NFCA

An Association of Contractors and Manufacturers Providing Passive Fire Protection to Structural Materials

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The NFCA represents contractors who install passive fireproofing products to protect building structural materials from fire and manufacturers who provide those products. Member contractors install sprayed fireproofing, intumescent coatings and fireproofing board products. Contractors are approved to install these materials by fireproofing product manufacturers and some are covered by the UL Qualified Contractor Program.

The NFCA works to improve the proper use and application of industry products through development of standard practices and educational programs for both product users and members.


NFCA News

May 23, 2012

NFCA Accredited Contractor Approved

Haas Insulation of Waipahu, HI has been approved under the CAP program for SFRM contractors. The Haas Insulation information is listed in the SFRM CAP listing on this web site.

Currently 11 SFRM contractor offices are approved under the NFCA CAP program.

May 18, 2012

New NFCA Accredited Contractors Approved

Two new contractors are listed as being SFRM Accredited under the NFCA Contractor Accreditation Program (CAP). These contractors are named in the CAP listing on this web site. The contractors are:

Lawrence B. Wohl, Inc., Port Chester, NY
T. J. Wies Contracting, Inc., Lake St. Louis, MO

May 11, 2012

Additional Contractors Approved Under NFCA Contractor Accreditation Program

Three new contractors are listed as being SFRM Accredited under the NFCA Contractor Accreditation Program (CAP). These contractors are named in the CAP listing on this web site. The contractors are:

American Coatings Corporation, Ashland , VA
Aries Contracting, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Fire Stop Technologies, Inc., Powell, TN
Several additional contractors are in various stages of application to become a NFCA Accredited Contractor.

February 6, 2012

SFRM Contractors Approved Under NFCA Contractor Accreditation Program

Five contractors listed as being SFRM Accredited under the NFCA Contractor Accreditation Program (CAP). These contractors are named in the CAP listing on this web site. The contractors are:

Easley & Rivers, Monroeville, PA
Raymond-Southern CA, Orange, CA
National Fireproofing & Insulation Co., Inc., Garfield, NJ
ACME Fireproofing & Insulation, Inc., Fairmont, IL
True Fireproofing Company, Tulsa, OK

Several additional contractors are in various stages of application to become a NFCA Accredited Contractor.

February 6, 2012

The following contractors have recently become members of the NFCA.

California Drywall, San Jose, CA - Contact Michael Gutierrez
Gunnlaugson Spray-On Ltd, Winnipeg, MB Canada - Contact Rick Kippen

We welcome these new members. View information on each of these new members through their web sites listed on the NFCA MemberList page.

January 14, 2012

Las Vegas Education Conference and Accreditation Training Programs


The NFCA Education Conference and Accreditation Programs will take place March 20-23, 2012 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. The registration package for both programs may be found in the attached document links:

NFCA Education Conference and Annual Meeting

NFCA Contractor Accreditation for SFRM and IFRM

Please make your hotel reservations before February 20, 2012 by calling the MGM at 1-800-646-7787 in order to obtain the NFCA room rate. After that date rooms will be on a space available basis.

Send in your registration and make your room arrangements today.

December 22 ,2011

NFCA Education Conference March 20-23, 2012 in Las Vegas

The NFCA announces that DRI Training Programs and 2012 Education Conference will be held in Las Vegas, NV at the MGM Grand Hotel. The Educational Conference will be held March 22 to March 23. Preceding the education Conference, on March 20-21, the NFCA will hold separate DRI training and examinations for contractor personnel who want to gain SFRM or IFRM accreditation under the NFCA Contractor Accreditation Program. Golf will be played the afternoon of March 21.
The MGM Grand offers meeting facilities, live shows, casino, and restaurants all under one roof and located on the Strip in the middle of Las Vegas.
For more hotel details go to their web site at
 http://www.mgmgrand.com/

The NFCA has a base room rate of $110.00 plus taxes for the time period of March 19 to Thursday March 22.  The base room rate on Friday and Saturday is $209.00. Room rates for a bungalow king suite is $190.00 and for the weekend it is $289.00. All room rates include a resort fee. A 12% lodging tax will be added to the room rates.  It is important to mark you calendar with the hotel reservation cutoff date of February 20, 2012. After that date the rooms will be on a space available basis. Be sure to reference the National Fireproofing Contractors Association when making your reservations. To make reservations call 1-800-646-7787 in order to get the group rate.

The Education Program and NFCA registration details are in the working stage. This information will be published as soon as completed.

See you in Las Vegas!

December 20, 2011

NFCA Forms Canadian Committee

The NFCA President, Mike Nehnevajsa, announces the formation of a Canadian Committee within the NFCA. Canada is covered by different structural engineering principles, a national code, and some differences in the UL product approvals. These differences need to be met by the committee who can focus the issues that Canadian contractors deal with on a daily basis. Don Falconer, President of Falconer Engineering & Testing located in Whitby, Ontario Canada has been appointed chairman. Don, an Associate Member of NFCA, has years of experience in the Canadian market first with A/D Fireproofing and recently with Carboline and their respective SFRM and IFRM products.

The first meeting of the committee will take place Thursday afternoon, March 22, 2012 during the NFCA Educational Conference to be held at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Canadian contractors should contact the NFCA office if you desire to participate in this committee meeting. We also encourage discussing this committee formation with other Canadian contractors  and urge them to join the NFCA and participate in the March Committee meeting in Las Vegas

December 20, 2011

NFCA Announces Accredited Contractor Program

The NFCA announces an Accredited Contractor program for NFCA members who install Spray-Applied Fire Resistive Materials (SFRM) and/or Intumescent Fire Resistive Materials (IFRM). The purpose of this program is to set a standard that requires an educational effort on the contractor’s part resulting in an improvement in application of industry products in accordance with agency product approvals and building code compliance. The heart of the program revolves around the contractor having at least one Designated Responsible Individual (DRI) in the contractor’s organization. The DRI must have participated in a NFCA DRI training program and passed an examination of the learned knowledge.  The NFCA training program and examination covers agency product approvals, agency design procedures for products, and the application of fire resistive materials in accordance with industry procedures. In addition, the DRI must continue learning through yearly educational requirements. The contractor must have been in business applying industry products for two years, received training in application of manufacturer’s products, and a member in good standing in the NFCA.

Two SFRM contractors, Easley & Rivers, Inc. of Monroeville, PA and Raymond-Southern California, Inc. of Orange, CA met the program requirements and have been awarded the NFCA SFRM Accredited Contractor logo.

Details of the program and how to participate may be found under the tab "NFCA Accredited Contractor". DRI training programs for SFRM and IFRM contractors will be held March 20-21, 2012 at the MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas, NV. Check the DRI training announcement on this web site under NFCA News..

March 29, 2011

American Fireproofing Joins the NFCA

American Fireproofing, Inc. of Crown Point, IN has joined the contractor ranks of the NFCA. Allen Tarpley, President will be representing the company in NFCA activities. For more information about American Fireproofing, visit their web site at www.americanfireproofing.com.

The NFCA welcomes American Fireproofing to our membership.

January 25, 2011

The NFCA is please to announce a new Intumescent coating supplier has joined the association. The new member is Hilti North America and will be represented by Addison Emory III who is Technical Manager, Steel Protection. Hilti is currently supplying many contractors throughout the north america with Intumescent coating materials. We look forward to their continued participation in NFCA activities. You can learn more about Hilti by clicking on their web site link as shown in the Manufactures section of the NFCA web site.

Welcome to the NFCA!

August 18, 2010

NFCA Guidance Information Bulletin GI 1007 Issued

The NFCA Technical Committee is pleased to release Guidance Information Bulletin 1007 titled
“Thin Film Intumescent Fire Resistive vs Fire Retardant Coating.” This bulletin provides the reasons why Fire Retardant coatings do not provide hourly fire ratings for steel members. This confusion in the market leads to instances where the wrong Intumescent coating is used to protect steel structural members. It also strongly suggests to the specification writer where in the AIA MASTERSPEC document Fire Resistive and Fire Retardant products should be placed.

The NFCA hopes that this document will eliminate market place confusion in product application for Intumescent materials.

Guidance Information Bulletin GI 1007

August 13, 2010

Raymond Interior Systems Now Approved as UL Qualified SFRM Contractor

Raymond Interior Systems of Orange, CA has been approved by UL under their Qualified SFRM Contractor program. Paul Steele of Raymond is their DRI in the UL program. Raymond is located at 520 West Walnut Avenue in Orange, CA 92868. Paul can be contacted at 714-771-7670.

Congratulations to Raymond on this achievement

August 13, 2010

North Carolina NFCA Training for SFRM Contractors and UL DRI Examination

The NFCA announces that the next SFRM Contractor Training Program and UL Qualified Contractor Examination will take place on September 20-21, 2010 at Underwriters Laboratories in Research Triangle Park, NC. This will allow contractors located on the East Coast to more easily take the first step in becoming a UL Qualified SFRM Contractor or for existing DRI’s to maintain their UL approval. Full details and registration information for this training program is attached.

North Carolina NFCA Training Registration

July 18, 2010

Guidance Information – Bulletin 1006


The NFCA announces the issuance of Guidance Information Bulletin No. 2006 titled “Ensuring Accurate Fireproofing Density Measurements.” This bulletin details the volumetric displacement method for measuring density of SFRM. The procedure provides increased accuracy in sample volume measurement and may eliminate third party disagreements. When compared to the method of measuring an irregular sample to determine its volume to be used in a density calculation, this procedure is far more accurate.

Guidance Information Bulletin No. 1006 "Ensuring Accurate Fireproofing Density Measurements"

A copy of all bulletins may be found under "Technical Info" on this web site.

 

November 4, 2009

Significant SFRM Requirements in 2009 IBC

The published 2009 International Building Code now contains added requirements for SFRM in High Rise Buildings and Special Inspection of SFRM. Both the High Rise requirements and special inspection requirements are significant departures from the previous IBC code. The 2009 code will be implemented when it is accepted in your local jurisdiction. So far only a few jurisdictions have approved the 2009 code. The pages in the attachment are excerpts from the 2009 IBC code.

Section 403 covers the code requirements for High Rise Buildings. Section 403.2.4 now contains requirements that for buildings greater than 420 feet in height, the SFRM minimum bond strength shall be 1,000 psf.

Chapter 5 covers general building heights and areas for construction. Table 503 provides a listing of number of stories and building area per story. The 2009 IBC contains some reductions in number of stories allowed in Type II B constructions as listed below.
                                                             Number of Stories
      Group                                      2006 IBC         2009 IBC

Group B - Business                            4                      3
Group M – Mercantile                       4                      2
Group S-1 – Storage                          3                      2
Group S-2 – Storage                          4                      3

The most significant change in Special Inspections for SFRM from the 2006 IBC is the requirement that 25% all structural members shall be tested for thickness on each floor in accordance with ASTM E 605. Floor, roof, and wall assemblies shall be tested for thickness at not less than four locations for each 1,000 SF of the sprayed area in each story or portion thereof.

Density tests shall be conducted in accordance with ASTM E 605 and bond strength in accordance with ASTM E 736. Both bond strength and density tests shall be tested at the rate of one test sample for every 2,500 SF of each floor area or portion thereof in each story for structural members. For floor, roof, and wall assemblies the test sample shall be selected from the sprayed area in each story or portion thereof.

In addition, visual inspections are required before application of the substrates surface condition in accordance with approved manufacturers written instructions and as may be listed in the approved fire-resistance design.  Ambient temperature and ventilation requirements are now included in the code.

October 9, 2009

NFCA Announces Free Inspector Training for SFRM & Intumescent Products

The NFCA announces the availability of a free training program for inspectors who conduct special inspections of SFRM and Intumescent Materials. This program may be found in the ICC Inspector section of this web site along with operating instructions.

This training program was created to provide the tools necessary for a special inspector to properly conduct the inspection and testing of applied products in accordance with the IBC code requirements. The industry encourages the person completing the training to become a ICC Certified Inspector for SFRM and Intumescent materials. Information on how to become a ICC Certified Inspector is also on the instruction page.

The program covers the areas of code requirements, thickness testing, density testing, and bond strength testing for SFRM and thickness testing for Intumescent. All of this testing by a special inspector is required by code following the application of these products.

Should you have comments on the training program, contacts us via e-mail at Inspectortraining@nfca-online.com.

April 23, 2009

ICC Code Changes for 2009 International Fire Code Will Benefit Industry

Several changes affecting Fireproofing will be published in the 2009 edition of the ICC International Fire Code. These include the following:

  • An Annual visual inspection of accessible fire-resistance rated construction by the owner. Systems must be properly repaired, restored or replaced when damaged, altered, breached or penetrated. This change should increase the amount of patching of fireproofing throughout the life of a building.
  • Section 403.18 requires the minimum bond strength in high rise buildings to be as follows:
      • When the height is more that 75 feet up to 420 feet the minimum bond strength is 430 psf
      • More than 420 feet the minimum bond strength is 1000psf

The changes will promote the use of medium density products on these high risk buildings.

  • Table 503 – Allowable Height and Building Areas will have the height reduced by 1 story for Type III B buildings. More business, mercantile and storage buildings will fall under Type IIA which will require a 1 hour classification.
  • Section 202 – Primary structural frame – Cross Bracing. This section increases the amount of cross bracing to be fireproofed with a change in definition. This section now includes the following: “Bracing members that are essential to the vertical stability of the primary structural frame under gravity loading shall be considered part of the primary structural frame whether or not the bracing member carries gravity loads.”

May 18, 2011

New Officers and Board of Directors Elected

A new slate of officers and directors were elected during the NFCA business meeting in Orlando, FL. The 2011 officers and directors are:

 

President Mike Nehnevajsa Easley & Rivers Inc.  Monroeville, PA
Vice President Paul Steele Raymond Interiors, Inc. Orange, CA
Treasurer Bret Simpson W. R. Grace & Co. Cambridge, MA
Secretary Dean Lakey T. J. Weis Contracting, Inc. Lake St. Louis, MO
Director David Cockrum Mader Southeast Orlando, FL
Director Richard Clayton Clayton Coatings, Inc. Phoenix, AZ
Director Robert DeSilva  Allstates Fireproofing, Inc. Riviera Beach, FL
Director Jose A. Lopez AISLA Citec, Inc. San Juan, PR
Director Kurt Neff Isolatek Corp. Stanhope, NJ
Director John Taglienti East Coast Fireproofing Walpole, MA
Director Charles Merriman Carboline, Inc. St. Louis, MO
Director Howard Towler Acme Fireproofing Jenks, OK
Director Bubba Winston American Coatings, Inc. Ashland, VA
Director Jonathan Wohl Lawrence B. Wohl   Port Chester, NY
Director Henry Vogel State-Line Products of South Florida Ft. Lauderdale, FL