ASTM E84 and E2599 UPDATE for 2009:
The ASTM E-84 test is intended to
provide comparative surface flame spread and smoke density
measurements, with that of select grade red oak and fiber-cement board
surfaces under the specific fire exposure conditions. For more
information, a summary of the test can be found here:
http://www.astm.org/Standards/E84.htm
Depending on the type of material
being tested, there are specific parameters and mounting requirements.
Since there are countless types of products that can be tested under
E-84, there are published standards that apply to each type of test
material. These standards include the mounting method inside the
tunnel. Standard of testing reflective insulation is contained in
section “E-2599” of the E84-09 document. Keep in mind that these standards are
constantly evolving, and each has sub-committees at ASTM that review,
modify and update these on an ongoing basis. New standards can be
published yearly.
The E-2599 document gives specific
instructions for mounting reflective insulation. A fundamental change
to the accepted mounting practice was approved by ASTM last year, and
is published in the 2009 standards.
Click on the following link to see this summary:
http://www.astm.org/Standards/E2599.htm
The new mounting method fundamentally
changed our industry. When tested with the new mounting method,
ALUMINUM laminated to bubble or foam insulation NO LONGER achieves a
Class 1/Class A rating. If the aluminum layer(s) is replaced with
METALIZED POLYESTER, the product maintains the Class 1/Class A rating. For this reason, all reflective
insulation manufacturers have made this change, for their products that
require a Class 1/Class A fire rating. For some types of products that
do NOT require a Class 1/Class A rating, such as for under-concrete,
you may still find aluminum used.
In simplified terms, the old ASTM
test that was used to classify the fire rating of reflective insulation
allowed companies to cover the reflective insulation with wire netting
to fasten it in place. This made it much easier for the product to get
a Class 1/Class A fire rating during the burn test. The new ASTM
guidelines state that you must fasten the material during the test as
you would in typical field installation. None of the old “pure
aluminum” reflective insulation products can pass the new test in this
manner. The new metalized material is the only product now on the
market that maintains the Class 1/Class A fire rating according to the
2009 ASTM (E2599-09) test.
EcoFoil is proud to be an industry leader of metalized aluminum radiant barrier insulation and the first to pass under the ASTM E84-2009 testing method!
See Also: Fireproof Insulation
