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Conquest Firespray - Flamebar Fire Rated Duct Systems

586.576.7600

New NYC Code Bulletin Concurs with Conquest Firespray

May 15, 2018 By admin

New NYC Code Bulletin Concurs with Conquest Firespray on Required Duct Testing and IBC Code Compliance  

Warren, MI – May 16, 2018 – Conquest Firespray, a manufacturer of fire-rated architectural and engineered duct systems, today announced that New York City, in an April 30, 2018 updated Building Bulletin, mandates testing for fire-rated duct to the ISO 6944 (1985) standard. The NYC Bulletin further states that fire-rated HVAC duct assemblies must comply with NYC Construction Codes, which exactly subscribe to the IBC and use the same section numbering system.

Conquest Firespray’s review of the NYC Building Code, which has the force of law, makes clear that under IBC Section 703.2.1, testing of fire-rated HVAC duct assemblies must be A) to either of both sides – inside and outside – of asymmetrical fire-rated duct assemblies, or, B) if a single test is conducted, then the fire-rated duct assemblies must be tested for its weakest “side,” which is invariably the inside of the duct.

As background, today’s fire-rated HVAC duct systems are often constructed of different materials, and the prevailing practice in NYC is to use ceramic insulation on the outside of duct assemblies and unwrapped metal on the inside. When exposed to fire, these different materials will fail at different times; hence NYC’s requirement that at least the duct’s weakest side (the inside) be tested for code compliance.

The cause for concern, and the reason NYC has issued a new Bulletin, is to make certain that the engineering community understands the importance of symmetry in the design of fire-rated duct systems. Ceramic wrapped ducts – widely used today – often do not meet the testing requirements of ISO 6944 because the ducts have not been tested to the “weak” (unwrapped) side. Accordingly, marketers of fire-rated duct assemblies that have only been tested to part of the ISO test standard do not satisfy NYC Construction Code Section 703.2.1. The code plainly states that ducts not tested on the weak side are not code-compliant products, and as such they are subject to costly code enforcement protocols.

“Don’t be fooled,” said John Pattillo, Conquest Firespray Partner. “Manufacturers’ claims about compliance with ISO 6944 standards under one duct test (wrapped on the outside) may not be disclosing the product’s limitations when exposed to for the required second test limitations (unwrapped inside). Making an error when specifying and installing fire-rated duct systems is not only costly, it endangers lives as well.”

Download this Press Release

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

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Media Contact:
John D. Wagner

Filed Under: Press Releases Tagged With: Conquest Firespray, fire-rated duct systems, Flamebar, IBC code compliance, NYC code

New Jersey Division of Codes and Standards Concurs with Conquest Firespray

July 17, 2017 By admin

State of New Jersey Division of Codes and Standards Concurs with Conquest Firespray’s Position Concerning Horizontal Duct Applications

Warren, MI – July 17, 2017 – Conquest Firespray, a manufacturer of fire-rated architectural and engineered duct systems, today announced that the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code has recently made a strong statement concerning the subcode that addresses fire-resistance ratings of assemblies that are not symmetrical, under Section 703.2.1.

This new development, published in the Summer 2017 Construction Code Communicator, Vol. 29 #2, cites N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.7, concerning “municipal approvals of alternative materials, equipment, or methods of construction, which applies to municipal approvals of alternative materials, equipment, or methods of construction.”

For fire-rated ductwork assemblies, the Construction Code Communicator states: “In the case of fire rated ductwork, fire test standards ISO 6944, ISO 6944-01, or ASTM E2816 where the fire rated ducts for ventilation are tested to fire exposures may be considered equivalent to the standard-time temperature curve, as set forth for ‘built-in’ assemblies in ASTM E119. Under all three of these ventilation duct fire resistance test standards, there are four conditions that are necessary for fully testing the assemblies:

  • Fire inside vertical
  • Fire inside horizontal
  • Fire outside vertical
  • Fire outside horizontal”

The State of New Jersey is now in agreement with Conquest Firespray, which recently made the provocative declaration that the 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. This work has revealed broad non-compliance. The recent statement by the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code is consistent with Conquest’s findings.

“The State of New Jersey action follows a recent Florida Declaratory Statement and from the City of Houston, now a matter of law, that recognizes the need for testing of all types of ducts, vertical and horizontal,” said John Pattillo, a Conquest Principal and Head of Engineering. “All types of ducts must be tested, vertical and horizontal. This is a matter not just of liability but of life safety, and we’re pleased that the State of New Jersey has recognized this pressing issue.”

In response to this situation, Conquest and its fully code-compliant Flamebar® BW11 solution, has introduced an education program to help specifiers, design professionals, and contractors achieve compliance. The program qualifies for continuing education credits and offers 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/
Download this Press Release

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

Media Contact:
John D. Wagner
919.796.9984

Filed Under: Press Releases Tagged With: Conquest Firespray, fire-rated duct systems, HVAC fire-rated assemblies, new jersey division of codes

Head of Engineering Cites “Lack of Code Awareness” as Cause for Errors

May 30, 2017 By admin

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/
Download this Press Release

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

Media Contact:
John D. Wagner
919.796.9984

Filed Under: Press Releases Tagged With: ceramic fiber duct-wrap, Conquest Firespray, fire-rated duct systems, IBC Compliance, International Building Code

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