ASTM D3201/D3201M-20

Standard Test Method for Hygroscopic Properties of Fire-Retardant Wood and Wood-Based Products

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The hygroscopic properties of wood and wood-based products treated with fire-retardant chemicals are often greater than for untreated products. This is particularly true at the higher relative humidity conditions. This higher hygroscopicity sometimes is the cause for staining, decay, poor paint adhesion, and migration and exuding of chemicals and moisture at the high humidities. Corrosion of metal fasteners sometimes also occurs.  
4.2 The results obtained with this standard are important in identifying treatments with low hygroscopic properties.  
4.3 Results can be useful in determining exposure limitations in service for specific treated products.  
4.4 Building codes and other specifications for fire-retardant-treated wood for interior use include requirements based on this test method.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method prescribes the procedure for determining the hygroscopicity of fire retardant treated wood products by determining the moisture content of fire-retardant-treated wood and wood-based product specimens after exposure to a test condition of 92 ± 2 % relative humidity at 81 ± 4°F [27 ± 2°C].  
1.2 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 this test method.  
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems has the potential to result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.4 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 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: 30-Sep-2020
• ICS: 79.040 - Wood, sawlogs and sawn timber
• ICS: 79.060.01 - Wood-based panels in general
• Technical Committee: D07 - Wood
• Drafting Committee: D07.07 - Fire Performance of Wood

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: D3201/D3201M − 20
Standard Test Method for
Hygroscopic Properties of Fire-Retardant Wood and Wood-
1
Based Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3201/D3201M; 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.
1. Scope E84Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
Building Materials
1.1 This test method prescribes the procedure for determin-
E176Terminology of Fire Standards
ing the hygroscopicity of fire retardant treated wood products
E2768Test Method for Extended Duration Surface Burning
by determining the moisture content of fire-retardant-treated
CharacteristicsofBuildingMaterials(30minTunnelTest)
wood and wood-based product specimens after exposure to a
testconditionof92 62%relativehumidityat81 64°F[27 6
3. Terminology
2°C].
3.1 Definitions—Definitions used in this practice are in
1.2 The text of this test method references notes and
accordance with Terminologies D9 and E176.
footnotes which provide explanatory material.These notes and
footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be
4. Significance and Use
considered as requirements of this test method.
4.1 The hygroscopic properties of wood and wood-based
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
products treated with fire-retardant chemicals are often greater
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
than for untreated products. This is particularly true at the
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore,
higherrelativehumidityconditions.Thishigherhygroscopicity
each system shall be used independently of the other. Combin-
sometimesisthecauseforstaining,decay,poorpaintadhesion,
ing values from the two systems has the potential to result in
and migration and exuding of chemicals and moisture at the
non-conformance with the standard.
high humidities. Corrosion of metal fasteners sometimes also
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
occurs.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.2 The results obtained with this standard are important in
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
identifying treatments with low hygroscopic properties.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.3 Results can be useful in determining exposure limita-
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
tions in service for specific treated products.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.4 Building codes and other specifications for fire-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
retardant-treated wood for interior use include requirements
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
based on this test method.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5. Apparatus
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 Conditioning chamber with air circulation and capable
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of being maintained at 81 6 4°F [27 6 2°C] and a relative
D9Terminology Relating to Wood and Wood-Based Prod- humidity of 92 62%.
ucts
5.2 Oven, air-circulated and vented, capable of maintaining
a temperature of 217 6 4°F [103 6 2°C].
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D07 on Wood
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.07 on Fire Performance of 5.3 Weighing Scale—A scale or balance that will weigh a
Wood.
specimen within an accuracy of 60.2%.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2020. Published October 2020. Originally
approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D3201/D3201M–13.
6. Test Specimens
DOI: 10.1520/D3201_D3201M-20.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
6.1 Aminimumoffivespecimensshallbeselectedfromthe
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
untreated product/species combination that is to be tested.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. Solid wood specimens with identifiable sapwood shall be
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3201/D3201M − 20
selectedwithasmuchsapwoodascanbereadilyobtainedfrom Specimens shall be separated while drying to permit unre-
the lot of mate
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D3201/D3201M − 13 D3201/D3201M − 20
Standard Test Method for
Hygroscopic Properties of Fire-Retardant Wood and Wood-
1
Based Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3201/D3201M; 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.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method prescribes the procedure for determining the hygroscopicity of fire retardant treated wood products by
determining the moisture content of fire-retardant-treated wood and wood-based product specimens after exposure to a test
condition of 92 6 2 % relative humidity at 81 6 4°F [27 6 2°C].
1.2 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 this test method.
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used
independently of the other, andother. Combining values from the two systems shall not be combined.has the potential to result in
non-conformance with the standard.
1.4 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D9 Terminology Relating to Wood and Wood-Based Products
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E2768 Test Method for Extended Duration Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials (30 min Tunnel Test)
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions used in this practice are in accordance with Terminologies D9 and E176.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D07 on Wood and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.07 on Fire Performance of Wood.
Current edition approved June 15, 2013Oct. 1, 2020. Published July 2013October 2020. Originally approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 20082013 as
ε1
D3201 – 08D3201/D3201M – 13. . DOI: 10.1520/D3201-13.10.1520/D3201_D3201M-20.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3201/D3201M − 20
4. Significance and Use
4.1 The hygroscopic properties of wood and wood-based products treated with fire-retardant chemicals are often greater than for
untreated products. This is particularly true at the higher relative humidity conditions. This higher hygroscopicity sometimes is the
cause for staining, decay, poor paint adhesion, and migration and exuding of chemicals and moisture at the high humidities.
Corrosion of metal fasteners sometimes also occurs.
4.2 The results obtained with this standard are important in identifying treatments with low hygroscopic properties.
4.3 Results can be useful in determining exposure limitations in service for specific treated products.
4.4 Building codes and other specifications for fire-retardant-treated wood for interior use include requirements based on this test
method.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Conditioning chamber with air circulation and capable of being maintained at 81 6 4°F [27 6 2°C] and a relative humidity
of 92 6 2 %.
5.2 Oven, air-circulated and vented, capable of maintaining a temperature of 217 6 4°F [103 6 2°C].
5.3 Weighing Scale—A scale or balance that will weigh a specimen within an accuracy of 60.2 %.
...