ASTM E176-18

Standard Terminology of Fire Standards

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 Definitions—Terms and related definitions given in Section 4 are intended for use uniformly and consistently in all fire test standards and in all fire-test-response standards, fire-hazard-assessment standards, and fire-risk-assessment standards in which they appear.  
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:  
3.2.1 As indicated in Section 4, terms and their definitions are intended to provide a precise understanding and interpretation of fire-test-response standards, fire-hazard-assessment standards, and fire-risk-assessment standards in which they appear.  
3.2.2 A specific definition of a given term is applicable to the standard or standards in which the term is described and used.  
3.2.3 Different definitions of the same term, appearing respectively in two or more standards, are acceptable provided each one is consistent with and not in conflict with the standard definition for the same term, that is, concept.  
3.2.4 Each standard in which a term is used in a manner specially defined (see 1.1 and Section 5) shall list the term and its description under the subheading, Definitions of Terms.  
3.3 Definitions for some terms associated with fire issues and not included in Terminology E176 are found in ISO 13943. When discrepancies exist, the definition in Terminology E176 shall prevail.
SCOPE
1.1 This terminology covers terms, related definitions, and descriptions of terms used or likely to be used in fire-test-response standards, fire-hazard-assessment standards, and fire-risk-assessment standards. Definitions of terms are special-purpose definitions that are consistent with the standard definitions but are written to ensure that a specific fire-test-response standard, fire-hazard-assessment standard, or fire-risk-assessment standard is properly understood and precisely interpreted.  
Note 1: For additional information, refer to ASTM Policy on Fire Standards.2  
1.2 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.  
1.3 This fire standard cannot be used to provide quantitative measures.  
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: Historical
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2018
• ICS: 01.040.13 - Environment. Health protection. Safety (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 13.220.20 - Fire protection
• Technical Committee: E05 - Fire Standards
• Drafting Committee: E05.31 - Terminology and Services / Functions

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E176-15ae1 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Replaced By: ASTM E176-18a - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2018
• Referred By: ASTM E1966-15(2019) - Standard Test Method for Fire-Resistive Joint Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Referred By: ASTM E1995-21 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Smoke Obscuration Using a Conical Radiant Source in a Single Closed Chamber, With the Test Specimen Oriented Horizontally
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Referred By: ASTM E2965-22a - Standard Test Method for Determination of Low Levels of Heat Release Rate for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Referred By: ASTM E662-21ae1 - Standard Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke Generated by Solid Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Referred By: ASTM E2579-23a - Standard Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting of Wood Products to Assess Surface Burning Characteristics
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Referred By: ASTM E3020-22 - Standard Practice for Ignition Sources
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Referred By: ASTM E970-17e1 - Standard Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Exposed Attic Floor Insulation Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Referred By: ASTM E1529-22 - Standard Test Methods for Determining Effects of Large Hydrocarbon Pool Fires on Structural Members and Assemblies
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Referred By: ASTM E2786-10(2019) - Standard Test Methods for Measuring Expansion of Intumescent Materials Used in Firestop and Joint Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Referred By: ASTM E2230-22 - Standard Practice for Thermal Qualification of Type B Packages for Radioactive Material
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D922-23 - Standard Specification for Nonrigid Vinyl Chloride Polymer Tubing
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D8484-23 - Standard Specification for Plastic Lumber Materials and Wood-Plastic Composite Materials Used as Exterior Wall Coverings
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D635-22 - Standard Test Method for Rate of Burning and/or Extent and Time of Burning of Plastics in a Horizontal Position
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018

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
Designation: E176 − 18 An American National Standard
Standard Terminology of
1
Fire Standards
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E176; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D3675Test Method for Surface Flammability of Flexible
Cellular Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
1.1 This terminology covers terms, related definitions, and
D5865Test Method for Gross Calorific Value of Coal and
descriptions of terms used or likely to be used in fire-test-
Coke
response standards, fire-hazard-assessment standards, and fire-
E108Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings
risk-assessment standards. Definitions of terms are special-
E84Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
purpose definitions that are consistent with the standard
Building Materials
definitions but are written to ensure that a specific fire-test-
E136Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical
response standard, fire-hazard-assessment standard, or fire-
Tube Furnace at 750°C
risk-assessment standard is properly understood and precisely
E119Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction
interpreted.
and Materials
NOTE 1—For additional information, refer to ASTM Policy on Fire
E152TestMethodforFireTestsOfDoorAssemblies(With-
2
Standards.
4
drawn 1995)
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
E162Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
E535Practice for Preparation of Fire-Test-Response Stan-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
dards
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
E603Guide for Room Fire Experiments
1.3 Thisfirestandardcannotbeusedtoprovidequantitative
E163Test Method for Fire Tests Of Window Assemblies
4
measures.
(Withdrawn 1999)
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- E603Guide for Room Fire Experiments
E648Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Floor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Covering Systems Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- E800GuideforMeasurementofGasesPresentorGenerated
During Fires
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. E814Test Method for Fire Tests of Penetration Firestop
Systems
2. Referenced Documents
E906/E906MTest Method for Heat and Visible Smoke
3
Release Rates for Materials and Products Using a Ther-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
mopile Method
C1224Specification for Reflective Insulation for Building
E970TestMethodforCriticalRadiantFluxofExposedAttic
Applications
Floor Insulation Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
C1313Specification for Sheet Radiant Barriers for Building
E1317Test Method for Flammability of Marine Surface
Construction Applications
Finishes
E1321Test Method for Determining Material Ignition and
1
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire
Flame Spread Properties
Standards and is the responsibility of Subcommittee E05.31 on Terminology and
E1352Test Method for Cigarette Ignition Resistance of
Editorial.
Mock-Up Upholstered Furniture Assemblies
Current edition approved March 1, 2018. Published April 2018. Originally
ɛ1
approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E176-15a . DOI:
E1353Test Methods for Cigarette Ignition Resistance of
10.1520/E0176-18.
Components of Upholstered Furniture
2
Available from ASTM Headquarters, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West
E1354Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release
Conshohocken, PA 19428.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E176 − 18
Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Con- E2280Guide for Fire Hazard Assessment of the Effect of
sumption Calorimeter Upholstered Seating Furniture Within Patient Rooms of
Health Care Facilities
E1355Guide for Evaluating the Predictive Capability of
E2335Guide for Laboratory Monitors
Deterministic Fire Models
E2404Practice for S
...

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.
´1
Designation: E176 − 15a E176 − 18 An American National Standard
Standard Terminology of
1
Fire Standards
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E176; 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
ε NOTE—Terms were editorially added from approved ballot actions for the year in December 2015.
1. Scope
1.1 This terminology covers terms, related definitions, and descriptions of terms used or likely to be used in fire-test-response
standards, fire-hazard-assessment standards, and fire-risk-assessment standards. Definitions of terms are special-purpose
definitions that are consistent with the standard definitions but are written to ensure that a specific fire-test-response standard,
fire-hazard-assessment standard, or fire-risk-assessment standard is properly understood and precisely interpreted.
2
NOTE 1—For additional information, refer to ASTM Policy on Fire Standards.
1.2 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.
1.3 This fire standard cannot be used to provide quantitative measures.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C1224 Specification for Reflective Insulation for Building Applications
C1313 Specification for Sheet Radiant Barriers for Building Construction Applications
D3675 Test Method for Surface Flammability of Flexible Cellular Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
D5865 Test Method for Gross Calorific Value of Coal and Coke
E108 Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
E136 Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750°C
E119 Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials
4
E152 Test Method for Fire Tests Of Door Assemblies (Withdrawn 1995)
E162 Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
E535 Practice for Preparation of Fire-Test-Response Standards
E603 Guide for Room Fire Experiments
4
E163 Test Method for Fire Tests Of Window Assemblies (Withdrawn 1999)
E603 Guide for Room Fire Experiments
E648 Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Floor-Covering Systems Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
E800 Guide for Measurement of Gases Present or Generated During Fires
E814 Test Method for Fire Tests of Penetration Firestop Systems
E906/E906M Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using a Thermopile Method
E970 Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Exposed Attic Floor Insulation Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
1
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire Standards and is the responsibility of Subcommittee E05.31 on Terminology and Editorial.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2015March 1, 2018. Published August 2015April 2018. Originally approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as
ɛ1
E176 - 15.E176 - 15a . DOI: 10.1520/E0176-15AE01.10.1520/E0176-18.
2
Available from ASTM Headquarters, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428.
3
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.
4
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E176 − 18
E1317 Test Method for Flammability of Marine Surface Finishes
E1321 Test Method for Determining Material Ignition and Flame Spread Properties
E1352 Test Method for Cigarette Ignition Resistance of Mock-Up Upholstered Furniture As
...