsibility for projects that – through lack of code awareness – mistakenly installed non-compliant duct assemblies in the field for years.
Mr. Pattillo hopes to prevent the continued use of hazardous duct assemblies by acknowledging how easy it is to make the error. Mr. Pattillo is now committed to educating engineers, architects, code officials, fire marshals, and mechanical contractors on the non-compliance issue.
Conquest Firespray recently made the remarkable statement that industry-standard, horizontal HVAC fire-rated assemblies are not in compliance with requirements of the International Building Code (IBC). That conclusion was reached, and confirmed, in the market during discussions with numerous state and local code officials, contractors and engineers over a twelve-month period.
“Repeating dangerous errors that were made for years through lack of awareness of the code, many professionals are still designing and installing non-code-compliant duct configurations and enclosures,” said Mr. Pattillo, a former general contracting senior executive. “To my surprise and embarrassment, I learned that fire-rated assemblies react much differently in horizontal and vertical conditions. Vertical systems cannot simply be turned on their side for horizontal assemblies, and assemblies must be tested for fire inside and fire outside conditions. The reality is that people are choosing systems without understanding code requirements. The reason is simple: The industry is focused on the mechanical code and ignoring important provisions of the International Building Code.”
“Today’s ceramic fiber duct-wrap and drywall assemblies in horizontal applications represent a threat to life safety, and the problem needs to be addressed by insisting on evidence that assemblies are tested, and by confirming proper construction of these assemblies. Clearly, the industry needs to be educated in the proper design and construction of fire-rated HVAC assemblies. Conquest Firespray offers this necessary training at no cost,” Pattillo added.
In response to this awareness gap, Conquest and its fully code-compliant Flamebar® BW11 solution, has introduced comprehensive online training programs for fire-rated HVAC assemblies to help specifiers, design professionals, and contractors achieve compliance. Conquest offers educational modules in five key areas: Architects, Engineers, Building Code Officials, Fire Marshals, and Mechanical Contractors.
Direct links to these essential code education modules:
- Architects: https://www.conquest-firespray.com/architect/
- Engineers: https://www.conquest-firespray.com/engineer/
- Building Code Officials: https://www.conquest-firespray.com/codeofficial/
- Fire Marshals: https://www.conquest-firespray.com/firemarshal/
- Mechanical Contractors: https://www.conquest-firespray.com/mechanicalcontractor/
About Conquest Firespray
Conquest Firespray manufactures and markets Flamebar® fire-rated architectural and engineered duct solutions to contractors, engineers, and architects. Conquest has served HVAC mechanical and sheet-metal contractors since 1998. Conquest fabricates UL classified and Intertek listed rectangular and spiral duct, and applies coatings at its Michigan Headquarters plant and in Miramar, Florida. Contact: 586.722.9200; . More info: www.conquest-firespray.com
