Acoustical Safety Standards
NetWell Noise Control supplies a variety of acoustic materials for most any commercial, industrial or residential application. The majority of our surface mounted absorption products have a core base of either foam or fiberglass. As we discuss in our Academy, these raw materials work to convert sound energy into kinetic energy, triggering better acoustic values within a room.
The National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code 101 Section 6-5.3 is titled "Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish Classification". This code classifies materials with respect to Flame Spread and Smoke Developed when tested in accordance with NFPA 255. This test is called the "Method of Test of Surface Burning Characteristic of Building Materials" and is known as the ASTM E84 test.
In simpler language, this test controls which products are approved for use in public buildings. All surface mounted sound panels are placed in fire chambers and burned. Each product is measured by its burn rate and the amount of smoke that is developed. Classifications are then formed based on these test results to indicate their potential use in public buildings
|
|
Flame Spread |
Smoke Density |
|
Class A Interior Walls & Ceiling Finish |
0-25 |
0-450 |
|
Class B Interior Walls & Ceiling Finish |
26-75 |
0-450 |
|
Class C Interior Walls & Ceiling Finish |
75-200 |
0-450 |
The surface mounted products supplied by NetWell Noise Control have all been tested for fire. The test results are listed on this website as links to each individual product page. A sample of our Class A approved products show that all corresponding results fall within the required range:
| |
Flame Spread |
Smoke Density |
|
NetLag |
12.5 |
19.5 |
|
Vet Baffles |
15 |
35 |
|
QBS Blankets |
22.7 |
30.5 |
|
FireFlex |
10 |
50 |
These products are all made from either fiberglass or melamine foam. These raw materials are class A fire rated, and so are the products we create with them. Polyurethane foam, however is not class A fire rated. Note the fire test results on a product made from polyurethane foam:
| |
Flame Spread |
Smoke Density |
|
Pyramids |
375 |
140 |
Any product made from polyurethane foam should not be used in any building where a class A fire code is required. There are suppliers on the Internet offering products made from "fire-retardant" polyurethane foam, but that still does not mean that the material is class A fire rated. All it means is that additives have been injected into the foam to make it more fire-retardant, but it will still not meet the Class A fire code standards. Buyer beware!
As we state in our Terms and Conditions, NetWell Noise Control will not be held liable for any misuse of any of the products we represent. Polyurethane foam based products, while extremely popular in private settings, should not be used in public buildings or placed into any environment that exposes the foam to high levels of heat or open flame.
Finally, note that polyurethane foam does meet a test called the UL94 HF-1 test for self extinguishability. This test indicates that if you put a match to the material on a horizontal surface, it will put itself out within two seconds unless it is fanned or flamed. Because the material is so good at absorbing sound reflections, it is commonly accepted as a wall mounted product for use in private settings that include recording studios, broadcast studios, drum booths, etc. All clients are cautioned to not place the material in any environment where open flames or high temperatures exist.
If the polyurethane products represented by NetWell Noise Control are used in the right setting under the right conditions, they are an extremely popular, lower cost option than some of the other treatments. Radio, TV, broadcast, recording, voice-over, industrial, musician and a variety of other non-public settings make our polyurethane foams popular. But they do not belong in classrooms, churches, schools, or restaurants.
|