ASTM E108-17

Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The test methods described herein are intended to provide a basis for relative comparison of roof coverings. The test methods include simulated fire exposure to the outside of the roof coverings, and, where applicable, a determination as to whether the fire performance characteristics of the roof coverings will be adversely affected by prolonged exposure to rain.  
4.2 These test methods measure the surface spread of flame and the ability of the roof covering material or system to resist fire penetration from the exterior to the underside of a roof deck under the conditions of exposure.  
4.3 These test methods also provide criteria to determine if the roof covering material will develop flying burning material, identified as flying brands, when subjected to a 12-mph (5.3-m/s) wind during the simulated fire exposure tests.  
4.4 These test methods do not necessarily illustrate the expected performance of roof coverings under all actual fire conditions, but they do provide a basis for comparing roof covering materials when subjected to fire sources that are described herein.  
4.5 These test methods do not provide any basis for determining the fire resistance characteristics when exposed to a fire originating in the building to which the roofing material is applied.  
4.6 The test methods described herein involve calibrating the test equipment using a calibration deck inclined at a slope of 5 in. per horizontal ft (0.416:1). The tests described herein are performed on test decks inclined at slopes up to and including 5 in. per horizontal ft. The severity of the test exposure decreases as the slope of the test deck decreases below 5 in. per horizontal ft.
SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response standard covers the measurement of the relative fire characteristics of roof coverings exposed to simulated fire sources originating outside the building. It is applicable to roof coverings intended for installation on either combustible or noncombustible roof decks when applied as intended for use. The following test methods are included:  
1.1.1 Intermittent flame exposure test.  
1.1.2 Spread of flame test.  
1.1.3 Burning brand test.  
1.1.4 Flying brand test.  
1.1.5 Rain test.  
1.2 Three classes of fire test exposure are described:  
1.2.1 Class A Tests are applicable to roof coverings that are expected to be effective against severe fire exposure, afford a high degree of fire protection to the roof deck, do not slip from position, and are not expected to present a flying brand hazard.  
1.2.2 Class B Tests are applicable to roof coverings that are expected to be effective against moderate fire exposure, afford a moderate degree of fire protection to the roof deck, do not slip from position, and are not expected to present a flying brand hazard.  
1.2.3 Class C Tests are applicable to roof coverings that are effective against light fire exposure, afford a light degree of fire protection to the roof deck, do not slip from position, and are not expected to present a flying brand hazard.  
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 is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled laboratory 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.  
1.5 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.  
1.6 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personne...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2017
• ICS: 13.220.50 - Fire-resistance of building materials and elements
• ICS: 91.060.20 - Roofs
• Technical Committee: E05 - Fire Standards
• Drafting Committee: E05.14 - External Fire Exposures

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E108-16e1 - Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2017
• Replaced By: ASTM E108-20 - Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2020
• Referred By: ASTM E2777-20 - Standard Guide for Vegetative (Green) Roof Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2017
• Referred By: ASTM D7031-11(2019) - Standard Guide for Evaluating Mechanical and Physical Properties of Wood-Plastic Composite Products
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2017
• Referred By: ASTM D4851-07(2019)e1 - Standard Test Methods for Coated and Laminated Fabrics for Architectural Use
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2017
• Referred By: ASTM D2898-10(2017) - Standard Practice for Accelerated Weathering of Fire-Retardant-Treated Wood for Fire Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2017
• Referred By: ASTM D3018/D3018M-22 - Standard Specification for Class A Asphalt Shingles Surfaced with Mineral Granules
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2017
• Referred By: ASTM D6662-22 - Standard Specification for Polyolefin-Based Plastic Lumber Decking Boards
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2017
• 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-Feb-2017
• 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-Feb-2017
• Referred By: ASTM E2886/E2886M-20 - Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Ability of Exterior Vents to Resist the Entry of Embers and Direct Flame Impingement
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2017
• Referred By: ASTM E3020-22 - Standard Practice for Ignition Sources
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2017
• Referred By: ASTM D3462/D3462M-23 - Standard Specification for Asphalt Shingles Made from Glass Felt and Surfaced with Mineral Granules
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2017
• Referred By: ASTM E2874-19 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Fire-Test Response Characteristics of a Building Spandrel-Panel Assembly Due to External Spread of Fire
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2017

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
Designation: E108 − 17 An American National Standard
Standard Test Methods for
1
Fire Tests of Roof Coverings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E108; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* assessment of the materials, products or assemblies under
actual fire conditions.
1.1 Thisfire-test-responsestandardcoversthemeasurement
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
of the relative fire characteristics of roof coverings exposed to
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
simulated fire sources originating outside the building. It is
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
applicable to roof coverings intended for installation on either
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
combustible or noncombustible roof decks when applied as
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
intended for use. The following test methods are included:
1.6 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safe-
1.1.1 Intermittent flame exposure test.
guards for personnel and property shall be employed in
1.1.2 Spread of flame test.
conducting these tests.
1.1.3 Burning brand test.
1.1.4 Flying brand test.
1.7 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes
1.1.5 Rain test. that provide explanatory information. These notes and
footnotes, excluding those in tables and figures, shall not be
1.2 Three classes of fire test exposure are described:
considered as requirements of this standard.
1.2.1 Class A Tests are applicable to roof coverings that are
expected to be effective against severe fire exposure, afford a
2. Referenced Documents
highdegreeoffireprotectiontotheroofdeck,donotslipfrom
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
position,andarenotexpectedtopresentaflyingbrandhazard.
D225Specification forAsphalt Shingles (Organic Felt) Sur-
1.2.2 Class B Tests are applicable to roof coverings that are
3
faced With Mineral Granules (Withdrawn 2012)
expected to be effective against moderate fire exposure, afford
D226Specification forAsphalt-Saturated Organic Felt Used
a moderate degree of fire protection to the roof deck, do not
in Roofing and Waterproofing
slip from position, and are not expected to present a flying
D227Specification for Coal-Tar-Saturated Organic Felt
brand hazard.
Used in Roofing and Waterproofing
1.2.3 Class C Tests are applicable to roof coverings that are
D312Specification for Asphalt Used in Roofing
effectiveagainstlightfireexposure,affordalightdegreeoffire
D450Specification for Coal-Tar Pitch Used in Roofing,
protection to the roof deck, do not slip from position, and are
Dampproofing, and Waterproofing
not expected to present a flying brand hazard.
D1227Specification for Emulsified Asphalt Used as a Pro-
1.3 Thevaluesstatedininch-poundunitsaretoberegarded
tective Coating for Roofing
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
D2178Specification forAsphalt Glass Felt Used in Roofing
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and Waterproofing
and are not considered standard.
D2626Specification for Asphalt-Saturated and Coated Or-
ganic Felt Base Sheet Used in Roofing
1.4 This standard is used to measure and describe the
D2898 Practice for Accelerated Weathering of Fire-
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
Retardant-Treated Wood for Fire Testing
flame under controlled laboratory conditions, but does not by
D3018Specification for Class AAsphalt Shingles Surfaced
itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk
with Mineral Granules
1 2
ThesetestmethodsareunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE05onFire For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
StandardsandarethedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeE05.14onExternalFire contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Exposures. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2017. Published March 2017. Originally the ASTM website.
ɛ1 3
approved in 1955. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as E108–16 . DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/E0108-17. www.astm.org.
*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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E108 − 17
D3158Specification for Asphalt Saturated and Coated Or- 4.3 Th
...

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: E108 − 16 E108 − 17 An American National Standard
Standard Test Methods for
1
Fire Tests of Roof Coverings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E108; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1
ε NOTE—References to Notes were corrected in 9.1 and 14.2.2 in February 2017.
1. Scope*
1.1 This fire-test-response standard covers the measurement of the relative fire characteristics of roof coverings exposed to
simulated fire sources originating outside the building. It is applicable to roof coverings intended for installation on either
combustible or noncombustible roof decks when applied as intended for use. The following test methods are included:
1.1.1 Intermittent flame exposure test.
1.1.2 Spread of flame test.
1.1.3 Burning brand test.
1.1.4 Flying brand test.
1.1.5 Rain test.
1.2 Three classes of fire test exposure are described:
1.2.1 Class A Tests are applicable to roof coverings that are expected to be effective against severe fire exposure, afford a high
degree of fire protection to the roof deck, do not slip from position, and are not expected to present a flying brand hazard.
1.2.2 Class B Tests are applicable to roof coverings that are expected to be effective against moderate fire exposure, afford a
moderate degree of fire protection to the roof deck, do not slip from position, and are not expected to present a flying brand hazard.
1.2.3 Class C Tests are applicable to roof coverings that are effective against light fire exposure, afford a light degree of fire
protection to the roof deck, do not slip from position, and are not expected to present a flying brand hazard.
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 is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under
controlled laboratory 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.
1.5 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.
1.6 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these
tests.
1.7 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3
D225 Specification for Asphalt Shingles (Organic Felt) Surfaced With Mineral Granules (Withdrawn 2012)
D226 Specification for Asphalt-Saturated Organic Felt Used in Roofing and Waterproofing
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire Standards and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.14 on External Fire
Exposures.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2016Feb. 1, 2017. Published November 2016March 2017. Originally approved in 1955. Last previous edition approved in 20112016 as
ɛ1
E108 – 11.E108 – 16 . DOI: 10.1520/E0108-16E01.10.1520/E0108-17.
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
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
*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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E108 − 17
D227 Specification for Coal-Tar-Saturated Organic Felt Used in Roofing and Waterproofing
D312 Specification for Asphalt Used in Roofing
D450 Specification for Coal-Tar Pitch Used in Roofing, D
...