UL 94

GreenGirt Composite Metal Hybrid (CMH) has passed the UL 94 fire test. While this testing is not required for building materials, GreenGirt CMH has gone above and beyond requirements.

UL 94 fire testing of building materials is a standard set by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). The standard was established to measure the Flammability of Plastics in Materials for Parts in Devices and Appliances. The test measures the rate of burning of a material when placed in a controlled environment. UL 94 fire testing is often used to evaluate the performance of insulation, wall coverings, and other components of buildings.

The UL 94 fire test is conducted by placing a sample of the material to be tested in a vertical position on a test fixture. The sample is then subjected to a flame with a specified energy and duration. The test fixture is usually made of metal or ceramic and is designed to allow the flame to be applied to the sample in a uniform manner. The sample is then observed for the duration of the test, and the results are recorded.

WARNING:

The UL 94 test is not used as a building material test because it measures the flammability of plastics in a laboratory setting, rather than their performance as building materials. The test does not replicate real-world conditions, as it does not take into account the variety of environmental factors that come into play in a building setting such as temperature, humidity, and air movement.

Furthermore, the test does not evaluate the material’s performance in any way, such as its resistance to heat, smoke, fire, or other damaging effects. As such, the UL 94 test is not suitable for assessing the safety of building materials.

Additionally, the UL 94 test is limited in that it only evaluates surface burning behavior of the material sample. It does not consider factors such as smoke or toxic gas production or how the material might interact with other components in a structure. For these reasons, UL 94 is not suitable for use when evaluating potential building materials. Instead, other tests must be conducted in order to properly assess their safety and suitability for use in construction.

GreenGirt CMH vs. Competitor FRP: UL 94 Test

GreenGirt Composite Metal Hybrid (CMH), shown on the left, does not contain any Red List chemicals or halogenated fire retardants. When burned, the smoke emitted from CMH does not contain Red List chemicals.

When burning the competitor fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP), shown on the right, a face mask or respirator MUST be worn along with containing the burning material in a laboratory enclosed chamber, due to the halogenated fire retardants. Halogenated fire retardants are potentially dangerous due to their high toxicity and are considered to be extremely harmful. They are known to cause adverse health effects such as skin and eye irritation, respiratory complications, and neurological symptoms. Inhalation of these chemicals can result in an increased risk of cancer and other health issues. In the event of a fire, building occupants and fire responders are in danger of these harmful halogenated fire retardants.