Technical

Insulating Concrete Forms Manufacturing Association (ICFMA) Compliance Testing to NFPA 285 ICF and NFPA 285 As the ICF industry looked at protecting and expanding existing markets in commercial and multi-storey construction, the need for compliance to NFPA 285 became paramount in creating the opportunity to expand ICF into larger markets. The benefits of airtightness, higher insulation levels for energy efficiency and the performance of thermal mass in larger buildings being driven by climate change initiatives, provided the incentive for the ICF industry to overcome any regulatory barriers to multi-storey applications. In 2023, consultations with the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) resulted in a collaboration to conduct fire testing to NFPA 285. NRMCA and ICFMA contracted Intertek Testing in York, PA, to carry out the test and engaged Jensen Hughes as the fire engineer consultants to develop the testing plan, oversee the testing and, present their engineering judgement as to the applicability of the results.