B-Vent Clearance

[Brian E. Kelly]

First time I have seen this.

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

First time I have seen this.

It looks like B-vent which needs 1" minimum clearance to combustibles.

[Bruce A. King]

http://apps.risd.edu/envirohealth_ms...ntcompound.txt

From the above link:

UNITED STATES GYPSUM -- SHEETROCK TOPPING JOINT COMPOUND - CEMENT WALLBOARD JOINT
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET


Fire and Explosion Hazard Data

Flash Point: NONE
Extinguishing Media: NOT COMBUSTIBLE. MEDIA SUITABLE FOR SURROUNDING FIRE
(FP N).

[Bob Elliott]

Are you sure it is cement wallboard ?

[Larry D. Kage]

In the National Fire Protection Association's NFPA 101 Code for Safety to Life from Fire in Buildings and Structures, a noncombustible material is defined as a material that, "in the form in which it is used and under the conditions anticipated, will not aid combustion or add appreciable heat to an ambient fire. "Materials are tested for noncombustibility in ASTM E 136 Standard Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750 degrees C. The test exposes small samples of the material to a stream of air heated to 750 degrees C, (1382 degrees F).

The material is deemed noncombustible if:

1) Sample temperatures at no time exceed 780 degrees C, (1436 degrees F).

2) There is no flaming after 30 seconds. 3) Once the sample loses 50% of its weight, there is no flaming and sample temperatures never exceed 750 degrees C, (1382 degrees F). ASTM E 136 is an extremely strict test and under its criterion, few building materials qualify as noncombustible. Two USG Interiors products which do are CERAMIC HERITAGE and most THERMAFIBER insulation products.

In regard to gypsum wallboard, the product's paper facing prevents it from passing ASTM E 136. However, because it does have a demonstrated ability to perform in fire rated assemblies, the NFPA has placed it in a special classification called limited-combustible. This category distinguishes gypsum wallboard from other, more highly combustible products. To qualify as limited-combustible, a material must have a noncombustible structural base or core, a surface less than 1/8 in. (0.3 cm) thickness and a flame-spread rating of 50 or less.


This last requirement can be confusing because the three national model building codes, (ICBO's Uniform Building Code, SBCCI's Standard Building Code and BOCA's National Building Code), all allow composite materials that meet the NFPA's definition of limited-combustible, to be classified as noncombustible.

[Larry D. Kage]

And...

http://www.rumford.com/drywall.html

Is Drywall Combustible?

An interesting question. Can you attach drywall directly in contact with a masonry chimney?




Two Views




Drywall in not Combustible
According to USG in an article pointed out by Jeff Lockhart
Date: Wed, 23 Oct 2002
From: Jeff Lockhart
Subject: Fire code & sheetrock
To: Jim Buckley
Jim,
I just came across something which I've never seen mentioned in any article dealing with fireplace & chimney clearances. I've wanted to wrap my (interior) chimney & the sides of the firebox in sheetrock, as I've seen in many pictures, but both the old & new codes wouldn't permit it. But this data sheet from USG lists sheetrock as a limited-combustible, and states that it would be allowed. Here's the article:
Regards,
Jeff
USG Data Sheet
Case Studies
In the National Fire Protection Association�NFPA 101 Code for Safety to Life from Fire in Buildings and Structures, a noncombustible material is defined as a material that, "in the form in which it is used and under the conditions anticipated, will not aid combustion or add appreciable heat to an ambient fire." Materials are tested for noncombustibility in ASTM E 136 Standard Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750? C. The test exposes small samples of the material to a stream of air heated to 750? C, (1382? F). The material is deemed noncombustible if:
1) Sample temperatures at no time exceed 780? C, (1436? F).
2) There is no flaming after 30 seconds. 3) Once the sample loses 50% of its weight, there is no flaming and sample temperatures never exceed 750? C, (1382? F). ASTM E 136 is an extremely strict test and under its criterion, few building materials qualify as noncombustible. Two USG Interiors products which do are CERAMIC HERITAGE and most THERMAFIBER insulation products.
In regard to gypsum wallboard, the product's paper facing prevents it from passing ASTM E 136. However, because it does have a demonstrated ability to perform in fire rated assemblies, the NFPA has placed it in a special classification called limited-combustible This category distinguishes gypsum wallboard from other, more highly combustible products. To qualify as limited-combustible, a material must have a noncombustible structural base or core, a surface less than 1/8 in. (0.3 cm) thickness and a flame-spread rating of 50 or less.
This last requirement can be confusing because the three national model building codes, (ICBO's Uniform Building Code, SBCCI's Standard Building Code and BOCA's National Building Code), all allow composite materials that meet the NFPA�definition of limited-combustible, to be classified as noncombustible.



Drywall is Combustible
According to the State of New Jersey as pointed out by Michael Thomas 2/26/07
Jim,
Thought you might find this Bulletin (below) of interest:
Michael Thomas
Paragon Home Inspection, LLC
mdt@paragoninspects.com
PO Box 1455 Evanston,IL 60204-1455
847.721.0776
BULLETIN NO. 90-3
State of New Jersey
Department of Community Affairs
Division of Codes and Standards
PO Box 802
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0802
Richard J. Codey
Acting Governor
Charles A. Richman
Acting Commissioner
Date: December 1990
Revised: December 2005 Subject: Gypsum Wallboard Classification
Reference: N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.14, Building Subcode, Section 703.4.2
N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.20, Mechanical Subcode, Chapter 2
Page 1 of 1
It has recently come to the attention of the Department of Community Affairs that gypsum wallboard is something being mistakenly considered a noncombustible material when applying the clearance-to-combustibles requirements of the Mechanical Subcode.
The definition of ?noncombustible? in the Mechanical Subcode differs from the definition in the Building Subcode. The Building Subcode?s Section 703.4.2, Composite Materials, states that a material having a structural base of noncombustible material (meeting ASTM E136), with a combustible surface not more than 0.125- inch thick, and having a flame-spread rating not greater than 50 (when tested in accordance with ASTM E84) is acceptable as a noncombustible material. Because the Building Subcode allows such ?composite? materials, gypsum wallboard can be considered noncombustible as defined by the Building Subcode.
The Mechanical Subcode does not contain such a provision for composite materials. Noncombustible materials in the context of the Mechanical Subcode are those materials which pass ASTM E136. Gypsum board, because of its combustible facing, will not pass ASTM E136. (The only exception to this applies to Type I commercial kitchen hoods at Section 507.9 of the Mechanical Subcode.)
The difference in standards is due to the different purposes of the two subcodes. The Building Subcode is concerned with the performance of a material under the conditions during a fire, while the Mechanical Subcode is concerned with performance during exposure to a constant high-heat source. Therefore remember, under the Mechanical Subcode, gypsum wallboard is classified as a combustible material.

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by lkage

The material is deemed noncombustible if:


In regard to gypsum wallboard, the product's paper facing prevents it from passing ASTM E 136. However, because it does have a demonstrated ability to perform in fire rated assemblies, the NFPA has placed it in a special classification called limited-combustible. This category distinguishes gypsum wallboard from other, more highly combustible products. To qualify as limited-combustible, a material must have a noncombustible structural base or core, a surface less than 1/8 in. (0.3 cm) thickness and a flame-spread rating of 50 or less.


This last requirement can be confusing because the three national model building codes, (ICBO's Uniform Building Code, SBCCI's Standard Building Code and BOCA's National Building Code), all allow composite materials that meet the NFPA's definition of limited-combustible, to be classified as noncombustible.

Would the painted surface affect the limits of the wallboard being combustible?
Paint on drywall and the vent.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Can I install drywall or wall board right up against the gas vent?
No. Drywall and wallboard are considered combustible materials and should not be installed against the vent including the use of this material to close off the hole around the vent. Type B Gas Vent requires a minimum of one-inch clearance to combustibles. This one-inch is a typical clearance for all brands of Type B Vent, but each section of vent pipe is marked with the clearance required by Underwriter Laboratories, so it should be checked.
Does Type B Gas Vent have a fire rating?

But then I already knew that. http://www.americanmetalproducts.com...vent/faq.htm#6

B Vent as per manufactures listed guidelines is not supposed to touch drywall.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Isn't drywall used as a fire barrier?

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

Isn't drywall used as a fire barrier?

Ah, that is where you are not asking the correct question Joe. The question is about B-Vent not dry wall. B-Vent, as listed (UL I believe) needs clearance. Check the manufacturer's installation instructions.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

Ah, that is where you are not asking the correct question Joe. The question is about B-Vent not dry wall. B-Vent, as listed (UL I believe) needs clearance. Check the manufacturer's installation instructions.

Is there any clearance required other than clearance to combustible materials.

[Brian E. Kelly]

http://www.northlineexpress.com/imag...structions.pdf

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

I word searched the document for "clearance" and in every instance it refers to clearance from combustible materials. It can obviously be in contact with collars, straps, flashings, and other materials. Why not non-combustible sheetrock?

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

I word searched the document for "clearance" and in every instance it refers to clearance from combustible materials. It can obviously be in contact with collars, straps, flashings, and other materials. Why not non-combustible sheetrock?

Ok I'll play, why not?? I just follow what the Manufacturer says for their product Joe. If I spent much time asking why every time I wondered about something I would never finish an inspection.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

Ok I'll play, why not?? I just follow what the Manufacturer says for their product Joe. If I spent much time asking why every time I wondered about something I would never finish an inspection.

And in this case, what do the manufacturers recommend that you think has been violated?