Tech bulletin and design guide from MCA

A technical bulletin and design guide are available from the Metal Construction Association, Glenview, Ill. Ventilating Attic Fires, Press Formed Metal Panel Roofs/Fire Service General Procedures Guide is designed as a training and education tool for fire code officials, fire marshals, fire departments, and others on the performance of metal roofing in interior fires. It includes input from representatives of the California Fire Marshall’s office and was also reviewed by them. It also offers tips on identifying a stone-coated metal roof, accessing and ventilating a stone-coated metal roof in the case of a fire, and a case study on metal’s performance in internal attic fires. It outlines the fire protection features of metal panel roofs, including: high wind resistance, light weight, high impact strength, resistance to ember entry, non combustible, and the ability to contain the fire to the structure (i.e. metal roofing does not allow burn-through and roof collapse).
“This is a very valuable document that we’re eager to get into the hands of firefighters as well as our members. Having input from the fire marshall’s office is a key point in development of this bulletin,” noted Scott Kriner, MCA Technical Director. The new, comprehensive Selection Guideline for Insulated Metal Panels replaces two previously released MCA guidelines: the Selection Guidelines for Metal Composite Foam Roof Panels and the MCA Marketing and Technical Bulletin on Metal Composite Foam Wall Panels. The new guideline provides updated information about the manufacturing processes for insulated metal panels as well as performance criteria, R-value comparisons, tips on panel selection and finishes, product testing and certification, design parameters and detailed installation guidelines. Illustrations related to design, installation and details of panels are included along with photos of current building applications. For more on MCA’s technical materials, visit www.metalconstruction.org.