ASTM E3082-20

Standard Test Methods for Determining the Effectiveness of Fire Retardant Treatments for Natural Christmas Trees

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 In past research experiments, some surface applied fire retardant chemicals improved the fire performance characteristics of natural Christmas trees, whereas other retardants were not effective, or adversely affected tree quality or burning characteristics. These methods are intended to provide a two-step process to determine the effectiveness of surface applied treatments to natural Christmas trees.  
4.2 The fire performance of natural trees is highly variable and varies from species to species. Test results from these methods do not intend to provide data for judgment on the absolute fire performance of any natural or treated natural tree, but rather provide a means for comparing the fire performance of treated versus untreated trees.  
4.3 These test methods do not take into account the influence of decorations that are added to the tree.  
4.4 For Test Method 1, only Fraser fir [Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poi.] trees are tested. Although this is one of the most commonly used Christmas trees in the United States, it is possible that results for other tree species will differ from the results for this species.  
4.5 For Test Method 2, Large Scale Fire Test, it is important that the treated and untreated tree specimens be evaluated consistently and as simultaneously as possible for adequate comparative results.  
4.6 The performance of the treatment will vary depending on the uniformity of the application of the treatment. This quality of application is not determined by these test methods.
SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response standard provides a two-step testing process for determining the effectiveness of surface applied treatments for natural Christmas trees to improve fire test response. In order for a treatment to be considered compliant with this standard, the Conditions of Acceptance of both Methods 1 and 2 are to be met.  
1.2 The purpose of these test methods is to:  
1.2.1 Utilize a detached branch test (Method 1) to screen potential surface-applied fire retardant products and to determine their effectiveness in limiting the spread of flame and the continuation of flaming by comparing the burning characteristics of treated and untreated small Christmas tree branches subjected to a small open Bunsen-burner type flame ignition source, and  
1.2.2 Use whole natural Christmas trees (Method 2) to determine the effectiveness of surface applied fire retardants found to be effective in the detached branch test (Method 1) through comparison of heat release rate contribution of treated trees as compared to untreated trees when subjected to an open flame ignition source.  
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests.  
1.6 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.  
1.7 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: 14-Mar-2020
• ICS: 13.220.40 - Ignitability and burning behaviour of materials and products
• ICS: 71.100.50 - Wood-protecting chemicals
• Technical Committee: E05 - Fire Standards
• Drafting Committee: E05.15 - Furnishings and Contents

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D5025-20 - Standard Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2020
• Refers: ASTM D5025-20a - Standard Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2020
• Referred By: ASTM E176-21ae1 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2020

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: E3082 − 20 An American National Standard
Standard Test Methods for
Determining the Effectiveness of Fire Retardant Treatments
1
for Natural Christmas Trees
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3082; 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* (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered
as requirements of the standard.
1.1 This fire-test-response standard provides a two-step
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
testing process for determining the effectiveness of surface
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
applied treatments for natural Christmas trees to improve fire
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
test response. In order for a treatment to be considered
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
compliant with this standard, the Conditions of Acceptance of
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
both Methods 1 and 2 are to be met.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.2 The purpose of these test methods is to:
1.2.1 Utilize a detached branch test (Method 1) to screen
2. Referenced Documents
potential surface-applied fire retardant products and to deter-
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
mine their effectiveness in limiting the spread of flame and the
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
continuation of flaming by comparing the burning characteris-
D1835 Specification for Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases
tics of treated and untreated small Christmas tree branches
D5025 Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-
subjected to a small open Bunsen-burner type flame ignition
Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
source, and
E2067 Practice for Full-Scale Oxygen Consumption Calo-
1.2.2 Use whole natural Christmas trees (Method 2) to
rimetry Fire Tests
determine the effectiveness of surface applied fire retardants
3
2.2 California Regulations:
found to be effective in the detached branch test (Method 1)
California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Chapter 8, Article
through comparison of heat release rate contribution of treated
3 Registration and Labeling of Chemicals
trees as compared to untreated trees when subjected to an open
4
2.3 NFPA Standards:
flame ignition source.
NFPA 1 Fire Code
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
NFPA289 Standard Method of Fire Test for Individual Fuel
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
Packages
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
5
2.4 UL Standards:
and are not considered standard.
UL 1975 Standard for Fire Tests for Foamed Plastics Used
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
for Decorative Purposes
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
UL 2358 Outline for Fire Tests of Pre-lit Artificial Seasonal
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Use Trees and Other Seasonal Decorative Items
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- 6
2.5 Gas Processors Association Standard:
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
GPA 2140 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Specifications and Test
1.5 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safe-
Method
guards for personnel and property shall be employed in
conducting these tests.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1.6 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3
Available from State of California Department of Industrial Relations.
1 4
These test methods are under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E05 on Fire Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch
Standards and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.15 on Furnishings Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org.
5
and Contents. Available from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), 2600 N.W. Lake Rd., Camas,
Current edition approved March 15, 2020. Published April 2020. Originally WA 98607-8542, http://www.ul.com.
ɛ1 6
approved in 2017. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as E3082–17 . DOI: Available from Gas Processors Association (GPA), 66 American Plaza, Suite
10.1520/E3082-20. 700, Tulsa, OK 74
...

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: E3082 − 17 E3082 − 20 An American National Standard
Standard Test Methods for
Determining the Effectiveness of Fire Retardant Treatments
1
for Natural Christmas Trees
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3082; 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
1 1
ε NOTE—In 5.8.2, 1-1 ⁄2 in. was corrected to 1 ⁄2 in. in August 2018.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 This fire-test-response standard provides a two-step testing process for determining the effectiveness of surface applied
treatments for natural Christmas trees to improve fire test response. In order for a treatment to be considered compliant with this
standard, the Conditions of Acceptance of both Methods 1 and 2 are to be met.
1.2 The purpose of these test methods is to:
1.2.1 Utilize a detached branch test (Method 1) to screen potential surface-applied fire retardant products and to determine their
effectiveness in limiting the spread of flame and the continuation of flaming by comparing the burning characteristics of treated
and untreated small Christmas tree branches subjected to a small open Bunsen-burner type flame ignition source, and
1.2.2 Use whole natural Christmas trees (Method 2) to determine the effectiveness of surface applied fire retardants found to
be effective in the detached branch test (Method 1) through comparison of heat release rate contribution of treated trees as
compared to untreated trees when subjected to an open flame ignition source.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these
tests.
1.6 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.
1.7 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
D1835 Specification for Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases
D5025 Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
E2067 Practice for Full-Scale Oxygen Consumption Calorimetry Fire Tests
3
2.2 California Regulations:
California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Chapter 8, Article 3 Registration and Labeling of Chemicals
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire Standards and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.15 on Furnishings and
Contents.
Current edition approved July 1, 2017March 15, 2020. Published August 2017April 2020. Originally approved in 2017. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as
ɛ1
E3082–17 . DOI: 10.1520/E3082-17E01.10.1520/E3082-20.
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 State of California Department of Industrial Relations.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E3082 − 20
4
2.3 NFPA Standards:
NFPA 1 Fire Code
NFPA 289 Standard Method of Fire Test for Individual Fuel Packages
5
2.4 UL Standards:
UL 1975 Standard for Fire Tests for Foamed Plastics Used for Decorative Purposes
UL 2358 Outline for Fire Tests o
...