FIRE RESISTANCE TO ASTM E2307 FROM WARRINGTONFIRE AND AL-FUTTAIM ELEMENT ASTM is a test method for determining the fire resistance of a perimeter fire barrier assembly when subjected to standard fire exposure conditions using the intermediate scale, multi-story test apparatus (ISMA). PURPOSE AND METHODOLOGY OF ASTM E2307
APPLICATION
A perimeter fire barrier on a building may be exposed to contraction and expansion or it could stay static throughout its life. It is important to identify and evaluate the fire resistance property of such a protective assembly. ASTM E2307 describes the method to evaluate a perimeter fire barrier assembly, both in its dynamic or static state.
Identify the fire resistance of a perimeter fire barrier assembly that is either dynamic (One that has to endure vertical and horizontal movements of a building envelope) or static, and indicate the duration that it could resist the passage of, hot gases, flames or high temperature from one story to the story above. For a loadbearing perimeter fire barrier, the standard has a provision to allow the application of a superimposed load during the test. The perimeter fire barrier along with the curtain wall supporting construction will be treated as one assembly that has achieved the fire resistance.
The test procedure apart from the induced movement cycling is similar to a NFPA 285 fire propagation test. As we are determining the fire resistance duration of the assembly protecting the gap between the floor slab and a curtain wall assembly, the duration of the test would be the duration the assembly withstands the fire test.
TEST APPARATUS The test is conducted on a full scale two story wall assembly, built as it would be in the field, on the front side of a three sided test structure (See figure 1). The Intermediate scale, Multi-story Test Apparatus (ISMA) consists of two rooms, open in the front, arranged vertically. Two burners are provided to simulate the post-flashover fire. A room burner placed inside the first story, and window burner placed on a portable platform.
TEST SPECIMEN REQUIREMENTS The test specimen and its supporting construction (Eg: Curtain wall assembly) will be constructed by the test sponsor on a standardized, movable test frame (provided by Al Futtaim Element). The perimeter fire barrier shall be at least 4060 mm long, with a minimum splice separation distance of 914 mm. The perimeter fire barrier assembly shall be representative of the construction for which the fire-resistance rating is desired.
The end result will be stated as the duration attained during the fire test, in T-rating (Insulation) and F-rating (Integrity), and optionally the loadbearing capacity.
Contact us on info.fire.dubai@warringtonfire.com
TRUST THE CERTAINTY OF With almost 200 years of experience and a global network of world-class laboratories, we make certain that the materials and products we test, inspect and certify for our customers are safe, quality, compliant and fit for purpose.
Building assurance in the minds of our customers and offering solutions for a complex world underpins everything that we do at Warringtonfire. To consistently deliver on our promise, we work to three guiding principles, technical excellence, operational excellence and customer excellence.
Figure 2: A schematic showing the site representation of a perimeter fire barrier
WA R RI N GTO N FI R E .CO M