ROCKWOOL has a history of partnerships with fire safety associations and organizations across North America. Parents, children, and business owners should know that ROCKWOOL is committed to advocating for a greater focus on fire safety and prevention nationwide to create a built environment that is safer for all. We have partnered with several fire associations and councils to make sure that building codes, laws, regulations and practices promote strong methods of fire safety.

The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) is the recognized voice of the insulation industry. It works to leverage the collective insulation expertise of its members to empower the public to make informed insulation choices, which will enable a more comfortable, energy-efficient and sustainable future. ROCKWOOL works closely with NAIMA to promote fire-resistant building solutions through education about the fire prevention benefits of stone wool for residential and commercial insulation applications.

The International Firestop Council (IFC) is a nonprofit association of manufacturers, distributors, installers, inspectors and other key stakeholders interested in passive fire protection materials and systems. This organization promotes fire and smoke containment in building construction through research, education, development of safety standards, testing and code provisions. ROCKWOOL is working with the IFC to develop and reinforce passive fire safety measures for buildings, such as fire resistant assemblies, including for those with sensitive occupants such as school children. Advocating for rigorous Building and Fire Codes, members are working to maintain the equirements for fire ratings in walls and floors, including critical exit routes such as those in school hallways and hospital corridors. The IFC and ROCKWOOL believe in strict requirements that combine both passive and active fire safety measures provide the necessary level of balanced fire protection needed for building occupant safety.

Fire Safe North America (FSNA) is an active participant in the development process around codes and standards through the International Code Council and NFPA. The organization works to promote fire resistance and smoke containment, and partners with code officials and designers on property protection, the long-term benefits of fire-resilient building design and promoting firefighter safety. ROCKWOOL (formerly ROXUL Inc.) works closely with the organization to advocate for greater fire safety policies and code standards for buildings. ROCKWOOL and FSNA engaged in the research for Project FAILSAFE, which looked at current building codes and where fire safety measures have eroded. The study found that many of the changes from lobbying efforts have compromised safety. ROCKWOOL is working with fire safety partners to address this issue as trade-offs for passive fire protection have not been adequately justified.

The National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) mission is to protect life, property and the environment from fire and related hazards. They also work to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of State Fire Marshals’ operations. The organization’s membership comprises senior fire officials who provide guidance on fire safety code adoption and enforcement, fire investigation practices and fire incident reporting and analytics. With NASFM’s support, we are focusing on increasing fire safety requirements for Type V buildings (apartments). We are also working to introduce new regulations for facades, which currently do not have fire-test standards. The combined work of ROCKWOOL and NASFM has raised the profile of fire safety in buildings. With a place on the NASFM President’s Council, ROCKWOOL joins discussions of fire-related issues and contributes to ensuring adequate fire safety regulations.

Founded in 1896, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global, self-funded nonprofit organization and today is a leader on knowledge about fire, electrical and related hazards. The NFPA is responsible for organizing the annual Fire Prevention Week, and seeks to educate the public on how to be proactive in reducing the likelihood of a fire. In 2017, the NFPA created a tool called EFFECT, which is an online assessment tool that determines the fire safety of high-rise buildings. With EFFECT, construction teams, including those working with ROCKWOOL, are now able to conduct more thorough fire risk assessments of buildings to better understand the fire hazards of exterior walls. This helps prioritize the steps to ensuring a more fire-safe structure.

Learn more about our partnerships in fire safety and their impact on your community by visiting rockwool.com/safe