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Plastic moisture barrier installed in a crawl space following mold remediation © Daniel Friedman at InspectApedia.com Plastic Moisture Barrier Fire Resistance

Flame spread data, standards, codes

Fire spread concerns when using plastic moisture barriers.

Plastic or other materials placed on crawl space floor and sometimes foundation walls can make a big difference in crawl space moisture levels. But do we need to consider fire safety?

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Flame Spread & Fire Resistance of Plastic Moisture Barriers

Puddles on plastic in a crawl space © Daniel Friedman at InspectApedia.comReader Question: Building code & standard requirements for flame spread properties of polyethylene vapor barriers

Recently our town building inspector required a flame spread rating of 75 or better and smoke of 200 or less for crawl space moisture barrier. Do you know if this is really in the IBC and do you know of 6 mil or heavier moisture barriers that meet the requirement? - K.W. 30 October 2015

Reply: ASTM & NFPA Standards pertinent to flame spread of polyethylene vapor barriers

The building inspector on site is the final legal authority in requiring specific building features for compliance with local building codes, though one might mount a challenge and though some building code officials will happily accept alternative designs if they are specified by and signed-off on by a design professional such as a licensed engineer or architect.

A review of some polyethylene products that offer flame-resistant ratings includes a flame-resistant polyetylene product that is essentially a three-layer laminate: two layers of a high-strength polyester film that is fire-retardant/resistant laminated with a layer of polyethylene (or in some product descriptions a "molten polyethylene".

There are pertinent standards and some building codes that discuss flame spread in thin polyethylene sheeting such as the 6-mil poly that may be used in a crawl space: ASTM and NFPA. I include descriptions of these blow.

ASTM-E84 "Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials",

Excerpting:

4.1 This test method is intended to provide only comparative measurements of surface flame spread and smoke density measurements with that of select grade red oak and fiber-cement board surfaces under the specific fire exposure conditions described herein.

4.2 This test method exposes a nominal 24-ft (7.32-m) long by 20-in. (508-mm) wide specimen to a controlled air flow and flaming fire exposure adjusted to spread the flame along the entire length of the select grade red oak specimen in 51/2 min.

4.3 This test method does not provide for the following:

4.3.1 Measurement of heat transmission through the tested surface.

4.3.2 The effect of aggravated flame spread behavior of an assembly resulting from the proximity of combustible walls and ceilings.

4.3.3 Classifying or defining a material as noncombustible, by means of a flame spread index by itself.

Source: - http://www.astm.org/Standards/E84.htm - excerpting from ASTM:

(Here is some additional information on applying this standard: http://www.trend-group.com/uploads/sfTinyMceAssets/file/surface-burning-characteristics.pdf )

NFPA 285: Standard Fire Test Method For Evaluation Of Fire Propagation Characteristics Of Exterior Non-load-bearing Wall Assemblies Containing Combustible Components

Excerpting:

This standard provides a standardized fire test procedure for evaluating the suitability of exterior, non-load bearing wall assemblies and panels used as components of curtain wall assemblies that are constructed using combustible materials or that incorporate combustible components for installation on buildings where the exterior walls are required to be non-combustible.

Fire propagation characteristics are determined for post-flashover fires of interior origin.

NFPA 285 requires both visual observations made by laboratory personnel conducting the test and temperature data recorded during the test. It is important to note that NFPA 285 is an assembly test.

Source: http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/document-information-pages?mode=code&code=285

NFPA 701: Standard Methods Of Fire Tests For Flame Propagation Of Textiles And Films

Excerpting:

This standard establishes test methods to assess the propagation of flame of various textiles and films under specified fire test conditions. Two distinct test methods differentiate fabrics of different densities.

The test methods apply to textile materials used in interior furnishing for public occupancy buildings including curtains, window shades, draperies, table linens, textile wall hangings, as well as to fabrics used in the assembly of awnings, tents, tarps and other similar architectural fabric structures and banners.

Source: http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/document-information-pages?mode=code&code=701

Building Codes & Other Standards for Flame Spread & Combustible Materials Involving Vapor Barriers, Retarders, Water Barriers

Some flame-spread resistant 6-mil plastic poly vapor barrier products including sold at Home Depot - listed later, below.

Product Sources: flame-retardant poly coverings:

HUSKY 20 ft. x 100 ft. 6 mil Flame Retardant Plastic Sheeting

and here is an MSDS for a flame-retardant sheeting

http://inlineco.com/msds/Poly_America/Flame_Retardant_Test_Results.pdf from Poly-America.

Global Plastics also lists a range of such products. http://www.globalplasticsheeting.com/nfpa-701-15

Thank you for asking - I'd welcome any further comment, questions, photos etc.


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