Eco’s new FRC™ chemistry has passed stringent ASTM E2768 extended surface burning testing criteria.
FRC Sheathing and EWP will be stronger, lighter and more durable than competitive products.
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 14, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eco Building Products, Inc., (PINK:ECOB) announced today that the Company’s new Eco FRC™ formulation applied to OSB (oriented strand board) passed full scale extended ASTM E2768 testing at QAI Laboratories in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. ASTM E2768 test regimens include the stringent design criteria necessary to provide structural fire ratings.
The result of years of research and development, Eco FRC™ is an aqueous based, factory applied intumescent chemistry capable of being applied at high speeds as a thin film with snap curing for immediate stacking at the end of the production line. Employing a unique resin system, very high solids content, and among other key ingredients, high hydroxyl group polymers, Company chemists were able to achieve extreme moisture and solvent resistance, pliability and superior adhesion required to meet all of the mechanical challenges of Industry standards.
Tom Comery, Eco President and CEO said, “The stats are impressive and the QAI test results exceeded expectations. Just 3.2 mills or .081 mm of dry film coating resulted in a flame spread index of Zero with smoke produced 55; maximum flame front was achieved at 7.5’ from burners at 25 minutes meeting the ASTM E2768 criteria of maximum flame spread under 10.5’ during the 30-minute exposure. Put in simple terms, the product passed the Class A test regimen and criteria.” Mr. Comery added, “We expect Eco FRC sheathing to have the versatility to be used in Type II, III and V construction, and as a listed component in fire-rated interior wall assemblies, exterior wall assemblies and roof deck applications. We also expect that it will have dramatic implications for the I-Joist Industry that has heretofore had to settle for costly, labor intensive alternatives in order to comply with current fire codes.”
“Our newly formulated Fire Retardant Lamination has been under development for many years, but the breakthrough came by taking an entirely different approach toward the resin package employed. Many aspects other than fire resistance must be achieved such as ease of application with controlled, fast curing, water and solvent resistance, flexibility and most important adhesion,” stated Mark Vuozzo, Chief Technical Officer. “To pass flame spread testing on Oriented Strand Board (OSB) has been considered the ultimate benchmark of fire retardant performance due to the highly explosive glue used in the manufacturing process. Achieving the stated results with only a 3.2 mill dry film thickness on the surface of the board is extraordinary,” added Vuozzo.
Eco FRC Sheathing will have higher design values than FRTW plywood. Because structural design values for Eco’s FRC sheathing are not reduced by the fire-retardant treatment, the panel carries load/span and shear design values equivalent to an untreated wood structural panel in the same panel thickness category. Further it will be much lighter and substantially easier to use than competitive alternatives available today, whether a panel or I-joist product.
About Eco Building Products, Inc.
Eco Building Products, Inc. (Eco) is a manufacturer of proprietary, environmentally conscientious chemistry utilizing ECOB WoodSurfaceFilm™ and FRC™ technology (Fire Retardant Chemistry). Eco’s products protect against fire, mold/mycotoxins, fungal-decay, wood ingesting insects and termites. Eco is headquartered in San Diego, CA and goes to market through licensed Affiliates nationwide. For more information, please visit our website: www.ecob.net
About QAI Laboratories, Inc.
Founded in 1994 by a group of experienced certification and testing experts, QAI is an independent third-party testing, inspection and certification organization which serves the building industry, government and individuals with cost effective solutions through their in-house capabilities / services, and an established world-wide network of qualified affiliates. QAI Laboratories is an ISO/IEC 17020 accredited and PCA-119 product certification agency and third party certification body.
Safe Harbor Statement: This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). In particular, when used in the preceding discussion, the words "believes," "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," or "may," and similar conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act, and are subject to the safe harbor created by the Act. Any statements made in this news release other than those of historical fact, about an action, event or development, are forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to be materially different from any future performance that may be suggested in this release. ECOB takes no obligation to update or correct forward-looking statements, and also takes no obligation to update or correct information prepared by third parties.
Company Contact Eco Building Products, Inc. Email: info@ecob.net Phone: 858.780.4747 Web Site: www.ecob.net
