[ Page 7 of 11 ]

Advertising supplement provided The Window & Door Manufacturers Association

 

Positive Pressure or Not? I.S. 1A explains the mechanics of positive pressure and also includes important facts to consider when reading specifications. Doors may be either neutral or positive pressure, depending on local code. Using these key words as a guide, the architect may be able to determine whether or not a door is tested under positive pressure methods. Key phrases indicating positive pressure: UBC 7-2-1997 UBC Fire Test IBC 2000 or IBC 2003 Code NFPA 5000 Code\ UL 10-C Fire Test ASTM 2074-00 Fire Test After 5 minutes into the test the neutral pressure plane should be at 40" Shall meet positive pressure requirements Intumescent seals — not telling you it is positive pressure by implying that it is. Key phrases indicating negative (neutral) pressure: UL 10-B Fire Test UBC 7-2-1994 UBC Fire Test UBC 43-2 UBC Fire Test Tested at atmospheric pressure Neutral pressure Negative pressure ASTM E-152 Test Method Phrases that don’t tell you if it is positive or negative: NFPA 101 Life Safety Code NFPA 105 Smoke and Draft Control Document NFPA 252 Fire Test Method which gives the option to be positive or negative UBC With no date given could be either positive or negative\ UL 1784 Air Leakage Test for Door Assemblies NFPA 80 Installation Standard for fire doors and windows Source: WDMA I.S. 1A, page 30.