ICC-ES AC363

Full Name

ICC-ES AC363 – Acceptance Criteria for Surface-applied Fire-retardant Coatings

Scope

ICC-ES AC363 outlines the acceptance criteria for surface-applied fire-retardant coatings used on various building materials to reduce their flame spread and smoke development characteristics.

The scope of AC363 includes:

  • Materials: it specifies the requirements for the chemical composition, physical properties, and compatibility of the fire-retardant coatings with different substrates, such as wood, plywood, and other combustible materials.
  • Performance: it outlines the testing methods and acceptance criteria for evaluating the fire-retardant performance of the coatings, including flame spread index, smoke developed index, and other relevant fire tests.
  • Application: it provides guidelines for the proper application of the fire-retardant coatings, including surface preparation, coating thickness, and drying conditions, to ensure their effectiveness.
  • Durability: it addresses the durability of the coatings, ensuring they can maintain their fire-retardant properties under various environmental conditions and aging.
  • Quality control: it establishes a quality control program for manufacturers to ensure that the fire-retardant coatings consistently meet the acceptance criteria, including batch testing and documentation.

The AC363 acceptance criteria are used by manufacturers to obtain an evaluation report from ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), which demonstrates that their fire-retardant coatings comply with the applicable building codes and standards. This ensures the safe and effective use of these coatings in construction, contributing to the fire safety of buildings.

Resources

Keywords

fire-retardant; coating; flame spread; smoke developed; substrate; wood; plywood; combustible material; application; durability; chemical composition; physical property; adhesion; flame spread index; smoke developed index; fire test; surface preparation; coating thickness; drying condition; quality control; building code; standard; evaluation report

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