Flamebar Fire-Rated HVAC Systems for General Contractors
FLAMEBAR SYSTEMS SAVE TIME AND SPACE AT LESS COST
VENTILATION ENCLOSURE SYSTEMS
Flamebar compact shaft systems simplify and accelerate construction schedules by eliminating early drywall mobilization and dramatically reducing the number of inspections.
Flamebar vertical shafts are compact, achieving a two-hour rating without the need for conventional multi-layer shaft wall assemblies.
Compared to conventional shaft construction, Flamebar has a reduced shaft cross section that yields a 20-40% increase in Gross Leasable Area while also reducing the volume of construction materials and waste.
By removing the challenges of drywall coordination, Flamebar installation is similar to bare ductwork. This substantially reduces total required install labor compared to conventional construction.
A2L REFRIGERANT SYSTEMS REQUIRE FIRE-RATED ENCLOSURES
Flammable A2L refrigerant piping systems penetrating two or more floors must be protected with a fire-rated enclosure. For buildings with four stories or more, two-hour rated and vented assemblies are required (source: 2021 International Mechanical Code, ASHRAE 15 2022 Standard).
Building with the code-compliant Flamebar system from the start will set construction projects up for success as manufacturers increasingly transition to A2L refrigerant equipment.
FLAMEBAR A2L REFRIGERANT ENCLOSURES
Flamebar A2L systems offer code-compliant solutions for mechanically or naturally ventilated systems and do not require a vapor barrier. They are compact and occupy less depth and width for any configuration of two or more pipes.
In certain designs, the Flamebar A2L system can be located within walls. Easily opened ‘clamshell’ enclosures and built-in access doors ensure serviceability access. Horizontal offsets are simple to install, eliminating difficult-to-construct drywall assemblies.
FLAMEBAR BRINGS SCHEDULE AND SPACE BENEFITS TO GENERAL CONTRACTORS
Conventional shaft assemblies require multiple inspections during construction, which delays drywall and sheet metal installation processes. Post-inspection coordination between drywall and sheet metal installers is rarely precise, so mobilization costs mount as inspection-related schedule delays accumulate. Flamebar systems avoid early-stage inspections, eliminate early drywall mobilization, and install quickly in less space.
The cost-effective Flamebar A2L refrigerant enclosure system protects in the event of fire and contains in the event of refrigerant leaks. Flamebar offers a code-compliant, flexible, compact, easily-installed system that can be used with natural or mechanical ventilation solutions. Drywall assemblies are costly, difficult to construct to prevent leaks, space-intensive, and require vapor barriers to avoid a mold or mildew infestation.
THE FLAMEBAR ADVANTAGES FOR GENERAL CONTRACTORS
General Contractors are reducing field labor and inspections, simplifying coordination, and accelerating schedules with cost-effective Flamebar fire-rated HVAC systems.
FLAMEBAR IS A COMPLETE FIRE-RATED HVAC VENTILATION AND A2L SYSTEM
Flamebar horizontal, vertical, grease, and A2L systems are engineered, fabricated and coated to tested and rated standards to achieve fire ratings of up to 4 hours. More than simply duct, Flamebar is an engineered life safety system with a manufacturing process subject to independent lab-quality control audits that assure specified performance.
FLAMEBAR FIRE-RATED ENCLOSURES SAVE TIME AND SPACE
Conventional type X drywall assemblies require enclosures to be constructed around metal ductwork. With Flamebar systems, the coated sheet metal duct becomes the enclosure for both ventilation and A2L refrigerant applications, saving time and space.
SYSTEMS ARE TESTED AND LISTED FOR HORIZONTAL APPLICATIONS
Enclosure systems designed and tested for vertical applications cannot be arbitrarily repurposed for horizontal applications, but must instead be built as tested (source: the Gypsum Association). Flamebar systems are code-compliant for use in both horizontal and vertical configurations, giving contractors more flexibility.
REDUCE FIELD LABOR, REDUCE INSPECTIONS, ACCELERATE SCHEDULE ON A 20-STORY PROJECT
A delighted Florida general contractor used Flamebar compact vertical shafts in a 20-story residential project declaring that Flamebar “surpassed expectations”.
A first-time user, the contractor was initially concerned about the use of a new system but intrigued by potential benefits. With fewer inspections, no coordination issues between trades, and no damage before the building was dried in, a post-completion testimonial described schedule savings of a half day per floor. This was an improvement arising from the use of the Flamebar shaft system of 10 full days at no more cost than conventional assemblies.
