DensElement® Barrier System and NFPA 285 Acceptance Criteria
Current and past building codes have generally required combustible water resistive barriers (WRBs) to be tested for compliance with NFPA 285 acceptance criteria. In 2018, IBC section 1402.5 was modified to clarify that “water-resistive barrier flashings and accessories at other locations, including through wall flashings shall not be considered part of the water resistive barrier” for purposes of the NFPA 285 testing requirement. Within the DensElement® Barrier System, the DensElement® Sheathing is noncombustible (per ASTM E136), and the DensDefy™ Liquid Flashing is the water-resistive barrier flashing that is no longer considered a part of the water-resistive barrier for purposes of the NFPA testing requirement under IBC section 1402.5.
Thus, with this change, DensElement® Barrier System should be considered a non-combustible WRB, and the NFPA testing requirements in IBC Section 1402.5 for combustible water-resistive barriers should not be applicable, as DensElement® Sheathing is exempt from NFPA assembly testing under the 2018 IBC.
However, not all jurisdictions have adopted the 2018 IBC. In those cases, the following tables list wall assemblies featuring DensElement® Barrier System that are included in NFPA 285 engineering evaluations.
| Brick, Natural Stone, Artificial Stone | |||
| Manufacturer | Cladding | Notes | Priest & Associates Project # reference |
| Brick | 10261K, Revision 4 | ||
| Stucco | 10261K, Revision 4 | ||
| Limestone | 10261K, Revision 4 | ||
| Terracotta | 10261K, Revision 4 | ||
| Natural Stone Veneer | 10261K, Revision 4 | ||
| Cast Artificial stone | 10261K, Revision 4 | ||
| Pre-cast Artificial Stone | minimum 1 ½” thick complying with ICC-ES AC 51 | 10261K, Revision 4 | |
| Thin Brick | |||
| Manufacturer | Cladding | Notes | Priest & Associates Project # reference |
| Glen Gery | Thin Brick | Thin Tech Elite | 10261K, Revision 4 |
| Thin Brick / Cultured Stone | Set in thin set adhesive and metal lath that has passed NFPA 285 | 10261K, Revision 4 | |
| Siding and Wall Panels | |||
| Manufacturer | Cladding | Notes | Priest & Associates Project # reference |
| Parklex | HPL Façade Panel | 10915 | |
| TABS Wall Systems | TABS II Panel System | ½” bricks using TABS Wall Adhesive | 10261K, Revision 4 |
| Stone Panels | Stone Lite Wall Panels | ESR 1500 | 10261K, Revision 4 |
| Cement Board Siding | 10261K, Revision 4 | ||
| Fiber-Cement Siding | Uninsulated | 10261K, Revision 4 | |
| MCM | That have passed NFPA 285 | 10261K, Revision 4 | |
| Aluminum Panel | Uninsulated sheet metal | 10261K, Revision 4 | |
| Steel Panel | Uninsulated sheet metal | 10261K, Revision 4 | |
| Copper Panel | Uninsulated sheet metal | 10261K, Revision 4 | |
| Stone/Aluminum Honeycomb Composite Building Panel | That have passed NFPA 285 | 10261K, Revision 4 | |
| Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) panels | That have passed NFPA 285 | 10261K, Revision 4 | |
| EIFS Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems | |||
| Manufacturer | Cladding | Notes | Priest & Associates Project # reference |
| Sto Corp. | EIFS | ESR 1030, ESR 1720, ESR 1748, | 10844, Revision 3 |
| Parex USA, Inc. | EIFS | ESR 1689, ESR 1935 | 10844, Revision 3 |
| Dryvit Systems, Inc. | EIFS | ESR 1232, ESR 1534, ESR 1547, ESR 1693, ESR 1821 | 10844, Revision 3 |
| BASF Corporation | EIFS | ESR 1794, ESR 1878, ESR 2022, ESR 2164, ESR 2165, ESR 2186 | 10844, Revision 3 |
| Omega Products International, Inc. | EIFS | ESR 2064 | 10844, Revision 3 |
| Masterwall | EIFS | ESR 1181 | 10844, Revision 3 |
Priest & Associates has issued engineering evaluations extending NFPA 285 results to DensElement® Sheathing and DensDefy™ Liquid Flashing, permitting the replacement of the sheathing and WRB cited in the report(s).
Refer to individual Priest & Associates engineering evaluations for additional assembly specifications.
This bulletin is for general information and intended for architects and other professionals for planning purposes only. Ultimately, the design and detailing of any project, assembly or system is the responsibility of a professional, and all projects must comply with applicable building codes and standards. GP Gypsum disclaims any responsibility or liability for the architecture, design, engineering or workmanship of any project, assembly, or system.
www.buildgp.com Technical Hotline: 1-800-225-6119