Committee on the Environment

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Codes and Standards and Committee on the Environment .
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AIA co-sponsored a change to the 2015 International Residential Codes to delete the requirement for flame spread and smoke development from foam plastic insulation when it is behind a 15 minute thermal barrier.  Rational analysis indicated that the industry insert fire retardant materials into the foam which will either discharge when burned or leach into the atmosphere or soil and may cause unnecessary exposure to emergency responders and building occupants.

Architects from Dallas participated in the hearings along with several other interest groups that believe that there is no additional risk when the foam plastics are installed behind the thermal barrier (drywall).  A coalition of foam plastic producers and testing agencies (the Energy Efficiency Foam Coalition - a part of the American Chemical Council) testified against the change that would have allowed materials without the fire retardants into the US market, stating that the change would lead to an added fire hazard, despite the fact that countries like Switzerland has had no such experience when these materials are allowed.

Despite the fact that only those interests spoke against the AIA's change, the Residential Code Committee denied the change.  Comments will be prepared to overcome the committee action and the final hearings for the change will be held in Atlantic City, NJ during the ICC Annual Meeting which runs from September 28 to October 7.

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David Collins FAIA
President
Preview Group, Inc.
Cincinnati OH
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Thank you for posting this issue.  This is about health and I am pleased that the AIA is advocating wisely and taking this position.  Does the AIA have a statement and/or analysis that can be shared?

Cheers

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Rand Ekman AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Cannon Design
Chicago IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2013 17:45
From: David Collins
Subject: Fire Retardants

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Codes and Standards and Committee on the Environment .
-------------------------------------------
AIA co-sponsored a change to the 2015 International Residential Codes to delete the requirement for flame spread and smoke development from foam plastic insulation when it is behind a 15 minute thermal barrier.  Rational analysis indicated that the industry insert fire retardant materials into the foam which will either discharge when burned or leach into the atmosphere or soil and may cause unnecessary exposure to emergency responders and building occupants.

Architects from Dallas participated in the hearings along with several other interest groups that believe that there is no additional risk when the foam plastics are installed behind the thermal barrier (drywall).  A coalition of foam plastic producers and testing agencies (the Energy Efficiency Foam Coalition - a part of the American Chemical Council) testified against the change that would have allowed materials without the fire retardants into the US market, stating that the change would lead to an added fire hazard, despite the fact that countries like Switzerland has had no such experience when these materials are allowed.

Despite the fact that only those interests spoke against the AIA's change, the Residential Code Committee denied the change.  Comments will be prepared to overcome the committee action and the final hearings for the change will be held in Atlantic City, NJ during the ICC Annual Meeting which runs from September 28 to October 7.

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David Collins FAIA
President
Preview Group, Inc.
Cincinnati OH
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Hello, Rand.

While I can't speak to the national question, the State of California has proposed legislation regarding flame retardants, which the statewide COTE committee is currently reviewing.  Here is the language of the bill:

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/asm/ab_0101-0150/ab_127_bill_20130422_amended_asm_v96.htm

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David Intner AIA
Energy Efficiency Advisor
Southern California Edison
Ventura CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-01-2013 10:24
From: Rand Ekman
Subject: Fire Retardants

Thank you for posting this issue.  This is about health and I am pleased that the AIA is advocating wisely and taking this position.  Does the AIA have a statement and/or analysis that can be shared?

Cheers

-------------------------------------------
Rand Ekman AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Cannon Design
Chicago IL
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2013 17:45
From: David Collins
Subject: Fire Retardants

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Codes and Standards and Committee on the Environment .
-------------------------------------------
AIA co-sponsored a change to the 2015 International Residential Codes to delete the requirement for flame spread and smoke development from foam plastic insulation when it is behind a 15 minute thermal barrier.  Rational analysis indicated that the industry insert fire retardant materials into the foam which will either discharge when burned or leach into the atmosphere or soil and may cause unnecessary exposure to emergency responders and building occupants.

Architects from Dallas participated in the hearings along with several other interest groups that believe that there is no additional risk when the foam plastics are installed behind the thermal barrier (drywall).  A coalition of foam plastic producers and testing agencies (the Energy Efficiency Foam Coalition - a part of the American Chemical Council) testified against the change that would have allowed materials without the fire retardants into the US market, stating that the change would lead to an added fire hazard, despite the fact that countries like Switzerland has had no such experience when these materials are allowed.

Despite the fact that only those interests spoke against the AIA's change, the Residential Code Committee denied the change.  Comments will be prepared to overcome the committee action and the final hearings for the change will be held in Atlantic City, NJ during the ICC Annual Meeting which runs from September 28 to October 7.

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David Collins FAIA
President
Preview Group, Inc.
Cincinnati OH
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Check out: http://saferinsulation.greensciencepolicy.org/ for more background on this proposal.

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Tyler Krehlik AIA
Senior Architect
Stantec
San Francisco CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-01-2013 10:24
From: Rand Ekman
Subject: Fire Retardants

Thank you for posting this issue.  This is about health and I am pleased that the AIA is advocating wisely and taking this position.  Does the AIA have a statement and/or analysis that can be shared?

Cheers

-------------------------------------------
Rand Ekman AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Cannon Design
Chicago IL
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2013 17:45
From: David Collins
Subject: Fire Retardants

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Codes and Standards and Committee on the Environment .
-------------------------------------------
AIA co-sponsored a change to the 2015 International Residential Codes to delete the requirement for flame spread and smoke development from foam plastic insulation when it is behind a 15 minute thermal barrier.  Rational analysis indicated that the industry insert fire retardant materials into the foam which will either discharge when burned or leach into the atmosphere or soil and may cause unnecessary exposure to emergency responders and building occupants.

Architects from Dallas participated in the hearings along with several other interest groups that believe that there is no additional risk when the foam plastics are installed behind the thermal barrier (drywall).  A coalition of foam plastic producers and testing agencies (the Energy Efficiency Foam Coalition - a part of the American Chemical Council) testified against the change that would have allowed materials without the fire retardants into the US market, stating that the change would lead to an added fire hazard, despite the fact that countries like Switzerland has had no such experience when these materials are allowed.

Despite the fact that only those interests spoke against the AIA's change, the Residential Code Committee denied the change.  Comments will be prepared to overcome the committee action and the final hearings for the change will be held in Atlantic City, NJ during the ICC Annual Meeting which runs from September 28 to October 7.

-------------------------------------------
David Collins FAIA
President
Preview Group, Inc.
Cincinnati OH
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