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Press Release
International Barrier Technology Passes Certification Hurdle to Launch Significant Market Opportunity in Mobile Offices/Modular Buildings
Fire Resistant Building Materials Company Passes Critical Fire and Wind Tests to Meet Strict Building Code Requirements for a Commercial Roof Deck System on Mobile/Modular Structures
June 19, 2003
Watkins, MN; Vancouver, BC - June 19, 2003 - International Barrier Technology Inc. ("Barrier") (IBTGF: OTCBB; IBH: TSXV), a provider of environmentally friendly, fire resistant building materials, has successfully completed rigorous fire and wind tests that will enable the company and its partner in the endeavor, Mule-Hide Products Co., Inc., to have a Class C rated commercial roof deck assembly labeled and listed by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL). The UL certification will enhance the sales launch of Barrier's products into a new market: factory-built mobile offices and modular buildings for commercial use.
Building code standards and their enforcement are becoming increasingly stringent, and modular building manufacturers are demanding improved solutions to meet these requirements. Barrier and Mule-Hide formed a joint initiative to design and introduce new "rated" roof deck assemblies that would provide superior fire and wind ratings compared to existing materials. While the majority of mobile commercial buildings are required to have a Class C fire rating, most are built to the more stringent Class A standard, since an effective, cost efficient Class C system has to date not been introduced.
On June 9 and 10, 2003, Barrier and Mule-Hide completed the Class C test requirements for ASTM E-108, Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings and UL 1897, UL's proprietary Wind Uplift Test for Roof Covering Systems. Using Barrier's BlazeguardŽ fire rated wood panel, the system surpassed 240 psf wind uplift rates and will enable building users to locate these modular buildings in most coastal regions where wind is a structural design issue. Barrier anticipates the listing and labeling process to be completed within months. Sales efforts will begin immediately.
"There is a great need for a Class C rated roof system in the mobile/modular market. The Blazeguard-based system fits this need to a "T"," said Walt Griffin, Modular Program Manager for Mule-Hide. "I am looking forward to a great relationship with Barrier as we introduce the new Blazeguard/Mule-Hide roof deck system to the industry."
"The commercial mobile/modular building industry manufactured 67.5 million square feet of new structures in 2001. This is a market with the potential to significantly expand Barrier's sales," noted Dr. Michael Huddy, Barrier's President. "These buildings are used for construction sites, education, healthcare and many other commercial uses, and this market opportunity complements Barrier's growing success in multi-family residential dwelling construction."
Mule-Hide Products Co., Inc.
Mule-Hide Products Co., Inc., a subsidiary of ABC Supply, Inc., is a leading supplier of commercial roofing products to mobile/modular structure manufacturers. Mule-Hide distributes a variety of quality roofing materials through ABC Supply, which now has over 200 distribution centers nationwide. For more information: http://www.mulehide.com.
About International Barrier Technology Inc.
International Barrier Technology Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets proprietary fire resistant building materials branded as BlazeguardŽ. The award-winning Blazeguard wood panels use a patented, non-toxic, non-combustible coating with an extraordinary capability: it releases water in the heat of fire. The panels exceed International Building Code requirements in
every targeted fire test and application, and are unique in combining properties that increase panel strength and minimize environmental and human impact. Blazeguard customers include Centex, D.R. Horton, KB Home, and Lennar. Lowe's Companies is a Blazeguard distributor.
Barrier is part of the DJ Building Materials Index (US):
http://bigcharts.marketwatch.com/industry/bigcharts-com/stocklist.asp?bcind_ind=bld&bcind_period=3mo.
For more information please visit:
http://www.intlbarrier.com or http://www.investorideas.com.
Toll free: 1.866.735.3519
Bernie Hertel
email: ir@intlbarrier.com
or
Dawn Van Zant
ECON Investor Relations, Inc.
dvanzant@investorideas.com
Forward-Looking Information: The statements in this news release contain forward-looking information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including but not limited to the ability to generate and secure product sales. In each case actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. The company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results (expressed or modified) will not be realized.
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