ASTM E176-15a

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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.3 This fire standard cannot be used to provide quantitative measures.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2015
• 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 E176-15 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2015
• Replaced By: ASTM E176-15ae1 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2015
• Referred By: ASTM C1482-23 - Standard Specification for Polyimide Flexible Cellular Thermal and Sound Absorbing Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D5025-20a - Standard Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E1591-20 - Standard Guide for Obtaining Data for Fire Growth Models
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D6576-20 - Standard Specification for Flexible Cellular Rubber Chemically Blown
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E662-21ae1 - Standard Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke Generated by Solid Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2015
• Referred By: ASTM F1085-19 - Standard Specification for Mattress and Box Springs for Use in Berths in Marine Vessels
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D8436-23 - Standard Specification for Fluoropolymer-based Materials for Use for Encapsulation of Downhole Cable
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E2924-14(2020) - Standard Practice for Intumescent Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E2957-17 - Standard Test Method for Resistance to Wildfire Penetration of Eaves, Soffits and Other Projections
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E3057-19 - Standard Test Method for Measuring Heat Flux Using Directional Flame Thermometers with Advanced Data Analysis Techniques
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E2786-10(2019) - Standard Test Methods for Measuring Expansion of Intumescent Materials Used in Firestop and Joint Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D5132-20 - Standard Test Method for Horizontal Burning Rate of Polymeric Materials Used in Occupant Compartments of Motor Vehicles
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E3038-22a - Standard Practice for Assessing and Qualifying Candidates as Inspectors of Firestop Systems and Fire-Resistive Joint Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2015

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 − 15a AnAmerican 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 E84Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
Building Materials
1.1 This terminology covers terms, related definitions, and
E136Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical
descriptions of terms used or likely to be used in fire-test-
Tube Furnace at 750°C
response standards, fire-hazard-assessment standards, and fire-
E119Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction
risk-assessment standards. Definitions of terms are special-
and Materials
purpose definitions that are consistent with the standard
E152TestMethodforFireTestsOfDoorAssemblies(With-
definitions but are written to ensure that a specific fire-test-
4
drawn 1995)
response standard, fire-hazard-assessment standard, or fire-
E162Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials
risk-assessment standard is properly understood and precisely
Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
interpreted.
E535Practice for Preparation of Fire-Test-Response Stan-
NOTE 1—For additional information, refer to ASTM Policy on Fire
dards
2
Standards.
E603Guide for Room Fire Experiments
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
E163Test Method for Fire Tests Of Window Assemblies
4
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
(Withdrawn 1999)
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
E603Guide for Room Fire Experiments
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
E648Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Floor-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Covering Systems Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
1.3 Thisfirestandardcannotbeusedtoprovidequantitative
E800GuideforMeasurementofGasesPresentorGenerated
measures.
During Fires
E814Test Method for Fire Tests of Penetration Firestop
2. Referenced Documents
Systems
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E906/E906MTest Method for Heat and Visible Smoke
C1224Specification for Reflective Insulation for Building
Release Rates for Materials and Products Using a Ther-
Applications
mopile Method
C1313Specification for Sheet Radiant Barriers for Building
E970TestMethodforCriticalRadiantFluxofExposedAttic
Construction Applications
Floor Insulation Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
D3675Test Method for Surface Flammability of Flexible
E1317Test Method for Flammability of Marine Surface
Cellular Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
Finishes
D5865Test Method for Gross Calorific Value of Coal and
E1321Test Method for Determining Material Ignition and
Coke
Flame Spread Properties
E108Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings
E1352Test Method for Cigarette Ignition Resistance of
Mock-Up Upholstered Furniture Assemblies
1
E1353Test Methods for Cigarette Ignition Resistance of
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire
Standards and is the responsibility of Subcommittee E05.31 on Terminology and Components of Upholstered Furniture
Editorial.
E1354Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2015. Published August 2015. Originally
Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Con-
approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E176-15. DOI:
sumption Calorimeter
10.1520/E0176-15A.
2
Available from ASTM Headquarters, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West
E1355Guide for Evaluating the Predictive Capability of
Conshohocken, PA 19428.
Deterministic Fire Models
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 − 15a
E1474Test Method for Determining the Heat Release Rate WallorCeilingCoverings,FacingsandVeneers,toAssess
of Upholstered Furniture and Mattress Components or Surface Burning Characteristics
E2405Test Method for Determination of Fire and Thermal
Composites Using a Bench Scale Oxygen Consumption
Parameters of Materials Using an Intermediate Scale Test
Calorimeter
4
with Vertically Oriented Specimen (Withdrawn 2011)
E1509Specification for Room Heaters, Pellet Fuel-Burning
E2536GuideforAssessmentofMeasurementUncertaintyin
Type
Fire Te
...

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: E176 − 15 E176 − 15a 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. 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1.3 This fire standard cannot be used to provide quantitative measures.
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
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 Assemblies
E1353 Test Methods for Cigarette Ignition Resistance of Components of Upholstered Furniture
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 Feb. 1, 2015Aug. 1, 2015. Published March 2015August 2015. Originally approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 20142015 as
E176 - 14c.E176 - 15. DOI: 10.1520/E0176-15.10.1520/E0176-15A.
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 − 15a
E1354 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Consumption
Calorimeter
E1355 Guide for Evaluating the Predictive Capability of Deterministic Fire Models
E1474 Test Method for Determining the Heat Release Rate of Upholstered Furniture and Mattress Components or Composites
Using a Bench Scale Oxygen C
...