Fire Ratings Information
RINKER MATERIALS CORPORATION FIRE RATED CONCRETE MASONRY WALL ASSEMBLIES MANUAL
The Florida Building Code recognizes several methods which can be used to demonstrate compliance with Fire Resistance Requirements for concrete and concrete masonry. These methods include:
2004 Florida Building Code
- 703.2 Testing in accordance with ASTM E 119
- 703.3 Fire-resistance designs documented in approved sources
- 703.3 Prescriptive designs of fire-resistance-rated building elements as prescribed in Section 720
- 703.3 Calculations in accordance with Section 721
- 721.1 Calculation in accordance with ACI 216.1/TMS 0216.1
The Code recognizes all of the above methodologies, and Fire Resistance Ratings determined by any one of these would be considered equal in terms of performance and Code compliance.
Of the above, the calculation method is the most commonly used by producers and specifiers of concrete masonry. The calculation method has been in use for many years, and was included in the Standard Building Code, the South Florida Building Code, Dade and Broward County editions, and all the other model building codes in the United States.
The calculation method is applicable to, but not limited to, concrete walls, floors and roof slabs, and concrete masonry and clay masonry walls. It is also applicable to the most commonly used designs and methods of construction for these elements.
The calculation method is the result of extensive testing and research on concrete and concrete masonry performance in actual ASTM E 119 fire testing. Fire test data was collected from all sources performing ASTM E 119 fire testing, to include the Portland Cement Association, Factory Mutual Insurance, US Gypsum Association, and others, to form a large data base. The research supports the relationship between the physical properties of materials and the material's fire resistance rating. Concrete and concrete masonry are noncombustible materials, and their performance when exposed to the standard time/temperature conditions of the fire test can be reasonably predicted based upon the amount of concrete in the structure, and the type of aggregate used in the production of the concrete.
The calculation method also recognizes the contribution of commonly used finishes, such as Portland cement plaster and stucco, and gypsum wallboard, to the fire rating of the concrete or concrete masonry wall assembly. Also, the contribution to the fire rating by the addition of various materials used to fill the cores of hollow concrete masonry assemblies, such as masonry grout, loose fill insulation, and other materials, is also recognized.
The flexibility of the calculation method allows designers to design building elements that meet their needs, and then calculate the fire resistance rating of those elements by following Code approved procedures.
As a service to design community and to Building Code Officials, Rinker Materials Corporation has developed a listing of fire rated concrete masonry wall assemblies. These assemblies are composed of the most commonly used concrete masonry units, and the most commonly used finishes. The assembly fire ratings were calculated in accordance with the approved procedures found in the Florida Building Code. For convenience, a schematic drawing of the assembly is provided, along with details of the required assembly components. The assembly must be designed and constructed in accordance with all applicable Florida Building Code requirements, and the indicated components are the minimum that must be used in order to obtain the listed assembly fire resistance rating.
Rinker Materials Corporation accepts no responsibility for proper application of the rated wall assemblies shown, or responsibility for the construction of said assemblies.
If you have any questions, or would like further information, please contact Rinker Materials Corporation.