Wildfire Exterior ProtectionApplications
PROTECTION & SAVINGS
CEASE FIRE ROOF VENTS
CEASE FIRE ROOF VENTS
WILDFIRE HOME PROTECTION
WallGuard (and RoofGuard) is formulated with 3M ceramic for thermal and fire resistance. According to Intertek's fire lab WallGuard is the only spray-on exterior coating they have tested that passed the ASTM E2768 30-minute test (see report summary below) with flames directly against WallGuard that earned the highest Class-A Fire Rating with ZERO flame and smoke spread (comparable to asbestos).
Why some L.A. homes remain standing next to ones destroyed by fires: "Like a blow torch" by CBS News Jan. 20, 2025. Stucco (a cementacious material) is a popular exterior finish because homeowners' belief that it is fire-resistant, but all cementacious exterior finishes of stucco, fiber cement board (FCB) and FCB lap siding have near zero thermal resistance to wildfire's high heat. According to the Federal Oak Ridge Tennessee Lab test report, tilt-up concrete walls (and therefore FCB, lap siding, and stucco) have a Whole-Wall R-Value of 0.6, i.e. near zero thermal resistance.
WallGuard is the 1st Choice for wildfire protection, because it reduces wildfire's high heat of over 1,000℉ surface temperature to 314℉ inside the walls (-69% thermal resistance), which protects the wood interior structure from reaching its 450℉ ignition temperature. Refer to Test 1 below
The following products were tested
( Click on the links to view each test )
- Intertek's WallGuard Test : which is the 1st Choice for fire protection and utility savings.
- Intertek's Test of Stucco without WallGuard : In 9.6 minutes a wildfire's ~1,000℉ temperature penetrates the stucco's exterior wall finish at 450℉ igniting the wood trusses and wall studs. At 484℉ the stucco surface begins to disintegrate.
- Intertek's Test of Stucco with WallGuard : at 2.4 minutes the backside reached 212℉ and peaked at 277℉, which is below the wood ignition temperature of 450℉.
- Intertek's Test of ¼" FCB without WallGuard : In 3 minutes a wildfire's ~1,000℉ temperature penetrates the FCB roof soffit enclosure at 459℉ igniting the wood trusses and wall studs. At 450℉ it ignited the plywood backing.
Wildfires
How do wildfires spread in neighborhoods?
WALLGUARD PERFORMANCE DATA
- FIRE: WallGuard or RoofGuard, formulated with 3M ceramic coating (RoofGuard has twice the amount ceramic for solar protection as WallGuard), which is sprayed, rolled, or brushed onto the exterior walls and roof at a 6-mil thickness. During Intertek's ASTM'S E2768 30-minute fire test WallGuard eared a Class-A Fire Rating with Zero flame and smoke spread. Plus it withstood 1,675℉ during Intertek's NFPA 285 2-story 30-minute fire test without ignition.
- MOISTURE: 4 Year Wind-Driven Rain and Snow Test. The WallGuard membrane is permeable (breathable) allowing interior water vapor to escape preventing mold, and is an exterior moisture barrier against rain and snow. It's also resistant to fungus, mold, and mildew.
- ELASTOMERIC
- Tested to 600%+ elongation at 77 F. and returns to its original dimensions without deformation.
- SOLAR
- Passed accelerated weathering and solar exposure of 500 hours exposure (equivalent to 4 years) without degradation or signs of checking, cracking, chalking, or coating loss.
- INSULATION
- According to the Department of Energy formula WallGuard and RoofGuard’s 69% thermal resistance coating adds R-46.4 insulation to the structure walls. Our Protected Insulation Cladding System (PICS) and it's FCB panel substrate with 1-½ of foam insulation adds R-7.7 for a total wall insulation value of R-54. This reduces the cost of air-conditioning by > 20% to 30%, earning Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Credit of $1,200 for homeowners and $2,500 for homebuilders.
- ANNUAL MAINTENANCE: None Required
- Damaged walls can be easily repaired with WallGuard applied with paintbrush or roller. Dust buildup can be rinsed off with a garden hose.
- REPAIR CRACKED STUCCO
- Apply colorized WallGuard with a brush, roller or sprayer to coat stucco for a long-lasting, elastomeric (stretchy) membrane, that resists fading and water, and fills in cracks up to 1/16 wide. For wider cracks or older, chalking stucco, pre-wash, dry, pre-fill cracks with caulk, then apply WallGuard.
- WARRANTY
- 20-year warranty with no claims submitted in the 38-year history of WallGuard exterior coating projects across Canada.
The Marriott Residence Inn Alberta, Canada project was completed in 1999. WallGuard was selected in place of stucco for the 96,000 sq. ft. of exterior finish, because of its superior performance, durability, and maintenance free properties plus it reduced the labor and material cost by 44% saving $178,600. WallGuard was also used for the walls and ceiling of the indoor pool area. The WallGuard coating has required no repairs or maintenance in over 26 years.
Greg McManus is a retired Senior Engineer & Director of Special Projects for Marriott Hotels as well as at Sto Corporation. After he reviewed WallGuard's fire lab tests and Marriott's Zero Maintenance Report since application in 1999, he made the following comments: WallGuard is an Integrated Wall System that delivers the best results in cost, sustainability and design flexibility. For hotels and commercial buildings, this is 'pure gold' in maintenance savings
Greg McManus is a retired Senior Engineer & Director of Special Projects for Marriott Hotels as well as at Sto Corporation. After he reviewed WallGuard's fire lab tests and Marriott's Zero Maintenance Report since application in 1999, he made the following comments: WallGuard is an Integrated Wall System that delivers the best results in cost, sustainability and design flexibility. For hotels and commercial buildings, this is 'pure gold' in maintenance savings
WallGuard's 3M ceramic colorized spray-on smooth or stucco texture coating is thermally resistant to wildfire's 1,200℉ heat. During Intertek's E2768 30-minute test with direct flames against WallGuard it earned a Class-A Fire Rating with ZERO flame and smoke spread (comparable to asbestos), which is the only coating to earn this highest rating.
When WallGuard is applied over our Protected Insulation Cladding System (PICS) panel with 5/16" thick 4' x 8' Fiber Cement Board (FCB) sheets bonded to dense fire-resistant expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam for added insulation in ready-to-install panels; this WallGuard coated PICS panel is the ultimate fire-resistant exterior finishing panel system for walls and roofs and comes with a 20-year warranty providing long-term protection and fire resistance. Plus it is Maintenance Free, Insulating, and Resistant to Moisture and Sound.
PICS also replaces the OSB substrate. The following lists the assembly steps for PICS versus a Stucco EIFS.
Steps for PICS Assembly
- Cut 4' x 8' panels to plans
- Secure panels with nails or screws to frame
- Finish PICS Panel with spray-on WallGuard
Steps for Standard EIFS
- Apply adhesive
- Install foam
- Attach mesh
- Apply basecoat over mesh
- Apply primer
- Apply finish coat
Single Family Home with Color Matched WallGuard Spray-On Exterior Coating.
Shopping Mall in Kissimmee, Florida with white RoofGuard that is sprayed on for fast 2-hours curing and is elastomeric for protection from heavy solar exposure, expansion and contraction and rainfall.