ASTM E3202-24

Standard Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting of Plastic Composites for Use as Deck Boards, Stair Treads, Guards or Handrails to Assess Surface Burning Characteristics

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Plastic composite materials for use as deck boards, stair treads, guards or handrails are evaluated in accordance with Test Method E84 to comply with building or residential code requirements. This Practice describes specimen mounting procedures for such materials.  
5.2 The material to be tested shall be representative of the materials used in actual field installations.
Note 2: Test Method E84 assesses the comparative burning behavior of building materials. Thus, this practice addresses specimen preparation and mounting of materials at use thickness, with full width tunnel coverage.  
5.3 The limitations for this procedure are those associated with Test Method E84.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes a procedure for specimen preparation and mounting when testing plastic composite materials for use as deck boards, stair treads, guards or handrails to assess flame spread index as a surface burning characteristic using Test Method E84.  
1.2 This practice applies to plastic composite materials, including plastic lumber and wood-plastic composites. The test specimens shall be self-supporting or held in place by added supports along the test surface, in accordance with Annex A4 of Test Method E84.  
1.3 This practice does not provide pass/fail criteria that can be used as a regulatory tool.  
1.4 This practice is applicable to (a) materials that are self-supporting and (b) materials that are not self-supporting but where the test specimen is held in place by added supports throughout the test duration without such severe sagging that it interferes with the effect of the gas flame on the test specimen.
Note 1: Paragraph 1.4 reflects requirements contained in plastic lumber specifications.  
1.5 Use the values stated in inch-pound units as the standard in referee decisions. The values in the SI system of units are given in parentheses, for information only; see IEEE/ASTM SI-10 for further details.  
1.6 This fire standard cannot be used to provide quantitative measures.  
1.7 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently hazardous and adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests. Fire testing involves hazardous materials, operations and equipment.  
1.8 This practice gives instructions on specimen preparation and mounting but the fire-test-response method shall be conducted in accordance with Test Method E84. See also Section 8 for information on operator safety.  
1.9 The text of this practice references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered requirements of the standard.  
1.10 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.  
1.11 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: 31-Dec-2023
• ICS: 13.220.50 - Fire-resistance of building materials and elements
• ICS: 91.100.99 - Other construction materials
• Technical Committee: E05 - Fire Standards
• Drafting Committee: E05.22 - Surface Burning

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E3202-19e1 - Standard Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting of Plastic Composites for Use as Deck Boards, Stair Treads, Guards or Handrails to Assess Surface Burning Characteristics
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM D883-24 - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM E176-24 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM E84-23d - Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023
• Refers: ASTM D883-23 - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM E84-23c - Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2023
• Refers: ASTM E176-21ae1 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2021

Overview

ASTM E3202-24: Standard Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting of Plastic Composites for Use as Deck Boards, Stair Treads, Guards or Handrails to Assess Surface Burning Characteristics provides a standardized procedure for preparing and mounting plastic composite specimens for fire testing. This ASTM standard is essential for manufacturers, builders, and safety professionals working with plastic composite materials-such as plastic lumber and wood-plastic composites-for use as exterior and interior building components.

This practice supports compliance with building and residential codes by ensuring plastic composite products used as deck boards, stair treads, guards, or handrails are properly evaluated for surface burning characteristics as defined by ASTM E84. The document emphasizes using representative materials, mounting procedures at use thickness, and handling self-supporting as well as non-self-supporting specimens.

Key Topics

• Specimen Preparation

  • Detailed instructions for cutting and assembling test specimens at the specified use thickness and full tunnel width.
  • Requirement for specimens to be representative of actual field installation materials.
  • Use of single or multiple sections as needed to fill the test chamber length.

• Mounting Procedures

  • Procedures for both self-supporting specimens and those requiring additional supports.
  • Guidance for mounting according to whether the material sags or maintains its integrity under test conditions.
  • Reference to supplementary standards-such as Practice E2579 and Annex A4 of ASTM E84-for different mounting approaches.

• Applicability

  • Applies to plastic composite materials, including both plastic lumber and wood-plastic composites used in decks, stairs, guards, and handrails.
  • Specifies dimensional standards for test specimens, including length, width, and thickness.
  • Limits the standard to the preparation and mounting process, referring to ASTM E84 for the actual burn test method.

• Reporting and Safety

  • Requirements for detailed documentation of the test specimen and mounting method in E84 reports.
  • Highlights inherent hazards of fire testing, encouraging strict adherence to safety guidelines.

Applications

The procedures in ASTM E3202-24 are widely used in the following contexts:

• Product Certification and Compliance

  • Manufacturers of plastic composite building materials use this practice to prepare test specimens for fire performance assessment in accordance with code requirements.
  • Ensures reliable, repeatable, and standardized results for flame spread index and smoke developed index, key indicators in material acceptance.

• Building and Residential Code Adherence

  • Essential for meeting the fire safety requirements set out in local, state, and national codes for structures utilizing plastic composite deck boards, stair treads, guards, and handrails.
  • Assists safety inspectors and code officials in verifying that plastic composite products have been properly tested before installation.

• Research and Development

  • Supports R&D teams in comparing new formulations, designs, or installation methods using a recognized preparation and mounting process.
  • Provides clear criteria for distinguishing between self-supporting and non-self-supporting test materials.

Related Standards

ASTM E3202-24 references several important standards to ensure consistency and clarity:

• ASTM E84 - Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
  Central to assessing flame spread and smoke development.

• ASTM D883 - Terminology Relating to Plastics
  Provides definitions for plastic-related terminology.

• ASTM E176 - Terminology of Fire Standards
  Defines key fire testing terms used throughout the document.

• ASTM E2579 - Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting of Wood Products
  Offers parallel guidance for wood and self-supporting plastic composites.

• IEEE/ASTM SI-10 - International System of Units (SI)
  Specifies unit conventions for reporting and referee decisions.

By following ASTM E3202-24, stakeholders ensure that plastic composite building materials are evaluated consistently and in alignment with fire safety expectations, supporting both code compliance and public safety.
Keywords: fire test, plastic composites, deck boards, stair treads, guards, handrails, specimen preparation, surface burning, flame spread index, smoke developed index, ASTM standards.

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: E3202 − 24 An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
Specimen Preparation and Mounting of Plastic Composites
for Use as Deck Boards, Stair Treads, Guards or Handrails
to Assess Surface Burning Characteristics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3202; 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 ducted in accordance with Test Method E84. See also Section
8 for information on operator safety.
1.1 This practice describes a procedure for specimen prepa-
ration and mounting when testing plastic composite materials
1.9 The text of this practice references notes and footnotes
for use as deck boards, stair treads, guards or handrails to
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
assess flame spread index as a surface burning characteristic
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered
using Test Method E84.
requirements of the standard.
1.2 This practice applies to plastic composite materials,
1.10 This standard does not purport to address all of the
including plastic lumber and wood-plastic composites. The test
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
specimens shall be self-supporting or held in place by added
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
supports along the test surface, in accordance with Annex A4
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
of Test Method E84.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.11 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.3 This practice does not provide pass/fail criteria that can
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
be used as a regulatory tool.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.4 This practice is applicable to (a) materials that are
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
self-supporting and (b) materials that are not self-supporting
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
but where the test specimen is held in place by added supports
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
throughout the test duration without such severe sagging that it
interferes with the effect of the gas flame on the test specimen.
2. Referenced Documents
NOTE 1—Paragraph 1.4 reflects requirements contained in plastic
2.1 ASTM Standards:
lumber specifications.
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
1.5 Use the values stated in inch-pound units as the standard
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
in referee decisions. The values in the SI system of units are
Building Materials
given in parentheses, for information only; see IEEE/ASTM
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
SI-10 for further details.
E2579 Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting of
1.6 This fire standard cannot be used to provide quantitative
Wood Products to Assess Surface Burning Characteristics
measures.
IEEE/ASTM SI-10 International System of Units (SI) The
1.7 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently Modernized Metric System
hazardous and adequate safeguards for personnel and property
shall be employed in conducting these tests. Fire testing 3. Terminology
involves hazardous materials, operations and equipment.
3.1 Definitions: For definitions of terms used in this practice
1.8 This practice gives instructions on specimen preparation
and associated with fire issues refer to Terminology E176. For
and mounting but the fire-test-response method shall be con-
definitions of terms used in this practice and associated with
plastics issues refer to Terminology D883.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.22 on Surface
Burning. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2024. Published January 2024. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
ɛ1
approved in 2019. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as E3202 –19 . DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E3202-24. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E3202 − 24
3.1.1 flame spread index, n—a comparative measure ex- 5. Significance and Use
pressed as a dimensionless number, derived from visual mea-
5.1 Plastic composite materials for use as deck boards, stair
surements of the spread of flame versus time in Test Method
treads, guards or handrails are evaluated in accordance with
E84. E176
Test Method E84 to comply with building or residential code
3.1.2 smoke developed index, n—a comparative measure requirements. This Practice describes specimen mounting pro-
cedures for such materials.
expressed as a dimensionless number, derived from measure-
ments of smoke obscuration versus time in Test Method E84.
5.2 The material to be tested shall be representative of the
E176
materials used in actual field installations.
NOTE 2—Test Method E84 assesses the comparative burning behavior
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
of building materials. Thus, this practice addresses specimen preparation
3.2.1 plastic composite, n—as relat
...

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: E3202 − 19 E3202 − 24 An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
Specimen Preparation and Mounting of Plastic Composites
for Use as Deck Boards, Stair Treads, Guards or Handrails
to Assess Surface Burning Characteristics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3202; 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.
ε NOTE—The terms flame spread index and smoke developed index were moved editorially from under the heading Defi-
nitions of Terms Specific to this Standard to Definitions,3.1, in July 2020.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice describes a procedure for specimen preparation and mounting when testing plastic composite materials for use
as deck boards, stair treads, guards or handrails to assess flame spread index as a surface burning characteristic using Test Method
E84.
1.2 This practice applies to plastic composite materials, including plastic lumber and wood-plastic composites. The test specimens
shall be self-supporting or held in place by added supports along the test surface, in accordance with Annex A4 of Test Method
E84.
1.3 This practice does not provide pass/fail criteria that can be used as a regulatory tool.
1.4 This practice is applicable to (a) materials that are self-supporting and (b) materials that are not self-supporting but where the
test specimen is held in place by added supports throughout the test duration without such severe sagging that it interferes with
the effect of the gas flame on the test specimen.
NOTE 1—Paragraph 1.4 reflects requirements contained in plastic lumber specifications.
1.5 Use the values stated in inch-pound units as the standard in referee decisions. The values in the SI system of units are given
in parentheses, for information only; see IEEE/ASTM SI-10 for further details.
1.6 This fire standard cannot be used to provide quantitative measures.
1.7 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently hazardous and adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be
employed in conducting these tests. Fire testing involves hazardous materials, operations and equipment.
1.8 This practice gives instructions on specimen preparation and mounting but the fire-test-response method shall be conducted
in accordance with Test Method E84. See also Section 8 for information on operator safety.
This practice 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 Sept. 1, 2019Jan. 1, 2024. Published September 2019January 2024. Originally approved in 2019. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as
ɛ1
E3202 –19 . DOI: 10.1520/E3202-19E01.10.1520/E3202-24.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E3202 − 24
1.9 The text of this practice references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered requirements of the standard.
1.10 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.
1.11 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E2579 Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting of Wood Products to Assess Surface Burning Characteristics
IEEE/ASTM SI-10 International System of Units (SI) The Modernized Metric System
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions: For definitions of terms used in this practice and associated with fire issues refer to Terminology E176. For
definitions of terms used in this practice and associated with plastics issues refer to Terminology D883.
3.1.1 flame spread index, n—a comparative measure expressed as a dimensionless number, derived from visual measurements of
the spread of flame versus time in Test Method E84. E176
3.1.2 smoke developed index, n—a comparative measure expressed as a dimensionless number, derived from measurements of
smoke obscuration versus time in Test Method E84. E176
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 plastic composite, n—as related to code use in decking applications, a generic designation that refers to wood/plastic
composites, plastic lumber and similar materials.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—
This definition is used in codes.
3.2.2 plastic lumber, n—a manufactured product made primarily from plastic materials (filled or unfilled), typically used as a
building material for purposes similar to those of traditional lumber, which is usually rectangular in cross-section. D883
3.2.2.1 Discussion—
Plastic lumber is typically supplied in sizes similar to those of traditional lumber board, timber and dimension lumber; however
the tolerances for plastic lumber and for traditional lumber are not necessarily the same. D883
3.2.3 self-suppor
...