help with foam and fire codes

jdavis · Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Posts: 207 Location: Indiana

Does anyone have knowledge of a dense foam board which can be applied to walls similar to drywall but lighter that can be cut in shapes and painted? What little I know so far is that it has to be coated with something to meet fire codes but havent found out what. It probably like gator board but hopefully not $300 per sheet!

Here's a sketch, I would like the tree and building/tree line to have a half inch or so of dimension. Sort of a layered look. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Beaucastle · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 483 Location: Vero Beach, FL

The intumescent coating we use for spray foam insulation cost about $1.00 per sq foot and is available at Sherwin Williams. This is sprayed over the insulation after the foam insulation is sprayed under the roof deck.

I wouls assume you are trying to meet the same fire code we are. Why do you need to use a foam product. Why not medium desnity MDF (furniture grade). easy to cut and paint?

lynne · Joined: 27 Jan 2007 Posts: 4960 Location: san francisco

i thought fome-cor (the name brand) of foam board was already fire retardant. it's used a lot in trade exhibits and scenic work as well as photography and film, all of which ask for a flame retardant standard. you could call a photo supply and ask if it's rated high enough for your needs.

fontgeek · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:42 pm Post subject:

If this is for a long term installation I'd be tempted to go with the drywall. I know it's heavier and a bit fragile while it's not mounted, but it doesn't have the issues of fragility that Gatorboard or foamcore does as far as compression or "brusing".
If this is for short term or strictly exhibition type of stuff, then I would go with the suggestions you've already been given by the others.
Lisascenic might also have some ideas from the stage/theater end of things.

lisascenic · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 6:33 pm Post subject:

Fire codes are really regionally specific. Do you have an architectural foam company in your area?

We've carved foam projects in the past, and then sent them out to be hard coated.

If the foam folks don't know the answers, nobody will.

strongv · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 10:09 pm Post subject:

Anyone know the fire rating of Coroplast off hand?

I've done cut out figures in the 1/4 " board, and it machined beautifully. I mounted it on built up scraps, filling and touching up the screw holes through the face.

It kind of curls if it isnt' supported but you practically can't damage it. This is where I fell in love with XIM bonding primer btw.... Sanded the surface to break the 'skin' and then primed away.

Kirby · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 16 Location: WNY

how about that blue sheet insulation stuff? you can get it at any of those giant hardware stores. i've made a sculpture with it before, it's wicked easy to cut and rasp into shape. i imagine it would have to meet fire codes since it's a common building material. but i'm just guessing. Very Happy

lisascenic · Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 12:25 am Post subject:

Hmmmm.... lots of flammable things are common building materials.

jdavis · Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Posts: 207 Location: Indiana

Here is what I have found out so far. I talked to the people from the fomecor website and he said it would not meet code for this type of use. Kirby, I'm worried about bruising with the ones I've seen however builder involved with this project knows of a extremely dense foam available from a foam company in northern part of the state. A museum also told us of polygem which you can coat the foam with for fire retardation. It looks to be more for sculpting but I have sent them info on what I am trying to do to see what advise they might have.

strongv · Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 2:50 pm Post subject:

Try looking up Sintra or PVC sign board... its a solid closed cell PVC foam board that comes in a lot of thicknesses.

I was wrong about Coroplast, that's the double walled corrogated stuff.... not fun for painting.

Sintra was the thing I used for the Dell murals.

strongv · Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 2:54 pm Post subject:

http://www.foamboardsource.com/flame-resistant-foamboard-frfb020.html

I think the prices listed here are a bit much, but a few years ago I bought 3/16ths for about $400 a sheet. It is indestructible, even small bits like extended fingers on figures won't be easily damaged.

P

Kirby · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 16 Location: WNY

Ha... I realized that a moment after I posted! :\
Sounds like you'll be working with some interesting alternative materials. Neat project, I'm looking forward to seeing some pics. Smile