Johns Manville Introduces New Firetemp™ Intumescent Firestop Caulk and Spray

Denver, Colorado (1/15/1999) --- Johns Manville has unveiled two new intumescent firestopping products, Firetemp™ CI Caulk and Firetemp™ SI Spray, that are UL-approved and listed for hundreds of firestopping systems installations in both new construction and commercial building remodeling.

As part of a firestopping system, Firetemp™ has demonstrated under certain test conditions that it can contain a blaze for up to four hours, even as the heat reaches 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. When exposed to extreme heat from a fire, the intumescent caulk expands up to 800 percent and the spray up to 1200 percent, forming thick, firestopping barriers. Firetemp's ability to stop fire is evidenced by the product's approved use in many single-component firestop systems, in which filler material or backing is optional. In contrast, many other sealants, although they carry a firestopping label, merely stop smoke and rely on filler or backing to halt the flame.

Firetemp™ has been designed to be an integral component of a complete building system, containing other elements such as walls, pipes, cable trays, and ducts. In addition to compliance with firestopping systems testing for UL-approval and building codes, Firetemp™ has been extensively systems-tested at the Johns Manville Technical Center. This is to assure the product's compatibility with other building materials and to confirm performance data, including acoustical control, ability to withstand extreme ambient temperatures, and resistance to corrosion and microbial growth.

Competitively priced Firetemp™ products simplify the entire installation process, providing an opportunity to reduce labor costs. No mixing is necessary and because it is water based, there are no solvent odors to worry about.

Firetemp™ SI Spray applies smoothly, without the usual drips and runs. Bulky collars, wraps, and blankets are also unnecessary when using Firetemp™ CI Caulk. Clean up for both spray and caulk requires only tap water.

"Johns Manville has more than 140 years of experience in building materials and throughout the company's history fire protection has always been an important aspect of the business," said Rick Versen, business manager of JM's new Fire Protection Systems Group. "Firetemp™ firestopping products represent an entirely new market for JM and allows the introduction of new, innovative ideas to the passive fire protection industry."

Johns Manville (NYSE: JM) is a leading manufacturer and marketer of premium quality insulation and building products. The 141-year-old Denver-based company had sales of $1.65 billion in 1997. Johns Manville produces and markets insulation products for buildings and equipment; commercial/industrial roofing systems; and engineered products including high-efficiency filtration media, fibers, fabric and non-woven mats used as reinforcements in building and industrial applications. Johns Manville employs approximately 9,300 people and operates 54 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and China.