International Building Code

Codes Can Save Lives… But Are They Being Enforced?

June 28, 2017 By Elyse Ingham

With IBC Code Enforcement Lacking, and Inspectors Uninformed, Life and Fire Safety Issues Rise in Prominence

Codes Can Save Lives…..But Are They Being Enforced?

Many Industry-Standard Horizontal HVAC Fire-Rated Assemblies Are Not in Compliance with the International Building Code (IBC). Current Installation Practices Can Mask – and Even Accelerate – Hazards.

Warren, MI – June 28, 2017 – Conquest Firespray, a manufacturer of fire-rated architectural and engineered duct systems, today announced that its code experts have detected broad non-enforcement of the International Building Code (IBC), in part from a misinterpretation of the existing codes and/or lack of awareness of code requirements. That conclusion was reached, and reconfirmed, in the market during discussions with numerous state and local code officials, contractors, and engineers over a year-long period.

Conquest Firespray recently made the dramatic statement that most industry-standard horizontal HVAC fire-rated assemblies are not in compliance with requirements of the International Building Code (IBC). States such as Florida (and others soon to concur with Florida’s findings) are now in agreement with Conquest Firespray’s findings.

“The IBC and other applicable codes are not theories; indeed, they are prescriptive practices required for new construction based on lessons learned from past building failures,” said John Pattillo, a Conquest principal and head of engineering. “The codes are only as effective as code officials understanding and enforcing code provisions.”

“Perhaps even more dangerous than the non-compliance is that current practices of insulating non-compliant duct systems not only mask the problem, but accelerate system failure,” John Pattillo added. “This imperils the lives of occupants and first responders, and it really needs to be addressed through immediate enforcement of the codes.”

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/

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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; compliance@conquest-firespray.com. More info: www.conquest-firespray.com

Media Contact:
John D. Wagner
919.796.9984
Jdwagner@WagnerPR.com

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

May 30, 2017 By Elyse Ingham

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

Media Contact:
John D. Wagner
919.796.9984
Jdwagner@WagnerPR.com

State of Florida Agrees with Conquest Firespray’s Position in “Declaratory Statement”

May 9, 2017 By Elyse Ingham

State of Florida Agrees with Conquest Firespray’s Position in “Declaratory Statement” Concerning Horizontal Duct Applications Not Compliant with IBC

The Department of Business & Professional Regulation Issued a “Declaratory Statement” Requiring Testing of Vertical & Horizontal Duct Configurations for “Fire Inside” & “Fire Outside” Conditions

Warren, MI – May 9, 2017 – Conquest Firespray, a manufacturer of fire-rated architectural and engineered duct systems, today announced that the State of Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation has issued an official “Declaratory Statement” concerning building code Chapter 7 (“Fire and Smoke Protection Features”) sections 707.3.1, 713.4, 713.14, and 909.21.3. The Department affirmed that fire-rated HVAC duct systems must be tested for vertical and horizontal configurations for “fire inside” and “fire outside” conditions.

The “Declaratory Statement” comes after Conquest Firespray presented the matter of horizontal non-compliance in Broward County, Dade County, and others. These jurisdictions recognized the importance of compliance and trained their code officials in the proper enforcement of fire-rated duct systems. This Declaratory Statement is a matter of public record (link) and is now a matter of law in the State of Florida.

Conquest Firespray recently made the remarkable statement that, within Florida and elsewhere, 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.

“There’s an enormous number of horizontal duct systems in place today that lack the proper testing and are therefore non-compliant with IBC. This creates not only a life safety hazard, but a potential liability to project architects, engineers, and contactors,” said John Pattillo, a Conquest Principal and Head of Engineering. “This Florida Declaratory Statement, now a matter of law, recognizes the need for testing of all types of ducts, vertical and horizontal.”

In response to this situation, Conquest and its fully code-compliant Flamebar® BW11 solution, has introduced a no-cost / no-obligation online education program to help specifiers, design professionals, and contractors achieve compliance, with education modules in five key areas: Architects, Engineers, Building Code Officials, Fire Marshals, and Mechanical Contractors.

Direct links to the no-cost / no obligation 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

# # #

Media Contact:
John D. Wagner
919.796.9984
Jdwagner@WagnerPR.com

Conquest Firespray Cites Broad Non-Compliance with IBC

April 11, 2017 By Elyse Ingham

Conquest Firespray Cites Broad Non-Compliance with International Building Code for Fire-Rated HVAC Assemblies

Ceramic Fiber Duct-Wrap and Drywall Assemblies Used In Most Horizontal Applications Are Not Compliant With International Building Code

Warren, MI – April 11, 2017 – Conquest Firespray, a manufacturer of fire-rated architectural and engineered duct systems, today announced the results of a recent 10-month, multi-state market analysis which indicated that industry standard horizontal HVAC fire-rated assemblies are not in compliance with requirements of the International Building Code (IBC).

This non-compliance involves projects that use ceramic fiber duct-wrap or drywall assemblies in horizontal applications. Fire-rated HVAC assemblies, as a fire-rated life safety system, are designed to protect occupants and first responders in the event of a fire by containing and exhausting flames and hot gases. Non-compliance with symmetry and continuity requirements of assemblies in IBC chapter 7 and 9 eliminate important fire protections that the IBC codes intend.

“Ceramic fiber duct wrap and drywall boxes, as used in horizontal ventilation applications, do not meet IBC code.”

“Every code jurisdiction that has met with us and reviewed our code analysis has agreed with our conclusions regarding the misuse of tested assemblies. Lack of awareness and enforcement of the IBC code are the issue,” said John Pattillo, a Conquest Principal and head of engineering. “Ceramic fiber duct wrap and drywall boxes, as used in horizontal ventilation applications, do not meet IBC code. At the request of blue-chip engineering firms, code authorities, and state oversight boards, our engineers are conducting code-specific educational training on how best to enforce IBC codes and test standards. State fire marshals, out of personal concern for first responders, are especially passionate about training to assure full compliance.”

Direct links to the no-cost / no obligation 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

# # #

Media Contact:
John D. Wagner
919.796.9984
Jdwagner@WagnerPR.com

586.576.7600

Codes Can Save Lives… But Are They Being Enforced?

With IBC Code Enforcement Lacking, and Inspectors Uninformed, Life and Fire Safety Issues Rise in Prominence

Codes Can Save Lives…..But Are They Being Enforced?

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

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

State of Florida Agrees with Conquest Firespray’s Position in “Declaratory Statement”

State of Florida Agrees with Conquest Firespray’s Position in “Declaratory Statement” Concerning Horizontal Duct Applications Not Compliant with IBC

Conquest Firespray Cites Broad Non-Compliance with IBC

Conquest Firespray Cites Broad Non-Compliance with International Building Code for Fire-Rated HVAC Assemblies

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