Archive through February 18, 2011

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Author Message G. Wade Bevier, CCS, LEED-AP BD+C, CSI, SCIP, USGBC Senior Member Username: wbevier Post Number: 25 Registered: 07-2004 Posted on Thursday, February 17, 2011 - 03:55 pm:    I have a client that wants to include a requirement for a Class C rated clear finish for both the wood flooring and the interior wood trim on the project. I have not found any paint/coatings manufacturers data indicating this information and have only seen some reference in the ICC code for some state codes via google. Is there a statement anywhere that would confirm the conditions where an interior wood surface would comply with the Class C rating requirement? Ronald L. Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP Senior Member Username: specman Post Number: 925 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Thursday, February 17, 2011 - 08:17 pm:    The IBC does not require that floor finishes comply with surface burning characteristics as tested by ASTM E 84 or UL 723. As a matter of fact, wood flooring is exempt from the requirements for floor finishes in Chapter 8 of the IBC. See the exception to Section 804.1. Any combustible trim, which includes wood trim, must have a minimum Class C rating and cannot exceed 10% of the wall area in which it is attached. Many wood species have flame spread and smoke developed indices that comply with Class B or C requirements (See http://awc.org/publications/DCA/DCA1/DCA1.pdf). If the wood species does not, there are finish products that can reduce the flame spread index to comply with either Class B or A. Ron Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP www.specsandcodes.com J. Peter Jordan (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Friday, February 18, 2011 - 11:10 am:    I would add that the specific requirements will depend on occupancy and whether the building is sprinklered. G. Wade Bevier, CCS, LEED-AP BD+C, CSI, SCIP, USGBC Senior Member Username: wbevier Post Number: 26 Registered: 07-2004 Posted on Friday, February 18, 2011 - 11:26 am:    Thanks, this confirms what I thought was the case. I will pass this along to the Architect so we can redirect the Owners requirements for this condition. The project is establishing a set of guide specs for a regional restaurant chain and typically they would be sprinkled.