ASTM_E_2573_-_12.pdf

Designation:E257312An American National StandardStandard Practice forSpecimen Preparation and Mounting of Site-FabricatedStretch Systems to Assess Surface Burning Characteristics1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2573;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This practice describes procedures for specimen prepa-ration and mounting when testing a site-fabricated stretchsystem to assess flame spread and smoke developed as surface-burning characteristics using Test Method E84.1.2 Testing is conducted with Test Method E84.1.3 This practice does not provide pass/fail criteria that canbe used as a regulatory tool.1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information onlyand are not considered standard.See IEEE/ASTM SI-10 forfurther details.1.5 This fire standard cannot be used to provide quantitativemeasures.1.6 Fire testing of products and materials is inherentlyhazardous,and adequate safeguards for personnel and propertyshall be employed in conducting these tests.Fire testinginvolves hazardous materials,operations,and equipment.Thisstandard gives instructions on specimen preparation andmounting,but the fire-test-response method is given in TestMethod E84.See also Section 10.1.7 This practice shall not apply to vinyl stretch ceilingmaterials,which are covered by Practice E2599.1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.1.9 The text of this standard references notes and footnoteswhich provide explanatory material.These notes and footnotesshall not be considered requirements of the standard.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics ofBuilding MaterialsE176 Terminology of Fire StandardsE2599 Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting ofReflective Insulation,Radiant Barrier and Vinyl StretchCeiling Materials for Building Applications to AssessSurface Burning CharacteristicsIEEE/ASTM SI-10 International System of Units(SI):TheModern Metric System3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsFor definitions of terms used in this prac-tice refer to Terminology E176.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 frame,nan item(plastic extrusion,wood,metal orother material)that is mounted to an existing substrate viamechanical fasteners or adhesive,that has a mechanism forholding an outer layer(fabric or vinyl)by tension.3.2.2 joining material,nthe frame piece used to join twoor more site fabricated stretch panels together,to create amidseam.3.2.3 longitudinal midseam,na seam made from thejoining material used in the stretch system,which is centeredon the test specimen and runs the entire length of the testspecimen.3.2.4 self-supporting specimen,na specimen that remainsin place by its own structural characteristics both before andduring the fire test or is burnt or pyrolyzed prior to falling awayfrom its original position.3.2.5 site-fabricated stretch system,na system,fabricatedon site and intended for acoustical,tackable or aestheticpurposes,that is comprised of three elements:(a)a frame(constructed of plastic,wood,metal or other material)used tohold fabric in place,(b)a core material(infill,with the correct1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on FireStandards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.22 on SurfaceBurning.Current edition approved Feb.1,2012.Published March 2012.Originallyapproved in 2007.Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E257307a.DOI:10.1520/E2573-12.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 properties for the application),and(c)an outside layer,comprised of a textile,fabric or vinyl,that is stretched taut andheld in place by tension or mechanical fasteners via the frame.3.2.6 vinyl stretch ceiling material,na vinyl materialstretched and mechanically fastened to a noncombustible frameand intended to be used as a suspended ceiling withoutassociated backing material.3.2.7 wide span system,na system that employs a widespan fabric or vinyl,from 10 ft or more in width and minimizesthe use of a midseam or“joining”material.4.Summary of Practice4.1 This practice describes procedures for spec