ASTM E3385-24

Standard Practice for On-Site Inspection of Fire Resistive Duct Systems

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This practice provides a standard set of procedures that are to be followed when conducting and reporting on inspections of installed fire resistive duct systems.  
5.2 This practice provides a means to verify compliance of the installed fire resistive duct system to the inspection document.  
5.3 This practice does not provide a basis for selecting a design listing, the installation contractor, products, or any other material, service, or company.  
5.4 This practice does not establish any performance criteria of the inspected fire resistive duct systems.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers a standard set of procedures for inspecting and reporting on the installed fire resistive duct systems.  
1.2 This practice establishes procedures to inspect products and systems, including methods for field verification and inspection.  
1.3 This practice provides an inspector and inspection body, various methods to verify that required systems have been installed in accordance with the inspection document.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.  
1.6 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.  
1.7 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: 14-Mar-2024
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.21 - Serviceability

Overview

ASTM E3385-24 is the Standard Practice for On-Site Inspection of Fire Resistive Duct Systems, developed by ASTM International. This standard offers a comprehensive framework for conducting and reporting inspections of installed fire resistive duct systems, ensuring that such systems are installed according to documented requirements for fire safety and compliance. It establishes procedures for field verification and evaluation, supporting professionals in the building, fire safety, and regulatory sectors. ASTM E3385-24 is not concerned with system design, product selection, or performance ranking but focuses exclusively on the inspection process and documentation.

Key Topics

• Inspection Procedures: Defines consistent methods for inspecting fire resistive duct systems on-site, including preparation, material verification, system installation, and post-installation checks.
• Compliance Verification: Establishes steps to confirm that installations meet the criteria spelled out in the project’s inspection documents, design listings, and manufacturer’s guidelines.
• Inspector Qualifications: Lays out requirements for the independence, competence, and accreditation of inspection bodies and personnel.
• Reporting: Outlines the necessary content for inspection reports and forms, ensuring traceable and detailed recordkeeping.
• Inspection Documentation: Clarifies the information required in inspection documents and the roles of the Authorizing Authority (AA) and Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
• Non-Conformance Handling: Provides direction for documenting, reporting, and addressing any non-conformities found during inspections.
• Safety and Regulatory Considerations: Reminds users of the need to adopt suitable safety, health, and regulatory practices beyond the standard's scope.

Applications

ASTM E3385-24 is a vital resource for various stakeholders involved in the inspection and documentation of fire resistive duct systems, including:

• Inspectors and Inspection Agencies: Ensuring systematic, impartial, and accredited assessments of fire resistive duct installations in commercial and residential buildings.
• Building Owners and Managers: Assuring proper installation and ongoing safety compliance of fire resistive duct systems.
• Designers and Contractors: Supporting clear communication and documentation requirements between design, installation, and inspection teams.
• Code Officials and Regulatory Bodies: Providing a reference for verification of compliance with fire codes and project-specific requirements.
• Manufacturers and Suppliers: Assisting in the understanding of the inspection criteria their products must meet when installed.

Common settings include hospitals, commercial kitchens, industrial facilities, multi-family housing, and any building where fire resistive duct systems are used to maintain fire compartmentalization and air control under fire conditions.

Related Standards

ASTM E3385-24 references and aligns with several key standards and best practices in the industry, such as:

• ASTM E119 - Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials
• ASTM E2174 - On-Site Inspection of Installed Firestop Systems
• ASTM E699 - Agencies Involved in Testing, Quality Assurance, and Evaluating of Manufactured Building Components
• ASTM E2336, E2816 - Test Methods for Fire Resistive Duct Systems (Grease Duct and Metallic HVAC Ducts)
• ISO/IEC 17020 & ISO/IEC 17065 - International standards for conformity assessment, inspection body requirements, and product certification
• UL 2221 - Testing of Fire Resistive Grease Duct Enclosure Assemblies
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards
• International Building Code (IBC)

Leveraging ASTM E3385-24 alongside these related documents helps ensure a robust approach to fire protection, safety compliance, and regulatory acceptance of fire resistive duct systems.

---

Keywords: ASTM E3385, fire resistive duct systems, inspection, fire resistance, fire protection, duct inspection, building safety, code compliance, fire-resistive materials, HVAC fire protection.

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: E3385 − 24
Standard Practice for
On-Site Inspection of Fire Resistive Duct Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3385; 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 E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
1.1 This practice covers a standard set of procedures for
E699 Specification for Agencies Involved in Testing, Quality
inspecting and reporting on the installed fire resistive duct
Assurance, and Evaluating of Manufactured Building
systems.
Components
1.2 This practice establishes procedures to inspect products
E2174 Practice for On-Site Inspection of Installed Firestop
and systems, including methods for field verification and
Systems
inspection.
E2336 Test Methods for Fire Resistive Grease Duct Enclo-
1.3 This practice provides an inspector and inspection body, sure Systems
E2816 Test Methods for Fire Resistive Metallic HVAC Duct
various methods to verify that required systems have been
installed in accordance with the inspection document. Systems
2.2 ISO Standards:
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
ISO/IEC 17020 Conformity assessment – Requirements for
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
the operation of various types of bodies performing
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
inspection
and are not considered standard.
ISO/IEC 17065 Conformity assessment – Requirements for
1.5 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes
bodies certifying products, processes and services
that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes 4
2.3 Other Standard:
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered
UL 2221 Standard for Tests of Fire Resistive Grease Duct
as requirements of the standard.
Enclosure Assemblies
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3. Terminology
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1 Definitions:
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this practice and
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
associated with fire issues, refer to the definitions contained in
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
Terminology E176.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.2 For definitions of terms used in this practice and
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
associated with building issues, refer to the definitions con-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
tained in Terminology E631.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.1.3 When there is a conflict between Terminology E176
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
and Terminology E631 definitions, Terminology E631 defini-
tions shall apply.
2. Referenced Documents
NOTE 1—There are existing definitions for general concepts related to
2.1 ASTM Standards:
inspection are as follows:
E119 Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction
3.1.4 authorizing authority (AA), n—the designated person,
and Materials
or organization, or their duly authorized representative,
charged with the administration and enforcement of the provi-
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Perfor-
sions of this inspection document.
mance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.21 on
Serviceability.
Current edition approved March 15, 2024. Published March 2024. DOI:
10.1520/E3385-24. Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Central Secretariat, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, Geneva,
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Switzerland, https://www.iso.org.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), UL Headquarters, 333 Pfing-
the ASTM website. sten Road, Northbrook, IL, 60062, http://www.ul.com.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E3385 − 24
3.1.4.1 Discussion—Examples of the AA include the re- independence of judgment and integrity in relation to their
sponsible architect, engineer, building owner, or their repre- inspection activities. A possible conflict for an inspection body
sentative. is assessing an installation where the inspecting body sold
material, is the building owner, or might be a competitor of the
3.1.5 authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), n—the designated
installation contractor, manufacturer, or supplier.
authority, or their duly authorized representative, charged with ®
3.2.3.3 Discussion—The International Building Code de-
the administration or enforcement, or both, of the applicable
fines an “approved agency” as “An established and recognized
code including, but not limited to, the local fire code or
agency that is regularly engaged in conducting tests, furnishing
building code, or both.
inspection services or furnishing product certification where
3.1.6 fire resistance, n—the ability of a material, product, or
such agency has been approved by the building official.”
assembly to withstand fire or give protection from it for a
3.2.4 inspection document, n—any information provided to
period of time.
the inspector by the AA that is to be used as the basis for the
3.1.6.1 Discussion—As applied to elements of buildings,
inspection process.
fire resistance is characterized by the ability to confine a fire or
to continue to perform a given structural function, or both. 3.2.4.1 Discussion—This information includes, but is not
limited to, project specifications, construction drawings, design
More specific examples of this ability include retention of
stability (loadbearing capacity), integrity, or thermal insulation. listings, judgments, manufacturer’s installation instructions,
and other relevant documentation.
3.1.7 fire resistance rating, n—a measure of the elapsed
time during which a material, product, or assembly continues 3.2.5 inspection form, n—a document created by the inspec-
to exhibit fire resistance under specified exposure conditions. tor or the inspection agency that is used to record information
3.1.7.1 Discussion—This term is defined because it is used obtained during the inspection(s).
in codes. As applied to elements of buildings, it is commonly
3.2.6 inspector, n—an individual meeting the qualifications
measured by the methods and to the criteria defined in Test
set forth in this document and who performs the inspection of
Method E119.
fire resistive materials.
3.1.8 fire resistive, adj—having fire resistance.
3.2.7 judgment, n—an evaluation of a field condition, that is
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: produced by a qualified individual or organization, which does
3.2.1 design listing, n—a publicly available document cre- not conform to an existing design listing.
ated by an approved agency that is an OSHA approved
3.2.7.1 Discussion—The purpose of a judgment is to deter-
Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) or an
mine whether a field condition, when fire-resistance tested, will
ANAB accredited certification laboratory or other accepted meet the performance requirements of the specified test method
agency. The approved agency shall be a technically qualified,
and can be classified as a fire resistance rated assembly.
independent, third-party agency (1) that contains a published
3.2.7.2 Discussion—Judgments are expected to be issued by
fire resistance rating and (2) that describes the building
a manufacturer or an accredited testing laboratory on the basis
element, the application method, and the materials and instal-
of an appropriate combination of engineering principles and
lation methods needed to achieve the published rating.
testing.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—Design listings are normally created by
3.2.7.3 Discussion—A judgment is commonly referred to as
ISO/IEC 17065 agencies because these agencies monitor the
an “engineering judgment” or “EJ” in the fire resistance
on-going production of the fire resistive materials.
industry. These judgments are not always issued by engineers.
3.2.2 installation contractor, n—a company that installs fire 3.2.7.4 Discussion—Some AHJs allow a judgment by the
resistive duct systems. manufacturer if there is no tested and listed system for the
3.2.2.1 Discussion—The application of fire resistive sys- non-typical condition; others do not. Most AHJs will allow
tems is intended to be in compliance with the inspection judgments by accredited testing laboratories.
document.
3.2.8 listing label, n—identification applied to the product
3.2.3 inspection body, n—an agency engaged in field ap-
that includes the name of an ISO/IEC 17065 certification body
plication assessments of fire-resistive materials.
indicating that a representative sample of the product or ®
3.2.3.1 Discussion—The International Building Code uses
material has been tested and evaluated by the certification
the term “approved agency,” which is an agency engaged in
body.
one or more of the following activities: testing, inspection, or
3.2.9 non-conformance, n—failure of a fire resistive duct
listing and labeling. An approved agency can be a testing
system to meet specified criteria in the design listing or
laboratory that performs the test, a certification body that lists
judgment contained in the inspection document.
and labels a product, or an inspection body that inspects the
3.2.9.1 Discussion—A non-conformance can occur daily
product.
and must be recorded and reported for correction.
3.2.3.2 Discussion—An ISO/IEC 17020 Type A inspection
body is independent and not linked to, or part of, a legal entity
4. Summary of Practice
that is engaged in any activities that may conflict with their
4.1 This practice identifies fire resistive duct systems to be
assessed, subject to the inspection procedures outlined in this
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agency. practice.
E3385 − 24
4.2 This practice identifies the methods of field assessment 7. Inspection Document
of fire resistive duct systems.
7.1 All information contained in the inspection document
shall be submitted to and accepted by the AA and AHJ.
4.3 This practice provides the minimum information re-
quired to verify compliance of installed fire resistive duct
7.2 The inspection body and AA shall be responsible for
system with the inspection document.
ensuring that the inspection document does not contain con-
flicting information.
4.4 This practice provides the necessary information that is
to be used in an inspection report outlined in Section 13.
7.3 The AA shall provide the inspection body with a
complete inspection document at least ten (10) working days
5. Significance and Use
prior to beginning the inspection process.
5.1 This practice provides a standard set of procedures that 7.4 The inspection body shall review all information con-
are to be followed when conducting and reporting on inspec- tained in the inspection document prior to conducting any
tions of installed fire resistive duct systems. inspection.
5.2 This practice provides a means to verify compliance of 7.5 When the inspection body believes that the inspection
document contains (1) conflicting information; or (2) docu-
the installed fire resistive duct system to the inspection
document. mentation that the inspection body believes is insufficient to
perform the inspection, the inspection body shall submit
5.3 This practice does not provide a basis for selecting a
written notification of the potential conflict or insufficiency to
design listing, the installation contractor, products, or any other
the AA. The inspection body shall obtain written clarification
material, service, or company.
from the AA before conducting any inspection.
5.4 This practice does not establish any performance criteria
7.6 Design listings shall be provided by the AA for every
of the inspected fire resistive duct systems.
fire resistive duct system as part of the inspection document,
which is to be used as a reference document against which to
6. Qualifications
assess the installation.
6.1 Inspection Body:
7.7 When no design listing exists for a particular
6.1.1 The inspection body and its inspector(s) shall be
application, a judgment issued by the product manufacturer or
acceptable to the AA and AHJ.
in concert with the manufacturer by a knowledgeable regis-
6.1.2 The inspection body shall employ inspectors that are
tered Professional Engineer, Fire Protection Engineer, or ac-
technically competent as related to inspections of fire resistive credited testing laboratory shall be provided as a reference
duct systems.
against which to compare and inspect the installation. Every
judgment issued shall be acceptable to the AA and AHJ.
6.1.3 The inspector(s) shall meet at least one of the follow-
ing criteria:
8. Materials
6.1.3.1 Meet the criteria contained in Specification E699 for
agencies involved in quality assurance;
8.1 The inspector shall verify that the materials and systems
6.1.3.2 Have a minimum of two years of experience in
used for the fire resistive duct system have been tested in
construction field inspections and have education, credentials,
accordance with the specified test standard in the fire resistive
and experience acceptable to the AA; or
duct system and are listed and labeled for the use intended.
6.1.3.3 Be a quality assurance agency acceptable to the
NOTE 2—Listed and labeled refers to materials, devices, or assemblies
AHJ.
that have been tested by an accredited testing laboratory after which the
test results and description of the materials, devices, or assemblies are
6.2 Conflicts of Interest and Documentation:
published by an accredited certification body and the materials, devices, or
6.2.1 The inspection body and inspector shall be completely
assemblies bear a listing label. The design listing will specify which
independent of, and divested from, the installation contractor, materials require a label, and any other generic materials required.
Generic, non-labeled materials are only required to meet the material
contractor, manufacturer, or supplier of any material being
specifications or description provided in the design listing, or both.
inspected.
NOTE 3—Examples of standards used may include but are not limited to
6.2.2 The inspection body and inspector shall not be a
Test Methods E2336, E2816, or UL 2221.
competitor of the installation contractor, manufacturer, or
8.2 All materials shall bear a listing label as defined in 3.2.8.
supplier of any material being inspected.
Manufacturer’s container labels shall include the manufactur-
6.2.3 The inspection body shall submit to the AA a Certifi-
er’s name, product name, and product description. Other
cate of Accreditation from an accreditation body that docu-
components of the fire resistive duct system shall also be
ments compliance as inspection body accredited to ISO/IEC
identifiable by labeling or other method approved by the AHJ.
17020 Type A verifying compliance with 6.1.2.
8.3 All materials shall be exactly as identified on the
6.2.4 The inspection body shall submit notarized statements
inspection documents.
to the AA assuring compliance with 6.2. The inspection body
shall make a written submission to the AA requesting accep- 8.4 All materials used in fire
...