- Author
- Mitchell, N. D.
- Title
- Sandwich-Type Spandrel Wall.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC
- Report
- BRAB Research Conference Report 2,
- Book or Conf
- Fire Resistance of Non-Load-Bearing Exterior Walls. Proceedings. Research Correlation Conference. Building Research Advisory Board (BRAB) Conference Report 2. November 21, 1950, Building Research Advisory Board, Washington, DC, Washington, DC, 39-42 p., 1950
- Keywords
- walls | fire resistance rating | building construction | load bearing elements | safety | sandwich panels | building construction | fire endurance tests
- Abstract
- Mr. Mitchell: Mr. Chairman, Members of the Conference: My talk will be short. We have been dealing with the problem of fire protection at the National Bureau of Standards for a number of years, have made numerous tests on various types of construction, and have presented many reports of those tests. We have a few publications that set forth some of the test results. Recent rests on sandwich-type spandrel walls have provided information that may be of value to this conference inasmuch as the subject comes within its purview. Mr. Thompson has defined the objectives of the conference in his preliminary talk, and Mr. Severinghaus has made an appeal for standards of performance and interpretation of the needs for fire-resistant constructions. Mr. Davison was good enough to present a number of solutions which have been offered for making lighter spandrel walls. But, he did not tell us who was going to pay for the difference in the cost of these new constructions over the cost of the typical constructions usual in this country, some of which have served us well, others inadequately. Mr. Perry spoke glowingly of the men who are familiar with building construction in the field, and the problems that confront the contractor. He mentioned new developments which can be produced in the factory with a precision far beyond the limits to be expected in field construction. He brought these matters out very clearly. Mr. Szendy also presented some very helpful thoughts indicating that we first need to know what the hazards are, after which we can determine how to meet those hazards with constructions that will be adequate to protect the community, both from the standpoint of property loss and of loss of life.