CENTRIA’s FormaBond II, a complete metal composite wall cladding system, recently completed and met the National Fire Protection Agency’s (NFPA) 285 standard using MetalWrap Series insulated composite panels as the back-up substrate. 
The fire test, performed on a wall assembly using FormaBond II and other construction materials, was conducted by the Southwest Research Institute’s (SWRI) Fire Technology Department, which concluded that the wall assembly met the acceptance criteria stated in the NFPA standard.
“CENTRIA has a long history of developing innovative architectural systems and products that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but that also have a high level of sustainability and high quality performance to meet the needs of architects and building owners alike,” said Keith Boyer, Director, Design and Development, CENTRIA. “A critical component to the performance of these products is ensuring that they meet stringent safety requirements put forth by the International Building Code, IBC, and we are very pleased with FormaBond II’s results in this arena.”
The fire test exposes an exterior wall assembly to a “typical” fire scenario where a fire occurs inside a room, the fire vents through a window opening so the wall system is exposed to fire impingement both from the interior and the exterior. The extent of fire progression on the exterior during this two-story, 30-minute test is closely monitored.
In addition to meeting fire safety requirements, the unique design of FormaBond II includes a patent-pending, horizontal dry seal joinery to minimize water penetration and maximize ventilation. This improves the integrity of the application by reducing the chance of entrapped moisture behind the rainscreen, which minimizes the potential for building leaks, material degradation and mold growth.
Aesthetically, this smooth panel has a sleek, flat design that offers sharp exterior sight lines with crisp corner transitions or soft flowing curves, depending upon the design required, and is available in a variety of colors and coating systems.
CENTRIA’s FormaBond II is an ideal building solution for architects and design-build teams because of its best-in-class product quality, sustainability and aesthetics. CENTRIA also offers the support of a nationwide sales force, an extensive dealer/installer network, and the design and engineering expertise of 30 in-house experts with an average of 25 years of experience in commercial building products.
For more information on CENTRIA’s FormaBond II, call 800.759.7474, e-mail info@CENTRIA.com or visit www.CENTRIA.com.
