ASTM E2307: Standard Test Method for Determining Fire Resistance of Perimeter Fire Barriers Using Intermediate-Scale, Multi-story Test Apparatus
Standard: ASTM E2307 – Standard Test Method for Determining Fire Resistance of Perimeter Fire Barriers Using Intermediate-Scale, Multi-story Test Apparatus
Certification Required: While the Building Codes requires perimeter fire containment systems to be tested to ASTM E2307, optional enrollment in a certification and listing program offers many advantages in terms of product marketing, ease of system specification, clarity of system application, ease of documentation and installation inspection, etc.
Scope: This protocol measures the fire resistance of Perimeter Fire Barrier Systems when exposed to a standardized fire curve, as required by the International Building Code and Canadian Building Code. A time-based rating is established based on exceeding allowable temperature rise and a second is established based on the passage of flames or hot gases through the tested system.
Applicable Products: Perimeter Fire Barrier Systems. Systems that provide protection from the passage of fire from floor to floor within a building at the openings between the exterior walls and the floor assemblies. Generally, this consists of a system of multiple materials designed, tested and certified as an assembly.
Test Procedure: An exterior wall assembly and juxtaposed floor slab assembly are constructed and installed into a test frame. The details of each of these are based on the conditions for which the Perimeter Fire Barrier System is designed. The Perimeter Fire Barrier System is installed in the opening between the exterior wall and floor slab assemblies and allowed any required cure time. If any horizontal or vertical movement cycling is desired, these are performed following the cure time and prior to the fire test. The required sample thermocouple instrumentation is installed on the assembly and the test frame is secured to the Intermediate Scale Multi-Story Apparatus (ISMA) for the fire exposure. This apparatus uses a lower chamber room burner and an exterior window burner to produce the effects of a fully involved compartment fire projecting through an opening and attacking the underside and exterior wall face of the Perimeter Fire Barrier System simultaneously. The first 30 minutes of the exposure replicate the gas flow conditions to these burners based on the apparatus calibration. Beyond the first 30 minutes, the ASTM E119 time temperature curve is followed for the test duration. Testing is typically conducted for two to three hours, depending on the rating sought.
End Result: Determination of the time-based F-Rating as required by code. A T-Rating, although not a code requirement, is also established in testing. A comprehensive test report will be issued at the end of the conclusion of testing. If certification is chosen, the Listing Report and application Design Listings will be created and published following successful testing. Both the test report and Design Listings will include the achieved F-Rating, T-Rating and all relevant movement cycling information, if performed.
Intertek Testing Locations: Elmendorf, TX