Standard: ASTM E814 – Fire Tests of Penetration Firestop Systems

Certification Required: The International Building Code requires that Penetration Firestop Systems be listed in Section 714.  Additionally, 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 test method is used to determine the performance of a firestop system with respect to exposure to a standard time-temperature fire test and a hose stream test. The performance of a firestop system is dependent upon the specific assembly of materials tested including the number, type, and size of penetrations and the floors or walls in which it is installed. Two ratings shall be established for each firestop system. An F rating shall be based upon flame occurrence on the unexposed surface, while the T rating shall be based upon the temperature rise as well as flame occurrence on the unexposed side of the firestop system. These ratings, together with detailed performance data such as the location of through openings and temperatures of penetrating items are intended to be one factor in assessing performance of firestop systems.

Applicable Products: Firestop Systems. Systems that provide protection when mechanical or electrical systems penetrate through or into rated fire-separating elements such as walls and floors. Generally, these firestop systems consist of multiple materials designed, tested and certified as an assembly. Materials can often include mineral wools, ceramic wools, sealants, caulks, grouts, tapes, intumescent wrap-strips, intumescent foam blocks, cast-in-place devices, etc.

Test Procedure: A supporting construction is fabricated to represent the building element or elements to be penetrated by the firestop system to be assessed. This supporting construction can contain one or several various firestop systems. The supporting construction element, containing the various firestop systems, is installed abutting or on top of the appropriate test furnace.  Test instrumentation will vary based on the nature of the firestop sample under test and its specific penetrants and will usually include numerous unexposed side thermocouples per firestop to monitor critical features. The furnace is operated to expose the sample to the prescribed time temperature curve for the desired period of exposure, or until the applicable criteria have been exceeded. A positive furnace pressure environment is maintained during the exposure. A standard fire hose water stream exposure is required and may be conducted on a duplicate sample.

End Result: Determination of the time-based T-Rating and F-Rating for each firestop system, as required by code. 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 T-Rating and F-Rating.

Intertek Testing Locations: Elmendorf, TX; Coquitlam, BC; Middleton, WI; York, PA

 

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