ASTM E84-09a

Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is intended to provide only comparative measurements of surface flame spread and smoke density measurements with that of select grade red oak and fiber-cement board surfaces under the specific fire exposure conditions described herein.
This test method exposes a nominal 24-ft (7.32-m) long by 20-in. (508-mm) wide specimen to a controlled air flow and flaming fire exposure adjusted to spread the flame along the entire length of the select grade red oak specimen in 5½min.
This test method does not provide for the following:
Measurement of heat transmission through the tested surface.
The effect of aggravated flame spread behavior of an assembly resulting from the proximity of combustible walls and ceilings.
Classifying or defining a material as noncombustible, by means of a flame spread index by itself.
SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response standard for the comparative surface burning behavior of building materials is applicable to exposed surfaces such as walls and ceilings. The test is conducted with the specimen in the ceiling position with the surface to be evaluated exposed face down to the ignition source. The material, product, or assembly shall be capable of being mounted in the test position during the test. Thus, the specimen shall either be self-supporting by its own structural quality, held in place by added supports along the test surface, or secured from the back side.
1.2 The purpose of this test method is to determine the relative burning behavior of the material by observing the flame spread along the specimen. Flame spread and smoke developed index are reported. However, there is not necessarily a relationship between these two measurements.
1.3 The use of supporting materials on the underside of the test specimen has the ability to lower the flame spread index from those which might be obtained if the specimen could be tested without such support. These test results do not necessarily relate to indices obtained by testing materials without such support.
1.4 Testing of materials that melt, drip, or delaminate to such a degree that the continuity of the flame front is destroyed, results in low flame spread indices that do not relate directly to indices obtained by testing materials that remain in place.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.6 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory information. These notes and footnotes, excluding those in tables and figures, shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.
1.7 This standard 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 fire-hazard or fire-risk assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions..  
1.8 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2009
• ICS: 13.220.50 - Fire-resistance of building materials and elements
• ICS: 91.100.01 - Construction materials in general
• Technical Committee: E05 - Fire Standards
• Drafting Committee: E05.22 - Surface Burning

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E84-09 - Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Replaced By: ASTM E84-09b - Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D5664-17 - Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Effects of Fire-Retardant Treatments and Elevated Temperatures on Strength Properties of Fire-Retardant Treated Lumber
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C533-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Calcium Silicate Block and Pipe Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D5144-08(2021) - Standard Guide for Use of Protective Coating Standards in Nuclear Power Plants
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM E861-13(2021) - Standard Practice for Evaluating Thermal Insulation Materials for Use in Solar Collectors
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM E3020-22 - Standard Practice for Ignition Sources
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM E136-22 - Standard Test Method for Assessing Combustibility of Materials Using a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750 °C
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C744-21 - Standard Specification for Prefaced Concrete and Calcium Silicate Masonry Units
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM E2307-23a - Standard Test Method for Determining Fire Resistance of Perimeter Fire Barriers Using Intermediate-Scale, Multi-story Test Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C612-14(2019) - Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Block and Board Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C592-22a - Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Blanket Insulation and Blanket-Type Pipe Insulation (Metal-Mesh Covered) (Industrial Type)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM E1740-22 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Heat Release Rate and Other Fire-Test-Response Characteristics of Wall Covering or Ceiling Covering Composites Using a Cone Calorimeter
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM E2573-19 - Standard Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting of Site-Fabricated Stretch Systems to Assess Surface Burning Characteristics
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C582-23 - Standard Specification for Contact-Molded Reinforced Thermosetting Plastic (RTP) Laminates for Corrosion-Resistant Equipment
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
An American National Standard
Designation:E84–09a
Standard Test Method for
1
Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationE84;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope 1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This fire-test-response standard for the comparative
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
surface burning behavior of building materials is applicable to
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
exposed surfaces such as walls and ceilings. The test is
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
conducted with the specimen in the ceiling position with the
surface to be evaluated exposed face down to the ignition
2. Referenced Documents
source. The material, product, or assembly shall be capable of
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
being mounted in the test position during the test. Thus, the
A390 Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Steel
specimen shall either be self-supporting by its own structural
Poultry Fence Fabric (Hexagonal and Straight Line)
quality, held in place by added supports along the test surface,
C1186 Specification for Flat Fiber-Cement Sheets
or secured from the back side.
D4442 TestMethodsforDirectMoistureContentMeasure-
1.2 The purpose of this test method is to determine the
ment of Wood and Wood-Base Materials
relative burning behavior of the material by observing the
D4444 Test Method for Laboratory Standardization and
flame spread along the specimen. Flame spread and smoke
Calibration of Hand-Held Moisture Meters
developedindexarereported.However,thereisnotnecessarily
E69 Test Method for Combustible Properties of Treated
a relationship between these two measurements.
Wood by the Fire-Tube Apparatus
1.3 The use of supporting materials on the underside of the
E136 Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical
test specimen has the ability to lower the flame spread index
Tube Furnace at 750°C
from those which might be obtained if the specimen could be
E160 Test Method for Combustible Properties of Treated
tested without such support. These test results do not neces-
3
Wood by the Crib Test
sarily relate to indices obtained by testing materials without
E162 Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials
such support.
Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
1.4 Testing of materials that melt, drip, or delaminate to
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
suchadegreethatthecontinuityoftheflamefrontisdestroyed,
E286 Method ofTest for Surface Flammability of Building
resultsinlowflamespreadindicesthatdonotrelatedirectlyto
3
Materials Using an 8-ft (2.44-m) Tunnel Furnace
indices obtained by testing materials that remain in place.
E2231 Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting of
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
Pipe and Duct Insulation Materials to Assess Surface
as the standard.
Burning Characteristics
1.6 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes
E2404 Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting of
that provide explanatory information. These notes and foot-
Textile,PaperorVinylWallorCeilingCoveringstoAssess
notes, excluding those in tables and figures, shall not be
Surface Burning Characteristics
considered as requirements of the standard.
E2573 Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting of
1.7 This standard is used to measure and describe the
Site-FabricatedStretchSystemstoAssessSurfaceBurning
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
Characteristics
flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself
E2579 Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting of
incorporate all factors required for fire-hazard or fire-risk
Wood Products to Assess Surface Burning Characteristics
assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under
actual fire conditions.
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.22 on Surface contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Burning. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved June 1, 2009. Published June 2009. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1950. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as E84–09. Withdrawn.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, Wes
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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.
An American National Standard
Designation:E84–09 Designation:E84–09a
Standard Test Method for
1
Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationE84;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This fire-test-response standard for the comparative surface burning behavior of building materials is applicable to exposed
surfacessuchaswallsandceilings.Thetestisconductedwiththespecimenintheceilingpositionwiththesurfacetobeevaluated
exposedfacedowntotheignitionsource.Thematerial,product,orassemblyshallbecapableofbeingmountedinthetestposition
during the test. Thus, the specimen shall either be self-supporting by its own structural quality, held in place by added supports
along the test surface, or secured from the back side.
1.2 The purpose of this test method is to determine the relative burning behavior of the material by observing the flame spread
along the specimen. Flame spread and smoke developed index are reported. However, there is not necessarily a relationship
between these two measurements.
1.3 The use of supporting materials on the underside of the test specimen has the ability to lower the flame spread index from
those which might be obtained if the specimen could be tested without such support. These test results do not necessarily relate
to indices obtained by testing materials without such support.
1.4 Testingofmaterialsthatmelt,drip,ordelaminatetosuchadegreethatthecontinuityoftheflamefrontisdestroyed,results
in low flame spread indices that do not relate directly to indices obtained by testing materials that remain in place.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.6 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory information. These notes and footnotes,
excluding those in tables and figures, shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.
1.7 This standard 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 fire-hazard or fire-risk assessment of the materials,
products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
1.8 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
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A390 Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Steel Poultry Fence Fabric (Hexagonal and Straight Line)
C1186 Specification for Flat Fiber-Cement Sheets
D4442 Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-Base Materials
D4444 Test Method for Laboratory Standardization and Calibration of Hand-Held Moisture Meters
E69 Test Method for Combustible Properties of Treated Wood by the Fire-Tube Apparatus
E136 Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750C
3
E160 Test Method for Combustible Properties of Treated Wood by the Crib Test
E162 Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
0
E286 Method of Test for Surface Flammability of Building Materials Using an 8-ft (2.44-m) Tunnel Furnace
E2231 Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting of Pipe and Duct Insulation Materials to Assess Surface Burning
Characteristics
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.22 on Surface Burning.
Current edition approved Feb.June 1, 2009. Published MarchJune 2009. Originally approved in 1950. Last previous edition approved in 20082009 as E84–08a. E84–09.
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,[e-mail] Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Withdrawn.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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