Combustible Building Materials Under the International Wildland Urban Interface Code (IWUIC), California Building Code, and California Residential CodeCategory: building codes

building codes August 18, 2025

Combustible Building Materials Under the International Wildland Urban Interface Code (IWUIC), California Building Code, and California Residential Code

Wildfires and fires occurring in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas have seemingly become more common, even in areas outside of those traditionally considered as prone to wildfires. Recent years have also seen an increase in research efforts regarding wildfires and how the built environment reacts when exposed to wildfire. These efforts continue to inform the development […]

building codes January 29, 2025

Combustibility

Understanding the combustibility of building materials is crucial for fire safety and compliance with building codes. This article delves into the definitions and standards that determine whether a material is combustible and explains how building codes, such as the International Building Code® (IBC®) and the International Residential Code® (IRC®), classify materials based on tests like […]

building codes December 20, 2023

NFPA 285 Testing and Design Information: Data Analysis and Extension

This is the final installment of a four-part series of articles on the topic of testing and design for exterior wall assemblies that the building codes require to comply with NFPA 285 . These articles are intended to promote effective communication between stakeholders regarding this important fire safety topic for the design and construction of […]

building codes March 2, 2023

Fire Performance and Energy Efficiency in Modern Buildings

Foam Plastic Insulation: Modern Energy Efficiency Foam plastic insulation products are modern materials for residential and commercial buildings that be made of a variety of plastics, including polyisocyanurate, polystyrene and polyurethane. They help architects, contractors and other construction professionals meet the stringent energy code standards of today and tomorrow for both new construction and renovation […]

building codes November 1, 2022

New NYC Building Code Requirements Are Changing Exterior Walls

On November 7, new exterior wall and exterior wall covering requirements will be in effect. Why It Matters: The new requirements change how walls are designed, installed, tested, and inspected. Confusion Regarding Documentation and Deviations The 2022 NYCBC requires the applicant’s construction documents to provide design documentation of NFPA 285 tested assemblies from “the manufacturer”. […]

Combustible Building Materials Under the International Wildland Urban Interface Code (IWUIC), California Building Code, and California Residential CodeCategory: building codes