The TRUTH About Noncombustible Construction
Know the IBC Construction Types by Fire Resistance:
Type I is further classified as Type IA or Type IB, with IA being the most stringent. PHNX is the ONLY company to build to Type IA standards – no others have the capability of building to Type IB or Type II, either – the other two highest levels of noncombustible standards. Why? The most challenging barrier to removing wood from the structure in residential construction, especially single-family, has been eliminating the plywood sheathing in the roof. It provides important lateral stability and there are no feasible noncombustible alternatives. This is where the patent-pending PHNX Longspan™ System comes in; our proprietary roof and floor framing system addresses the lateral stability problem and solves it, wood-free.
FIRE RESISTIVE
(Type I)
3 -4
Resistance Hours
All building elements are noncombustible
High-rise buildings, commercial, hospitals
THIS IS PHNX:
Made possible for the first time in single-family homes with our patent-pending PHNX Longspan™ roof assembly
NON-COMBUSTIBLE
(Type II)
1-2
Resistance Hours
All building elements are noncombustible
Mid-rise offices, hotels, school buildings
This has lower fire resistance. Other contractors still can’t build a Type II single-family home structure without the
PHNX Longspan™ roof assembly
ORDINARY
(Type III)
0-2
Resistance Hours
Exterior walls are noncombustible (e.g. brick); interior structural elements may be combustible
Warehouses, homes
Many builders claim noncombustible, but traditional wood framing and wood sheathing on the roof is tinder for flying embers...
THIS IS MISLEADING
HEAVY TIMBER
(Type IV)
0-1
Resistance Hours
Exterior walls are noncombustible; interior is of solid or laminated wood without concealed spaces
Various applications
Many builders claim noncombustible, but traditional wood framing and wood sheathing on the roof is tinder for flying embers...
THIS IS MISLEADING
WOOD FRAME
(Type V)
N/A
Resistance Hours
All building elements are combustible
Single-family homes
Traditional construction =
FULLY
COMBUSTIBLE