EIFS, another aspect for thought - InspectionNews

Jerry Peck · #1 (**permalink**) 05-05-2008, 09:19 PM

For you guys (and gals) out there in EIFS land, ever thought about, or ever seen, EIFS catch fire?

Wondering what the house looks like after a fire, what with combustible siding more combustible than typical wood siding.

I was reading in my NFPA Journal today about a hotel fire earlier this year where the fire originated on the roof, but due to the EIFS on the exterior, the fire spread DOWNWARD down the exterior walls, blowing out some windows and then entering the hotel interior from there.

What would have been a much less costly fire turned into a very costly fire: "The total damage caused by the fire and the associated business interruptions is estimated as $100 million."

YouTube - Monte Carlo Hotel/Casino Fire

fritzkelly · #2 (**permalink**) 05-05-2008, 09:34 PM

Wow, stucco that burns. I hadn't considered that.

Steven Turetsky · #3 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 07:40 PM

Hi Jerry,

Once again you have caused me to don my thinking cap. I started writing a response to your "challange", but came across this item. It's very informative and addresses even more than I would have included.

By the way, although the material that burned at the Monte Carlo was EIFS-like, it was not a true EIFS system. There were ingrediants that contained urethanes that are very flamable. I am going to post some more information regarding this subject.

click here

and here

Jerry Peck · #4 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 08:19 PM

Steve,

Thanks for the links.

The Monte Carlo Hotel (according to the article in my NFPA Journal) was built in 1994 and 1995 under the 1991 Uniform Building Code.

They referred to the exterior as EIFS, and referenced EIFS to ASTM C 1177, Standard Specification for Glass Mat Gypsum Substrate for Use as Sheathing for construction of EIFS.

NFPA 285, specifically developed to evaluate various wall finishes, was finalized in 1998 and became NFPA Standard 285.

The article goes on to state that a greater thickness is permissible if the International Code Council Evaluation Services Report provides specific data on the material thickness in excess of 4 inches.

Now (thanks to your first link) know where the 4 inches came from.

However, the building was built before that standard was created.

One would think that the Monte Carlo Hotel people would want the material tested, then, if the tests show that the material used was not proper EIFS material, they could then go after those manufacturers and contractors.

Aaron Miller · #5 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 06:04 AM

Quote:

For you guys (and gals) out there in EIFS land, ever thought about, or ever seen, EIFS catch fire?

Nice videos, but easier way to confirm is to go down to 7-11, buy a cheap expanded polystyrene ice chest, take it home and put it in the alley and light it on fire. For more realism, put a doll house inside before sparking it up.

Aaron

John Carroll · #6 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 05:48 PM

Nice scientific testing method you have there, What is the ASTM no. for that again?? bozo101?

I would guess the fire rating for the walls at the casino were being carried by the densglas type drywall material, as was noted in the article, EIFS attached to a rated assembly has no effect on the ability of the assembly to resist fire for the stated time.

Aaron Miller · #7 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Nice scientific testing method you have there, What is the ASTM no. for that again?? bozo101?

John:

It was an attempt at humor which obviously was over your head.

Aaron

John Carroll · #8 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 01:37 PM

Humor not over my head. Disingenuous lip flapping, maybe...

Thanks for striking at the root. Watch your foot.