ASTM E84-08a

Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is intended to provide only comparative measurements of surface flame spread and smoke density measurements with that of select grade red oak and fiber-cement board surfaces under the specific fire exposure conditions described herein.
This test method exposes a nominal 24-ft (7.32-m) long by 20-in. (508-mm) wide specimen to a controlled air flow and flaming fire exposure adjusted to spread the flame along the entire length of the select grade red oak specimen in 5½min.
This test method does not provide for the following:
Measurement of heat transmission through the tested surface.
The effect of aggravated flame spread behavior of an assembly resulting from the proximity of combustible walls and ceilings.
Classifying or defining a material as noncombustible, by means of a flame spread index by itself.
SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response standard for the comparative surface burning behavior of building materials is applicable to exposed surfaces such as walls and ceilings. The test is conducted with the specimen in the ceiling position with the surface to be evaluated exposed face down to the ignition source. The material, product, or assembly shall be capable of being mounted in the test position during the test. Thus, the specimen shall either be self-supporting by its own structural quality, held in place by added supports along the test surface, or secured from the back side.
1.2 The purpose of this test method is to determine the relative burning behavior of the material by observing the flame spread along the specimen. Flame spread and smoke developed index are reported. However, there is not necessarily a relationship between these two measurements.
1.3 The use of supporting materials on the underside of the test specimen has the ability to lower the flame spread index from those which might be obtained if the specimen could be tested without such support. These test results do not necessarily relate to indices obtained by testing materials without such support.
1.4 Testing of materials that melt, drip, or delaminate to such a degree that the continuity of the flame front is destroyed, results in low flame spread indices that do not relate directly to indices obtained by testing materials that remain in place.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.6 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory information. These notes and footnotes, excluding those in tables and figures, shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.
1.7 This standard is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire-hazard or fire-risk assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions..  
1.8 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 29-Feb-2008
• ICS: 13.220.50 - Fire-resistance of building materials and elements
• ICS: 91.100.01 - Construction materials in general
• Technical Committee: E05 - Fire Standards
• Drafting Committee: E05.22 - Surface Burning

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E84-08 - Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2008
• Replaced By: ASTM E84-09 - Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C582-23 - Standard Specification for Contact-Molded Reinforced Thermosetting Plastic (RTP) Laminates for Corrosion-Resistant Equipment
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E1590-23 - Standard Test Method for Fire Testing of Mattresses
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2008
• Referred By: ASTM C1841-23 - Standard Specification for Interior Radiation Control Coating (IRCC) for Building Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E760/E760M-92(2023) - Standard Test Method for Effect of Impact on Bonding of Sprayed Fire-Resistive Material Applied to Structural Members
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D6662-22 - Standard Specification for Polyolefin-Based Plastic Lumber Decking Boards
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E2307-23a - Standard Test Method for Determining Fire Resistance of Perimeter Fire Barriers Using Intermediate-Scale, Multi-story Test Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E3157-23 - Standard Guide for Understanding and Using Information Related to Installation of Firestop Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2008
• Referred By: ASTM C1136-23 - Standard Specification for Flexible, Low Permeance Vapor Retarders for Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E162-22 - Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E2785-14(2022) - Standard Test Method for Exposure of Firestop Materials to Severe Environmental Conditions
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E736/E736M-19(2023) - Standard Test Method for Cohesion/Adhesion of Sprayed Fire-Resistive Materials Applied to Structural Members
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E2726/E2726M-12a(2017) - Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Fire-Test-Response of Deck Structures to Burning Brands
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2008
• Referred By: ASTM C610-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Molded Expanded Perlite Block and Pipe Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2008

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
An American National Standard
Designation:E84–08a
Standard Test Method for
1
Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationE84;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope incorporate all factors required for fire-hazard or fire-risk
assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under
1.1 This fire-test-response standard for the comparative
actual fire conditions.
surface burning behavior of building materials is applicable to
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
exposed surfaces such as walls and ceilings. The test is
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
conducted with the specimen in the ceiling position with the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
surface to be evaluated exposed face down to the ignition
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
source. The material, product, or assembly shall be capable of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
being mounted in the test position during the test. Thus, the
specimen shall either be self-supporting by its own structural
2. Referenced Documents
quality, held in place by added supports along the test surface,
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
or secured from the back side.
A390 Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Steel
1.2 The purpose of this test method is to determine the
Poultry Fence Fabric (Hexagonal and Straight Line)
relative burning behavior of the material by observing the
C1186 Specification for Flat Non-Asbestos Fiber-Cement
flame spread along the specimen. Flame spread and smoke
Sheets
developedindexarereported.However,thereisnotnecessarily
D4442 TestMethodsforDirectMoistureContentMeasure-
a relationship between these two measurements.
ment of Wood and Wood-Base Materials
1.3 The use of supporting materials on the underside of the
D4444 TestMethodsforUseandCalibrationofHand-Held
test specimen has the ability to lower the flame spread index
Moisture Meters
from those which might be obtained if the specimen could be
E69 Test Method for Combustible Properties of Treated
tested without such support. These test results do not neces-
Wood by the Fire-Tube Apparatus
sarily relate to indices obtained by testing materials without
E136 Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical
such support.
Tube Furnace at 750°C
1.4 Testing of materials that melt, drip, or delaminate to
E160 Test Method for Combustible Properties of Treated
suchadegreethatthecontinuityoftheflamefrontisdestroyed,
3
Wood by the Crib Test
resultsinlowflamespreadindicesthatdonotrelatedirectlyto
E162 Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials
indices obtained by testing materials that remain in place.
Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
as the standard.
E286 Method ofTest for Surface Flammability of Building
1.6 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes
3
Materials Using an 8-ft (2.44-m) Tunnel Furnace
that provide explanatory information. These notes and foot-
E2231 Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting of
notes, excluding those in tables and figures, shall not be
Pipe and Duct Insulation Materials to Assess Surface
considered as requirements of the standard.
Burning Characteristics
1.7 This standard is used to measure and describe the
E2404 Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting of
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
Textile,PaperorVinylWallorCeilingCoveringstoAssess
flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.22 on Surface contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Burning. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved March 1, 2008. Published March 2008. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1950. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as E84–08. Withdrawn.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E84–08a
Surface Burning Characteristics 4.2 This test method exposes a nominal 24-ft (7.32-m) long
E2573 Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting of by20-in.(508-mm)wides
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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.
An American National Standard
Designation:E84–08 Designation:E84–08a
Standard Test Method for
1
Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationE84;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This fire-test-response standard for the comparative surface burning behavior of building materials is applicable to exposed
surfacessuchaswallsandceilings.Thetestisconductedwiththespecimenintheceilingpositionwiththesurfacetobeevaluated
exposedfacedowntotheignitionsource.Thematerial,product,orassemblyshallbecapableofbeingmountedinthetestposition
during the test. Thus, the specimen shall either be self-supporting by its own structural quality, held in place by added supports
along the test surface, or secured from the back side.
1.2 The purpose of this test method is to determine the relative burning behavior of the material by observing the flame spread
along the specimen. Flame spread and smoke developed index are reported. However, there is not necessarily a relationship
between these two measurements.
1.3 The use of supporting materials on the underside of the test specimen has the ability to lower the flame spread index from
those which might be obtained if the specimen could be tested without such support. These test results do not necessarily relate
to indices obtained by testing materials without such support.
1.4 Testingofmaterialsthatmelt,drip,ordelaminatetosuchadegreethatthecontinuityoftheflamefrontisdestroyed,results
in low flame spread indices that do not relate directly to indices obtained by testing materials that remain in place.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.6 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory information. These notes and footnotes,
excluding those in tables and figures, shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.
1.7 This standard is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under
controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire-hazard or fire-risk assessment of the materials,
products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
1.8 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A390 Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Steel Poultry Fence Fabric (Hexagonal and Straight Line)
C1186 Specification for Flat Non-Asbestos Fiber-Cement Sheets
D4442 Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-Base Materials
D4444 Test Methods for Use and Calibration of Hand-Held Moisture Meters
E69 Test Method for Combustible Properties of Treated Wood by the Fire-Tube Apparatus
E136 Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750C
3
E160 Test Method for Combustible Properties of Treated Wood by the Crib Test
E162 Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
0
E286 Method of Test for Surface Flammability of Building Materials Using an 8-ft (2.44-m) Tunnel Furnace
E2231 Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting of Pipe and Duct Insulation Materials to Assess Surface Burning
Characteristics
1
This test method 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 Jan.March 1, 2008. Published JanuaryMarch 2008. Originally approved in 1950. Last previous edition approved in 20072008 as
E84–07b.E84–08.
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,[e-mail] Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Withdrawn.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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E84–08a
E24
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