ASTM C1261-98

Standard Specification for Firebox Brick for Residential Fireplaces

SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers brick intended for use as the lining in the fireboxes of residential fireplaces.
1.2 Firebox brick are manufactured from clay, fire clay, shale, or similar naturally occurring earthy substances and subjected to a heat treatment at elevated temperatures (firing). The heat treatment must develop a fired bond between the particulate constituents to provide the strength and durability requirements of this specification.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Nov-1998
• ICS: 81.080 - Refractories
• Technical Committee: C15 - Masonry – Manufactured Masonry Units, Mortars and Grouts
• Drafting Committee: C15.02 - Brick and Structural Clay Tile

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM C1261-04 - Standard Specification for Firebox Brick for Residential Fireplaces
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2004
• Referred By: ASTM C1232-21a - Standard Terminology for Masonry
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-1998

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: C 1261 – 98
Standard Specification for
Firebox Brick for Residential Fireplaces
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1261; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope * varying the manufacture processes of forming and firing. In
order to be satisfactory for firebox brick production, clays must
1.1 This specification covers brick intended for use as the
have plasticity that permits them to be shaped or molded when
lining in the fireboxes of residential fireplaces.
mixed with water. Clays must also have sufficient tensile
1.2 Firebox brick are manufactured from clay, fire clay,
strength to maintain shape.
shale, or similar naturally occurring earthy substances and
4.2 Firebox brick are shaped during manufacture by mold-
subjected to a heat treatment at elevated temperatures (firing).
ing, pressing, or extruding and cutting. Firebox brick shall be
The heat treatment must develop a fired bond between the
100 % solid with no cores or frogs.
particulate constituents to provide the strength and durability
4.3 Firebox brick shall be free of defects, deficiencies, and
requirements of this specification.
surface treatments, including coatings, that would interfere
NOTE 1—Firebox brick are typically installed using ground fire clay
with the proper setting of the brick or significantly impair the
mortar or refractory mortar. Mortar joints are typically ⁄8 in. (3.2 mm)
strength or performance of the construction.
thick, just thick enough to accommodate dimensional variations in the
firebox brick.
5. Physical Properties
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
5.1 Modulus of Rupture—Residential firebox brick shall
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
have a minimum modulus of rupture of 500 psi (3.45 MPa).
information only.
5.2 Pyrometric Cone Equivalent (PCE)—Firebox brick
1.4 The text of this specification references notes and
shall have a minimum pyrometric cone equivalent (PCE) of 13.
footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and
footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be 6. Dimensions and Permissible Variations
considered as requirements of this specification.
6.1 Size—The size of the firebox brick shall be as specified
by the purchaser. In the sample of units, no firebox brick shall
2. Referenced Documents
depart from the specified size by more than the maximum
2.1 ASTM Standards:
permissible variation given in Table 1.
C 24 Test Method for Pyrometric Cone Equivalent (PCE) of
6.2 Warpage—Tolerances for distortion or warpage of face
Fire Clay and High Alumina Refractory Materials
or edges of individual brick from a plane surface and from a
C 43 Terminology of Structural Clay Products
straight line, respectively, shall not exceed the maximum
C 67 Test Methods of Sampling and Testing Brick and
permissible distortion given in Table 1.
Structural Clay Tile
6.3 Visual Inspection—The brick, as delivered to the site,
shall conform by visual inspection to the samples approved as
3. Terminology
the standard of comparison. Minor indentations or surface
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms relating to this
cracks incidental to the usual method of manufacturing or the
specification, see Terminology C 43.
chippage resulting from the customary methods of handling in
shipments and delivery shall not be deemed grounds for
4. Materials, Manufacture, and Finish
rejection.
4.1 Clay, as it occurs in nature, differs in composition and
6.4 Variation of Appearance Requirements—When units are
physical properties. These differences are compensated for by
requir
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