jensenhughes.com

Cladding and Facade Fire Risk Analysis and Audit for Existing Buildings

About Us

JENSEN HUGHES is a global leader in specialty engineering and consulting services. We are a company of engineers, consultants, and scientists focused on evaluating risks and developing the best, most cost‑effective protection, and safety solutions. We offer extensive, practical experience through countless projects, research, and industry innovation.

With over 1,200 engineers, scientists, and consultants located in more than 70 offices globally, we can provide the expertise you need.

Our mission is to advance the science of safety to address important threats and

hazards where our clients live and work.

— Paul Orzeske, CEO

A DEPTHOF CODEEXPERTISE

NFPA 285 applies to the following building constructions:

+ Foam plastic insulation materials in buildings of any height

+ Combustible veneers installed on buildings over 40 ft in height

+ Water‑Resisteive Barrier (WRB) materials

NFPA 285 is an assembly test where all components of the exterior wall are tested – similar to ASTM E119 for fire‑resistance.

Engineering judgments can be developed to support certain modifications to tested assemblies, needs AHJ approval.

New materials, applications, and constructions are tested and evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis to demonstrate compliance with the intent of the code regulations and test standards.

NFPA 285 “Standard Fire Test Method for Evaluation of Fire Propagation Characteristics of Exterior Non Load‑Bearing Wall Assemblies Containing Combustible Components” is the governing standard used in the U.S. to demonstrate acceptable fire performance for exterior wall assemblies containing combustible materials.

Our Capabilities

PROVIDINGSAFETY

SOLUTIONS

Cladding and building facade audit evaluations provide building owners with an understanding of risks and safety concerns associated with their building, so they can make informed decisions about whether improvements are necessary to protect and safeguard their facilities. JENSEN HUGHES can conduct cladding and facade fire risk evaluations for buildings of most any height or type of exterior finish.

We can evaluate the fire properties of existing building cladding through sampling and testing, to quantify risk on buildings with moderate to highly combustible cladding to determine if replacement is necessary. Through our analysis and testing process, we can identify methods for reducing the risk of exterior cladding fires in low to high‑rise buildings and work with the client to implement a risk control or material replacement strategies.

We have experience evaluating a variety of cladding and facade materials, including Composite Metal Panels (MCM), Aluminum Composite Panels (ACM), timber, plastic, vinyl, glass, fiber cement, and other composites. Our evaluation process includes the following basic steps:

+ Review As‑Built Documentation + Prepare Sample Collection Protocol + Documentation of Sample Collection + Perform Small Sample Fire Testing + Risk Analysis

+ Conduct Large Scale Testing of Facade Systems + Prepare Remediation Plan (if needed) + Repair and Re‑Commission + Meet with Authorities to Review Remediation Plan + Oversight of Repair and Re‑Commissioning

Putting our experience to work for the protection of your property and occupants.

Remediation Plan

+ Identify additional testing for samples having high combustibility to determine net effect of existing facade assembly

+ Design of upgrades by qualified fire protection engineers and façade structural team

+ Prepare documentation for presentation to building authorities for approval of remediation plan or to confirm non combustibility of existing façade

Repair and Re-Commission

+ Review shop drawing for partial or full replacement of façade materials

+ Small scale sample testing of contractor’s submitted replacement cladding product is performed

+ Witness large‑scale testing of replacement facade materials and systems

+ Construction oversight by qualified fire protection engineer and structural team

JENSEN HUGHES has been involved with the inspection, testing, and analysis of exterior cladding for over 30 years. Our experts have been instrumental in the development of fire test standards and methodologies, and have performed hundreds of audits and testing of cladding systems. Utilizing our in‑house fire testing laboratories and our network of international laboratories enables us to facilitate large scale testing for large quantity portfolios and unique facilities. We typically perform the following services when analyzing a building:

Review Documentation

+ Review contractor’s approved as‑built drawings and manufacturer’s data sheets to determine if documentation exists for installed cladding materials and thermal barrier systems

+ If no fire testing documentation is available, JENSEN HUGHES will perform testing of building facade samples to determine flammable properties of cladding and thermal barrier systems

Sample Collection

+ Buildings are surveyed to identify locations for removing cladding samples

+ Once sample locations are identified, specifications for removal of sample panels by the owner’s contractor and replacement of panels to restore the building facade are prepared

+ JENSEN HUGHES will witness and document removal of samples to preserve chain of custody for testing

Perform Small Sample Fire Testing

+ Small scale laboratory testing is conducted to determine combustibility of cladding components

+ Tests are performed to simulate various exposure conditions

+ Thermal insulation and other materials used in interstitial spaces of facade assemblies will also be tested for combustibility

+ JENSEN HUGHES will prepare a laboratory test report documenting our findings

Risk Analysis

+ We will analyze test results and perform a risk analysis to determine possible remediation or risk control options

+ Meet with the client to review our test documentation and risk analysis report

Our Services

Learn more about JENSEN HUGHES atjensenhughes.com

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Contact us for your evaluationcontact@jensenhughes.com