EMLA Develops Wind Load Capacities for Wall Assemblies
The Expanded Metal Lath Association of the National Association of Architectural Metal Manufacturers announced the completion of a comprehensive testing program to determine the minimum acceptable load capacities for expanded metal lath under transverse loading with traditional 3-coat stucco wall systems. The third-party test results proved these types of wall systems perform exceptionally well in high-wind zone environments.
The stucco tests were performed in August 2011 at Smith-Emery Laboratories in Los Angeles, CA, in conformance with the International Code Council’s acceptance criteria AC 191 -Acceptance Criteria for Metal Plaster Bases (Lath). The lath plaster was installed in accordance with ASTM C1063 - Standard Specification for Installation of Lathing and Furring to Receive Interior and Exterior Portland Cement-Based Plaster and ASTM C926 - Standard Specification for Application of Portland Cement-Based Plaster.