NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS REPORT

9262 "

or ! ”f" 'inhtsraiitf-fessrt.

REPORT OU

MEETING OF IS0/S2 01T FIRE TESTS

by

J . V „ Ryan

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS
THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

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NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS REPORT

NBS PROJECT NBS REPORT

4215102 July 12, 1966 9362

REPORT ON

MEETING OF ISO/92 ON FIRE TESTS

by

J. V. Ryan

NATIONAL BUREAU OF ST/

for use within the Government, and review. For this reason, the whole or in part, is not authori Bureau of Standards, Washingto

the Report has been specifically |

IMPORTANT NOTICE

i accounting documents intended Approved for public release by the ubjected to additional evaluation Director of the National Institute of listing °f this Report, either in Standards and Technology (NIST) “"I"

01 Director. N.t.onai

' ' he Government agency for which on October 9, 2015 Dies for its own use.

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

REPORT ON

MEETING OF ISO/92 ON FIRE TESTS

by

J. V. Ryan

ABSTRACT

The author represented the USA (ASA as member-body),

in an Observer status, at the meeting of ISO/TC92 in

Brussels. A draft recommendation for a fire endurance

(or fire resistance) test was completed and three Working

Group reports reviewed.

The general organization of the meeting, the various

documents, and the effectiveness of the USA Delegate are all discussed. The USA Delegate felt considerable constraint

due to the Observer status.

REPORT ON

MEETING OF ISO/TC 92 ON FIRE TESTS

by

J. V. RYAN

1

INTRODUCTION

Interest was expressed by the American Society for Testing and

Materials, Committee E 5, by the United States Coast Guard, and by

Industry, in having an Observer from the United States in attendance

at the 1965 meeting of International Standards Organization Technical

Committee 92. Therefore, the American Standards Organization was asked

to accredit J. V. Ryan, of the National Bureau of Standards, as Observer

delegate. NBS was able to fund the necessary travel and per diem.

2.

MEETING LOCATION

The "meeting" was held in Brussels, Belgium, from October 25, 1965

through October 29, 1965. The Belgian insurance organization, Assurances

Generales , provided the meeting room in the suburbs of Brussels, plus

daily transportation from and to their downtown offices. The attendees

are listed in the Appendix.

3.

MEETING ORGANIZATION

Following the opening welcome, Mr. D. I. Lawson (Director, Joint

Fire Research Station, England), was acclaimed as Chairman. The "0"

Observers were not entitled to the floor except at the invitation of the

Chairman or by request of a "P" Participating member. Mr. R. H. L. Sung

(Technical Officer, Building Section, British Standards Institution),

representing the Secretariat, felt this was quite strict, but other P members indicated in conversation that they felt it was quite loose. The

Chairman agreed with Mr. Sung, apparently. Therefore, the U.S.A. delegate was under a considerable handicap, due to "0" status.

All business was conducted in English and French. After each individual spoke, in either of the two languages, the translator gave the com- ment in the other language.

4.

TECHNICAL MATTERS

The Committee considered comments received with a letter ballot on

a draft proposal, plus the reports of three Working Groups (nos. 2, 3, 4).

1

4*1 Draft Proposal - Fire Resistance Test of Structures

The Third Draft of a proposed ISO Recommendation for Fire Resistance Tests of Structures [ISO/TC 92 (Secretariat-75) April 1964], docu

merit 126, had been sent to P members for letter ballot. The results had

been:

Agreement, 7;

Agreement subject to proposed amendment, 8;

Disagreement 1 (Canada).

The Chairman stated that the draft was accepted and subject only to

editorial revisions. Then the group went through document 126, taking

up the amendments proposed by the agreed members , but not the comments by

Canada. This went well into the second day, and several of the changes

appeared more than editorial. For example: glazing, doors and shutters were removed from the scope, as were all roofs except flat (horizontal?).

The application of cotton waste provisions were changed to require a pressure in the furnace, at the crack, between 1 and 2 mm (0.04 - 0.08 in.)

water gage in excess of the pressure on the outside of the furnace. After

the "Agreement" comments were all resolved, Canada's comments were gone

over. Several of their comments were dismissed as being on points already

discussed. Others were accepted, such as use of simple support of beams

and floors unless the use clearly will require a specific restraint.

There was considerable discussion of bare vs encased furnace thermocouples. However, with Canada not present and the U.S.A. in "0" status,

neither of the two chief proponents of encased couples was heard from.

The Fourth Draft, based on the above actions, was passed out Thursday, October 28, after the Working Group reports had been heard. Again

the group went at this document (228) making numerous changes, although

most were editorial. It became apparent there were serious differences

in meaning between the English and French texts. The matter was turned over to the Secretariat to prepare two consonant texts, incorporating

the changes made that far in document 228, and to mail them out within

a month or so. The Chairman asked that the meeting agree that the text

so prepared was accepted and was for information rather than for further

comment or action.

The document applies to partitions, walls (load-bearing and non- bearing), columns, beams, floors, and flat roofs. Doors, shutters, and

glazing are specifically excluded. The time- temperature curve is

T - T = 345 log. _ (8t + 1)

o iu

where t = time in minutes, T = initial temperature in °C , and T = temperature near the specimen in °8 . This defines increase above initial furnace. temperature, whereas ASTM E119 defines absolute temperature, each for

elapsed time. The following tabulation compares the American curve to

the ISO, assuming 20 oC as initial temperature for the latter.

2

TIME TEMPERATURE, °C

Min. American ISO

0 20 20

5 538 576

10 704 679

15 760 738

30 843 841

60 927 945

90 978 1006

120 1010 1049

180 1052 1110

240 1093 1153

360 1177 1213

The document both tabulates and plots these points, stopping at 6 hours.

However, it does not say anything about a maximum time beyond which no test should go. It requires symmetrical distribution of furnace thermocouples, in numbers based on area or length of specimens, such that the

bare junction is not less than 10 cm (3.9 in.) from the specimen, and

kept so throughout the test. Minimum wire size is 0.75 mm (about 22ga

W&M).

The document specifies tolerances or deviation of average temperature at any time after 10 min (+ 100 °C) and on an integrated basis throughout the test.

ISO

to 10 min. + 15%

to 30 min. + 10%

beyond 30 min. + 5%

The ISO tolerances are tighter i

E119

to 1 hour + 10%

to 2 hours +7.5%

beyond 2 hours + 5%

general

The document recommends "full size specimens whenever possible,"

but allows minima significantly smaller than E119. It requires "representative" materials, support, and workmanship, as well as conditioning

to "equilibrium with the ambient atmosphere expected in service." Artificial drying may be used with limits.

Unexposed surface temperatures are measured by at least five 0.5 mm

(about 25 ga W&M) wire thermocouples, each attached to the center of a

12 mm (0.47 in.) diameter and 0.2 mm (0.008 in.) thick copper disk covered

with a 3 cm (1.2 in.) square and 2 mm (0.08 in.) thick oven-dry asbestos

pad

3

Observations should be made of cracks, holes, deformations, "the

moment when the ability to support its load is lost" and of "the moment

when collapse takes place," "When there is doubt about the ability of

flames and hot gases to pass through openings," the aforementioned

pressure differential shall be established.

The document specifies reporting results in hours and minutes, as determined under Stability, Integrity, and Insulation. Stability re- quires continued ability "to perform the function for which it was con- structed (National standards can insert a value for deflection of beams

and floors)." Integrity involves openings through which flames or hot

gases can pass; cotton waste ignition counts but is not required, apparently. Insulation limits the average unexposed surface temperature rise

to 140°C (252 °F), the maximum rise to 180°C (325°F), and the absolute

maximum to 220 °C (428 °F).

If several specimens of an element are tested the result to be

taken is that which gives the shortest period of time.

4.2 W. G. 3 - Door Assemblies and Glazing

The Working Group reported progress and Belgium and Norway were

added to France, Germany, Scandinavia, and the United Kingdom. The W. G.

had discussed points of interest, compared their national procedures, and

compared results, but had not prepared a draft proposal.

They recognized three kinds of doors: (a) the fully fire resistant

door, complying with all requirements of test prescribed for walls

(coupe-feu); (b) the fire check or fire retarding door having no limit on temperature of unexposed surface (pare-f lammes ) ; (c) smoke stop doors.

They were concerned about edge gaps, total heat transfer (through the

door and through gaps), radiation from unexposed surface, and furnace

pressure. They are agreed that doors should be tested in a wall of brick

or other suitable material, should include all operating devices and

hardware, should be exposed to the same furnace temperature curve as walls, etc., that minimum door- to-frame clearances be specified, that

fire retardant coatings be prohibited, and no hose stream test be

required

The Working Group will continue its deliberations and studies.

Therefore, the foregoing represents the state of their thinking as of

that time, and is not fixed.

4.3 W. G. 2 - Combustibility

The Working Group reported on study of two methods, a heated tube

furnace test somewhat similar to E136, and a bomb calorimeter test. The

latter does not have a feature similar to the muffle furnace exposure

in rporated in the Potential Heat method reported at the 1961 ASTM

Annual Meeting. The W. G. had been considering that both tests were for

combustibility and either TC 92 or the W. G. should decide if they were

to choose one or use both.

4

TC 92 accepted the two U.S.A. concepts: (1) that "noncombustibility"

is what is being sought, rather than "combustibility," and (2) the two

tests may be used for measuring two ranges of the overall spectrum.

Having considered the above concepts, it was agreed W.G. 2 should

prepare a draft proposal on "Noncombustibility" of a furnace type. They

should continue the bomb calorimeter and consider work in countries not

represented on the W. G., particularly U.S.A. and Norway. Beyond this

there was general disagreement over the sequence of future events and the

constraints thereon. Some felt the W. G. should draft the furnace test

strictly on work done to date, considering U.S.A. and other work only

for future revisions. Others objected strenuously to such restraint.

Essentially the same difference applied to the status of the bomb

calorimeter test.

It was agreed that membership on a Working Group must be limited

to "P" members of TC 92 but that any W. G. could correspond, consult with,

or otherwise avail itself of the expertise of any competent individual

in any country.

The furnace test apparatus involves a single vertical heated tube

75 mm (3 in.) I.D. and 150 mm (6 in.) long surrounded by heating coils

and insulation. The tube is open top and bottom. Above the top, a steel draft shield is provided, having 75 mm I.D. , and 50 mm height.

Below the tube, a steel stabilizer cone is attached, with the joint air

tight. The cone is 75 mm I.D. at the top, 9 mm I. D. at the bottom,

and 500 mm high. The bottom of the cone is 250 mm (10 in.) above the

floor and is within a 550 mm (22 in.) high draft shielf. Air flow

through the heated tube is convective.

The test specimen is a prism of 50 x 40 x 40 mm ( 2 x 1.6 x 1.6 in.)

and "must be made out of an initial specimen sufficiently large to be

representative of the material, taking into account its possible heterogeneity." It is heated to 60°C (140°F) for 24 hours and cooled in a dessicator before test. A device for rapid and precise insertion of the

specimen into the furnace is spelled out in detail.

The furnace is preheated to 750°C (1382 °F), stable and uniform to

+10 °C over the center 60 mm of height, the specimen inserted, and left fox

20 minutes unless failure occurs sooner. Three specimens are tested and

the material is non-combustible only if none of the three (a) exhibit

an internal temperature rise of 50 °C or more above the initial furnace

temperature, (b) cause the furnace temperature to increase by 50°C

or more, or (c) flames in the furnace for 10 seconds or more.

The bomb calorimeter test is just that, with formulas for computing

alorific value, and for corrections for the effects of container, heat

loss, ignitor wire, etc., and of a combustion promoter if added.

5

4.4 W.G. 4 - Flame Spread and Terminology

The Chairman of W,G. 4 asked to be relieved of Terminology; this was agreed.

The approach to flame spread was to interchange 24 specimens among

the members of the Working Group , each to subject the 24 to his own

(National) test. The results were analyzed, with the analysis "not

being very encouraging". In summarizing the properties an ideal test

should be able to express, the W.G. members listed the following:

Ease of ignition

Flammability

Spread of flame or fire

Rate of heat released

Flash-over

Smoke or other toxic products of combustion

The W.G. will continue its work on Flame Spread, with no restraints

other than those they choose. No decision was made on smoke or toxic

products as within or outside their scope.

NOTE: The author was advised by M. Collaret (see attendees list) that

CEI Bois is building an 8-ft tunnel, as per FPL.

4.5 New Business

A new Working Group (No. 5) was set up to gather information on

loading, restraint, and deformation criteria; as possible basis for

draft revisions of the fire resistance test.

A small W.G. (No. 6) was set up for Terminology. There was no general agreement as to the number of terms to be defined. They are

to be in English, French, and German. It was pointed out that CEI

Bois has a glossary.

It was agreed TC 92 should seek liaison with TC 61-Plastics.

The next meeting was suggested for May 1967 in the Netherlands.

This is subject to change.

5. USA DELEGATE EFFECTIVENESS

Through correspondence before the meeting and conversation between

sessions, it had been requested that the USA Delegate ("0" status) be

invited to comment on two points: encased vs. bare furnace thermocouples

- 6 -

and the philosophy and comparison between unexposed surface thermocouple

pads and ISO surface thermocouples. The invitations were not forthcoming..

The USA Delegate was asked to comment on our procedures in case an un- exposed surface thermocouple pad was wetted by water coming from the

specimen. The USA Delegate sought (despite "0" status) and gained

recognition to make a few technical "Observations". These were in

regard to fire resistance requirements for roofs as an avenue for

firemen to gain a better position; the desire to find materials ex- hibiting Noncombustibility rather than those exhibiting Combustibility;

the concept of a qualitative scale between the extremes of Noncombustibility and Combustibility.

There were several other times that the USA experiences and practices

would have added useful information to the discussion. However, the USA

Delegate was not in a position to "push" these matters.

6. RECOMMENDATION

The USA has a large stake in international standardization, particularly as it may affect our position in international trade. We have

competence in the field of fire test methods. Therefore, we should take an active role in ISO/TC 92. The only way to do so is as a "P" participating member, and such membership should be sought promptly.

- 7 -

APPENDIX

LIST OF DELEGATES

BELGIUM

DENMARK

FRANCE

Prof. G. A. Herpol

(Chef de delegation)

M. L0 Brouwet

Mo R o Minne

M. J. Van Engelen

M. J.P. Verbestel

M. Lecomte

M. Ko Malmstedt

(Chef de delegation)

M. L. Norgard

M. Zeller

(Chef de delegation)

M. Amy

Professeur a l'Universite

de Gand,

Directeur du Laboratoire

pour 1 'Etude de 1'Emploi des

Combustibles de cett.e

Universite.

Directeur de 1 'Association

Rationale pour la protection

centre 1 ' incendie.

Ingenieur, Chef de travaux a l'Universite de 1'Etat, Gand

Ingenieur a l'Institut Beige

de Normalisation.

Delegue du Centre Technique

et sclent if ique de l'indust

transformatrice du bois et

matieres connexes.

Institut Beige de Normalisatic

Engineer, M. Sc;

Statsproveanstalten

(Danish State Testing Inst:

Civil Engineer, Danish

Standards Association.

Association Francaise d

Normalisation.

Ingenieur en Chef au La o Municipal de la Ville d

1

FRANCE (cont'd) Mo Arnault (C.T.I.C.M.)

- 2 -

GERMANY

NETHERLANDS

NORWAY

M. Bellisson

M. Jean

Mo Sfintesco

Mo Traverse

ORR Dr.-Ing. Westhof

(Chef de delegation)

Dipl.Ing. Becker

Dr. Rumberg

Dipl.Ing. von Postel

Dr. C.W. van Hoogstraten

M. C. Gartner

(Chef de delegation)

M. W. Gundersen

M. Strus

Ingenieur du Centre Scientific

que et technique du Batiment - Champ s - s - Marne

Centre Technique du Bois

Directeur des Recherches - Centre Technique Industriel de

la Construction Metal lique.

Architecte - Ministere de

l'lnterieur - Service National

de la protection civile.

Staatl. Materialprufungstamt,

Dortmund - Aplerbeck.

Bundesanstalt fur Material”

prufung, Berlin.

Staatl. Materialprufungsamt,

Dortmund ~ Aplerbeck.

Institut fur Baustoffkunde und

Stahlbetonbau Braunschweig.

Director, Brandveiligheidsinsti.

tuut, T.N.O. Delft.

Civil Engineer, Director of

Felles-Tarifforeningen i

Skadeforsikring, Oslo 1

Civil Engineer, Experimental

Officer - Norges Branntekniske

Laboratorium, Trondheim.

POLAND Polish Standards Organizatj

R0UMAN1A

SOUTH AFRICA

SWEDEN

UNITED KINGDOM

t Q

t OBSERVER MEMBERS

HUNGARY

U B S . A.

- 3-

M. A. Cordasevschi

M. A.M. Mehl

M» CoS. Grobbelaar

M. A. Kiel land

M. L.A. Ashton, O.B.E.

M. H. Lo Malhotra

Assistant Director of

Roumanian Office for Standards.

Assistant Director of So th

African Bureau of Standards,

Pretoria.

Chief Technical Officer,

Civil Engineering Section,

South African Bureau of

Standards, Pretoria.

Civil Engineer, Technical

Officer, Norges Byggstandardisei

ingsrad, Dep. of NSF.

Chief Experimental Officer,

Fire Offices Committee, Joint

Fire Research Station.

Senior Experimental Officer,

Fire Offices Committee, Joint

Fire Research Station.

M. C.R. Mullins Treharne &. Davies Ltd.,

(rep. Mr. A.S. Minton, Analysts & Chemical Consuitan Managing Director)

M. P. S. Wilson-Dickson, H.M. Inspector of Fire Services,

M.B.E. (rep. Mr. H.M. Home Office.

Smith, Home Office) C.B.E.

M. Sandor Fabry

M. Lajos Aradi

M. J. V. Ryan

Ingenieur en Chef, Office

Hongrois de Normalisation,

Budapest

Expert de securite contre

le feu, Budapest

Assistant to the Chief,

Building Research Division

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D. C.

4

'0 1 OBSERVER ASSOCIATIONS

I.M.C.O. M. Y. Sasamura

CEUBOIS M. Gilles

M. J. Gollardet

CHAIRMAN: M. D„ I. Lawson -

SECRETARIATE: M. R. H. L. Sung,

Inter-Governmental Martime

Consultative Organization

Federations Europeennes des

Panneaux de Fibres et de

particules

President de Centre

Technique de Bois, Paris

Director, Joint Fire Research

Station.

O.B.E. - Technical Officer

Building Section

British Standards Institution

M. Van Broogenbroeck, Directeur General de l'lnstitut Beige de Normalisation,

INTERPRETER: M. Lac our


1