The role of Fire Testing

  • Not every case will require fire testing

  • Must acquire actual or exemplar specimens, materials or systems

  • Determine the fire performance of these items in context with their real-world use. In doing this, develop relevant data for fire modeling or other predictions of fire growth, and provide video documentation for the jury.

  • Compare the fire performance with the required or expected fire performance.

Test Methods


Here is a small selection of tests for your reference
Test NameDesignationSampleSample
Size		Properties
Measured		Other Notes
Surface Burning of
Building Materials		ASTM E84
UL 723
NFPA 255
UBC Std 8-1		Building Materials24 in. by 24 ft.Flame spread,
smoke developed		AKA Stiener
Tunnel Test,
horizontal test
Surface Flammability
of Materials using
a Radiant Heat
Source		ASTM E162Laminates,
sheets, tiles,
fabrics, films		6 in. by 18 in.
by thickness		Flame spread
index, visual
characteristics		30 degree angle
Cone CalorimeterASTM E1354
ISO 5660		Wide variety,
including wallcovering
composites		100 mm by 100 mm
up to 50 mm thick		Heat release rates,
total heat released,
effective heat of combustion,
mass loss, etc.
A wide range of available
data		Small scale test
Fire and Thermal
Properties of Materials
Using an ICAL		ASTM E1623All materials1,000 mm by 1,000 mm
up to 152 mm thick		Rate of Heat Release
smoke released,
effective heat of combustion,
mass loss, toxic gas,
wide range of available
data		Intermediate
Scale Calorimeter
Heat and Visible
Smoke Release Rates		ASTM E906Wide variety150 mm by 150 mm
up to 100 mm thick		Release rates of heat
visible smoke		FAA
Fire Rating of
Roof Coverings		ASTM E108
UBC Std 15-2
UL 790		Roof coatings,
shingles, shakes,
insulation		Vary depending
on test series		Spread of flame,
intermittent flame,
flying brand,
burning brand		All test series
usually required for
Class A roofing material
Behavior of Materials
in Vertical Tube
Furnace at 750 degrees C		ASTM E136
UBC Std 2-1		Building Materials1.5 in. by 2.0 in.
by 1.5 in. thick		Ignition, weight loss,
burning time,
temperature rise		Hot air ignition
furnace
Fire Tests of
Building Construction
and Materials		ASTM E119
UBC Std 7-1		Walls, Partitions
and other building
assemblies		Varies depending on
application. No less
than 100 sq. ft.		Fire Resistance RatingVertical test
Fire Tests of
Door Assemblies		ASTM E2074
UBC Std 7-2		Door AssembliesVaries depending on
application		Fire Resistance RatingVertical test
Potential Heat of
Building Materials		UBC Std 26-1
NFPA 259		Building Materials3 in. by 3 in.
by 3 in (cube)		Heat of CombustionCalorimeter Oven
Room Fire TestUBC Std 26-3Foam plastic
wall covering		8 ft. by 8 ft.Temperature,
smoke, fire spread		Walls, ceiling
Room Fire TestUBC Std 8-2Textile Wall
Covering		8 ft. by 8 ft.
8 ft. by 12 ft.		Heat release,
radiant energy,
temperature		Vertical test
Critical Radiant Flux of
Floor Covering Systems		ASTM E648
NFPA 253		Floor Covering Systems10 in. by 42 in. (X3)Critical radiant flux
at flameout		horizontal
HUD
Critical Radiant Flux of Attic InsulationASTM E970
ASTM C739
HH-1-521F
HH-1-1030B
16 CFR 1209.6		Exposed attic
floor insulation		10 in. by 42 in.
by 2 in. (X3)		Critical radiant flux
at flameout		horizontal
CPSC
Smoke DensityASTM E662
NFPA 258		All type of materials3 in. by 3 in.Specific optical densityGlow/flame
Vertical
Toxic Potency
Measurement		NIST Special
Publication 827		All materials3 in. by 5 in.
Finished item		Inhalation Toxicityhorizontal


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