Fire Resistance for Interior Finishes
Interior wall finishes must follow NYC code 801.1 and National Fire Protection Association [NFPA] code 286 to maintain appropriate fire resistance inside buildings. Building owners and managers can be found in violation if paint is flaking or cracked or wallpaper is deteriorated, torn or exposing bare wall sections. Electrical shorts and sparks can catch on tattered wall coverings, a raw wall or between peeling paint.
Installation of gypsum board, plaster skim coats and flame resistant paints are cost-effective ways of meeting the requirements, maintaining interior finishes aesthetically and preventing fire or reducing its spread. Textile and vinyl wall finishes must be of Class A flame and smoke spread material.
To follow NFPA code 286, interior finishes are subject to the “corner test”. This is used to evaluate if wall coverings are appropriate and have adequate fire resistance and includes:
- Flames will not spread to the ceiling when exposed to 40 kW.
- Flames will not spread to the outside of any wall or ceiling.
- Flashover, the simultaneous combustion of exposed ignitable material, will not happen.
- Heat released during the test will not pass 800 kW.
- Smoke produced during the test will not exceed 10,764 sq. ft.
With regular inspection and maintenance, walls can provide an attractive décor statement in any space plus offer a fire prevention component. The Paintworks & Decorating staff is very knowledgeable on the fire ratings of different paint products as well as wallpaper. They have experienced wallpaper installation and paint teams to keep you citation-free and your building interiors attractive and more safe from the threat of fire.
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