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Testing the Future of Poly Mouldings
by Kellie A. Schroeder, CMP, CAE
The Moulding and Millwork Producers Association’s (MMPA)
Poly Blends Group began talking about obtaining a Code Compliance Research
Report (CCRR) in 2009. The painstaking process of reviewing building code
requirements along with established testing methods weighted the group’s
progress down—impeding forward movement for weeks at a time in some instances.
Upon conclusion of the MMPA’s Winter Business Meeting on the Isle of Palms,
S.C., in March, the group’s focus switched from talking to action as the
final questions and concerns regarding a CCRR were allayed.
Studying the Building Codes
The Poly Group gathered to peruse the building code requirements for interior
and exterior mouldings manufactured from PVC, polystyrene, polyurethane,
etc., plastic-wrapped wood, cellular plastics and wood plastic composites.
The goal set by the group is to write an inclusive CCRR and product certification
program that allows for a wide range of poly blend mouldings and millwork.
The vision of the Poly Blends Group was to foresee the various types of
products that are currently or will be manufactured in the future in order
for those products to have a place within the MMPA’s projects.
“Over the past two and a half years the group has met with several building
code and product evaluation services to determine the requirements. On
March 25, we reached an agreement so we can move forward with a code compliance
report on Poly Mouldings for members of MMPA,” says Bob Simon, executive
vice president of Gossen Corp. and current MMPA Poly Blends Group chair.
Preparing for Product Testing
The Poly Blends Group agreed to allow each association member company
to research its current product testing in place, then contact the MMPA
office this month to indicate specific needs for the upcoming testing
phase for the CCRR and eventual product certification program.
“Participating manufacturers and their respective products found to be
in compliance with established requirements will be recognized in the
ATI-ES code compliance research report (CCRR) owned by MMPA,” says Simon.
The Poly Blends Group invites all poly moulding manufacturers interested
in participating in the CCRR and product certification program to join
the group now for a key benefit. All manufacturers testing together on
the front end of this project will receive the initial group testing discount
fee schedule being offered by ATI, the lab the Poly Blends Group has chosen
to work with on the project. Manufacturers that have tested products in
the past know the value of group testing and should not delay in the decision
to go forward with the Poly Blends Group.
The Poly Blends Group consists of key poly moulding manufacturers in North
America such as: Fypon/Therma Tru; Gossen Corp.; Omega-Tek; Royal Building
Products; The Foundry / IQm Trim Board; Timbron International; and Vi-Lux
Mouldings.
Questions about how to engage in this process or the pathway chosen for
the CCRR and upcoming product certification program may be directed to
the MMPA office at 530/661-9591 or by emailing me at kelli@wmmpa.com.
Kellie Schroeder, CMP, CAE, is executive vice president of the
Moulding and Millwork Producers Association. Her opinions are solely her
own and do not necessarily reflect those of this magazine.
DWM
© Copyright 2011 Key Communications Inc. All rights reserved.
No reproduction of any type without expressed written permission.
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