Description

When: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 4:30PM – 7:30PM.

Where: Maggiano’s Little Italy Grand – 516 N Clark St. Chicago, IL 60654

Event Agenda

• 4:30pm – 5:30pm – Networking with heavy appetizers and drinks
• 5:30pm – 6:30pm – Presentation
• 6:30pm – 7:30pm – Networking/Table Top Raffle

Weather Resistive Barriers Used in Exterior Wall Construction: Focus on Fire Testing NFPA 285 1.0 LU/HSW (PENDING)

Speaker: Andrea Wagner Watts, GAF – Siplat

The role of weather resistant barriers (WRBs) in exterior wall construction is more prevalent than ever. However there are specific building code requirements and rigorous testing standards for the evaluation of WRBs when they are used in many exterior wall assemblies. NFPA 285, the prominent intermediate scale test used in the US for evaluating exterior wall construction, was recently modified to provide better guidance on the use of data for NFPA 285 tests – including weather resistant barriers. This session will be provide information on compliance of exterior wall constructions employing WRBs to NFPA 285. This session will provide an overview of the testing of NFPA 285 and the code requirements, cover the recent changes to NFPA 285 related to WRBs, explore the guidelines surrounding engineering evaluations, and what to look for in an engineering evaluation. Finally, there will be an overview of when NFPA 285 is required for WRBs and how NFPA 285 is invoked for Type III building construction.

Learning Objectives:

After participating in this interactive moderated panel, the attendee will:

• Better understanding of the fire testing to NFPA 285
• Recognize when NFPA 285 is required by Codes for air barriers (WRBs) in exterior wall construction
• Understand the newest requirements and guidelines for air barriers when used in these assemblies
• Understand what to look for in a report and engineering evaluation

Registration Cost (Includes heavy appetizers + 2 drink tickets)

Registration closes 2 days before the event or when capacity is met.  Event space is limited to the first 50 registered attendees. Registration is refundable up to 7 days before the event.

CSI Member = $60
CSI Non-Member = $80
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