NFPA 286 and Bathroom Stalls

[mike123333]

Hello everyone,

I am hoping someone can shed some light on the testing protocl of the bathroom plastic partition for the NFPA 286 corner test. The question at hand is whether the plastic parition can be mounted as its intended use or does it have to be monuted directly to the test room walls. The partition is not part of the wall but rather uses the wall as its support member. The procedure has some vagueness to it and is unclear as to accurate way of mounting the test specimen based on its intended use.


Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Mike

 

[stookeyfpe]

What is the manufacturer's procedure for mounting the finished product to the substrate? That's what should be replicated.

 

[mike123333]

Thanks for the response. The finished bathroom parition stalls are mounted to the walls by brackets. In the procedure of the NFPA 286 they only give you 3 mounting criterias, then in other parts of the test proocol they speak about mounting the specimen as its intended use...1.directly to the walls, 2.ceiling, 3.wall and ceiling.

Are you familiar with this test and its procedures?

Thanks.

 

[stookeyfpe]

Yes, I am fairly intimate with the standard as it is required for plastics used as interior finish components and is adopted by reference in the IBC (2009 and later editions).

 

[mike123333]

Thanks for the response. Basically there should be no issues with asking the testing lab for the accurate mounting procedure of the test specimen and mounting the stall as in field installtion?. I have included a photo of the stalls for your review, which I am sure you have come across in any rest room. So basically in this situation, one wall will comprise of the plastic HDPE stall or panel and the other will be the gypsum wall, would this suffice or be accurate with the NFPA 286 test. Would there be a 1 unit stall erected for the testing in this case scenario? 2 panels and the door ( back wall gypsum board)? or 1 panel and the gypsum board as the corner and the reamining area is open.

I just want to be clear with the mounting procedure since testing labs will want to mount the plastic panels directly on the gypsum walls and form a corner with the material for the fire corner test, at least is how they have read the verbage on the testing procedure. Any input as to reliable testing labs that have the ability to perform the procedure.


Thanks.

 

[mike123333]

Any input on labs and discussing the actual mounting protocol as its intended use with the labs? based on the photo how many erected stalls would you think would be needed to conduct the test?

Thanks

 

[stookeyfpe]

You being the customer get to dictate the substrate and wall construction, provide it meets the applicable ICC and NFPA construction standards. The lab will erect the assemblies using your components.

You should contact Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, TX. They have a very well designed and reputable fire testing laboratory. They are generally less expensive than some of the brand name fire testing labs.

 

[mike123333]

Thanks again for the response. I do understand the room construction per the test protocol, which is an 8' x 12' wall studs and gypsum board. My main concern is the actual mounting of the plastic test panels. If the test panels are mounted to the wall as they would be in the field or final installation, does that make the test inaccurate? versus mounting the panels directly onto the walls for the corner fire test which is one of the 3 mounting methods noted in the test.

Assuming that the panels can be mounted in their final installation configuration, would the corner fire test be conducted with a plastic panel perpendicular to the gypsum board wall ( basically 1 side is plastic and the other side of the corner is teh gypsum wall), since that is how the final field installation would be configured. Or does both walls have to consist of the same plastic material for testing? I hope you understand what I am asking or trying to carify.


Thanks.

 

[mike123333]

Any input as to the location of the energy source, does it have to be at the corner of the main walls or the plastic partition panel and the gypsum board wall?


Thanks.

 

[stookeyfpe]

From NFPA 286, Section 4.1.2.1: The burner enclosure shall be in contact with both walls in a corner of the fire test room, opposite from the door.