Happy Holiday Season from NFCA |
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NFCA Codes Past and Future
Thursday, December 17, 2020, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., Central Standard Time
Join NFCA Executive Director Bill McHugh and NFCA Consultant Rich Walke, for this fast moving webinar on issues we need to address at the International Code Council's Code Development Process and the National Research Council of Canada's Code Development Process too. Hear a quick upate on 2021's Code Development, and a look forward to 2024's Building and Fire Codes. Don't miss it!
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CALL FOR ENTRIES - Deadline 1/31/21
2021 NFCA Award of Excellence Call for Entries
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The NFCA Award of Excellence recognizes NFCA Contractor Members for an exceptional fireproofing project, new construction or existing building, that demonstrates innovation and safety, in the categories of Low-Rise and High-Rise Buildings.
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- Deadline for entry is January 31, 2021.
- Project entries must have been completed between June 1, 2018, and May 31, 2020.
- Only NFCA Contractor Members may submit entries.
- Winners will be announced at the 2021 NFCA Fireproofing Conference.
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Special Offer Extended 4/30/21
UL Qualified SFRM Contractor Program
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The NFCA Accredited SFRM Contractors have proven knowledge through the NFCA SFRM Education and Exam. The UL Qualified SFRM Contractor Program is the next step to set your company apart from the competition through a third party quality management system audit.
Planning on becoming a UL SFRM Qualified Contractor?
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NFCA has been participating in the International Code Council’s Fire Code Action Committee (FCAC) and Building Code Action Committee (BCAC) discussions on Performance Based Structural Fire Design, Occupiable Roofs, Individual Encasement study groups. The NFCA Code and Manufacturers Committee have met to analyze the affects the proposals would have on fire and life safety. Proposals will be accessible on ICC’s CDPAccess worksite likely in February or sooner. Watch for more on this as things develop. |
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⛑ SAFETY TIP OF THE MONTH ⛑
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The Importance of Safe Driving |
Remind your crew why safe driving skills are essential whether they’re on or off the clock. Accidents are a leading cause of injury or death, and in today’s world of distractions, it’s more important than ever to stay on your guard. OSHA offers online information on Safe Driving Practices and Safe Winter Driving Tips. Click these links to OSHA's website to view Safe Driving Practices and Safe Winter Driving.
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Existing Buildings & Fireproofing |
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NFCA has two chapters in the NFCA Handbook of Accepted Fireproofing Knowledge (HAFK) on how to patch fireproofing. The NFCA HAFK Says…
- ALL materials specified in the existing Fire-Resistance Listings from Accredited Test Labs that comply with code requirements are the first choice! Use the product and cured thickness in the listing to fire-protect structural building elements and assemblies.
- Identify the product TYPE if no records exist. Then, patch with that TYPE and cured thickness as recommended by the manufacturer. Manufacturers and Material Test Labs can determine TYPE. Install same TYPE material, cured to the same existing thickness.
- IFRM - Use ONLY the IFRM product used originally in the listing.
- For all, follow manufacturers installation instructions and the listings for repairs!
Firefighters who have to enter burning buildings and occupants who stay put in defend in place situations, need the structure to stay standing during fire situations – depend on the original protection and the patch to work when called upon by Fire. Also, UL’s BXUF (Fireproofing) Guide Information advises:
“Unless specifically detailed in the individual designs or in the product certification information, the interaction of dissimilar fireproofing materials on the same structural element or at the intersection of structural members, and the adherence of one product to the other, has not been investigated under fire-test conditions.”
The key is the listings. The listings used during permit application are the approved listings. Changing them can cause issues if the building owner sells the structure, during buyer due diligence. Additionally, building owners and general contractors that might allow mixing manufacturers of fireproofing for patching means that liability, in case of failure, might not be easily assigned.
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Update: NFCA Handbook of Fireproofing Knowledge
NFCA Management System Guidelines
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The NFCA Management System Guidelines Chapter of the NFCA Handbook of Fireproofing Knowledge (HAFK) is now available as an update to the document.
The NFCA Handbook of Accepted Fireproofing Knowledge provides Fireproofing Contractors, Inspection Agencies, Specifiers, Code Officials, with detailed information on all aspects of Fireproofing. The document covers SFRM and IFRM, and more.
Do you know Building Code Officials, Fire Marshals, Specifiers and AHJ's that should have the document? Email info@nfca-online.org to get these key industry influences a FREE PDF copy of the NFCA HAFK.
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Thank you NFCA Membership!
We invite all fireproofing contractors, special inspection agencies, manufacturers, distributors and equipment suppliers to join NFCA for 2021 and help support these efforts and activities which benefit all in the fireproofing industry.
Do you know a company that is not a member but should be? Email info@nfca-online.org with contact information and we will do the rest!
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