Don’t Malign EIFS

The editorial "Las Vegas Fire Shows Synthetic Stucco Is Superhot Stuff" appears to us as an unwarranted and misinformed attack on the exterior insulation and finish systems industry. As executive director of the EIFS Industry Members Association, I am compelled on behalf of EIMA to point out what we view are significant errors and inaccurate information.

First and foremost, the statement that a welding accident "ignited the EIFS that gives the building its architectural details" is not accurate and reflects either ignorance of the nature of an EIF system or ignorance of the actual facts of the fire or both. Immediately after the fire was reported, EIMA engaged a consultant who visited the site beginning the next day. He met with local building officials, fire marshals, members of ATF and owner representatives and is still actively engaged in evaluation of the fire on site.

Preliminary information indicates that the fire was not located at an EIFS exterior wall but instead occurred in decorative foam plastic areas that likely are not EIFS and are not recognized fire-tested materials. The point is that the materials on the exterior of the wall and at the location of the initiation of the fire have not yet been accurately identified. It is anticipated that future testing will be used to accurately identify the composition of the materials that were used and assess how their presence affected the accidental fire.

Second, the editorial incorrectly suggests that EIFS is adversely affected by fire and "shrinks" or "melts." You are confusing performance of underlying foam insulation with performance of a designed and installed engineered system. In truth, EIFS functions as a safe and durable building cladding, which has been long confirmed by fire testing conducted under test procedures promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association. Conventional EIFS are fire­resistant. They are composed of a fire-retardant tested, polystyrene foam plastic insulation layer encapsulated in successive base and finish coats incorporating fiberglass mesh. EIFS has been proven in real-world situations to perform as designed and tested.

You also are confusing EIFS components with superficially similar components having different origins and chemical properties. Certain materials that are not fire-tested, such as polyurethane-coated foam plastic shapes, may superficially resemble EIFS but are not EIF systems. Such materials are constructed and behave differently in fire situations and, most importantly, are not recommended for use in building construction because they are not fire-resistant. Because there are untested or inadequately tested materials that closely resemble the appearance of EIFS, it is of special concern to EIMA to emphasize that architects and developers should specify and use only fully fire-tested wall cladding materials such as EIFS.

Over the past decade, EIMA and its members have stressed the importance of using only materials that are fire-tested and code-approved full EIF systems. EIFS has been used extensively for more than 40 years, including on many of the Las Vegas Strip’s most famous buildings. In addition, EIFS have been recognized as being a superior exterior wall system in thermal and moisture tests conducted by Oak Ridge National Laboratories for the U.S. Dept. of Energy.

Based on fire testing and past performance of EIFS in actual fires, the behavior of the burning wall system in this fire would suggest that it may not have been a properly designed and installed EIFS.

Finally, the editorial invokes hysteria and fear by references to the MGM and Hilton fires that occurred more than 25 years ago. These fires were interior fires that involved interior finish materials and furnishings. After these fires, the building codes throughout the U.S. were revised to address the lessons learned in those fires and to avert such disasters. From a technical standpoint, the MGM and Hil­ton fires and the Monte Carlo fire have nothing in common. Further, there were no injuries resulting from the Monte Carlo fire, which is being quickly repaired and partially opened on Feb. 15.

We feel the need to respond to this editorial that appeared in a periodical with the reputation and wide circulation of ENR and that we feel unjustly maligns our industry. EIMA will continue to communicate to the building industry the need to use only fire-tested materials for EIFS-related design and construction. EIMA’s Website, www.eima.com, is a good source for EIFS information.

Stephan E. Klamke
Executive Director
EIFS Industry Member Association
Morrow, Ga.