ASTM International

Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Ability of Exterior Vents to Resist the Entry of Embers and Direct Flame Impingement
 N E2886/E2886M

Annotation

This fire-test-response standard prescribes two individual methods to evaluate the ability of a gable end, crawl space (foundation) and other vents that mount on a vertical wall or in the under-eave area to resist the entry through the vent opening of embers and flame. The ability of such vents to completely exclude entry of flames or embers is not evaluated. Roof ridge and off-ridge (field) vents are excluded from this standard. Acceptance criteria are not provided in this standard.

NOTE 1—Test Method E2912 records information relevant to evaluate completely excluding the entry of flames through the venting device.

Ember entry and flame penetration are evaluated separately using different test procedures. A commentary and summary of the development of the ember test apparatus are given in Appendix X1.

These laboratory tests are used to evaluate the response of vents when subjected to ember and flame exposures under controlled conditions.

Units—The values stated in either SI units or inchpound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems has the potential to result in non-conformance with the standard.

Unless otherwise specified, the tolerance for dimensions in figures and text in this document shall be + 5 %.

This test method does not address interior fire spread.

The standard is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessments of the materials, products or assemblies and other cladding materials under actual fire conditions.