NYC OTCR/DOB Approved Intumescent Fireblocking integrated into exterior timber cladding in New York Art Center expansion.
Envisioning Aesthetics and Architecture in Art Center Expansion
Creativity is not the only thing growing in New Windsor, New York. Home to large-scale sculptures, Storm King Art Center were gifted their first capital project to meet the flourishing community and its demands for artwork.
In this site expansion, the community will experience new visitor welcome pavilions with consolidated parking and accessible amenities, and the construction of the Art Center’s first dedicated conversation, fabrication, and maintenance building.
Exterior Timber Cladding Assembly Triggers New NYC Code Adoption
The David R. Collens Building for Conservation, Fabrication, and Maintenance permits artists to convey their artistic visions on a larger scale. This space will serve as a workshop, studio, mechanical shop, storage space, and office for fellow artists.
To embody its purpose for conversation, the project development team decided to integrate a system that caters to energy conservation specifically – an ‘open-state cavity’ fixed within an exterior wood cladding.
With the installation of this type of application, the project now triggered important fireblocking requirements under IBC Section 718.2.6 – Exterior Wall Coverings. This code section mandates proper fireblocking within exterior wall cavities when certain cladding materials, such as wood, are used. View the full IBC Section 718.2.6 Exterior Wall Coverings. By triggering this code section, the project is required to implement proper fireblocking standards in the cladding assembly.
Balancing Compliance and Conservation in Cladding
By triggering this requirement, the project team now faced a new challenge – a blockage in the cavity. Fireblocking is required to fully compartmentalize the exterior cavity. To meet fireblocking standards, architects opted in using permeant obstruction fireblocking, such as mineral wool, to compartmentalize the cavity in an active fire scenario. However, this form of fireblocking blocks the entirety of the exterior cavity in normal operations. With this blockage, it permits poor water management, blocked air circulation, and raising humidity levels – the exact opposite of a ventilated rainscreen assembly’s purpose.
Therefore, the Storm King project team needed a fireblocking solution that can resolve the “rainscreen conundrum” while meeting proper fireblocking standards in the future David R. Collens Building.
Specifying NYC/OTCR Approved Intumescent Fire Blocks in Exterior Cladding
Composed of self-activated intumescent materials, Tenmat’s FF102/50 Intumescent Fire Blocks can maintain a continuous air cavity during normal operations – well suited for the team’s standards for energy conservation.
Not like traditional fireblocking, Tenmat’s Intumescent Fireblocking allows for a maximum 2” air gap within the façade assembly. By not obstructing the open-state air cavities during normal operations, Tenmat’s Intumescent Fire Blocks are able to promote air circulation and moisture management. In fire conditions, however, exposure to extremely high temperatures activates the self-activated intumescent technology. Once activated, the material will expand rapidly and seal the cavity – effectively compartmentalizing the fire.
By balancing performance and compliance, Tenmat’s FF102/50 Intumescent Fire Block was specified into the David R. Collens Building. The project team was able to easily integrate this form of fireblocking into the exterior wood cladding assembly.
