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Is plaster combustable?

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DaVinciRemodel

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I’m designing a couple of fireplace surrounds. I’m considering using plaster (possibly Venetian plaster) as the visible surface. We would use metal studs and attach cement board as the substrate to apply the plaster to.

My question is: Is plaster a non-combustible material? My building inspector is good with the concept (he believes it’s non-combustible), but wants me to supply the proof/citation. Where would I look for this info?
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
ismaels said:
Plaster is not combustible. House walls used to be made of it. Plaster is basically thin cement. Last time I looked the concrete flooring I install has never caught on fire! Go for it.

Ismael
Click to expand...
I agree with your sentiment here, but I don’t think I can just tell the building official that Ismael said it was ok and to “go for it”. I’ll need to show him some citation.

Mark James provided a good one, I hope he accepts North Carolina’s document. I'd love to have a national one... maybe IBC.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
ScipioAfricanus said:
Most Plasters are made of gypsum which is universally known as a noncombustible material.
THIS link to ESR# 1388 is for Gyp board but the concept is the same.

I have looked for an ESR or ICC# for just plaster but can not find one.

Andy.
Click to expand...
Thanks Andy. I’ve run into the same thing in my search for a specific, but I’m here asking you guys… so obviously I didn’t find one either.

I also think paint would disqualify it, hence my thought of a Venetian plaster with the colorant built in.
 
#9 ·
Everything is combustible at a temperature high enough.

Plaster is essentially concrete. So no, it's not combustible. Unless you plan on doing horsehair plaster....
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
The fireplace manufacturer requires “non-combustible” materials within certain distances around the fireplace opening. My design has the surround inside of those distances, thus I need a non-combustible material applied to a non-combustible structure.

The structure part is fairly simple with 20-gauge metal framing and Durock attached (I have citations for non-combustibility for both of those), but I can’t seem to find anything definitive on plaster.
 
#13 ·
Marble or granite.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
I think I got what I need.

From the Heat & Glo Installation Manual:

E. Non-Combustible Materials Specification
Material which will not ignite and burn. Such materials are
those consisting entirely of steel, iron, brick, tile, concrete,
slate, glass or plasters, or any combination thereof.
Materials that are reported as passing ASTM E 136,
Standard Test Method for Behavior of Materials in
a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750 ºC shall be considered
non-combustible materials.
 
#18 ·
DaVinciRemodel said:
I think I got what I need.

From the Heat & Glo Installation Manual:

E. Non-Combustible Materials Specification
Material which will not ignite and burn. Such materials are
those consisting entirely of steel, iron, brick, tile, concrete,
slate, glass or plasters, or any combination thereof.
Materials that are reported as passing ASTM E 136,
Standard Test Method for Behavior of Materials in
a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750 ºC shall be considered
non-combustible materials.
Click to expand...
Hi there,
I was wondering if the plaster material worked around your fireplace? Did it cause any discoloration or cracks? I am in a similar situation, with metal and durock placed around the fireplace, but my plasterer uses marmorino plaster and isn't sure if it was withstand the heat. Any information would be greatly appreiated.
Thanks.
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
We went ahead and did it.

Fireplace Remodeling Denver | A Fireplace that Fits | DaVinci Remodeling

It passed inspection (although there was no question from the inspector). It is still holding up just as we installed it (we’ve done two more projects at the house since).

We used Venetian plaster (ground stone with a stone colorant added). I have no idea what marmorino plaster is.
 
#20 ·
DaVinciRemodel said:
We went ahead and did it.

Fireplace Remodeling Denver | A Fireplace that Fits | DaVinci Remodeling

It passed inspection (although there was no question from the inspector). It is still holding up just as we installed it (we’ve done two more projects at the house since).

We used Venetian plaster (ground stone with a stone colorant added). I have no idea what marmorino plaster is.
Click to expand...
DaVinciRemodel said:
We went ahead and did it.

Fireplace Remodeling Denver | A Fireplace that Fits | DaVinci Remodeling

It passed inspection (although there was no question from the inspector). It is still holding up just as we installed it (we’ve done two more projects at the house since).

We used Venetian plaster (ground stone with a stone colorant added). I have no idea what marmorino plaster is.
Click to expand...
Do you have a picture of the fireplace with the Venetian plaster around it?
 
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