J “ Factory Mutual Research + tht 2 1181 Boston-Providence Turnpike P.O. Box 9102 Norwood, Massachusetts 02062 OPOH2.AC March 9, 1989 (4440) RE-EXAMINATION OF FABCO TOP SEAL FASTENERS AND WEATH-R-SEAL WASHERS FOR PRESSURE~RELIEVING WALLS OF DAMAGE LIMITING CONSTRUCTION from FABCO FASTENING SYSTEMS TOWNSEND DIVISION OF TEXTRON INC. P.O. BOX 220 STANFIELD, NC 26163 I INTRODUCTION 1.1 Damage Limiting construction having a pressure-relieving wall is used to enclose hazardous occupancies supplementing other safeguards normally provided to minimize the explosion hazard of such occupancies. When subjected to an explosive force the pressure-relieving (or venting) wall quickly vents the force before it causes major damage to other building areas. 1.2 Fabeo Fastening Systems submitted their Fabco Top Seal Fasteners and Weath-R-Seal Washers as a pressure-relieving fastener system for re-examination to determine 1f the specially designed washer-fastener asseably Would allow a siding panel to release when the fastener is subjected to its design release valve. The secured siding panel releases when the pressure applied to the wall deforms the washer component of the fastener, thus allowing the internal force within the building to be vented through the disengaged panel opening. Five different washers, each of a different design. release value, were tested. 1,3. This report supercedes FM Report Serial No, 24520 and design release values listed herein govern. 1.4 A series of 10 static type pull tests were conducted on each of the 5S types of washers. To be acceptable, results must be within + 15% of the average value for each type of washer. 1.5. Pabeo Top Seal Fasteners and Weath-R-Seal Washers, EXA~74, EXA-76, EXA~79, EXA~84 and EXA~19 continue to meet test performance requirements for FHRC Approval as a pressure relieving fastener system subject to the Lmitations noted in the CONCLUSIONS.FACTORY MUTUAL RESEARCH CORPORATION. Page 2 (POH? . AC IZ MATERIAL DESCRIPTION 2,1 The fastener system consists of a light gage alustnun washer bonded to an EPDM backing, designated as Fabco Weath-R-Seal Washer, and a self-drilling screw designated as Fabco Top Seal Fastener. The washer is ingtalled between the underside of the fastener head and the exterior surface of the wall panel. A 1/2 in. (12.7 am) dta. oversized hole 1s drilled through the wall panel to receive a No. 14 screw. Within the hole a 1/2 tn. (12.7 om) 0.D. centering sleeve is inatelled for ceutering the fastener in the panel. The 5 types of aluinum washers tested all had a 0.729 in. (18.5 mp) 0.0. and were of the following thicknesses and designations. (The aluainun alloys are proprietary and on file at Factory Mutual): FABCO Washer Designation Color Code ‘Washer Thickness in. (am) EXA-76 Green 0.022 (0.305) BXA~76 Blue 0.022 (0.305) BA-79 Tan 0,020 (0.508) BXA-B4 Light Green 0.025 (0.635) EXA-L9 Ltght Blue 0.040 (2.016) 2,2 The oumber end type of washer/fasteners used to secure pressure relleving panels 1s dependent upon the desired panel release pressure, the ultimate strength of the washer, the vertical spacing of the structural girts supporting the panels, the spacing of the fasteners along the girts, and the total weight of the panels, The washer/fasteners should be tightened snug per che wanufacturer's instructions. TIE TEST PROCEDURES 3.1 Statie Tension Tests Static tension tests were performed on the explosion venting washer/fasteners using an Instron tensile testing machine operated at a machine speed of 2 in. (50.8 mn) per minute. Each fastener vas pulled through 21/2 tn, (12.7 ws) dianeter hole in accordance with agnufacturer's . instructions in a teat hioned from a1 in. (25.4 mn) thick channel shaped piece of steel. A Nos 16 x 1-1/2 in. (12.7 mm) long hex head screw Type B vas used with each of the washers. Ten tests were conducted on each type of washer. The results of each of the ten tests were averaged to establish the static breaking strength of each vasher/fastener. To be considered acceptable, results aust be within + 15% of the average static release value. IV. TEST RESULTS 4.1 Seatte Tests A total of 50 static tests were conducted consisting of ten tests ‘each on 5 types of washers. ‘The average static release value (breaking strength) rounded to the nearest 5 1be (2.3 Kg) for each type of fastener te 20 follows:FACTORY MUTUAL RESEARCH CORPORATION OPOH2.AC Page 3 Washer Designation Color Cote Average Static Release, 1bs (kg) EXACT4 Green 70 (32) BXA-76 Blue 330 (50) EXA-79 Tan 47s (73) EXA-84 Light Green 435 (197) BXA-19 Light Blue gas (401) ¥ coNcLusroNs 5,1 Fabco Top Seal Fasteners and Weath-R-Seal Washers, Types EXA~74, EXA+76, EXA~79, EXA~O4 and EXA-19, weet test perforsance requirenents for FRC Approval as a pressure relieving fastener system subject to the folloving conditions and limitations. 5.2 the spall scale static tests were conducted to deteraine the static release values of the explosion venting washers. These release values were consistent for each type of washer. 5.3. The Fabeo explosion venting washer/fasteners with centering sleeve are suitable for Approval as pressure relieving elesents of damage liaiting construction when installed at described in Section IT and tn accordance vith senfecturer's instructions. For building siding panels of single sheet or sandwich panel construction (8 lbs/ft2, 39 Kg/a? max.) the following design release values rounded to the nearest 5 1bs (2.3 Kg) shall be used: Washer Designation Color Code Design Release Value, 2bs (ke) BRATS Green 70 (325 EXA76 Blue 110 (50) EXA-79 Tan 175 (79) BABS Light Green 435, (197) XKA-19 Light Blue 885 (401) 5.4 Approval ts effective when the Approval Agreement 1s signed and returned to FMRC. Continuation of Approval 1s dependent upon satisfactory field experience. 5.5. The producte meet the FMRC requirenente Listed in the Factory Mutual Approval Guide. ind when Approved, will be VI MANUFACTURER'S RESPONSIBILITIES 6.1 To assure compliance with his procedures in the field, the manufacturer shall supply to the installer such necessary instruction or other assistance required to produce the desired performance. 6.2 The manufacturer shall notify the Factory Mutual Research Corporation of any changes in the Approved washer/fastener system prior to general sale and distribution.FACTORY MUTUAL RESEARCH CORPORATION Page 4 oPoH2.AC 6.3. The Manufacturer agrees that use of the FMRC name or certification mark is subject to the conditions and limttations of the FARC Approval. Such. conditions and Limitations oust be included in all references to FYRC Approval. VIX MARKING 7.1 The packaging containing the Approved washer/fastener system shall bear the manufacturer's nase, product designation and be identified with the FIRC Approval Mark along with the vording Approved as pressure relieving fasteners, “Consult FM Approval Guide.” VIII IN-PLANT INSPECTION AND RE-EXAMINATION 8.1 A follow-up inspection of the aanufacturing facilities will be conducted periodically on the Approved vasher/fastener systes to deternine that the quality and uniformity hae been maintained and will provide the level of performance as originally Approved. 8.2. A re-examination of the vasher/fastener systen say be required to assess any changes In field {netallation procedures or end-use lipitations. ‘The PARC Approval Guide shall be consulted. rst AND REPORT 2Y: REPORT APPROVED BY: A DW eee Materials Section cas/ind ATTACHMENT: Appendix A