Fire-Resistant Assemblies SA-100 - CGC

Fire Protection
CGC is the undisputed leader among building material manufacturers in
providing products and systems designed to keep people safe from fire.
Fire safety properties are described in terms of fire resistance,
surface-burning characteristics and noncombustibility.
Fire Safety Building assembly’s The period of time the assembly will serve as a barrier to the spread of fire and how long
fire resistance the assembly can function structurally after it is exposed to a fire of standard intensity as defined by
CAN/ULC S101 and ASTM E119. Sometimes this is also called the assembly’s fire endurance.
Flame spread The measure of a material’s relative burning behavior. Both the flame spread and smoke
developed are measured in accordance with CAN/ULC S102M, and ASTM E84.
Noncombustible A material that will not burn or contribute any appreciable amount of fuel to a fire,
material as determined through CAN/ULC S114 and ASTM E136.
Class A designation Refers to material that may ignite but will not sustain a flame. Class A products will not generate
excessive visibility-obscuring smoke, an important factor in designing safe egress for building
occupants. Class A is not a fire-resistance designation.
Fire-Rated Fire-resistance ratings have long been used by UL/ULC, ASTM and building codes to measure
the performance of various constructions for fire containment purposes. As applied to
elements of buildings, the fire-resistance rating classifies the ability of an assembly
to confine and isolate fire within a zone comprised of fire resistance-rated walls, ceiling
and floor assemblies. The ratings relate to fire tests designed to determine how quickly
fire can raise the temperature to unacceptable levels. Fire-rated assemblies are tested and
certified in their entirety. These designs are identified in the ULC and UL Fire Resistance
Directory, which is updated yearly and can be referenced at the Underwriters Laboratories of
Canada website at www.ULC.ca, and the Underwriters Laboratories web site at www.ul.com.
Fire Resistance All ULC and UL assemblies listed in this folder are certified for use in Canada and comply with
CAN/ULC S101 for fire resistance. The Standards Council of Canada recognizes ULC and UL as
accredited testing and certification organizations for certification of materials and systems to
Canadian standards.
For More Information If you have additional questions regarding fire protection, use the following resources:
CGC Literature CGC Gypsum Construction Handbook
Industry Resources Underwriters Laboratories of Canada, List of Equipment and Materials, Fire Resistance
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Fire Resistance Directory, Volume One
4 CGC Fire-Resistant Assemblies