Breaking News from IFTI
How NFPA 286 Testing Works
NFPA 286 is one of the most important fire tests used to evaluate intumescent coatings and other thermal barrier systems. Unlike surface-level testing methods, this standard is designed to simulate how a material performs in a real fire scenario inside a room. For...
Why E84 Alone is Failing Inspections
ASTM E84 is a critical safety standard that measures the surface burning characteristics of building materials, acting as the benchmark for testing the effectiveness of intumescent paint. Intumescent paint is designed to pass this test by forming an insulating char...
‘Fire-Rated’ Coatings Aren’t Enough
“Fire-rated” sounds reassuring. It sounds like a product is approved, tested and ready to use. But when it comes to spray foam insulation, that label doesn’t mean what most people think it does. Across the industry, there’s a shift happening. Code compliance is no...
BC Codes Expecting Building Code Updates for 2026
Changes to building codes, including the acceptance of CCMC evaluations, are expected to be published by BC Codes in the spring of 2026. This represents a meaningful shift toward simplifying building material approvals while maintaining performance standards,...
ICC 1100 Spray Foam Standards Update
The spray foam industry is entering another important phase of change as the International Code Council (ICC) opens public review for the proposed ANSI standard ICC 1100. With the review period running through March 30, 2026, this draft signals a broader push to unify...
“It’s Not Paint—It’s a Life Safety System”: An Interview with Nick McCartney on Why Spray Foam Contractors Must Rethink Intumescent Coatings
In today’s competitive spray foam market, contractors are under constant pressure to keep bids low. But according to Nick McCartney, Vice President of Sales for DC 315 International Fireproof Technology, cutting corners on fire protection isn’t just risky—it’s...
California DTSC Upgrades Regulations for SPF Compliance
Chemical disclosure requirements are becoming a defining factor in how projects specify and approve spray polyurethane foam systems. Recent attention around the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) agreement on SPF products containing unreacted MDI...
Thermal Barriers Explained: Answers to Common Questions
Whether you’re designing with spray-foam insulation or reviewing fireproofing requirements, thermal barriers are a central component of code compliance. These systems slow the spread of fire and protect structural materials from heat, helping maintain building...
2026 Georgia Building Code Updates: Thermal Barriers & Intumescent Coatings
Georgia is preparing for a major code change that will take effect on January 1, 2026. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has confirmed that the state will adopt the 2024 International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC),...
Building in Mexico: Meeting Workplace Fire Safety Regulations with Intumescent Coatings
When building in Mexico, fire protection is not optional — it is a legal requirement. Under NOM-002-STPS-2010, Mexico’s national workplace safety regulation for fire prevention, employers and builders must ensure that facilities are equipped with reliable fire...