ASTM C315-07(2021)

Standard Specification for Clay Flue Liners and Chimney Pots

ABSTRACT
This specification establishes the criteria for acceptance, prior to installation, of clay flue liners and chimney pots used for conveying hot gases in masonry chimneys. The liners and pots shall be manufactured from fire clay, shale, surface clay, or a combination of these materials that when formed and fired to suitable temperatures, shall yield a product that is strong, durable, serviceable, and conforms to this specification. The liners and pots shall be subjected to absorption, acid resistance, and freeze-thaw cycle tests.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification establishes the criteria for acceptance, prior to installation, of clay flue liners and chimney pots used for conveying hot gases in masonry chimneys.  
1.2 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.  
1.3 For installation of clay flue liners, see Practice C1283.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2021
• ICS: 91.060.40 - Chimneys, shafts, ducts
• Technical Committee: C04 - Vitrified Clay Pipe
• Drafting Committee: C04.20 - Methods of Test and Specifications

Relations

• Refers: ASTM C896-24 - Standard Terminology Relating to Clay Products
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Refers: ASTM C67/C67M-19 - Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Brick and Structural Clay Tile
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2019
• Refers: ASTM C67/C67M-18 - Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Brick and Structural Clay Tile
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2018
• Refers: ASTM C896-17a - Standard Terminology Relating to Clay Products
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2017
• Refers: ASTM C896-17 - Standard Terminology Relating to Clay Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2017
• Refers: ASTM C896-15 - Standard Terminology Relating to Clay Products
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Refers: ASTM C896-14 - Standard Terminology Relating to Clay Products
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2014
• Refers: ASTM C896-13 - Standard Terminology Relating to Clay Products
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2013
• Refers: ASTM C301-13 - Standard Test Methods for Vitrified Clay Pipe
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2013
• Refers: ASTM C1283-11 - Standard Practice for Installing Clay Flue Lining
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Refers: ASTM C896-11 - Standard Terminology Relating to Clay Products
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Refers: ASTM C896-04(2009) - Standard Terminology Relating to Clay Products
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2009
• Refers: ASTM C301-04(2009) - Standard Test Methods for Vitrified Clay Pipe
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2009
• Refers: ASTM C1283-07a - Standard Practice for Installing Clay Flue Lining
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2007
• Refers: ASTM C1283-07 - Standard Practice for Installing Clay Flue Lining
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007

Overview

ASTM C315-07(2021) - Standard Specification for Clay Flue Liners and Chimney Pots defines the acceptance criteria for clay flue liners and chimney pots used in masonry chimneys to vent hot gases. Published by ASTM International, this specification ensures that these products are manufactured, tested, and marked in line with recognized quality standards prior to installation. The standard is widely referenced in both domestic and institutional projects to promote safety, durability, and performance in chimney systems.

Key Topics

This standard covers essential requirements for clay flue liners and chimney pots, focusing on:

• Material Requirements: Liners and pots must be made from fire clay, shale, surface clay, or their combinations. The manufacturing and firing process ensures strength and durability.
• Types and Classifications: Flue liners are classified by shape, including rectangular nonmodular, rectangular modular, round, and oval configurations to fit different design and building requirements.
• Physical and Chemical Tests:
  • Absorption Test: Limits water absorption for structural integrity.
  • Acid Resistance Test: Ensures resistance to acids commonly found in vented gases. Acceptable levels for acid solubility are specified.
  • Freeze-Thaw Resistance: Products are tested to resist damage from cycles of freezing and thawing, with clear limits on weight loss and breakage.
• Size and Dimensional Tolerances: Prescribed standard sizes and allowable variations ensure compatibility and ease of installation.
• Workmanship and Finish: Requirements address burning, freedom from laminations, blister and pimple limits, and permissible chips for a visually sound and robust product.
• Marking and Traceability: Clearly marked with manufacturer information and ASTM C315 designation.
• Inspection Protocols: Guidelines for inspection and acceptance prior to installation, ensuring compliance with both purchaser and regulatory requirements.

Applications

The guidelines in ASTM C315-07(2021) are critical for anyone involved in the manufacture, selection, or installation of clay flue liners and chimney pots for masonry chimneys. Key applications include:

• Residential Buildings: Safely venting fireplaces, stoves, and boilers.
• Commercial Installations: Used in restaurants, schools, and institutional chimneys.
• Restoration and Historic Preservation: Specifying products that comply with current standards while meeting traditional construction methods.
• New Construction: Ensuring that new masonry chimneys benefit from products that are strong, durable, and resistant to weather and corrosive gases.
• Government and Military Projects: The standard is applicable for federal procurement where specific quality and traceability requirements are enforced.

Meeting ASTM C315 requirements offers practical benefits such as enhanced fire safety, increased chimney lifespan, lower maintenance costs, and regulatory compliance.

Related Standards

ASTM C315 refers to several other standards and practices to ensure comprehensive quality and performance:

• ASTM C301 - Test Methods for Vitrified Clay Pipe: Used in absorption and acid resistance testing.
• ASTM C67/C67M - Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Brick and Structural Clay Tile: Applied for freeze-thaw cycle testing.
• ASTM C896 - Terminology Relating to Clay Products: Provides necessary definitions.
• ASTM C1283 - Practice for Installing Clay Flue Lining: For installation guidance and best practices.

These references make ASTM C315 an integral part of a complete approach to selecting and implementing masonry chimney products, ensuring quality at every stage from manufacturing to installation.

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Keywords: ASTM C315, clay flue liners, chimney pots, masonry chimney, venting, fire clay, freeze-thaw resistance, acid resistance, chimney safety, material specification, construction standards, ASTM International.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:C315 −07 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Specification for
Clay Flue Liners and Chimney Pots
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C315; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 4. Classification
1.1 This specification establishes the criteria for acceptance, 4.1 Types—Flue liners acceptable under this specification
shall be designated as rectangular nonmodular, rectangular
prior to installation, of clay flue liners and chimney pots used
for conveying hot gases in masonry chimneys. modular, round or oval.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
5. Materials and Manufacture
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only 5.1 Flue liners and chimney pots shall be manufactured
from fire clay, shale, surface clay, or a combination of these
and are not considered standard.
materials that when formed and fired to suitable temperatures,
1.3 For installation of clay flue liners, see Practice C1283.
shall yield a product that is strong, durable, serviceable, and
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
conforms to this specification.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
6. Physical and Chemical Requirements
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
6.1 Absorption:
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
6.1.1 The absorption of clay flue liners and chimney pots
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
shall not exceed 8.0 % when tested in accordance with Test
Methods C301.
2. Referenced Documents
6.1.2 Test Specimens—Five dry test specimens shall be
2.1 ASTM Standards:
obtained from the five flue liners or chimney pots to be tested
C67/C67M Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Brick
and shall measure as closely as possible to 4 by 4 in. (100 by
and Structural Clay Tile
100 mm) per side. All rough edges shall be ground off and
C301 Test Methods for Vitrified Clay Pipe
loose particles removed.
C896 Terminology Relating to Clay Products
6.1.3 If any of the test specimens fail to meet the
C1283 Practice for Installing Clay Flue Lining
requirements, the manufacturer shall be allowed to retest on
twoadditionalspecimensforeachonethatfailed.Thefluesand
3. Terminology
pots will be acceptable if all the subsequent specimens for
retest meet the requirements.
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 Clay, fire clay, shale, and surface clay are as defined in
6.2 Acid Resistance:
Terminology C896.
6.2.1 This is a test used to determine the resistance of clay
3.1.2 chimney pot—a pipe used at the top of the chimney to flue liners and chimney pots to the action of acids encountered
increase draft and carry off smoke.
in chimneys. This test shall be performed only when specified.
6.2.2 The flue liner and chimney pots shall be acceptable if
the acid soluble material does not exceed 0.25 % when tested
in accordance with Test Methods C301.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C04 on
6.2.3 Test Specimens—Select one test specimen from each
Vitrified Clay Pipe and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C04.20 on
Methods of Test and Specifications.
size of flue liner or chimney pot. The specimens shall measure
Current edition approved April 1, 2021. Published April 2021. Originally
about 2 by 2 in. (51 by 51 mm) per side and weigh not more
approvedin1953.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2016asC315 – 07(2016).DOI:
than 200 g. They shall be sound pieces with all edges freshly
10.1520/C0315-07R21.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or broken, free of cracks or shattered edges, and shall be
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
thoroughly cleaned.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 6.3 Freeze-Thaw Cycle Test:
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C315−07 (2021)
TABLE 2 Rectangular Modular Clay Flue Liners—Standard
6.3.1 When flue liners or chimney pots are tested in accor-
Dimensions
dance with Test Methods C67/C67M, Section 9 on structural
Nominal Wall Outside Corner
clay tile, there shall be no breakage and the percentage of
Outside Dimensions, in. (mm) Thickness, Radius, max.,
weight loss shall not exceed 0.5 %.
in. (mm) in. (mm)
6.3.2 Test Specimens—Five dry test specimens shall be
1 1 5
3 ⁄2 by 7 ⁄2 (90 by 190) ⁄8 (16) 1 (25)
1 1 5
obtained from the five flue liners or chimney pots to be tested 3 ⁄2 by 11 ⁄2 (90 by 290) ⁄8 (16) 1 (25)
1 1 5
7 ⁄2 by 7 ⁄2 (190 by 190) ⁄8 (16) 2 (51)
and shall measure as closely as possible to 4 by 4 in. (100 by
1 1 3
7 ⁄2 by 11 ⁄2 (190 by 290) ⁄4 (19) 2 (51)
100 mm) per side. All rough edges shall be ground off and
1 1 7
11 ⁄2 by 11 ⁄2 (290 by 290) ⁄8 (22) 3 (76)
1 1
loose particles removed.
11 ⁄2 by 15 ⁄2 (290 by 395) 1 (25) 3 (76)
1 1 1
15 ⁄2 by 15 ⁄2 (395 by 395) 1 ⁄8 (29) 4 (100)
1 1 1
15 ⁄2 by 19 ⁄2 (395 by 495) 1 ⁄4 (32) 4 (100)
7. Sizes and Dimensions
1 1 3
19 ⁄2 by 19 ⁄2 (495 by 495) 1 ⁄8 (35) 5 (130)
1 1 1
19 ⁄2 by 23 ⁄2 (495 by 595) 1 ⁄2 (38) 5 (130)
7.1 Flue liners shall be specified and furnished in the
1 1 5
23 ⁄2 by 23 ⁄2 (595 by 595) 1 ⁄8 (41) 6 (150)
dimensions prescribed in Tables 1-4. When other sizes are
required, flue liners that meet the requirements of Sections 5
and 6 shall be cut and installed in the chimney.
TABLE 3 Round Clay Flue Liners—Standard Dimensions
7.2 Variations in dimensions in Tables 1-4 shall not exceed
Permissible Variation Nominal Wall
Nominal Inside Diameter,
6 ⁄2 in. (613 mm) for outside dimensions. Permissible wall in Inside Diameter, Thickness,
in. (mm)
± in. ± (mm) in. (mm)
thickness variation is 6 ⁄8 in. (63 mm) for all flue liners,
1 5
6 (150) ⁄4 (6) ⁄8 (16)
except that there shall be no limit for plus variation in round
1 3
7 (180) ⁄4 (6) ⁄4 (19)
flue liners. Variations in dimensions of round flue lining shall 1 3
8 (205) ⁄4 (6) ⁄4 (19)
5 7
notexceedthoseshowninTable3.Themaximumdifferencein 10 (255) ⁄16 (8) ⁄8 (22)
3 3
10 ⁄4 (275) ⁄8 (10) 1 (25)
the diagonal d
...