Significance and Use

This test method provides for the following measurements and evaluations:

Movement capacity of the perimeter fire barrier.

Loadbearing capacity of the perimeter joint protection is optional.

Ability of the perimeter fire barrier to resist the passage of flames and hot gases.

Transmission of heat through the perimeter fire barrier.

This test method does not provide the following:

Evaluation of the degree to which the perimeter fire barrier contributes to the fire hazard by generation of smoke, toxic gases, or other products of combustion,

Measurement of the degree of control or limitation of the passage of smoke or products of combustion through the perimeter fire barrier,

Note 1This test method does not measure the quantity of smoke or hot gases through the floor assembly, the wall assembly, or the perimeter joint protection.

Measurement of flame spread over the surface of the perimeter fire barrier,

Note 2The information in 5.2.1 through 5.2.3 are determined by other suitable fire test methods. For example, Test Method E84 is used to determine 5.2.3.

Durability of the test specimen under actual service conditions, including the effects of cycled temperature,

Effects of a load on the movement cycling of the perimeter fire barrier established by this test method,

Rotational, vertical, and horizontal shear capabilities of the test specimen,

Any other attributes of the test specimen, such as wear resistance, chemical resistance, air infiltration, water-tightness, and so forth, and

A measurement of the capability of the test specimen to resist:

Flame propagation over the exterior faces of the test specimen,

Spread of flame within the combustible core component of the exterior wall assembly from one story to the next,

Note 3Some exterior wall assemblies are made from sandwich panels, which use EPS foam or other similar materials that are combustible.

Spread of flame over the interior surface (room side) of the test specimen from one story to the next, and

Note 4While it is a failure to have fire on the interior surface of the observation room, this test method does not provide a measurement of that flame spread.

Lateral spread of flame from the compartment of fire origin to adjacent spaces.

Note 5The exterior wall assembly, floor assembly, and perimeter joint protection are individual components. The capabilities of individual components are not part of this specific test method's Conditions of Compliance.

In this test method, the test specimens are subjected to one or more specific test conditions. When different test conditions are substituted or the end-use conditions are changed, it is not always possible by, or from, this test method to predict changes to the characteristics measured.

This test method is not intended to be used as the only test method in the selection of a perimeter fire barrier. It is not intended as a specification for all attributes required by a perimeter fire barrier, or any of its individual components, in order for a perimeter fire barrier to be used in a particular application.

1. Scope

1.1 This test method measures the performance of the perimeter fire barrier and its ability to maintain a seal to prevent fire spread during the deflection and deformation of the exterior wall assembly and floor assembly during the fire test, while resisting fire exposure from an interior compartment fire as well as from the flame plume emitted from the window burner below. The end point of the fire-resistance test is the period of time elapsing before the first condition of compliance is reached as the perimeter fire barrier is subjected to a time-temperature fire exposure.

1.2 The fire exposure conditions used are those specified by this test method for the first 30 min of exposure and then conform to the Test Methods E119 time-temperature curve for the remainder of the test in the test room.

1.3 This test method specifies the heating conditions, methods of test, and criteria for evaluation of the ability of a perimeter fire barrier to maintain the fire resistance where a floor and exterior wall assembly are juxtaposed to a perimeter joint.

1.4 Test results establish the performance of perimeter fire barriers during the fire-exposure period and shall not be construed as having determined the suitability of perimeter fire barriers for use after that exposure.

1.5 This test method does not provide quantitative information about the perimeter fire barrier relative to the rate of leakage of smoke or gases or both. While it requires that such phenomena be noted and reported when describing the general behavior of perimeter fire barrier during the fire-resistance test, such phenomena are not part of the conditions of compliance.

1.6 Potentially important factors and fire characteristics not addressed by this test method include, but are not limited to:

1.6.1 The performance of the perimeter fire barrier constructed with components other than those tested, and

1.6.2 The cyclic movement capabilities of perimeter fire barriers other than the cycling conditions tested.

1.7 This test method is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for the fire-hazard or fire-risk assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.

1.8 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.9 The text of this test method references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.

1.10 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials

E108 Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings

E119 Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials

E176 Terminology of Fire Standards

E511 Test Method for Measuring Heat Flux Using a Copper-Constantan Circular Foil, Heat-Flux Transducer

E631 Terminology of Building Constructions

E1529 Test Methods for Determining Effects of Large Hydrocarbon Pool Fires on Structural Members and Assemblies

E1966 Test Method for Fire-Resistive Joint Systems

Other Documents

Keywords

construction gap; cycling; curtain wall; exterior wall; fire; fire resistance; fire-resistive joint system; gap; intermediate-scale; multistory test apparatus; joint; linear opening; movement; perimeter fire barrier; perimeter joint; perimeter joint protection; separating element; void; Perimeter fire barrier system; Fire barrier; Fire resistance; Fire-resistant joint systems ;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 13.220.20 (Fire protection)

DOI: 10.1520/E2307-10

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

ASTM E2307