As a trusted applicator of spray-applied fireproofing for commercial construction, the Nettles team has installed Sprayed Fire Resistive Materials (SFRM) in schools, hospitals, restaurants, and other structures throughout the Midwest. Our expertise in various mix designs allows us to work with custom solutions when needed–but we use CAFCO 300 AC as our standard cementitious fireproofing.
In this blog post, our experts explain the features of CAFCO 300 AC and why we use this industry-leading material in our fireproofing applications.
What is CAFCO 300 AC?
Also called Isolatek Type 300 AC internationally, it is a durable, gypsum-based SFRM that provides fire protection for floor and roof assemblies, steel beams, columns, and joists in commercial construction. The gypsum mix is combined with water and sprayed onto a building via a pump. Once sprayed, the fireproofing dries into a foam-like texture with the insulating properties of cement.
What are the benefits of CAFCO 300 AC?
CAFCO 300 AC offers the most cost-effective fire resistance performance per unit thickness of any SFRM on the market. It is designed to create up to 4-hour fire ratings.
In addition to its fire resistance, Nettles uses CAFCO 300 AC as our standard mix because of its:
- Thermal benefits: The material is an effective thermal insulator when applied to the underside of a roof deck, and may allow for a reduction in roof insulation.
- Easy application: The lightweight, gypsum-based material is easy to spray on and can be batched onsite using a mixer and pump.
- Sound absorption: A 1” layer of fireproofing creates a Noise Reduction Coefficient of 0.50.
- Cost-effectiveness: CAFCO 300 AC requires less material than alternate products to achieve the required fire rating.
What building codes does it comply with?
Fire test performance
CAFCO 300 AC is rated for up to 4 hours for floor assemblies, beams, joists, columns, and roof assemblies. It is classified by UL in accordance with ANSI/UL 263 (ASTM E119) and CAN/ULC-S101 (ASTM E119).
It has also been tested for surface burning characteristics in accordance with ASTM E84 and is rated Class A.
Compliances
CAFCO 300 AC satisfies the requirements of:
- IBC (International Building Code)
- City of Los Angeles (LADBS, Category 1 Material)
- NBC (National Building Code of Canada)
- ICC-ES, AC23, and AC10 (UL ER13348-01)
When should other mix designs be used?
In some instances, such as outdoor applications or on buildings over 75 feet tall, we use other fireproofing mixes to achieve the required fire ratings. However, our team uses CAFCO 300 AC in a vast majority of commercial fireproofing applications.
Want to learn more?
If you have questions about commercial fireproofing or need help specifying your next project, our experts are ready to consult with you. Contact us today!
