Fire Rated System vs. The Imposter
Beware of the Imposter!
They contend to be prefabricated, modular and sometimes one-hour fire rated.
Beware of the Imposter!
They contend to be prefabricated, modular and sometimes one-hour fire rated.
Clue #1 - THEIR product is a demountable gypsum and stud scheme and the wall is greater than 3 inches thick.
To be clearer, what you get is a stack of vinyl faced gypsum board, rolls of fiberglass insulation and a bundle of studs and tracks. There really isn't much prefabricated about it, you might as well be a "drywaller". The term demountable is a nice way of saying "take it down, throw it away". The thickness over 3" is a dead giveaway! Typically, you will see a 3-5/8" dimension!
Their Explanation: It's cheap and it looks good when it is installed.
FACT: It's cheap because it's not fabricated, you get nothing more than pieces (lots of them), and all that money you thought you saved will be lost because you will spend several times that assembling this imposter. National's unitized panel system is modular and will install in a fraction of the imposters' time.
Clue #2 - THEY can't produce a valid fire certification document!
Their Explanation: "It's an accepted construction for one hour ratings, a certificate is not needed."
FACT: The current test is E119-95a, and ONLY National has developed with its patent pending connections a unitized panel system to pass this test and has the certification to prove it. To pass this test gypsum must be mechanically fastened to the stud. Imposters use a snap in "T" to hold the gypsum board, or clip that only is fastened on the perimeter; this will NOT pass the fire test. Building departments want to see the certification.
Clue #3 - THEIR Price will be as attractive as National's Easy Three System.
Their Explanation: New manufacturing efficiency allows this low price.
FACT: They don't manufacture this. The pieces are purchased from a supplier, marked-up and resold to you. No one touches Nationals Easy Three pricing, because we manufacture with high speed, automated processes, not just assemble and resell like the others do.
Clue #4 - THEIR product will have aluminum components.
Their Explanation: Aluminum is non-combustible.
FACT: Aluminum can't be used in a one -hour system, ANYWHERE. Not in studs behind gypsum, not in windows and not in doors.
National's System is an Industry Exclusive
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