Class A, Class C, and Smooth, Oh, My!!
Jan 5th 2021
How To Tell Which Class of FRP Panel is Right For Your Project
Starting a new project can be confusing because there are so many kinds of building materials available to you. With them come various classifications and ratings, but rarely do the people selling them to you manage to stop and explain what those ratings mean.
Projects come in all
shapes and sizes, and with that comes varying supply needs. When purchasing
your FRP panels, what do you need to buy? Here at Waterloo Paneling we offer
FRP panels in both Pebbled Class A, Class C, and Smooth.
That information is not readily available on the internet. A quick Google
search will tell you that these types exist, but rarely what they mean!
Fortunately, we would like to break it down for you, and help you understand
how each type of FRP panel could fit into your ongoing projects.
So, what, exactly, does this Class A and Class C business mean? What is smooth
FRP and when should it be used? Stick with us throughout the rest of the
article, and you will find out the answer.
Class C FRP Panels
Class C is the most
common type of FRP. It is going to be the most cost effective, and you will
find it in the most kinds of structures. It is often used in everything from
restrooms, restaurants, medical facilities to marijuana grow rooms (link to the
grow room article I wrote) and breweries (link to the brewery article I wrote)
and many other kinds of structures. It is safe to say that for most projects
that require FRP panels, Class C FRP will suit your project just fine.
The difference between Class A FRP and Class C is flame spread. Class C FRP has
a flame spread of around 200, which is standard for building materials. If it
catches flame, the flames will spread at a relatively common rate, and it does
not offer any extra fire protection.
What it does offer is affordability and versatility. You can use it in almost
any project, and the cost of it will not break the bank. For most projects, you
won’t find you require high flame-retardant materials, so you can be confident
that Class C FRP panels will do the trick. They still offer all the best
qualities of FRP: moisture and mold resistance, easy installation, quick and
easy cleaning, and most important of all, USDA approval.
If you are looking for the highest quality at the lowest price, then you will want to select Class C FRP for your project. You simply will not be able to find a different moisture-resistant and cost-effective material that is also this easily installed.
So, if you’re confused on what to pick, and don’t know if you really need class A materials, it’s safest to say that Class C is what you’ll probably need.
Class A FRP Panels
If
you are looking for more fire protection, Class A is the type of panel you’re
looking for. While Class C FRP panels have a flame spread rating of 200, Class
A has a flame spread rating of just 25, meaning that if ignited, the flames
will spread much, much slowly, and if the source of ignition is removed, the
material has a chance of self-extinguishing entirely.
How do we know this? Class A materials are required to go through a rigorous
testing process. To qualify for the Class A rating, the material must be able
to demonstrate that it has certain burning characteristics. How fast fire
spreads and how far it travels is measured during the test.
How does this work?
Testers hang a sample of the building material that is 20 inches in height by
25 feet in length in a test area. When the test sample is secure, they apply
gas flames to the end of the material to test the flame spread rate. The lower
the score, the longer it takes the fire to reach the top of the test material.
Because of the increased amount of resin and flame-retardant material used to
make this composite, it can cost up to double the amount of Class C composite,
but with Class A you are looking at a much higher level of safety. Use this
material whenever you believe you’ll be working in high heat situations, or if
you simply want extra protection in your space.
When is Class A material appropriate? This is mostly down to discretion, but if
you’re building in an area that, for example, is prone to rampant wildfires
(think California), and you want to ensure the structure is protected in case
of a fire, that might be a good use of your time. Other places that house work
that comes into frequent contact with fire, such as restaurants, certain labs
and medical facilities, and high heat industrial production spaces could also
benefit from the use of Class A FRP panels.
An important note: if installing your panels in a restaurant, make sure that
you do not install FRP panels - even Class A panels - behind the cook surface.
There is a high chance that these materials will catch flame, and even with the
flame-retardant properties of Class A, you will be looking at a significant
risk to your investment and to the people who work in the space. Instead of
using FRP panels, use stainless steel instead, to ensure your safety and the
safety of others.
Smooth FRP Panels
Do you have an idea of
what kind of panels your project might call for? Are you working in an
industrial kitchen or other high heat facility that might call for more serious
heat protection? If so, keep in mind your various needs. While Class A FRP
panels have a higher safety rating, you may not need to incur the extra expense
if your space does not require high levels of heat or exist in a place where
there is a higher chance of wildfire.
Still not sure what you should choose? Whatever your needs are, here at
Waterloo Paneling, we aim to serve them. If you have any questions at all,
please feel free to contact us at [your email here] or leave a comment below
and we will try to get back to you as soon as possible!