ASTM E970-14
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Exposed Attic Floor Insulation Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
Standard Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Exposed Attic Floor Insulation Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This fire-test-response standard is designed to provide a basis for estimating one aspect of the fire exposure behavior to exposed insulation installed on the floors of building attics. The test environment is intended to simulate conditions that have been observed and defined in full-scale attic experiments.
5.2 The test is intended to be suitable for regulatory statutes, specification acceptance, design purposes, or development and research.
5.3 The fundamental assumption inherent in the test is that critical radiant flux is one measure of the surface burning characteristics of exposed insulation on floors or between joists of attics.
5.4 The test is applicable to attic floor insulation specimens that follow or simulate accepted installation practice.
5.5 In this procedure, the specimens are subjected to one or more specific sets of laboratory fire test exposure conditions. If different test conditions are substituted or the anticipated end-use conditions are changed, caution should be used to predict changes in the performance characteristics measured by or from this test. Therefore, the results are strictly valid only for the fire test exposure conditions described in this procedure.
5.5.1 If the test results obtained by this test method are to be considered in the total assessment of fire hazard in a building structure, then all pertinent established criteria for fire hazard assessment developed by Committee E-5 must be included in the consideration.
SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response standard describes a procedure for measuring the critical radiant flux of exposed attic floor insulation subjected to a flaming ignition source in a graded radiant heat energy environment in a test chamber. The specimen is any attic floor insulation. This test method is not applicable to those insulations that melt or shrink away when exposed to the radiant heat energy environment or the pilot burner.
1.2 This fire-test-response standard measures the critical radiant flux at the point at which the flame advances the farthest. It provides a basis for estimating one aspect of fire exposure behavior for exposed attic floor insulation. The imposed radiant flux simulates the thermal radiation levels likely to impinge on the floors of attics whose upper surfaces are heated by the sun through the roof or by flames from an incidental fire in the attic. This fire-test-response standard was developed to simulate an important fire exposure component of fires that develop in attics, but is not intended for use in estimating flame spread behavior of insulation installed other than on the attic floor.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 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 this standard.
1.5 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.
1.6 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.
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Designation: E970 − 14 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Critical Radiant Flux of Exposed Attic Floor Insulation Using
1
a Radiant Heat Energy Source
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E970; 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 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This fire-test-response standard describes a procedure
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
for measuring the critical radiant flux of exposed attic floor
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
insulation subjected to a flaming ignition source in a graded
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
radiant heat energy environment in a test chamber. The
1.7 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes
specimen is any attic floor insulation. This test method is not
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
applicable to those insulations that melt or shrink away when
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered
exposed to the radiant heat energy environment or the pilot
as requirements of the standard.
burner.
1.2 This fire-test-response standard measures the critical
2. Referenced Documents
radiant flux at the point at which the flame advances the
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
farthest. It provides a basis for estimating one aspect of fire
C167 Test Methods for Thickness and Density of Blanket or
exposure behavior for exposed attic floor insulation. The
Batt Thermal Insulations
imposed radiant flux simulates the thermal radiation levels
C665 Specification for Mineral-Fiber Blanket Thermal Insu-
likely to impinge on the floors of attics whose upper surfaces
lation for Light Frame Construction and Manufactured
are heated by the sun through the roof or by flames from an
Housing
incidental fire in the attic. This fire-test-response standard was
C739 Specification for Cellulosic Fiber Loose-Fill Thermal
developedtosimulateanimportantfireexposurecomponentof
Insulation
fires that develop in attics, but is not intended for use in
C764 Specification for Mineral Fiber Loose-Fill Thermal
estimating flame spread behavior of insulation installed other
Insulation
than on the attic floor.
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Building Materials
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate,With
only.
Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a
1.4 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes Lot or Process
that provide explanatory information. These notes and E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
footnotes, excluding those in tables and figures, shall not be E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
ASTM Test Methods
considered as requirements of this standard.
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
1.5 This standard is used to measure and describe the
E648 Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Floor-
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
Covering Systems Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under
E2653 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
actual fire conditions.
Determine Precision Estimates for a Fire Test Method
with Fewer Than Six Participating Laboratories
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
2
Burning. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2014. Published February 2014. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as E970 –10. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E0970-14. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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E970 − 14
2.2 Federal Specifications: 5.4 The test is applicable to attic floor insulation specimens
HH-I-515 Insulation Thermal (Loose Fill for Pneumatic or that follow or
...
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: E970 − 10 E970 − 14 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Critical Radiant Flux of Exposed Attic Floor Insulation Using
1
a Radiant Heat Energy Source
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E970; 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 fire-test-response standard describes a procedure for measuring the critical radiant flux of exposed attic floor insulation
subjected to a flaming ignition source in a graded radiant heat energy environment in a test chamber. The specimen is any attic
floor insulation. This test method is not applicable to those insulations that melt or shrink away when exposed to the radiant heat
energy environment or the pilot burner.
1.2 This fire-test-response standard measures the critical radiant flux at the point at which the flame advances the farthest. It
provides a basis for estimating one aspect of fire exposure behavior for exposed attic floor insulation. The imposed radiant flux
simulates the thermal radiation levels likely to impinge on the floors of attics whose upper surfaces are heated by the sun through
the roof or by flames from an incidental fire in the attic. This fire-test-response standard was developed to simulate an important
fire exposure component of fires that develop in attics, but is not intended for use in estimating flame spread behavior of insulation
installed other than on the attic floor.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 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 this standard.
1.5 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.
1.6 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1.7 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C167 Test Methods for Thickness and Density of Blanket or Batt Thermal Insulations
C665 Specification for Mineral-Fiber Blanket Thermal Insulation for Light Frame Construction and Manufactured Housing
C739 Specification for Cellulosic Fiber Loose-Fill Thermal Insulation
C764 Specification for Mineral Fiber Loose-Fill Thermal Insulation
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate, With Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a Lot or
Process
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
E648 Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Floor-Covering Systems Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
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 July 1, 2010Jan. 1, 2014. Published August 2010February 2014. Originally approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 20082010 as
E970 – 08a.E970 –10. DOI: 10.1520/E0970-10.10.1520/E0970-14.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E970 − 14
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the
...
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