PEPA Advances Fire Safety Standards in Code Work, Product Certification Program

by Don Browne

Throughout its proud history, the Polymeric Exterior Products Association (PEPA) has been a leader in the exteriors industry in promoting the benefits of its products – durability, wind resistance, sustainability, cost-effectiveness and performance.

Another key performance attribute of vinyl siding and other polymeric exterior products they take seriously is fire safety.

On any of the members’ published Product Evaluation Reports (PERs) and Product Certification Listings (PCLs), one will know that rigid PVC is inherently flame-retardant and does not ignite quickly because of its chlorine base. Although any material with carbon will ignite, polymeric exterior products are much safer because they must reach a higher temperature in order to flame, up to 730°F in order to ignite from another flame and 850°F to self-ignite. In short, PVC slows flames from spreading.

While the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that 4% of all residential fires start outside the building, and less than 2% of these fires are caused by the exterior surface,* PEPA and the VSI Product Certification Program are committed to continuously improving the fire safety of their member manufacturers’ products.

In all aspects of building safety, products certified through the program have long been recognized as materials that meet or exceed the pertinent building codes and industry standards.

Per an established Certification Scheme, the program requires that all products meet initial qualification requirements and include mandatory follow-up inspections and testing to ensure ongoing compliance for maintaining product certification.

Because of this strong commitment, all certified products are approved for all types of construction regarding fire safety. They meet the relevant ASTM and International Wildland-Urban Interface Code standards.

These long-established standards are tied to PEPA’s VSI Product Certification Program and are most prevalent for their member-manufacturers to prove product performance. They include:

• ASTM E84, Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
• ASTM E119, Standard Test Method for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials
• NFPA 268, Standard Test Method for Determining Ignitability of Exterior Wall Assemblies Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source

“Most of our members’ products have a fire testing component for product certification using test method ASTM E84,” said Sara Krompholz, Senior Director, Technical and Certification. “While optional for vinyl siding, it’s a requirement for insulated vinyl siding, polypropylene and backed vinyl siding and could be listed in their published PCL or PER.”

ASTM D3679, Standard Specification for Rigid Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Siding, does not require fire testing for vinyl siding because of its inherent flame-retardant properties.

Notwithstanding, the VSI Product Certification Program provides optional ASTM E84 testing for its products to further demonstrate their compliance with the standard.

Oh, Canada!

And now that vinyl siding, insulated vinyl siding and polypropylene siding have been implemented for compliance with the provisions of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) through the VSI Product Certification Program, these new NBC requirements will go live on January 1, 2025. CAN/ULC-S102.2 is the Canadian equivalent of ASTM E84. The VSI Product Certification Program will test their products in the S102.2 fashion (also known as Steiner Tunnel Testing).

New Developments in Fire Safety Code Work

Backed vinyl siding was added to the VSI Product Certification Program in July 2024. The program now recognizes this product type, and PEPA members can now obtain new PCLs and PERs to demonstrate its compliance with ASTM D7445, Standard Specification for Rigid Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Siding with Foam Plastic Backing (Backed Vinyl Siding).

The PEPA Code Development Work Group has also been working on a proposal to update the International Fire Code to further limit fire risk exposure to home exteriors. IFC 304.1.3.1 Combustible Mulch intends to prohibit mulch installation within five feet or less from buildings of Type V construction. This initiative is a proactive response to growing trends in people smoking outside, as well as the increasing use of combustible mulch (especially pine sprouts in the south) for home landscaping and the concern over flying embers from wildfires in dryer regions, such as Colorado and Northern California.

“We are working with the top fire service stakeholders to propose proper fire code building maintenance,” said Matt Dobson, Vice President, PEPA. “We want to support ‘zeroscaping**’ efforts as they relate to keeping combustible materials away from the exterior surface.”

An Evergreen Commitment to Fire Safety

The work on the combustible mulch proposal is one example of PEPA’s dedication to promoting fire protection and standard improvements for the benefit of their members and the customers they serve.

“The ASTM and the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code are evergreen,” said Sara. “They need to be reviewed regularly for consistency and potential code and standard improvements. Our VSI Product Certification Program is also evergreen. It is ever evolving with our members’ product developments, expansions and the latest code considerations.”

For Matt, Sara and the entire PEPA team, supporting the industry’s work in ensuring product safety and performance excellence is more than just dedication; it’s a passion. “Matt and I recently visited a fire testing lab in Maryland that just opened earlier this summer,” Sara noted. “And it was great to see the testing equipment firsthand.”

 

*National Fire Protection Association Fire Analysis and Research Division, Home Structures Fires, November 2020
**Zeroscaping is a landscaping technique that calls for selecting plants and vegetative life materials that require little or no water, and only a minimal amount to create sustainable, low-maintenance outdoor spaces that are also beautiful.

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Don Browne is a writer, entrepreneur and local legislator who believes that the power of words can change the world. He provides unique writing services for clients in the construction, health care, IT and hospitality sectors. He has a passion for small business and start-ups, as well as writing about Irish history, family and corporate biographies. As a homeowner and father of four who is passionate about community development, Don looks forward to writing more about the exciting possibilities of creating traditional neighborhoods and more sustainable communities using modern materials.