Shaw Industries Group 2 SwRI Project No. 01.17787.01.306c

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This report presents the results of a fire performance evaluation in accordance with the

2011 Edition of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 265, Standard Methods of Fire

Tests for Evaluating Room Fire Growth Contribution of Textile or Expanded Vinyl Wall Coverings on

Full Height Panels and Walls. Testing was conducted by Southwest Research Institute’s (SwRI) Fire

Technology Department, located in San Antonio, TX.

This test method is intended to evaluate the flammability characteristics of textile or expanded

vinyl wall coverings where such materials constitute the exposed interior surfaces of buildings and

demountable, relocatable, full-height partitions used in open building interiors. It determines how

much a material will contribute to fire growth in a room and the potential for fire spread beyond the

room under the particular conditions simulated.

The test is conducted in a room measuring 8 × 12 × 8 ft (W × L × H), instrumented to take

temperature, smoke, heat flux, and rate of heat release measurements for the 15-min test duration.

NFPA 265 Method B, in which three walls of the test room are fully lined, is used. The ignition source

is a propane gas burner calibrated to generate a 40-kW output for the first 5 min of testing, followed

by a 150-kW output for the remaining 10 min of the test.

NFPA 265 does not have criteria for passing or failing a product due to performance during

the fire test; however, Annex B of the standard lists the acceptance criteria used by NFPA 101, Life

Safety Code, NFPA 5000, Building Construction and Safety Code, the International Building Code,

and the International Fire Code. In general, this test is used as a tool for ranking material

performance in a standard configuration. However, a major event that this test can identify is the

propensity of a material to cause a standard room to “flashover”, which according to NFPA 265, is

determined to have occurred when two of five specified conditions are attained. These conditions are

listed in Table 2 with the test results. The material being tested may perform differently when it is

placed in a room of a different size or shape, or in different environmental conditions. The test data

cannot be generalized to apply to these different conditions.

The heat release rate is measured using the oxygen consumption technique. This technique

requires the measurement of gas concentrations in the exhaust duct, as well as the volumetric flow of

these gases. The products of combustion and entrained air are collected in a hood and extracted through

an exhaust duct by a fan. A gas sample is drawn from the exhaust duct and analyzed for oxygen, carbon

dioxide, and carbon monoxide concentrations. The gas temperature and differential pressure across a

bi-directional probe are measured for calculating the mass flow rate of the exhaust gases.

Shaw Industries Group 3 SwRI Project No. 01.17787.01.306c

The smoke release rate is determined by the measured light obscuration in the exhaust duct

using a vertically-oriented, white-light extinction photometer located close to the gas sampling point.

Temperature measurements were recorded using thermocouples positioned according to NFPA 265.

The results apply specifically to the specimens tested, in the manner tested, and not to similar

materials, nor to the performance when used in combination with other materials.

2.0 MATERIAL DESCRIPTION

A 54-in. wide roll of TIARA Roll# D43072-5 was received on February 22, 2013, and was

placed into a conditioned environment of 21 °C ± 3 °C, 50% ± 5% relative humidity until the samples

were prepared. On February 22, 2013, SwRI personnel applied the TIARA Roll# D43072-5 to ½-in.

thick, 4 × 8-ft Type X gypsum sheets using Shur Stik 111 heavy duty wall covering adhesive applied

with a roller. After the samples were prepared, they were placed back into the conditioned

environment until immediately prior to installation in the test room. Material details are provided in

Table 1.

Table 1. Material Details.

Material ID TIARA Roll# D43072-5

Description* 3.5-mm rib wall covering, non-woven needlebond

fabric. 50/50 polypropylene/polyester blend.

Color Black

Thickness* 0.238 in.

Dimensions* 96 × 48 in. (each prepared panel)

Substrate ½-in. Type X gypsum

Adhesive Shur-Stik 111 *Information provided by the Client.

3.0 CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

SwRI personnel constructed the test room in accordance with NFPA 265 using ½-in. Type C

gypsum wallboard for the inside surface. The TIARA Roll# D43072-5 panels were installed on

February 25, 2013, using drywall screws every 12 in. on center around the perimeter and every 24 in.

on center in the field. Two TIARA Roll# D43072-5 panels were used to fully cover the rear 8 × 8-ft

wall of the test room and six TIARA Roll# D43072-5 panels were used to cover both of the 8 × 12-ft

walls. The doorway wall was left uncovered in accordance with the standard.

4.0 TEST RESULTS

Testing was conducted on February 25, 2013. The test room and building were at

approximately 19.4 °C and 24% relative humidity during the test. A summary of the test results is

given in Tables 2 and 3. Test observations can be found in Table 4. Selected photographic

documentation is provided in Appendix A. The test results are summarized in Appendix B. Video

documentation of the test is provided on DVD.

Shaw Industries Group 4 SwRI Project No. 01.17787.01.306c

NFPA 101, NFPA 5000, the International Building Code, and the International Fire Code use

the following acceptance criteria, from Annex B of NFPA 265, for interior wall or ceiling finishes

tested in accordance with NFPA 265:

1. During the 40-kW exposure, flames should not spread to the ceiling.

2. Flames should not spread to the outer extremity of the samples on the 8 × 12-ft walls.

3. Flashover should not occur. Flashover is considered to have occurred when any two of the

following conditions have been attained:

a. The heat release rate exceeds 1 MW.

b. The heat flux to the floor exceeds 20 kW/m2.

c. The average upper layer temperature exceeds 600 °C.

d. Flames exit the doorway.

e. Autoignition of the paper target on the floor occurs.

4. The total smoke released throughout the NFPA 265 test should not exceed 1,000 m2.

Table 2. Summary of Test Results and Flashover Limits.

Material ID

Maximum

Heat Release

Rate

(Total)

Total Heat

Flux to the

Floor

Maximum

Average

Upper Layer

Temperature

Flames

Exiting

Doorway?

Auto-

Ignition of

Paper

Target?

TIARA Roll#

D43072-5 553 kW 7.0 kW/m

2 432 C No No

Flashover Limits

Per Section 1.4.2 of

NFPA 265

1,000 kW 20 kW/m2 600 C

Not

Allowed Not Allowed

Table 3. Summary of NFPA 265 Appendix B.3 Criteria.

Material ID

Flamespread to

the Ceiling

during 40-kW

Exposure

Flamespread to the

Outer Extremities of

the 8 × 12-ft Walls

Flashover

Occurs

Total Smoke

Release

TIARA Roll#

D43072-5 No No No 942 m

2

Criteria of NFPA

265 Appendix B.3 Not Allowed Not Allowed

Not

Allowed ≤ 1,000 m

2

Based on the test results, the material identified as TIARA Roll# D43072-5, did not cause the

test room to flashover. TIARA Roll# D43072-5 meets the acceptance criteria for textile wall coverings

or expanded vinyl wall coverings as described in Annex B of NFPA 265.

Shaw Industries Group 5 SwRI Project No. 01.17787.01.306c

Table 4. Test Observations.

Time

(min:s) Observation

00:00 Start of Test, burner set at 40 kW.

00:30 Flames in the burner corner 4 ft high.

01:00 A light smoke layer is present 5–5½ ft from the floor.

01:30 The sample on the right wall ignites from 1–3 ft adjacent to the burner.

02:00 Darkening smoke layer down to 5 ft above floor.

02:30 Right wall is burning to height of 4 ft.

02:40 Flaming material drips down wall to behind the burner and continues to burn.

03:00 Flames in the corner are 5 ft high.

04:05 Flames in the corner are 6 ft high and burning both walls within 1 ft of the corner.

04:30 There is a visible decrease in the flame size.

05:00 Burner output increased to 150 kW.

05:30 Smoke layer descends down to a height of 4 ft.

06:00 The ceiling is not visible to judge flame spread.

06:10 The rear paper target is smoldering.

06:30 The right and rear walls are both burning within 2 ft of the corner.

06:50 Increasing visibility in the room. Flames spread 5–6 ft across ceiling.

08:30 Only the edges of the burnt area are still flaming.

09:10 Smoke layer remains at 5 ft above the floor.

09:30 The gypsum substrate is flaking in the area that was burnt.

10:00 There is no sustained burning on the walls.

15:00 End of Test. No visible combustion in the room.

Shaw Industries Group SwRI Project No. 01.17787.01.306c

APPENDIX A

TEST PHOTOS

(CONSISTING OF 3 PAGES)

Shaw Industries Group A-1 SwRI Project No. 01.17787.01.306c

Figure A-1. TIARA Roll# D43072-5 Installed in Test Room prior to Testing.

Figure A-2. 3 min 38 s into Test (40-kW Exposure).

Shaw Industries Group A-2 SwRI Project No. 01.17787.01.306c

Figure A-3. TIARA Roll# D43072-5 5 min 38 s into Test (150-kW Exposure).

Figure A4. TIARA Roll# D43072-5 6 min 48 s into Test (150-kW Exposure).

Shaw Industries Group A-3 SwRI Project No. 01.17787.01.306c

Figure A-5. TIARA Roll# D43072-5 14 min 51 s into Test (150-kW Exposure).

Figure A-6. TIARA Roll# D43072-5 Post Test

Shaw Industries Group SwRI Project No. 01.17787.01.306c

APPENDIX B

TEST DATA

(CONSISTING OF 5 PAGES)

Maximum HRRtotal at 5 min 36 sec

Average HRRtotal

Total Heat Released

Maximum HRRexcl. burner at 5 min 36 sec

Average HRRexcl. burner

Total Heat Released (Excluding Burner)

Maximum Smoke Release Rate at 5 min 35 sec

Average Smoke Release Rate

Total Smoke Released

Maximum Optical Density at 5 min 35 sec

Maximum Duct Flow Rate

Average Optical Density

Average Volumetric Duct Flow Rate

Total Heat Flux to the Floor at 5 min 22 sec

Tiara Roll #D43072-5

TEST RESULTS

0.198 1/m

3.42 1/m

2.13 m³/s

5 min 59 sec

6 sec

402 kW

41 kW

37 MJ

1.05 m²/s

2.01 m³/s

7.0 kW/m²

6 minMaximum Doorway Temperature

Max. Average Upper Layer Temperature

624°F

810°F

SUMMARY OF

942 m²

16.78 m²/s

553 kW

136 MJ

151 kW

at

329°Cat

432°C

Shaw Industries Group B-1 SwRI Project No. 01.17787.01.306c

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Hea

t R

elea

se R

ate

(k

W)

Time (min)

HEAT RELEASE RATE

HRR Burner

HRR Excluding Burner

HRR Total

0

25

50

75

100

125

150

175

200

225

250

275

300

-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

To

tal

Hea

t R

elea

sed

(M

J)

Time (min)

TOTAL HEAT RELEASED

THR Excluding Burner

THR Total

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0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

18.0

20.0

-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

To

tal S

mo

ke R

eleased

(m²) S

mok

e R

elea

se R

ate

(m

²/s)

Time (min)

SMOKE RELEASE RATE AND TOTAL SMOKE RELEASED

Smoke Release Rate

Total Smoke Released

0.00

1.20

2.40

3.60

4.80

6.00

7.20

0.00

0.50

1.00

1.50

2.00

2.50

3.00

3.50

-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Op

tical D

ensity

(m-1)

Vo

lum

etr

ic F

low

Rate

(m

³/s)

Time (min)

VOLUMETRIC DUCT FLOW RATE AND

OPTICAL DENSITY

Volumetric Flow

Optical Density

Shaw Industries Group B-3 SwRI Project No. 01.17787.01.306c

32

212

392

572

752

932

1112

1292

1472

1652

1832

2012

2192

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

1200

-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Tem

pera

ture (°F

) Tem

per

atu

re (

°C)

Time (min)

UPPER LAYER TEMPERATURES

Right Front

Left Front

Center

Right Rear

Left Rear

Average Ceiling Temp

32

212

392

572

752

932

1112

1292

1472

1652

1832

2012

2192

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

1200

-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Tem

pera

ture (°F

) Tem

per

atu

re (

°C)

Time (min)

DOORWAY, ABOVE BURNER, AND DUCT TEMPERATURES

Exhaust Duct TC #1

Exhaust Duct TC #2

Doorway

Above Burner

Shaw Industries Group B-4 SwRI Project No. 01.17787.01.306c

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Hea

t F

lux (

kW

/m²)

Time (min)

HEAT FLUX TO THE FLOOR

Shaw Industries Group B-5 SwRI Project No. 01.17787.01.306c