Where Energy Efficiency Meets Life Safety: Polyiso CI and the Critical Role of NFPA 285
NFPA 285 Fire Testing and IBC Requirements for Exterior Walls with Polyiso Continuous Insulation
Sponsored by PIMA - Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association | Presented by Michael Rhodes and Mike Shell
Live Webinar Airing on April 30, 2026 at 02:00 PM ET
This presentation delivers a comprehensive look at the performance advantages of continuous insulation, with a special focus on polyisocyanurate (polyiso CI) solutions. It highlights the evolution of exterior fire propagation testing of foam plastic insulation within building codes and provides a review of the 2021/2024 International Building Code fire safety requirements for using polyiso CI in exterior walls of commercial buildings, Construction Types I–IV. The content also demystifies the NFPA 285 fire test standard, giving building professionals the insight they need to design confidently and compliantly.
Photo courtesy of Hunter Panels
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Michael Rhodes, PE, serves as the Manager of Technical Advocacy for PIMA. In this role, Michael leverages his extensive experience in building science and engineering to advocate for energy-efficient building practices and policies. Michael joined PIMA in December 2024. Michael's career spans over two decades, during which he has held various positions in building science and engineering. Most recently, he worked as a Research & Building Science Engineer where he was actively involved in the building codes community, provided education on building sciences and the installation of polyiso, and was heavily involved in polyiso R&D projects. Michael holds a Master of Science in Building Energy Design from Aalborg University in Denmark. |
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Michael Shell is a 20+ year veteran of the building materials industry. He currently works as the Building Envelope & Architectural Consultant for Sika, Rmax in the Northeast US. He has spent the last 8+ years working in the building envelope / exterior insulation / moisture management environments in both commercial and residential product sales. He also has extensive experience in the commercial and residential insulation and residential roofing businesses. |
Since 1987, PIMA has served as the voice of the rigid polyiso industry advocating for practices and policies that advance the construction of energy-efficient buildings. Beyond its public policy work, the Association represents the interests of the polyiso industry at codes and standards venues and through outreach to design professionals, contractors, building owners, code officials, and other key stakeholders.
Originally published in Building Enclosure
Originally published in March 2026
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Cover the full-scale fire test standard and other performance and building safety requirements used to evaluate exterior wall systems containing polyisocyanurate insulation.
- Explain the “systems approach” that is integral to how the building code effectively addresses the fire safe use of materials in the built environment.
- Identify the life and safety code requirements applicable to various exterior wall configurations containing polyisocyanurate insulation.
- Examine how building fire safety can be maintained throughout the building design and construction phases.
