FireTestsofBuilding ConstructionandMaterials StandardTestMethodsfor
This standind is issued under the fixed designation E119; he nunbes immofiacly folloving thle designation indicates the year eforiginal adoption or in the case of revision the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript cpilke (e) indicates an cdioial change since the Iast revisi or eapproval.
This snnf s bee apnf for ae by agecies of de US Deparet of Defese.
INTRODUCTION
The performance of walls columns floors and other building members under fire-exposureconditions is an item of major importance in securing constructions that are safe and that are not a menace to neighboring structures or to the public. Recognition of this is registered in the codes ofsusoqssoeubuilding and of buildings of like character and use in a munity; and also to promote uniformity in requirements of various authorities throughout the country. To do this it is necessary that thefire-resistive properties of materials and assemblies be measured and specified according to a mon standard expressed in terms that are applicable alike to a wide variety of materials situations andconditions of exposure.
Such a standard is found in the test methods that follow. They prescribe a standard exposing fire ofcontrolled extent and severity. Performance is defined as the period of resistance to standard exposureelapsing before the first critical point in behavior is observed. Results are reported in units in which field exposures can be judged and expressed.
4-/-9- se passxdxo q The test methods may be cited as the “Standard Fire Tests ” and the performance or exposure shall
When a factor of safety exceeding that inherent in the test conditions is desired a proportionalincrease should be made in the specified time-classification period.
1. Scope*
period of exposure and shall not be construed as havingamsodxo an determined suitability under other conditions or for use after
1.1 The test methods described in this fire-test-responseposite assemblies of structural materials for buildings standard are applicable to assemblies of masonry units and toincluding loadbearing and other walls and partitions columns girders beams slabs and posite slab and beam assembliesblies and structural units that constitute permanent integral for floors and roofs. They are also applicable to other assem-parts of a finished building.
response of materials products or assemblies to heat and 1.3 This stondard is used to measure and describe theflame uoncder controlled conditions but does not by itselfincorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the materials products or assemblies underactual fire condirions.
1.4 These test methods prescribe a standard fire exposurefor paring the test results of building construction assem-blies The results of these tests are one factor in assessing predicted fire performance of building construction and assem-blies. Application of these test results to predict the perfor- mance of actual building construction requires the evaluationof test conditions.
tive performance to specific fire-test conditions during the 1.2 It is the intent that classifications shall register para-
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical 1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedconversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.6 This standord does not purport to address all of thesafety concems if ary associated with its use. lt is the
responsibiliry of the user of this stcndard to establish appro-priate sofery health and envirormental practices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior fo use.
affects the fire-test-response. For these reasons evaluation ofthe variation is required for application to construction in thefield.
1.7 The text of this standard references notes and footnoteswhich provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be consideredas requirements of the standard.
4.3 The test standard provides for the following:4.3.1.1 Measurement of the transmission of heat. 4.3.1For walls partitions and floor or roof test specimens:4.3.1.2 Measurement of the transmission of hot gasesthrough the test specimen. 4.3.1.3 For loadbearing elements measurement of the loadcarrying ability of the test specimen during the test exposure. 4.3.2 For individual loadbearing members such as beamsand columns:4.3.2.1 Measurement of the load carrying ability under the
1.8 This internarional stancdard was developed in accor-dance with internationally recognized principles on standord-Development of International Stondards Guides and Re- ization established in the Decision on Principles for themendations issued by the Worid Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Commiltee.
test exposure with consideration for the end support conditions(that is restrained or not restrained).
2.Referenced Documents
2.1 AS7M Srandards:2
4.4 The test standard does not provide the following:
C569 Test Method for Indentation Hardness of Preformed Thermal Insulations (Withdrawn 1988)D6513 Practice for Calculating the Superimposed Load onE176 Terminology of Fire Standards Wood-frame Walls for Standard Fire-Resistance TestsE177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test MethodsE691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test MethodE814 Test Method for Fire Tests of Penetration FirestopE2226 Practice for Application of Hose Stream Systems
4.4.1 Information as to performance of test specimensconstructed with ponents or lengths other than those tested.
4.4.2 Evaluation of the degree by which the test specimencontributes to the fire hazard by generation of smoke toxicgases or other products of bustion.
4.4.3 Measurement of the degree of control or limitation ofrhte pussage of smoke or products of bustion through the test specimen.
building elements such as floor-wall or wall-wall etc. connec- 4.4.4 Simulation of the fire behavior of joints betweentions.
specimens. 4.4.5 Measurement of flame spread over the surface of test
3. Terminology
in the test specimen that is electrical receptacle outlets 4.4.6 The effct on fire-resistance of conventional openingsplumbing pipe etc. unless specifically provided for in theconstruction tested. Also see Test Method E814 for testing of fire stops.
3.1 Definirions-For definitions of terms found in this testmethod refer to Terminology E176.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 These test methods are intended to evaluate the durationfor which the types of building elements noted in 1.1 contain a fire retain their structural integrity or exhibit both propertiesduring a predetermined test exposure.
5. Test Specimen
5.1 The test specimen shall be representative of the con-struction that the test is intended to assess as to materials workmanship and details such as dimensions of parts andshall be built under conditions representative of those applied in building construction and operation. The physical propertiesof the materials and ingredients used in the test specimen shallbe determined and recorded.
controlled to achieve specified temperatures throughout a 4.2 The test exposes a test specimen to a standard firespecified time period. When required the fire exposure isstream applied in accordance with Practice E2226. The test followed by the application of a specified standard fire hoserable building elements under these fire exposure conditions. provides a relative measure of the fire-test-response of pa-The exposure is not representative of all fire conditions because conditions vary with changes in the amount nature anddistribution of fire loading ventilation partment size andVariation from the test conditions or test specimen configuration and heat sink characteristics of the partment.construction such as size materials method of assembly also
5.2 The size and dimensions of the test specimen specifiedherein shall apply for classifying constructions of dimensionsof use limit the construction to smaller dimensions the within the range employed in buildings. When the conditionsdimensions of the test specimen shall be reduced proportion- ately for a test qualifying them for such restricted use.
5.3 Test specimens designed with a built-up roof shall bewith not more than 120 Ib (54 kg) per square 100 f² (9 m²) of tested with a roof covering of 3 ply 15 Ib (6.8 kg) type felt covering do not preclude the field use of other coverings with hot mopping asphalt without gravel surfacing. Tests with thisor with gravel surfacing. a larger number of plys of felt with a greater amount of asphalt
5.4 Roofing systems designed for other than the use ofbuilt-up roof coverings shall be tested using materials anddetails of construction representative of field application.
6. Protection and Conditioning of Test Specimen
6.1Protect the test specimen during and after fabrication toensure its quality and condition at the time of test. The test specimen shall not be tested until its required strength has beenattained and until an air-dry condition has been achieved inthe testing equipment and test specimen undergoing the fire- accordance with the requirements given in 6.2 6.4. Protectresistance test from any condition of wind or weather that is capable of affecting results. The ambient air temperature at thebeginning of the test shall be within the range of 50 to 90°F (10 to 32°C). The velocity of air across the unexposed surface ofthe test specimen measured just before the test begins shallplaced at right angles to the unexposed surface. When me- not exceed 4.4 ft (1.3 m/s) as determined by an anemometerchanical ventilation is employed during the test an air stream shall not be directed across the surface of the test specimen.
6.2 Prior to the fire-resistance test condition test specimenstest specimen representative of that in similar construction in with the objective of providing moisture condition within thebuildings. For purposes of standardization this condition is established at equilibrium resulting from conditioning in anambient atmosphere of 50 % relative humidity at 73°F (Note1).
6.2.1 With some constructions it is difficult or impossible toare tested when the dampest portion of the test specimen or the achieve such uniformity. Where this is the case test specimensconstructions has achieved a moisture content corresponding portion at 6-in. (152-mm) depth below the surface of massiveto conditioning to equilibrium with air in the range of 50 to75 % relative humidity at 73 ± 5°F (23 ± 3°C).
6.2.2 When evidence is shown that test specimens condi-tioned in a heated building will fail to meet the requirements of 6.2 after a 12-month conditioning period or in the event thatconditioning of the test specimen interior is prevented by the nature of the construction is such that it is evident thatare permitted to be waived and either 6.2.2.1 or 6.2.2.2 shall hermetic sealing the moisture condition requirements of 6.2apply.
be used to achieve test specimen equilibrium prescribed in 6.2 6.2.2.1 Altermative conditioning methods are permitted to(Note 2) or
6.2.2.2 The specimen tested when its strength is at leasting period. uopuo Kep g umuu e aoje yuans uisap s on [enbo
6.3 Avoid conditioning procedures that will alter the struc-tural or fire-resistance characteristics of the test specimen from those produced as the result of conditiong in accordance withprocedures given in 6.2.
bution within the test specimen shall be obtained within 72 h 6.4 Information on the actual moisture content and distri-prior to the fire. Include this information in the test report (Note3).
Nors 1A remended method for determining the relative humiditywithin a hardened concrete test specimen with electric sensing elements is
described in Appendix I of the paper by Menzel C. A “A Method forRelative Humidity " Proceedings ASTM Vol 55 1955 p. 1085. A similar Determining the Moisture Condition of Hardened Concrete in Terms ofop aqo pd s s smpd determine the relative humidity within test specimens made with othermaterials.
With wood constructions the moisture meter based on the electricalrelative humidity method to indicate when wood has attained the proper resistance method can be used when appropriate as an alternative to themoisture content. Electrical methods are described on page 12-2 of the 1999 edition of the Wood Handbook of the Forest Prodacts Labonatory.U.S. Department of Agriculture. The relationships between relative humidity and moisture content are given in Table 3-4 on p. 3-7. Thisindicates that wood has a moisture content of 13 % at a relative humidity of 70 % for a temperature of 70 to 80°F (21 to 27°C).
Nor: 2An example where alternative conditioning may be employedis where concrete specimens are conditioned at elevated temperatures in a 7'9 u paqusap suopuoo sq uqo (ipdu om o _Supq poeg.In sach cases temperatures oher than 73°F are used to reach a maximm 50 % relative humidity.
change drasticl fr the 2 aling tim pri o test th samling Nore 3If the moisture condition of the test specimen is likely toshould be made not later than 24 h prior to the test.
7.Control
7.1 Fire-Resistance Test:
7.1.1 Time-Temperature Curve:
follow the standard time-temperature curve shown in Fig. 1. 7.1.1.1 The furnace temperatures shall be controlled toThe points on the curve that determine its character are:
1550°F (843°C) 1000°F (538°C) 1300°F (704°C) at 10 min at 5 min at 30 min1850°F (1010°C) 1700°F (827°C) at 1 h at 2 h2000°F (1093°C) 2300°F (1260°C) at 8 h or over
temperature curve see Appendix X1. 7.1.1.2 For a more detailed definition of the time-
Norm 4Remendations for Recording Fael Flow to FurnaceBurners The following provides guidance on the desired characteristics of instrumentation for recording the flow of fuel to the furnace burners.Fuel flow data may be useful for a fumace heat balance analysis for measuring the effect of furnace or control changes and for paring the
FIG. 1 Time-Temperature Curve
performance of test specimens of different properties in the fire-resistancetest.*
beginning of the test. During the test furnace thermocouplesshall not touch the test specimen in the event of the testspecimen's deflection.
Record the integrated (cumulative) flow of gas (or other fuel) to thefumace bumers at 10 min 20 min 30 min and every 30 min thereaffer or more frequently. Total gas consumed during the total test period is also tod se s r o s y pog readings on an instantaneous or totalizing flow meter. Select a measuringand recording system to provide flow rate readings accurate to within ±5 %.
7.2.2 The furnace temperatures shall be read at intervals notexceeding 5 min during the first 2 h and thereafter the intervals shall not exceed 10 min.
the area under the time-temperature curve obtained by aver- 7.2.3 The accuracy of the furnace control shall be such thataging the results from the pyrometer readings is within 10 %of the corresponding area under the standard time-temperature curve shown in Fig. 1 for fire-resistance tests of 1 h or lessh and within 5 % for tests exceeding 2 h in duration. duration within 7.5 % for those over 1 h and not more than 2
flow (corrected to standard conditions of 60°F (16°C) and 30.0 in. Hg) as [pn a pue 'snpex Bueq (ssou) rou?u st! pon jo ads oq uodoga function of time.
7.2 Farnace Temperatures:
7.2.1 The temperature fixed by the curve shall be thefor a floor roof wall or partition and not fewer than eightthermocouples for a structural column. Furmace thermocouples shall be symmetrically disposed and distributed to show thetemperature near all parts of the sample. The exposed length of the pyrometer tube and thermocouple in the furnace chambershall be not less than 12 in. (305 mm).
7.3 Test Specimen Tenperotures:
faces of Floors Roofs Walls and Parritions: 7.3.1 Temperatures Measurement of the Unexposed Sur-
shall be measured with thermocouples placed under dry felted 7.3.1.1 Temperatures of unexposed test specimen surfacespads meeting the requirements listed in Annex A1. The wire leads of the thermocouple shall be positioned under the pad andbe in contact with the unexposed test specimen surface for notless than 3/2 in. (89 mm). The hot junction of the thermocouple shall be placed approximately under the center of the pad. Thepad shall be held firmly against the surface and shall cover the thermocouple. The wires for the thermocouple in the lengthcoveredbythepad shallbenotheaviethaNo8&S gage(0.04 in.) (1.02 mm) and shall be electrically insulated with heat-resistant or moisture-resistant coatings or both.
7.2.1.1 The thermocouple shall be fabricated from Chromel-Alumel thermocouple wire. The wire shall be 14 AWG (0.0642in. diameter 1.628 mm diameter) or 16 AWG (0.0508 in. diameter1.450 mm diameter) or 18 AWG (0.0403 in. diameter formed by fusion-welding the wire ends to form a bead. 1.024 mm diameter). The thermocouple junction shall be
two holes of the ceramic insulators. The ceramic insulators Each thermocouple wire lead shall be placed into one of theshall have an outside diameter of 0.40 in. (10 mm) with twoholes each having an outside diameter of 0.08 in. (2 mm). The thermocouple wire and ceramic insulators shall be inserted intoa standard weight nominal 0.50 in. (12.7 mm) Inconel@ 600 pipe (Schedule 40). The thermocouple bead shall be locatedinsulators and 0.50 ± 0.04 in. (12.7 ± 1 mm) from the pipe 0.25 ± 0.04 in. (6.35 ± 1 mm) from the end of ceramicend. The thermocouple assembly is shown in Fig. 2.
surface shall be defined as the surface exposed to ambient air. NofE 5For the purpose of testing roof assemblies the unexposed
7.3.1.2 Temperatures shall be recorded at not fewer thandisposed one to be approximately at the center of the test nine points on the surface. Five of these shall be symmetricallyspecimen and four at approximately the center of its quarter sections. The other four shall be located to obtain representa-tive information on the performance of the test specimen. The thermocouples shall not be located closer to the edges of thetest specimen than one and one-half times the thickness of thewhich there is an element of the construction that is not test specimen or 12 in. (305 mm). Exception: those cases inThe thermocouples shall not be located opposite or on top of otherwise represented in the remainder of the test specimen.peratures at such points will be lower than at more represen- beams girders pilasters or other structural members if tem-tative locations. The thermocouples shall not be located over
shall be placed 6 in. (152 mm) away from the exposed face of 7.2.1.2 For walls and partitions the furnace thermocouplesthe test specimen at the beginning of the test. For all other test specimens the furmace thermocouples shall be placed 12 in.(305 mm) from the exposed face of the test specimen at the
FIG. 2 Thermocouple Assembly
fasteners except when the aggregate area of any part of suchfasteners on the unexposed side is greater than or equal to 1 %of the area within any 6-in. (152-mm) diameter circle or the fasteners extend through the assembly from the exposed side tothe unexposed side.
7.3.1.3 Temperatures shall be measured and recorded atintervals not greater than 30 s.
7.3.1.4 Where the conditions of acceptance place a limita-tion on the rise of temperature of the unexposed surface thetemperature end point of the fire-resistance period shall be determined by the average of the measurements taken atindividual points; except that if a temperature rise 30 % in excess of the specified limit occurs at any one of these points the remainder shall be ignored and the fire-resistance period judged as ended.
7.3.2 Temperafure Measurement of Non-loaded SructuralSteel Colamns (Alternative Test of Steel Colams):
7.3.2.1 Measure the temperature of the steel with not fewerthan three thermocouples at each of four levels. The upper andcolumn and the two intermediate levels shall be equally lower levels shall be 2 ft (0.6 m) from the ends of the steelspaced. For situations in which the protection material thick- ness is not uniform along the test specimen length at least oneof the levels at which temperatures are measured shall include the point of minimum cover. Place the thermocouples at eachlevel to measure temperatures of the ponent elements ofthe steel section.
7.3.3 Temperature Measurement of the Componens ofFloors and Roofs:
7.3.3.1 For steel floor or roof units locate four thermo-couples on each section (a section to prise the width of oneunit) one on the bottom plane of the unit at an edge joint one on the bottom plane of the unit remote from the edge one ona side wall of the unit and one on the top plane of the unit The thermocouples shall be applied where practicable to thesurface of the units remote from fire and spaced across the width of the unit. No more than four or fewer than two sectionsneed be so instrumented in each representative span. Locate the groups of four thermocouples in representative locationsspaced across the width of the unit. Typical thermocouplelocations for a unit section are shown in Fig. 3.
7.3.3.2 For test specimens employing structural members(beams open-web steel joists etc.) spaced at more than 4 ft (1.2 m) on centers measure the temperature of the steel inthese members with four thermocouples at each of three ormore sections equally spaced along the length of the members. For situations in which the protection material thickness is notuniform along the test specimen length at least one of the sections at which temperatures are measured shall include thepoint of minimum cover.
7.3.3.3 For test specimens employing structural members(beams open-web steel joists etc.) spaced at 4 ft (1.2 m) onmembers with four thermocouples placed on each member. No center or less measure the temperature of the steel in thesemore than four members shall be so instrumented. Place the thermocouples at locations such as at mid-span over joints inthe ceiling and over light fixtures. It shall not be required thatall four thermocouples be located at the same section.
FIG. 3 Typical Location of Thermocouples Celular Unit
as shown in Fig. 4: two on the bottom of the bottom flange or 7.3.3.4 For steel structural members locate thermocoupleschord one on the web at the center and one on the top flange or chord.
7.3.3.5 For reinforced or pre-stressed concrete structuralmembers locate thermocouples on each of the tension rein- forcing elements unless there are more than eight suchselected in such a manner as to obtain representative tempera- elements in which case place thermocouples on eight elementstures of all the elements.
7.3.4 Temperoture Measurement of Loaded RestrainedBeams:
members with four thermocouples at each of three or more 7.3.4.1 Measure the temperature of the steel structuralsituations in which the protection material thickness is not sections equally spaced along the length of the members. Foruniform along the test specimen length at least one of the
FIG. 4 Typical Location of Thermocouple
