Ihe folloing is an excerpt from the April 2003 Issue of CM News.
Published with the permission of the National Concrete Masonry Assocciation. |
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| According to Jack Davis {Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Collage of Architecture, Virginia Tech),
"An effective fire safety design involves a balanced approach to increase the probability that an unwanted
fire will not develop into a disastrous event. Balanced design works on the principle that things will go
wrong in an emergency situation and relies on a three interwoven and inseparable key fire protection strategies. |
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- * Fire Detection
- * Fire Suppression
- * Fire Containment
The first two elements involve the use of active fire protection systems, such as smoke detection, fire alarm systems and automatic fire sprinkler
systems. While those two elements are both important, they are mechanical systems and both can and do fail. The third, more
reliable strategy, is passive built-in fire containment construction, which includes fire barriers,
fire walls and exterior walls built of noncoribustible fire-resistant materials like concrete masonry.
Such construction can reduce the spread of fire and contain it to a specific area so that the detection
system con promptly alert the building occupants and the sprinkler system can control the
fire before the fire department arrives."
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NCMA is communicating the fact that a combined approach to fire safety increases
the time available for the occupants to escape using protected passageways to reach the
exists of the exit stairs or areas of refuge in multi-story buildings without being adversely
affected by the fire and smoke.
For the latest information on concrete masonry as it relates to fire containment issues,
visit www.ncma.org or contact your Oldcastle Architectural
sales representative.
Oldcastle Architectural Masonry Units
Oldcastle Architectural manufactures block that is classified for use in fire resistant walls in
accordance with standards and guidelines established by Underwriters Laboratories.
Those units conform to UL 618 standards.
Concrete masonry units are classified into the following classes:
6 inch Wall Class - D-2 2 Hour Fire Rating
8 Inch Wall Class - D-2 2 Hour Fire Rating
8 Inch Wall Class - C-3 3 Hour Fire Rating
12 Inch Wall Class - B-4 4 Hour Fire Rating
For information on masonry fire ratings call or visit Oldcsstle Architectural, at www.oldcastle.com
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