ASTM E1776-13

Standard Guide for Development of Fire-Risk-Assessment Standards

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide is intended for use by those undertaking the development of fire-risk-assessment standards. Such standards are expected to be useful to manufacturers, architects, specification writers, and authorities having jurisdiction.  
4.2 As a guide, this document provides information on an approach to the development of a fire-risk-assessment standard; fixed procedures are not established. Limitations of data, available tests and models, and scientific knowledge can constitute significant constraints on the fire-risk-assessment procedure and associated standard.  
4.3 While the focus of this guide is on developing fire-risk-assessment standards for products, the general concepts presented also can be applied to processes, activities, occupancies, and buildings.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the development of fire-risk-assessment standards.  
1.2 This guide is directed toward development of standards that will provide procedures for assessing fire risks harmful to people, property, or the environment.  
1.3 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.  
1.4 This fire standard cannot be used to provide quantitative measures.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2013
• ICS: 01.120 - Standardization. General rules
• ICS: 13.220.01 - Protection against fire in general
• Technical Committee: E05 - Fire Standards
• Drafting Committee: E05.33 - Fire Safety Engineering

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1776-07 - Standard Guide for Development of Fire-Risk-Assessment Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013
• Referred By: ASTM D5425-23 - Standard Guide for Development of Fire Hazard Assessment Standards of Electrotechnical Products
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013
• Referred By: ASTM E1546-21 - Standard Guide for Development of Fire-Hazard-Assessment Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: E1776 − 13 AnAmerican National Standard
Standard Guide for
1
Development of Fire-Risk-Assessment Standards
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1776; 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 are expected to be useful to manufacturers, architects, specifi-
cation writers, and authorities having jurisdiction.
1.1 This guide covers the development of fire-risk-
assessment standards. 4.2 As a guide, this document provides information on an
approach to the development of a fire-risk-assessment stan-
1.2 This guide is directed toward development of standards
dard; fixed procedures are not established. Limitations of data,
that will provide procedures for assessing fire risks harmful to
available tests and models, and scientific knowledge can
people, property, or the environment.
constitute significant constraints on the fire-risk-assessment
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
procedure and associated standard.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.3 While the focus of this guide is on developing fire-risk-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
assessment standards for products, the general concepts pre-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
sented also can be applied to processes, activities, occupancies,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
and buildings.
1.4 This fire standard cannot be used to provide quantitative
measures.
5. Key Elements
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 This guide uses as its key elements the following:
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.1.1 The purpose of a fire-risk-assessment standard is to
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
provide a standardized procedure for assembling a compilation
E1546 Guide for Development of Fire-Hazard-Assessment
of information relevant to the fire risk of a product under
Standards
specific conditions of use.
2.2 Other Documents:
5.1.2 The information assembled shall be relevant to the
SFPE Engineering Guide to Performance-Based Fire
purpose of assessing the fire risk of the specific designated
Protection, Society of Fire Protection Engineers and
product within the range of all relevant fire scenarios.
3
NFPA, Quincy, MA, 2000
5.1.3 The information assembled shall be explicit and quan-
4
ISO 13943 Fire Safety – Vocabulary
titative. It shall provide a sufficiently thorough examination of
theproduct’sfireriskundertheconditionsdefinedbythescope
3. Terminology
of the specific standard so as to permit valid choices and
3.1 Definitions—See E176, Terminology of Fire Standards
decisions with respect to the fire risk of that product.
and ISO 13943, Fire Safety – Vocabulary. In case of conflict,
5.1.4 A persuasive scientific case must be made in the
the definitions in Terminology E176 shall prevailE176.
documentation of a specific fire-risk-assessment standard that
the procedures, data, and risk measures specified by the
4. Significance and Use
standard will address questions about a product’s fire risk with
4.1 This guide is intended for use by those undertaking the
sufficient accuracy and validity that a more thorough assess-
development of fire-risk-assessment standards. Such standards
ment procedure would not materially alter any decisions that
are to be made based on the standard. If such a case cannot be
1
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE05onFireStandards
made for all products to be addressed, then the risk assessment
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.33 on Fire Safety Engineering.
Current edition approved April 1, 2013. Published April 2013. Originally shall specify those conditions under which a more thorough
published in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E1776–07. DOI:
fire-risk-assessment procedure is to be used.
10.1520/E1776-13.
5.1.5 The absence of a data source, test method, or calcu-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
lation procedure of sufficient scope and proven validity to
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
supporttheneedsofaparticularfire-risk-assessmentprocedure
the ASTM website.
does not, by itself, provide a sufficient justification for the use
3
Available from NFPA, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169–7471.
4 of a data source, test method, or calculation procedure of lesser
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1 rue de
Varembé, Case postale 56, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iso.ch. scope or u
...

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: E1776 − 07 E1776 − 13 An American National Standard
Standard Guide for
1
Development of Fire-Risk-Assessment Standards
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1776; 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 guide covers the development of fire-risk-assessment standards.
1.2 This guide is directed toward development of standards that will provide procedures for assessing fire risks harmful to
people, property, or the environment.
1.3 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.
1.4 This fire standard cannot be used to provide quantitative measures.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E1546 Guide for Development of Fire-Hazard-Assessment Standards
2.2 Other Documents:
SFPE Engineering Guide to Performance-Based Fire Protection, Society of Fire Protection Engineers and NFPA, Quincy, MA,
3
2000
4
ISO 13943 Fire Safety – Vocabulary
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—See E176, Terminology of Fire Standards and ISO 13943, Fire Safety – Vocabulary. In case of conflict, the
definitions in Terminology E176 shall prevail.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 fire-test-response-characteristic index, n—a single quantitative measure that combines two or more fire-test-response
characteristics for a material, product, or assembly, all developed under test conditions compatible with a common fire scenario,
addressing collectively the corresponding threat. See also fire-test-response-characteristic profile, fire hazard, fire risk,
fire-test-response characteristic.—See
3.2.2 fire-test-response-characteristic profile, n—array of fire-test-response characteristics for a material, product, or assembly,
all developed under test conditions compatible with a common fire scenario, addressing collectively the corresponding threat. See
also fire hazard, fire risk, fire-test-response characteristic. E176, Terminology of Fire Standards and ISO 13943, Fire Safety –
Vocabulary. In case of conflict, the definitions in Terminology E176 shall prevailE176.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This guide is intended for use by those undertaking the development of fire-risk-assessment standards. Such standards are
expected to be useful to manufacturers, architects, specification writers, and authorities having jurisdiction.
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.33 on Fire Safety Engineering.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2007April 1, 2013. Published December 2007April 2013. Originally published in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 20012007 as
ε1
E1776–01–07. . DOI: 10.1520/E1776-07.10.1520/E1776-13.
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.
3
Available from NFPA, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169–7471.
4
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1 rue de Varembé, Case postale 56, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iso.ch.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E1776 − 13
4.2 As a guide, this document provides information on an approach to the development of a fire-risk-assessment standard; fixed
procedures are not established. Limitations of data, available tests and models, and scientific knowledge can constitute significant
constraints on the fire-risk-assessment procedure and associated standard.
4.3 While the focus of this guide is on developing fire-risk-assessment standards for products, the general concepts presented
also can be applied to processes, activities, occupancies, and buildings.
5. Key Elements
5.1 This guide uses as its key elements the following:
5.1.1 The purpose of a fire-risk-assessment standard is to provide a standardized procedure for assembling a compilation o
...