ASTM International

Standard Test Method for Fire Test of Non-Mechanical Fire Dampers Used in Vented Construction
 N E2912

Annotation

This fire-test-response standard assesses the ability of non-mechanical fire dampers used in vented construction in its open state to limit passage of hot gases, radiation, and flames during a prescribed fire test exposure. The fire exposure condition in this test method is sudden direct flame impingement, which produces these hot gases, radiation, and flames.

NOTE 1—Non-mechanical fire dampers can be used in vented construction. Vented constructions may be parts of buildings including walls, floors, ceilings and concealed spaces and cavities used for air transfer and to allow ventilation in structures without ductwork. Non-mechanical fire dampers can be located adjacent to combustible construction or materials and situated in exposed or concealed locations, or both. Unlike typical fire resistive assemblies, vented construction uses non-mechanical fire dampers to allow air transfer without the use of ducts. Resistance to flame, radiation, and hot gases may be requirements when direct flame impingement is a credible risk, or when no penetration of flames is required by the authority having jurisdiction, or both. The proposed test method provides procedures that enable an assessment of this direct flame impingement on non-mechanical fire dampers. This test method does not alter any requirements for non-mechanical fire dampers used in fire resistance rated construction and assemblies.

This fire-test-response standard is intended to provide a means to assess the reaction of a non-mechanical fire damper used in vented construction to sudden direct flame impingement, or as a supplement to existing fire-resistive test methods, or both.

This test method does not circumvent or eliminate the fire resistance rating requirements for construction. The fire resistance rating of construction shall be tested in accordance with published fire-resistance test standards as appropriate for the relevant application of the construction, or as required by the authority having jurisdiction (regulatory authority), or both. Non-mechanical fire dampers shall be tested to the appropriate fire-resistive test standards required for their application in order to determine a fire resistance rating in those constructions.