The development of cutting edge, or new technology, building materials presents a special challenge for manufacturers in today's marketplace. Rapid advancements in building and manufacturing technologies often outpace changes to existing building codes, standards and test methods, which were originally based upon the use of more traditional materials.

Fortunately, such change generally is greeted with interest and acceptance. Designers, owners and building and code officials have demonstrated an openness to the idea that such new technologies potentially can significantly improve upon existing materials and methods in many cases. This results in the potential for decreased risk of injury and loss of life and property. A willingness also exists in the testing community to apply these new technologies creatively to existing test standards to achieve a level of safety and performance that was previously unattainable.

Often the introduction of new technology products will result in some confusion in the marketplace as to which test standards and methods should apply. Therefore, it is important that new products test to all existing standards that are applicable to the products they are intended to replace. Such new technology products, if accepted, can begin to influence the test standards and codes over a period of time. In the meanwhile, it is important to know the applicable test standards your product must meet, and by incorporating new technology materials and methods be sure that the products are tested comprehensively.

O'Keeffe's Inc. has an ongoing fire resistance and safety impact testing program that primarily is driven by marketing-stimulated research and development projects. These projects are aimed at product refinement or new product introduction. Therefore, our products have a clear need for the services of independent testing laboratories to both test and maintain listings, as well as for labeling and follow-up services. The value of laboratory testing is unique to firms involved with new technology products. Testing new or alternative products to existing standards is perhaps the best way to introduce a product. While potential end users may not be familiar with the properties of a given product, they typically are well-versed in the applicable test standards to which they must comply for their own product line.

For example, the fire door and hollow metal industry has a long history and familiarity with the traditional fire-resistant glazing material known as wire glass. O'Keeffe's Inc. currently is completing •a testing program, utilizing Underwriters Laboratories and Warnock-Hersey International, that will ultimately result in a "Contraflam" glazing material that can be used for generic 20-minute glazing conditions.

Before it is possible to sell such a product through door manufacturers and distributors, it must be demonstrated that this glazing product has been tested successfully to current standards in representative construction—how it actually will be used. Having successfully completed testing, a labeling and follow-up service can be established by the test laboratory. In the case of a glazing material, individual lites are required to be labeled for fire resistance as well as safety impact testing when utilized in safety glazing locations, such as doors and sidelites. So, while door manufacturers and distributors may not have had a working familiarity with such an alternative product, this has been overcome by demonstrating that all necessary test standards have been satisfied, thus clearing the way for the creative use of a non-traditional material by a variety of end users.

In the case of a safety glazing material, it is also necessary to demonstrate compliance with ANSI Z97.1 (test for transparent safety glazing material used in buildings) and/or the Consumer Products Safety Commission 16 CFR, Part 1201. This is a key point: Recognize that two or more distinctly different test requirements may be required for such a product. In this case, fire-resistant and human impact safety are essential; although these are completely unrelated building and test standards, both are equally important and applicable.

O'Keeffe's ap-preaches testing for certification as the culmination of a complete research and development program, which initially is instigated by a marketing concept. Due to the relatively high cost of completing such an independent laboratory test program, it is prudent to spend a good deal of effort in design refinements beyond the original concept.

At an early point, the review and critique of the design concept by the end user as well as the test lab is important. End users, such as door manufacturers, can offer keen insight into the particular characteristics of the products they produce, which will certainly influence product design. Test laboratories similarly will offer valuable advice to ensure that, even in the event of a successful test, no obvious oversights will prevent listing and labeling services from being extended for all desired applications. Both sources offer a wealth of information and practical testing experience. All of this information should be factored with your own ideas to make a better decision.

Testing can be a positive and beneficial experience even in the event of failure—if the dynamics involved are understood. Take time to read and understand the test method employed. Risk of failure can be reduced significantly through careful planning and quality control. Test failure is often the result of the unknown; eliminating those variables will reduce the potential of failure. Look for the "Achilles' heel" of your product, and look for ways to protect its vulnerability. Careful inspection of the final assembly of the actual test assembly often will ensure against simple human error causing failure in an otherwise sound design. Similarly, careful inspection of the assembly after testing will inevitably provide clues for future refinements.

Finally, test assemblies should be truly representative of the production product they represent, to assure a consistency in intended performance. The optimum solution is often a careful blend of manufacturing economy with design sophistication required to test successfully. With product liability of paramount concern, reliability and consistency is in the best interest of those introducing new technology products into the marketplace. These new products are, after all, intended to advance the building industry.