A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Fire test for code use: Steiner tunnel test variations
The Steiner tunnel is the fire test most commonly used for regulatory use in the USA. The standard test, ASTM E 84, is quite vague in the explanation of how materials or products need to be mounted for testing. This has led to tests being conducted, and materials or products being approved, without the proper associated fire safety. This was initially addressed by developing specific variations of the test that applied to wires and cables (for use in plenums), sprinkler pipes, pneumatic tubing and plastic cable raceways. In recent years standard practices have been issued for specimen preparation and mounting of wall/ceiling coverings, pipe and duct insulation, wood products, site-fabricated stretch systems and reflective insulation materials. Other changes have been made, or are in progress, addressing specimen width and thickness. This paper will present an update and indicate areas where added work is still needed. Flame spread in the ASTM E 84 test is reported as a flame spread index. Flame spread over the face of the test specimen is observed through windows in the side of the "tunnel." Flame propagation is recorded as a function of time over the 10 min test duration. The record of flame propagation versus time is used to calculate a flame spread index, by comparison with two standard reference materials. Red oak flooring is arbitrarily assigned a flame spread index of 100 and a cementitious board material is assigned a flame spread index (FSI) of 0. According to the test standard, red oak flooring spreads flame 24 ft (7.3 m) to the end of the test specimen in 5.5 min 15 s. The attenuation of light by the passing air flow containing smoke and particulates is used to compute a smoke developed index (SDI). The Classification for code use of materials or products tested using ASTM E 84 is: Class A or Class I: FSI < 25 , SDI < 450 ; Class B or Class II: 26 < FSI < 75 , SDI < 450 ; Class Cor Class III: 76 < FSI < 200 SDI < 450 ; Plenum Materials FSI < 25 SDI < 50
Fire test for code use: Steiner tunnel test variations
The Steiner tunnel is the fire test most commonly used for regulatory use in the USA. The standard test, ASTM E 84, is quite vague in the explanation of how materials or products need to be mounted for testing. This has led to tests being conducted, and materials or products being approved, without the proper associated fire safety. This was initially addressed by developing specific variations of the test that applied to wires and cables (for use in plenums), sprinkler pipes, pneumatic tubing and plastic cable raceways. In recent years standard practices have been issued for specimen preparation and mounting of wall/ceiling coverings, pipe and duct insulation, wood products, site-fabricated stretch systems and reflective insulation materials. Other changes have been made, or are in progress, addressing specimen width and thickness. This paper will present an update and indicate areas where added work is still needed. Flame spread in the ASTM E 84 test is reported as a flame spread index. Flame spread over the face of the test specimen is observed through windows in the side of the "tunnel." Flame propagation is recorded as a function of time over the 10 min test duration. The record of flame propagation versus time is used to calculate a flame spread index, by comparison with two standard reference materials. Red oak flooring is arbitrarily assigned a flame spread index of 100 and a cementitious board material is assigned a flame spread index (FSI) of 0. According to the test standard, red oak flooring spreads flame 24 ft (7.3 m) to the end of the test specimen in 5.5 min 15 s. The attenuation of light by the passing air flow containing smoke and particulates is used to compute a smoke developed index (SDI). The Classification for code use of materials or products tested using ASTM E 84 is: Class A or Class I: FSI < 25 , SDI < 450 ; Class B or Class II: 26 < FSI < 75 , SDI < 450 ; Class Cor Class III: 76 < FSI < 200 SDI < 450 ; Plenum Materials FSI < 25 SDI < 50
Fire test for code use: Steiner tunnel test variations
Feuertest für die Kennzahlbestimmung: Veränderungen der Steiner-Tunnel-Prüfung
Hirschler, Marcelo M. (author)
2010
18 Seiten, 6 Bilder, 2 Tabellen, 35 Quellen
Conference paper
English
Fire Test for Code Use: Steiner Tunnel Test Variations
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