ASTM E84-13a

Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 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.  
4.2 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 51/2 min.  
4.3 This test method does not provide for the following:  
4.3.1 Measurement of heat transmission through the tested surface.  
4.3.2 The effect of aggravated flame spread behavior of an assembly resulting from the proximity of combustible walls and ceilings.  
4.3.3 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 standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered 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: 30-Jun-2013
• 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 E84-13 - Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Replaced By: ASTM E84-14 - Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D3794-22 - Standard Guide for Testing Coil Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM C534/C534M-23 - Standard Specification for Preformed Flexible Elastomeric Cellular Thermal Insulation in Sheet and Tubular Form
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM E2634-18(2022) - Standard Specification for Flat Wall Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM C549-18 - Standard Specification for Perlite Loose Fill Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM E2573-19 - Standard Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting of Site-Fabricated Stretch Systems to Assess Surface Burning Characteristics
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM D3806-19a - Standard Test Method of Small-Scale Evaluation of Fire-Retardant Paints (2-Foot Tunnel Method)
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM F3319-20 - Standard Specification for Selection and Application of Field-Installed Cryogenic Pipe and Equipment Insulation Systems on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-Fueled Ships
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM D7568-23 - Standard Specification for Polyethylene-Based Structural-Grade Plastic Lumber for Outdoor Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM C1705/C1705M-09(2023) - Standard Specification for Structural Cementitious Panels
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM D3201/D3201M-20 - Standard Test Method for Hygroscopic Properties of Fire-Retardant Wood and Wood-Based Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM C582-23 - Standard Specification for Contact-Molded Reinforced Thermosetting Plastic (RTP) Laminates for Corrosion-Resistant Equipment
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM E176-21ae1 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Referred By: ASTM D5144-08(2021) - Standard Guide for Use of Protective Coating Standards in Nuclear Power Plants
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013

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: E84 − 13a AnAmerican National Standard
Standard Test Method for
1
Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationE84;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) 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 1.7 This standard is used to measure and describe the
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
1.1 This fire-test-response standard for the comparative
flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself
surface burning behavior of building materials is applicable to
incorporate all factors required for fire-hazard or fire-risk
exposed surfaces such as walls and ceilings. The test is
assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under
conducted with the specimen in the ceiling position with the
actual fire conditions.
surface to be evaluated exposed face down to the ignition
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
source. The material, product, or assembly shall be capable of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
being mounted in the test position during the test. Thus, the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
specimen shall either be self-supporting by its own structural
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
quality, held in place by added supports along the test surface,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
or secured from the back side.
1.2 The purpose of this test method is to determine the
2. Referenced Documents
relative burning behavior of the material by observing the
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
flame spread along the specimen. Flame spread and smoke
A390 Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Steel
developedindexarereported.However,thereisnotnecessarily
Poultry Fence Fabric (Hexagonal and Straight Line)
a relationship between these two measurements.
C1186Specification for Flat Fiber-Cement Sheets
1.3 The use of supporting materials on the underside of the
C1288 Specification for Discrete Non-Asbestos Fiber-
test specimen has the ability to lower the flame spread index
Cement Interior Substrate Sheets
from those which might be obtained if the specimen could be
D4442Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measure-
tested without such support. These test results do not neces-
ment of Wood and Wood-Base Materials
sarily relate to indices obtained by testing materials without
D4444Test Method for Laboratory Standardization and
such support.
Calibration of Hand-Held Moisture Meters
1.4 Testing of materials that melt, drip, or delaminate to
E69Test Method for Combustible Properties of Treated
suchadegreethatthecontinuityoftheflamefrontisdestroyed, Wood by the Fire-Tube Apparatus
resultsinlowflamespreadindicesthatdonotrelatedirectlyto
E136Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical
indices obtained by testing materials that remain in place. Tube Furnace at 750°C
E160Test Method for Combustible Properties of Treated
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3
Wood by the Crib Test
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
E162Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
and are not considered standard.
E176Terminology of Fire Standards
1.6 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes
E286Test Method for Surface Flammability of Building
that provide explanatory information. These notes and
Materials Using an 8-ft (2.44-m) Tunnel Furnace (With-
footnotes, excluding those in tables and figures, shall not be 3
drawn 1991)
considered as requirements of the standard.
E2231Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting of
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
CurrenteditionapprovedJuly1,2013.PublishedJuly2013.Originallyapproved the ASTM website.
3
in 1950. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as E84–13. DOI: 10.1520/E0084- The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
13A. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E84 − 13a
Pipe and
...

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: E84 − 13 E84 − 13a An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
1
Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E84; 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 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
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 standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered 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 Fiber-Cement Sheets
C1288 Specification for Discrete Non-Asbestos Fiber-Cement Interior Substrate Sheets
D4442 Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-Base Materials
D4444 Test Method for Laboratory Standardization 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 750°C
3
E160 Test Method for Combustible Properties of Treated Wood by the Crib Test
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 May 15, 2013July 1, 2013. Published June 2013July 2013. Originally approved in 1950. Last previous edition approved in 20122013 as
E84 – 12c.E84 – 13. DOI: 10.1520/E0084-13.10.1520/E0084-13A.
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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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