ASTM_E_2912_-_13.pdf

Designation:E291213Standard Test Method forFire Test of Non-Mechanical Fire Dampers Used in VentedConstruction1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2912;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 fire-test-response standard assesses the ability ofnon-mechanical fire dampers used in vented construction in itsopen state to limit passage of hot gases,radiation,and flamesduring a prescribed fire test exposure.The fire exposurecondition in this test method is sudden direct flameimpingement,which produces these hot gases,radiation,andflames.NOTE1Non-mechanical fire dampers can be used in vented construc-tion.Vented constructions may be parts of buildings including walls,floors,ceilings and concealed spaces and cavities used for air transfer andto allow ventilation in structures without ductwork.Non-mechanical firedampers can be located adjacent to combustible construction or materialsand situated in exposed or concealed locations,or both.Unlike typical fireresistive assemblies,vented construction uses non-mechanical fire damp-ers to allow air transfer without the use of ducts.Resistance to flame,radiation,and hot gases may be requirements when direct flame impinge-ment is a credible risk,or when no penetration of flames is required by theauthority having jurisdiction,or both.The proposed test method providesprocedures that enable an assessment of this direct flame impingement onnon-mechanical fire dampers.This test method does not alter anyrequirements for non-mechanical fire dampers used in fire resistance ratedconstruction and assemblies.1.2 This fire-test-response standard is intended to provide ameans to assess the reaction of a non-mechanical fire damperusedinventedconstructiontosuddendirectflameimpingement,or as a supplement to existing fire-resistive testmethods,or both.1.3 This test method does not circumvent or eliminate thefire resistance rating requirements for construction.The fireresistance rating of construction shall be tested in accordancewith published fire-resistance test standards as appropriate forthe relevant application of the construction,or as required bythe authority having jurisdiction(regulatory authority),or both.Non-mechanical fire dampers shall be tested to the appropriatefire-resistive test standards required for their application inorder to determine a fire resistance rating in those construc-tions.NOTE2Some of the major international standards developmentorganizations(SDO)include,but are not limited to,ASTM International,CEN,ISO,UL,and ULC.Some examples of standards employingstandard time-temperature curves for fire exposure used to determine aconstructions fire resistance rating include,but are not limited to,thefollowing:Test Methods E119,E814,E1966,E2307,UL 10B,UL 10C,UL 555,UL 555C etc.The term“authority having jurisdiction”is definedin Practice E2174.1.4 This test method specifies the fire exposure conditions,fire test protocol,and criteria to evaluate an open state.NOTE3There are currently no published test methods(nationally orinternationally)that address the application of sudden direct flameimpingement on non-mechanical fire dampers used in vented construction.In the European Union(EU),CEN(European Committee for Standard-ization)has very recently started a work item to address reaction to suddendirect flame impingement on non-mechanical fire dampers.Also,in theEU,some countries have used large scale tests with 5MW fire exposuresto assess test specimens reactions to sudden direct flame impingement aspart of the entire building construction.Standard time-temperature curvesused to control gas-fired furnaces do not ensure a sudden direct flameimpingement on the test specimen,which this test method is designed todo.A post flashover condition,the spontaneous combustion of materials,ignition of a highly combustible material acting as the source of the fire(for example,stored cleaning solutions or fuels)or the location ofmaterials can create a fire scenario resulting in a sudden direct flameimpingement.1.5 Results generated by this test method provide thefollowing information:1.5.1 the open state fire performance of vented construction,and1.5.2 the non-mechanical fire dampers fire-test-responsecharacteristic when exposed to sudden direct flame impinge-ment.1.6 This test method does not provide quantitative informa-tion about the test assembly related to the leakage of smoke,orgases,or both.1.7 This test method does not apply to a test assemblyhaving other components than those tested.1.8 This standard is used to measure and describe theresponse of materials,products,or assemblies to heat and flameunder controlled conditions,but does not by itself incorporateall factors required for fire hazard or fire r