2008 Issue 3

Noncombustible Building Materials

By Richard N. Walke

The International Building Code makes
many references to noncombustible mate-
rials in which the term noncombustible is
not defined. However, when the term is
applied to the definitions for the Types of
Construction in Chapter 6, noncombusti-
ble materials are defined through testing in
accordance with ASTM E 136, “Standard
Test Method for the Behavior of Materials
in a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750°C.”
As such, the design professional and/or
contractor needs to identify products
that meet the code requirements for
noncombustible materials when specify-
ing materials to be used in the applications
defined by the Types of Construction.
One method of doing this is through
the use of materials that are listed by
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. under the
product category “Noncombustible Build-
ing Materials” or which are authorized by
UL to bear an adjunct marking indicating
compliance with ASTM E 136.
Specifically looking at the 2006 Inter-
national Building Code, Chapter 6
defines types of construction as follows:
• Type I and II constructions: Construc-
tion in which the major building
elements, such as structural frame,
walls, floor construction and roof
construction, are of noncombustible
materials with certain exceptions.
• Type III constructions: Construction in
which the exterior walls are of noncom-
bustible materials and the interior walls
are of any permitted material.
(continued on page 4)

In this issue:
2 ULHolographic
Updates
Label 3 Containers
UL Listed Security
4 ULDocument
Listed
6 Canadian Corner:
Commissioning of
Life Safety Systems
7 What’s Hot...
Regulatory
Services and ULU
7 Questions
& Answers
 The Fire & Security Authority
www.ul.com/fsa
UL Updates Holographic Label
On June 25, UL introduced a new holographic UL Mark at the 2008
International Law Enforcement IP Crime Conference, an international
consortium of law enforcement and intellectual property crime experts.
The new Mark, which will be required in 32
common consumer product areas, incor-
porates cutting-edge technology, elevated
security features and a unique hologram
design, making it easy to identify and vali-
date, yet incredibly difficult to replicate.
“UL’s new holographic label is the most
recent element in our efforts to protect
and enhance the integrity of our UL Mark,”
said Brian Monks, UL’s vice-president of
Anti-Counterfeiting Operations. “The new
label technology will further help retailers,
customs officials and other law enforce-
ment agencies around the world determine
the legitimacy of UL Marked products.”
Since UL first utilized a holographic label
in 1996, the UL has regularly updated
and added security features to the Mark,
making it increasingly difficult for potential
counterfeiters to reproduce. Distinct fea-
tures of the new hologram label include:
• Gold background to help U.S. Customs
officers and other law enforcement
agencies, distributors, retailers and con-
sumers quickly identify the new label.
• Color shifting ink similar to that in the
new U.S. paper currency.
The Fire & Security Authority ®
Published by the Regulatory
Services Department and the
Fire & Security Sector of
Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
A Nationally Recognized Testing
Laboratory (NRTL)
UL 2008 Issue 3
02
• Repeating pattern of floating UL sym- testing organization in the world whose
bols, a distinctive burst pattern around label is backed with this level of security
one of the floating UL symbols and and technology.”
wavy lines.
If consumers suspect a product may have
• Additional covert security features to a counterfeit UL Mark, they can contact
assist with the authentication of a UL UL by e-mailing anticounterfeiting@us.ul.
holographic label. com. For general information about
Additionally, UL has added another level of counterfeiting and UL’s partnership in
security via the UL Authenticator, a special global anti-counterfeiting efforts, visit
credit card-size device that authorities can www.ul.com/ace.
use to better identify counterfeit products.
The new holographic label is available
for manufacturers as of July 1,
2008. It will be required worldwide
on all new production in the 32
hologram categories starting
July 1, 2009.
“Counterfeiters will copy and sell
anything that turns a profit without
regard to quality, safety, or the law,”
said Monks. “As part of our zero-toler-
ance policy concerning products bearing
counterfeit UL Marks, we are constantly
working with government and law enforce-
ment agencies worldwide to help prevent
counterfeit products from entering the
marketplace. UL is the only product
Managing Editor Address changes and additions
Kim Mulhall T:: +1.847.664.2461
T:: +1.847.664.3606 F:: +1.847.509.6257
E:: Kimberly.A.Mulhall@us.ul.com E:: Diane.E.Fonzino@us.ul.com
Editor
Heather Kile
T:: +1.847.664.1265
E:: Heather.Kile@us.ul.com © 2008. All rights reserved. BDI 080806
 The Fire & Security Authority UL 2008 Issue 3

03
UL Listed Security Containers
Modifying a UL Listed security container may require removal of the UL Mark
An authorized use of the UL Mark is a manufacturer’s declaration that
the Listed product was manufactured in accordance with UL safety
requirements applicable to the product at the time it was produced.
A device with a UL Mark that has been container can be confirmed
in use and is “rebuilt” or “refurbished” is by accessing UL’s on-line
an entirely different story. UL does not product certification direc-
know what the effect of “rebuilding” or tory, and searching by
“refurbishing” may have on the safety of the manufacturer and
the product or the continued validity of the model number.
UL certification unless the “rebuilding” or
http://database.ul.com/
“refurbishing” has been evaluated by UL.
cgi-bin/XYV/template/
In certain product categories UL offers a LISEXT/1FRAME/index.htm
rebuilt program in which the rebuilder is
Products in the field that
authorized to use a special UL Mark that
have not been rebuilt or
indicates the product has been rebuilt
refurbished are still con-
or refurbished to UL requirements. In
sidered Listed, regardless
the case of security containers, such
of age, because they were
as automated teller systems (ATMs) and
produced in compliance
burglary-resistant safes, a rebuilt/refur-
with UL requirements effec-
bished program does not exist. Rebuilding
tive at the time the product
or refurbishing a UL Listed security con-
was manufactured. If a cer-
tainer requires retesting of the container
tification cannot be verified,
to confirm its continued compliance with
the security container may
UL requirements. If security containers are
no longer be in production.
rebuilt or refurbished without removing the
UL Mark, the original certification Mark on By Derek Mathews
the product no longer serves to indicate
that the product complies with the appli- For more information about
cable UL requirements. In such cases, security containers, please
the UL Mark is to be removed lest con- visit the UL Web site at
sumers or users be www.ul.com/ss/. For more technical
SECURITY misled that the rebuilt/
refurbished product
information
about security containers,
is in compliance with please contact Derek Mathews
UL’s requirements. in Northbrook, IL at
+1.8471.664.2928 or at
The validity of a UL Derek.D.Mathews@us.ul.com.
Listed security
 The Fire & Security Authority
Noncombustible Building Materials (continued from cover)
• Type IV constructions: Construction in
which the exterior walls are of noncom-
bustible materials and the interior walls
are of heavy timber.
Section 703.4 of the International Building
Code defines the criteria by which materi-
als are considered noncombustible.
It states elementary material required
to be noncombustible shall be tested to
ASTM E 136. It also requires composite
materials meet two criteria to be consid-
ered noncombustible:
• The structural base shall be a noncom-
bustible material tested in accordance
with ASTM E136.
• The surfacing shall be not more than
0.125 in. thick and shall have a flame
spread index not greater than 50 when
testing in accordance with ASTM E 84.
The above listed criteria for composite
materials recognizes that an essentially
noncombustible material with a thin sur-
facing will not represent an appreciable fire
load, providing the surface flammability of
the surfacing material is reasonably low
when evaluated in accordance with the
Steiner Tunnel test described in ASTM E
84 (UL 723).
UL
ASTM E 136 describes a fire test method
whereby a 1-1/2 by 1-1/2 by 2 in high test
specimen is inserted within a 3 in. diam-
eter refractory tube preheated to 750°C.
The specimen is left in the chamber for
a maximum of 30 minutes. Section 8 of
ASTM E 136 specifies the test material is
to be considered as noncombustible when
at least three of the four test specimens
conform to the following criteria:
• When the weight loss of the specimen is
50% or less, the recorded temperature
of the surface and interior thermocou-
ples shall not at any time during the test
rise more than 30°C above the furnace
temperature at the beginning of the test
and there shall be no flaming from the
specimen after the first 30 seconds.
• When the weight loss of the specimen
exceeds 50%, the recorded temperature
of the surface and interior thermocou-
ples shall not at any time during the test
rise above the furnace temperature at
the beginning of the test and there shall
be no flaming from the specimen.
2008 Issue 3
04
The second criteria above is intended to
recognize that certain materials, such as
gypsum and concrete, loose a significant
amount of weight due to the release of
chemically bonded water, yet do not flame
or contribute to the combustion process.
Materials which have been investigated
and Classified in accordance with ASTM
E 136 are published in the UL printed
product directories, product directories
on CD-ROM and Online Certifications
Directory in one of two ways. First,
products which have been investigated
solely for the performance in accordance
with ASTM E 136 are Classified under
the product category “Noncombustible
Building Materials (BICW)”. Second,
products which have also been
investigated for some other performance
criteria will contain an adjunct statement
relating to ASTM E 136. For example, there
are several products Classified for their
Surface Burning Characteristics under the
product category “Mineral and Fiber Board
(BQXR)” which have also been investigated
in accordance with ASTM E 136. The
Classifications of these products will
bear an adjunct statement reading
“Also Classified in accordance with
ASTM E 136, “Standard Test Method
for the Behavior of Materials in a
Vertical Tube Furnace at 750°C.”
Classifications for products
investigated to ASTM E136 are
best identified using the UL Online
Certifications Directory on the UL
website, www.ul.com. Once at the
online directory, these products can
be identified using a keyword search
for “E136”.
For more information on noncombustible
building materials, contact Rich Walke in
Northbrook, IL; at +1.847.664.3084: or at
Richard.N.Walke@us.ul.com.
 The Fire & Security Authority
UL Listed Document
Collaborative Strategic change
UL’s Security and Signaling Department is streamlining the Certification process by
creating standard, focused documentation. The updated process is anchored by the
UL Listing Document, a new, standardized document that communicates the scope
of the UL Listing service clearly to UL engineers and to other documentation users.
The benefits are twofold: manufacturer
products can move through the List-
ing process to market more quickly and
documentation users can access the
information they need more readily.
The road to change
Change began with conversation. Feed-
back from authorities having jurisdiction
(AHJs), designers, installers, Certificated
Service Auditors and other documentation
users indicated that a change in documen-
tation requirements would be beneficial.
UL began to consider a document to
provide a convenient and expedient
way to access accurate information
about the features, functionality,
programming options, compatibilities,
etc., that are consistent with the scope
of product Listing investigations.
As part of UL’s dual focus on quality
and service, user feedback led to a
sample survey to determine present
user practice and found that most
users do not use the formal documenta-
tion prepared for the products. Almost
unanimously, the reason was that the
documentation isn’t readily accessible at
the design or permit stage and, when it
is available, the needed information is too
difficult to find in the documentation.
Parallel to these concerns, UL engineers
and document reviewers invest a signifi-
cant amount of total product investigation
time in documentation review. Trimming
the time allotted for documentation review
frees the engineers to focus on the rest
of the product Listing process, ultimately
shortening project turnaround times.
UL
Process redesign
Armed with incentive for change, UL set
out to design a new process to better
meet documentation user needs and allow
more effective use of technical resources.
A collaborative Kaizen meeting between
UL representatives and customers
was conducted in May 2008 to
consider the problem. Kaizen is
Japanese for ‘change for the better,’
which, in English, is commonly phrased
as ‘continuous improvement.’
User survey feedback was used to guide
UL’s options for streamlining the docu-
ment review process. It quickly became
apparent that document standardization
was a simple, yet powerful way to meet
the needs for informational clarity and
improved turnaround time.
The UL Listing Document
The new documentation process centers
around the UL Listing Document (ULLD).
The ULLD will contain information regard-
ing the following areas:
• Installation and wiring documents
• Operation and functionality
• Programming options
• Testing and maintenance
• Compatibilities
• System configurations system
power and size
• Operating instructions
Although the ULLD does allow for a level
of individuality, the intent is that the basic
framework and required content be strictly
followed. A specific layout is desirable for
two reasons:
2008 Issue 3
05
New Standard
Documentation
The new documentation program
is aimed at all products covered by
the Standard for Fire Alarm Control
Units, UL864. The CCNs covered by
that Standard are listed below. As the
program proves successful, the plan is
to gradually role it into other appropriate
areas of Security and Signaling where
documentation control is part of the
Listing program.
UOJZ — Control Units, Systems
UOXX — Control Unit
Accessories, System
UUKL — Smoke Control System
Equipment
UOQY — Emergency Communication
and Relocation Equipment
UXWK — Accessories, Marine
UXKV — Miscellaneous Drives
SYSW — Accessories, Releasing
Device Service
SYZV — Control Units Releasing
Device Services
• The user community will have the
information they need accessible in the
same predictable way from document to
document, increasing usability.
• Standardized informational flow
allows UL to streamline the review
process due to, again, the predictable
layout of information.
(continued on page 7)
 The Fire & Security Authority UL 2008 Issue 3

06
Canadian Corner
Commissioning of
Life Safety Systems
In December 2007, Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada
announced the development of a new standard, CAN/ULC-S575,
‘Building/Facility Commissioning’. This standard is being developed
to meet several needs.
To appreciate the background of
this standard, it is helpful to look at
commissioning. Search the Internet under
“Building Commissioning” and there
are thousands of hits. Depending on
the scope of the commissioning, there
are also many definitions. But, simply
put, commissioning is a process put in
place to ensure that a building’s systems
perform as they were intended and
that they meet the owner’s operational
needs. If a building’s energy efficiency
system fails to operate as intended,
there may be problems and inefficiencies
— inaccurate air-conditioning settings
may lead to occupant discomfort and
cost inefficiencies. However, these are
inconveniences that can be corrected.
In contrast, the consequences of
unnoticed inefficiencies or deficiencies
in a life safety system in an emergency
situation may be much more serious step further and witness the testing building is installed and operates as it is
than being simply uncomfortable! of all systems once the building is intended — the life safety system.
Although Canadian model codes require complete, in the presence of the AHJ
It is the ultimate intention of the ULC
various components of fire and life safety and the responsible designer. But these
Committee on Fire Alarm and Life Safety
systems to be tested or verified, the intent safeguards don’t happen in all cases;
Equipment and Systems to work with
behind the proposed new standard is to many projects are completed on a tight
the National Model Codes Standing
develop commissioning criteria to cover a deadline and it becomes a race to the
Committees on Use and Egress and
complete fire protection system including, wire, which can leave many loose ends.
the Standing Committee on Housing
but not limited to — fire alarm systems, Add to this the fact that buildings and and Small Buildings, to have CAN/ULC-
smoke control systems, door hold-open their systems are getting more complex S575, ‘Building/Facility Commissioning’,
devices, electromagnetic locking systems, and keeping up with technological introduced into the National Building Code
elevator recall, and shutters. changes gets more challenging for and the National Fire Code to address the
In some provinces, regulators require everyone involved. Also, some suggest commissioning needs of a building’s life
some form of assurance, for example, that enforcement resources are finite and safety system as a whole.
British Columbia’s “Letters of Assurance,” continue to be stretched.
is where someone with overall design Having a standard that ”commissions” For more information on the work being
responsibility signs off on the various life safety systems in buildings will help done by the ULC Committee on Fire Alarm
components of a building at both the address most of these concerns. It will and Life Safety Equipment and Systems,
design review stage and the site review be a valuable tool for the AHJ in ensuring contact Mahendra (Mike) Prasad at
stage, including the fire alarm system one of the most critical components of a 1.866.937.3852; or at Mahendra.Prasad@
and the components mentioned earlier. ca.ul.com.
Some local governments take this one
The Fire & Security Authority
Questions & Answers
September has been designated by the
U.S. Senate and 15 states as “Campus
Fire Safety Month.” The goal of Campus
Fire Safety Month is to raise the level of
awareness among parents, students,
administrators and legislators about the
importance of fire safety. In support of
this effort, and as part of its ongoing
public safety mission, UL has posted
a number of valuable items for free
download at www.ul.com/newsroom/
campus/index.html, including videos,
safety tips, facts and figures and
much more.
UL’s commitment to promoting fire safety
on college campuses goes beyond
producing educational marketing and
communication pieces. UL works with
the Center for Campus Fire Safety on
their Firewise Campus training seminars
across the US. These classes afford fire
safety professionals a chance to gain
an understanding of successful training
methodologies for the college age group,
as well as receive tools and resources
that they can use to effectively educate
students and work further to provide a
fire-safe campus environment.
What’s Hot…
Regulatory Services and
ULU announce two new
learning opportunities
UL has launched two web-based
training courses for Authorities
Having Jurisdiction:
Achieving Code Compliance Using UL
Fire Resistance Designs is an hour-long,
self-paced course that provides a great
overview of fire resistance, including
information on testing, relation how UL
UL
I work on a college campus
and I am wondering if UL has
anything created specifically
for a college environment?
Industry sources identify several
common factors in a number of fatal
campus fires:
• Lack of automatic fire sprinklers
• Missing or disabled smoke detectors
• Careless disposal of smoking materials
• Impaired judgment due to alcohol
consumption
Statistics prove that smoke alarms
work. Since they were introduced to
consumers in the mid-1970s, smoke
alarms have helped reduce fire fatalities
by nearly 50 percent, an important
message that college students and their
parents should receive. Making sure that
every campus and off-campus residence
has a working smoke alarm, even if it
means purchasing one individually, is
a worthwhile investment.
Additional information regarding campus
fire safety information and educational
materials is available through the
Center For Campus Fire Safety (CCFS),
www.campusfiresafety.org. The Center
for Campus Fire Safety is a non-profit
organization devoted to reducing the loss
of life from fire on college campus, and
their mission is to serve as an advocate
for the promotion of campus fire safety.
fire resistance designs, UL fire resistance
testing and the role of UL Fire Resistance
Designs in achieving code compliance.
A Code Official’s Guide to UL is also
a self-paced, hour-long course that
provides key information about UL and
provides the answer to a number of
common questions.
The UL University online training center
can be accessed from UL’s home
page by selecting “Training” from the
list of UL services menu, or by going
to www.uluniversity.com/. Select
your geographical location, then select
courses under the Authority Having
2008 Issue 3
07
UL Listed Document
(continued from page 5)
Transition to the ULLD will be grad-
ual, allowing a change to the new
documentation scheme that doesn’t
unduly burden UL or our clients. As
new projects come to UL, the new
documentation scheme will be used.
Small projects or service requests
that don’t involve much, if any, docu-
mentation change will not require
transition to the ULLD. UL along
with our clients will decide whether
a given project warrants changing to
the new scheme. Of course, clients
are free to opt to change over to the
ULLD at any time.
UL has already begun using the
ULLD for new projects. A complete
transition to the new documentation
process is anticipated by December
2009. Over the coming year, the
streamlined documentation portion
of the product Listing process will
help UL streamline and enhance
service while remaining the premier
quality provider.
by George Kreiner
For questions regarding the ULLD
process, contact George Kreiner at
George.M.Kreiner@us.ul.com, or
+1.847.664.3004
Jurisdiction heading. The training center
contains over 1500 training courses
covering a wide range of disciplines
and subjects.
UL issues new announcement
UL announces the first issue of the
Outline of Investigation for Control
and Communication Units for Mass
Notification Systems, Subject 2572.
This Outline contains requirements
covering discrete electrical control
units, communication units, transport
products which manipulate the data
packs, and accessories for mass
notification systems.
 The Fire & Security Authority UL 2008 Issue 3

www.ul.com/fsa 08
Calendar of Events
October 7–10 October 28–31 November 4–7
Security Essen China Fire 2008 China Expoprotection 2008
Essen, Germany Fire Protection Association Reed Expositions
www.security–messe.de Beijing, China Paris, France
www.fireexpo.cn www.expoprotection.com
October 12–17
2008 SFPE Professional October 29–30 December 3–5
Development Conference ISC East 2008 Construct Canada 2008
and Exposition Society of International Security Toronto, Canada
Fire Protection Engineers Conference and Exposition www.constructcanada.com
To the right is a list of meetings Charlotte, N.C. New York City, NY
and important events for the www.sfpe.org www.isceast.com
fire and security communities.
If you would like The Fire & October 28–30 October 30–November 2
Security Authority to consider Campus Fire Forum 10 Symposium in the Sun 2008
publishing your upcoming The Center for Campus Volunteer & Combination
events, contact Heather Kile, Fire Safety Officers Section of the IAFC
editor, in Northbrook, Ill., Providence, Rhode Island Clearwater Beach, FL
by e-mail at Heather.Kile@us.ul. www.campusfiresafety.org www.iafc.org
com. Please type “Calendar” in
the subject line.

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