The Finish Line: Requirements for EIFS
In the early days of EIFS in North America, EIFS was considered to be a specialty product. Each EIFS was considered to be a unique product and subject to separate review by the building code authorities to allow its use. Criteria, in the form of a myriad of test methods, were developed so that different EIFS products would be uniformly considered. These criteria were not part of the building code.
That has all changed. Now there is a single composite standard that is referenced by the International Code Council codes. This set of requirements is based on an ASTM standard named E2568. This standard s available from ASTM’s Web site.
This standard was developed with a lot of effort by EIMA. It forms the technical basis for describing what is a proper EIFS product. It contains a large list of test methods and required results, all in one document.
The playing field has now been leveled. New types of EIFS can now enter the market without going through the arduous and expensive process of separate review of individual EIFS products.
This is a good example of a new product type that has come of age. It encourages competition and reduces cost. It’s also helpful in specifying EIFS because it is “one stop shopping” for what is needed to describe a good EIFS product.
