In fire incident investigation reports, communication problems are often cited as a contributing factor in first responder line of duty deaths or serious injuries. Emergency first responders utilize critical communication tools to ensure effective command, safety and control, so if communication issues can cause delays and wasted time, it is important that buildings have other means to rely on to reduce the spread of fires and increase valuable seconds during emergencies.

A fire in a single family dwelling involving one or two rooms might be considered routine for most fire departments. Now, consider a fire in a multiple story or commercial building made of steel, concrete, glass and other dense materials. These construction features can inhibit or block normal communication from Land Mobile Radios (LMR) transmission functions, and disrupt essential first responder communications. A delay in communication can mean valuable seconds are lost. Armacell’s latest product development had inhabitant safety and response times during an emergency in mind and our new ArmaFlex® Ultra with FlameDefense™ technology can help recoup those lost minutes.

ArmaFlex Ultra is the first flexible elastomeric foam insulation UL Classified as to UL 723 with a 25/50 rating. The innovative FlameDefense technology helps resist burning and reduces smoke development. In the event of fire, materials that are UL 723 classified will burn slower and produce less smoke, giving occupants and first responders precious extra time. With patent pending FlameDefense technology, ArmaFlex Ultra goes beyond the required building codes and international safety regulations, thus furthering our company's commitment to safety and energy efficiency. This commitment to the National Fire Protection Association's Life Safety Code drove the pursuit of a UL (Underwriter's Laboratories) Classification Mark, which mandates that materials are evaluated by independent, third-party testing facilities compliant with UL classified testing and auditing requirements.

ArmaFlex Ultra was tested and proven to have 100 percent consistent and compliant results. The UL Classification Mark gives engineers, specifiers and building owners the assurance that ArmaFlex Ultra will perform consistently year after year. Plus, it meets an IMC (International Mechanical Code) third-party certification standard that no other flexible elastomeric insulation manufacturer has met.

For more than a century, Underwriters Laboratory (UL) has been a safety certification organization established to develop standards and testing to help safeguard manufacturers and consumers from unsafe products. Read the rest of this news story at: https://www.ul.com/news/improve-building-safety-certification-emergency-responder-communication-enhancement-systems