Jessie Beitel

In the testimony on code change F200 at the ICC code development hearings held in Palm Springs, California, in the last two weeks of February of this year, Jesse Beitel of Hughes Associates Inc. (HAI) stated that HAI has done a modeling study of a building that was 80,000 square feet in floor area and that the study demonstrates that "vents work".Beitel has also made this same statement in his testimony on code changes relating to roof vents at the ICC code development hearings held in Cincinnati in February 2005 and in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, in September/October 2006.What Beitel never indicates in his testimony, however, is how HAI determined how many automatic roof vents would operate and at what time the vents would operate.
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What neither Beyler or Beitel have yet to explain is how the installation of automatic roof vents will prevent a building from becoming "smoke-logged" if no vents open due to the interaction between operating sprinklers and roof vents.
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Yet, that's exactly what Beyler, Beitel and the AAMA Smoke Vent Task Group continue to claim, both at the ICC code development hearings and in ICC CTC study group meetings.

Jesse Beiteljbeitel@haifire.com410-737-8677

Vice Chair : Jesse BeitelHughes Associates Inc3610 Commerce Dr., Suite 817Baltimore, MD 21227-1652

Both Rich Thornberry (Code Consortium) and Jesse Beitel (Hughes Associates) have been employed to represent the reductions.

By: Arthur J. Parker, P.E., and Jesse J. Beitel
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Arthur J. Parker and Jesse J. Beitel are with Hughes Associates.

According to Jesse J. Beitel, Senior Scientist, Hughes Associates' expanded services go far beyond the standard testing provided by commercial testing laboratories."Our expertise is particularly helpful in cases where a new product or formulation does not appear to meet existing fire or building code standards as set by the NFPA or the code bodies," he says.
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According to Beitel, Hughes Associates typically works with clients for 12 months on a particular product initiative - or possibly longer if significant code revisions or evaluation reports are required."This underscores the value of the partnership we form with our clients.We work closely on all aspects of code review, product R&D, small-scale and full-scale testing, plus final product approvals and the adoption of new code standards if required.Our expertise in fire science and engineering, as well as our in-depth knowledge of the codes, enables us to understand and interpret complex test data, and then respond with the most practical solution from both a safety and a bottom-line business standpoint," he says.

Jess Beitel, Hughes Associates

In January 2002 the MCA enlisted the services of Jessie Beitel, a senior scientist with Hughes Associates, Inc., a fire engineering, research and consulting firm headquartered in Baltimore.He presented a detailed summary of the issues related to the perimeter joint fire testing and codes at the MCA's Semi-annual Meeting in Cleveland last August.

Jesse Beitel, a chemist and senior scientist at Hughes Associates, conducted third party testing of new Class A-listed EPDM and TPO roofing systems at three different testing laboratories.He found that almost all of these systems failed the E108 spread of flame test and did not qualify for a Class A rating.

Beitel announced the results during a Technical & Research Committee program at MRCA's 54th annual convention on October 24th.

"We know we have problems with the test method," said Beitel."Is there also a problem with the materials?
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"All of us who have ever used this test (ASTM E108) have felt that it's had its warts," said Beitel."We need to do a better job of understanding the dynamics.The test has no reproducibility and a lot of variability."

E108 was introduced about 45 years ago, long before EPDM and TPO were available in the roofing market.

"We need to find some way to calibrate the E108 test," said Beitel, "particularly in terms of the airflow variability in and around the testing area."
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While Beitel found the different edge treatments did not have a dramatic effect on all membranes, SPRI has found the edge treatment method to be important, according to Roodvets.
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"Almost every test sample went to the full eight feet of flame spread (and failed)," said Beitel."The fire also traveled the eight feet in significantly less than 10 minutes."

Beitel then went back to one of the three laboratories to do additional testing at higher slopes.
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"On its own, the EPDM membrane did fine," observed Beitel."It burned out about four feet and stopped, as did the 141b and pentane blown insulations alone directly over plywood.But when the membranes and insulations are combined as part of a system, the flame spread increases.We don't know why."

Beitel recommended more testing and the forming of an industry group to address the issue.

"Until we fix the test, we can't tell if the results are meaningful," said Beitel.
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"We need to address this as soon as we can," said Beitel.
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However, the new research conducted by Beitel follows E108 procedures to the letter, and the results should be of much greater interest to the industry.

Jesse Beitel , Hughes Associates , Inc.
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Jesse Beitel , Hughes Associates , Inc.Moderator

Recent Cable & Wire Fire ResearchSmoke , flame , and fire test protocols are highly charged issues in fire testing and new test standards worldwide.What do they mean in terms of fire risk and hazard.New documentation from fire tests in plenum and other concealed spaces will be presented for review and discussion.

The Evolution Of Materials Technology In Wire And Cable Applications
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Jesse Beitel , Hughes Associates , Inc.Moderator

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