Fullback® Performs well in fires
The Fullback Thermal Support System was designed to perform well in fire situations. Extensive tests by independent laboratories confirm excellent performance when exterior walls containing Fullback are exposed to a radiant heat source (as from a nearby burning building) and from open flame. The expanded polystyrene used in our thermal support system is manufactured containing a fire retardant. This greatly reduces the product's contribution to a fire.
In addition, the thermal support system completely fills the hollow void that exists behind conventional vinyl and aluminum siding products. Since there are no air pockets, the thermal support system completely eliminates the "chimney effect" that can contribute to the flammability of other siding systems.
When exposed to an open flame or a high radiant heat source, the EPS simply melts and sags away from the source of heat.
Flame Retardant
Fullback® Thermal Support Systems are molded using only modified grades of expandable polystyrene and therefore contains flame retardant designed to decrease flammability due to accidental ignition from a small flame source. The expanded polystyrene manufactured from these materials is routinely tested under UL specifications to insure that they meet or exceed the requirements of the nation’s building codes and applicable industrial, federal and state requirements.
Flame Spread and Smoke developed Ratings
For nominal 1# product:
SURFACE BURNING CHARACTERISTICS
R18532 <27TL>
6 in. Maximum +
Flame Spread 5 #
Smoke Developed 100-200 #
# - Flame spread and smoke developed recorded while material remained in the original test position. Ignition of molten residue on the furnace floor resulted in flame travel equivalent to calculated flame spread classification of 35-70 and smoke developed classification of over 500
For nominal 1.5# product:
FOAMED PLASTIC
SURFACE BURNING CHARACTERISTICS
R18532 <27TL>
6 in. Maximum +
Flame Spread 15 #
Smoke Developed 165 #
+ - Installed in a thickness, or stored in an effective thickness, as indicated, for a density of 1.50 lb.ft3
# - Flame spread and smoke developed recorded while material remained in the original test position. Ignition of molten residue on the furnace floor resulted in flame travel equivalent to calculated flame spread classification of 125 and smoke developed classification of over 500
Thermal Barrier
The term "thermal barrier" refers to a fire resistant covering or coating which separates ESP from the building interior. Commonly used thermal barriers, all subject to building code approval, include gypsum or cement plasters, perlite board, spray applied-cellulose, mineral fiber or gypsum coatings, and select plywoods. For your guidance, model building codes often specify thermal barriers which provide 15 minutes of protection in a fire. In all cases, design and installation should comply with current building requirements.
Combustibility
Fullback Thermal Support material and parts must be considered combustible when directly exposed to fire of sufficient intensity and heat. Therefore, neither should be stored nor installed near open flame or ignition sources.
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