Soluciones estructurales para edificios resistentes al fuego

Para la mayoría de los constructores y arquitectos de todo el país, incorporar la resiliencia de sus propietarios significa seleccionar materiales de construcción que ayuden a resistir los resultados de tormentas severas, viento y agua. Pero para otros, especialmente aquellos en zonas geográficas propensas a los incendios, las propiedades de resistencia al fuego de los materiales de construcción son cruciales para frenar la propagación del fuego y mantener la resiliencia.

Using LP® FlameBlock® OSB Sheathing for Superior Fire Resistance Ratings

Installing LP® FlameBlock® Fire-Rated Sheathing helps slow the spread of flames. LP® FlameBlock® panels are structural fire-rated sheathing that combines both fire resistance and structural performance in a single panel. 

To make LP® FlameBlock® fire-resistive panels, LP’s proprietary non-combustible, fiberglass-reinforced Pyrotite® coating is applied to the OSB panels, combining flame-spread and burn-through resistance.

What Is Fire Resistance in Buildings?

It’s important to clear up any confusion regarding terms such as fireproof, fire resistant and even fire-resistive ratings.

The term "fireproof" is often incorrectly used to mean "non-combustible." Most fire-resistive building products are limited to materials that resist combustion, such as concrete and masonry.

Typically fire resistance refers to the ability of a fire-resistive material to help provide protection for a while. Given enough time, fire could ultimately penetrate or burn through an assembly.

Understanding fire resistance is similar to understanding the differences between a water-resistant watch and a waterproof watch. Water resistance means the watch is impervious to the penetration of water for a period of time. But lose a water-resistant watch to the bottom of a lake, and water will ultimately penetrate the watch's inner workings.

Differences Between One-Sided and Two-Sided Fire-Resistive Materials

The Pyrotite® coating on LP® FlameBlock® Fire-Rated Sheathing helps give the panels flame-spread resistance. The difference between one-sided and two-sided panels is simply whether the proprietary coating is used on one side or both sides of the panels. But how to choose?

“There’s no choice; you are obligated to use what is required,” says Johnson.

"Two-sided will be used if the assembly requires it or based on the construction type. For instance, an exterior wall in Type III construction requires two-sided regardless of what the assembly says. Our ICC-ES evaluation report ESR 1365 notes where two-sided is required."

The terms “one-sided” and “two-sided” refer to LP® FlameBlock® panels, which are different from assemblies that are rated one-hour and two-hour. 

As an example, the assembly U348 only requires and is listed with one-sided LP® FlameBlock® panels. However, when this assembly is used as an exterior wall in Type III construction, two-sided LP® FlameBlock® Fire-Rated Sheathing is required, as noted in ESR 1365.

“Again, type of construction, occupancy group, and fire separation distance will dictate fire-resistant requirements,” says Johnson.

For additional information on fire resistance in building, take a look at fire-resistant roof sheathing and how it can help you approach building better in fire-prone areas.