ASTM E a Fire Tests Of Building Construction and Materials *Modified SMALL-SCALE TEST OF FIREBLOCKING MATERIALS

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1 ASTM E a Fire Tests Of Building Construction and Materials *Modified SMALL-SCALE TEST OF FIREBLOCKING MATERIALS Project No * At this time, no specific test for evaluating fireblocking exists. According to the 2000 International Building Code, certain wood fireblocking is accepted in combustible concealed locations (i.e. 2 - inch nominal lumber, two thicknesses of 1-inch lumber, 3/4 inch particleboard, among others). The time/temperature curve from the ASTM E 119 test standard was used to compare the performance of currently accepted wood fireblocking materials and cellulose insulation. COMPARATIVE FIRE RESISTANCE TEST OF CELLULOSE INSULATION VERSUS WOOD FIREBLOCKING IN A WOOD STUD WALL August 28, 2002 Prepared for: Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association 136 South Keowee Street Dayton, OH ACCREDITED

2 L A B O R A T O R IE S Abstract This project was undertaken to compare the firestopping abilities of spray-applied cellulose insulation versus spruce-pine-fir wood fireblocking. Small-scale wood stud wall sections were constructed and divided into three sections. The fireblocking materials under evaluation were: two layers of 1 x 4 lumber, sprayapplied cellulose insulation at a depth of 14-1/2", and one layer of 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 lumber. The wall sections were mounted in slots in a horizontal test frame, and the ASTM E 119 time/temperature curve was followed for a period of 60 minutes. The temperatures on the unexposed surface of the cellulose insulation remained well below those on the unexposed surface of the wood fireblocking throughout the test. This report and the information contained herein is for the exclusive use of the client named herein. Omega Point Laboratories, Inc. authorizes the client to reproduce this report only i f reproduced in its entirety. The description of the test procedure, as well as the observations and results obtained, contained herein are true and accurate within the limits of sound engineering practice. These results apply only for the specimens tested, in the manner tested, and may not represent the performance of other specimens from the same or other production lots nor of the performance when used in combination with other materials. The test specimen identification is as provided by the client and Omega Point Laboratories, Inc. accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies therein. Omega Point did not select the specimen and has not verified the composition, manufacturing techniques or quality assurance procedures. This report does not imply certification of the product by Omega Point Laboratories, Inc. Any use of the Omega Point Laboratories name, any abbreviation thereof or any logo, mark, or symbol therefore, for advertising material must be approved in writing in advance by Omega Point Laboratories, Inc. The client must have entered into and be actively participating in a Listing & Follow-up Service program. Products must bear labels with the Omega Point Laboratories Certification Mark to demonstrate acceptance by Omega Point Laboratories, Inc. into the Listing program. Michael E. Dey Manager, Fire Resistance Date: August 29, 2002 Reviewed and approved: William E. Fitch, P.E. No Date: August 29, 2002 Omega Point Laboratories, Inc Shady Falls Road Elmendorf, Texas / FAX: / / mdey@opl.com

3 Project No August 28, 2002 CIMA Page iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ITEM PAGE Introduction 1 Test Procedure 3 Test Specimen Construction 5 Test Results and Observations 6 Conclusions 7 Appendices Appendix A: Construction Drawings 8 Appendix B: Thermocouple Locations 11 Appendix C: Thermocouple Data 13 Appendix D: Photographs 26 Last Page of Report 37

4 Project No August 28, 2002 CIMA Page 1 INTRODUCTION 1 "The performance of walls, columns, floors, and other building members under fire exposure conditions is an item of major importance in securing constructions that are safe, and that are not a menace to neighboring structures nor to the public. Recognition of this is registered in the codes of many authorities, municipal and other. It is important to secure balance of the many units in a single building, and of buildings of like character and use in a community; and also to promote uniformity in requirements of various authorities throughout the country. To do this it is necessary that the fire-resistive properties of materials and assemblies be measured and specified according to a common standard expressed in terms that are applicable alike to a wide variety of materials, situations, and conditions of exposure. Such a standard is found in the methods that follow. They prescribe a standard exposing fire of controlled extent and severity. Performance is defined as the period of resistance to standard exposure elapsing before the first critical point in behavior is observed. Results are reported in units in which field exposures can be judged and expressed. The methods may be cited as the "Standard Fire Tests," and the performance or exposure shall be expressed as "2-h," "6-h," "1/2-h," etc. When a factor of safety exceeding that inherent in the test conditions is desired, a proportional increase should be made in the specified time-classification period. The ASTM E119 test procedure is identical or very similar to the following standard test methods: UL 263 UBC 7-1 NFPA 251 ANSI A2.1 1 ASTM E119-00a Standard Methods of FIRE TESTS OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS, American Society for Testing and Materials, Volume Building Seals and Sealants.

5 Project No August 28, 2002 CIMA Page 2 1. Scope 1.1 These methods are applicable to assemblies of masonry units and to composite assemblies of structural materials for buildings, including bearing and other walls and partitions, columns, girders, beams, slabs, and composite slab and beam assemblies for floors and roofs. They are also applicable to other assemblies and structural units that constitute permanent integral parts of a finished building. 1.2 It is the intent that classifications shall register performance during the period of exposure and shall not be construed as having determined suitability for use after fire exposure. 1.3 This standard should be used to measure and describe the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test may be used as elements of a fire risk assessment which takes into account all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use. Note 1 - A method of fire hazard classification based on rate of flame spread is covered in ASTM Method E84, Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials. 1.4 The results of these tests are one factor in assessing fire performance of building construction and assemblies. These methods prescribe a standard fire exposure for comparing the performance of building construction assemblies. Application of these test results to predict the performance of actual building construction requires careful evaluation of test conditions. 2. Significance 2.1 This standard is intended to evaluate the duration for which the types of assemblies noted in 1.1 will contain a fire, or retain their structural integrity or exhibit both properties dependent upon the type of assembly involved during a predetermined test exposure. 2.2 The test exposes a specimen to a standard fire exposure controlled to achieve specified temperatures throughout a specified time period. In some instance, the fire exposure may be followed by the application of a specified standard fire hose stream. The exposure, however, may not be representative of all fire conditions which may vary with changes in the amount, nature and distribution of fire loading, ventilation, compartment size and configuration, and heat sink characteristics of the compartment. It does, however, provide a relative measure

6 Project No August 28, 2002 CIMA Page 3 of fire performance of comparable assemblies under these specified fire exposure conditions. Any variation from the construction or conditions (that is, size, method of assembly, and materials) that are tested may substantially change the performance characteristics of the assembly. 2.3 The test standard provides for the following: In walls, partitions and floor or roof assemblies: Measurement of the transmission of heat Measurement of the transmission of hot gases through the assembly, sufficient to ignite cotton waste For load bearing elements, measurement of the load carrying ability of the test specimen during the test exposure For individual load bearing assemblies such as beams and columns: Measurement of the load carrying ability under the test exposure with some consideration for the end support conditions (that is, restrained or not restrained). 2.4 The test standard does not provide the following: Full information as to performance of assemblies constructed with components or lengths other than those tested Evaluation of the degree by which the assembly contributes to the fire hazard by generation of smoke, toxic gases, or other products of combustion Measurement of the degree of control or limitation of the passage of smoke or products of combustion through the assembly Simulation of the fire behavior of joints between building elements such as floor-wall or wall-wall, etc., connections Measurement of flame spread over surface of tested element The effect of fire endurance of conventional openings in the assembly, that is electrical receptacle outlets, plumbing pipe, etc., unless specifically provided for in the construction tested." TEST PROCEDURE Test Furnace The 7' x 7' test furnace is fitted with 25 uniformly located diffuse-flame natural gas burners providing an even heat flux distribution across the face of the test specimen. Furnace pressures are maintained at +0.04" W. C. to -0.20" W. C.

7 Project No August 28, 2002 CIMA Page 4 The temperature within the furnace is determined to be the mathematical average of thermocouples located symmetrically within the furnace and positioned twelve inches away from the horizontal face of the test specimen. The materials used in the construction of these thermocouples are those suggested in the test standard. During the performance of a fire exposure test, the furnace temperatures are displayed every 6 seconds for the furnace operator to allow control along the specified temperature curve. The fire exposure is controlled to conform with the standard time-temperature curve shown in Figure 1, as determined by the table below: Temperature ( F) Time (min) Temperature ( F) Time (minutes) Figure 1 The furnace interior temperature during a test is controlled such that the area under the time temperature curve is within 10% of the corresponding area under the standard time temperature curve for 1 hour or less tests, 7.5% for those less than 2 hours and 5% for those tests of 2 hours or more duration. Fire Endurance Test The fire exposure is continued on the specimen until failure occurs, or until the specimen has withstood the test conditions for the desired fire endurance rating.

8 Project No August 28, 2002 CIMA Page 5 TEST SPECIMEN CONSTRUCTION The test specimen identification is as provided by the client and Omega Point Laboratories, Inc. accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies therein. Omega Point did not select the specimen and has not verified the composition, manufacturing techniques or quality assurance procedures. A 7' x 7' wood stud frame was constructed from 2 x 4 lumber to fit on the laboratory's small-scale horizontal furnace. The exposed surface was clad with three layers of 5/8" thick Type X gypsum wallboard. Three slots were cut out of the gypsum for mounting the test samples. Two of the openings were large enough to house a 2 x 4 stud wall section, and the other was cut to house a 2 x 6 wall section. The wall sections consisted of spruce-pine-fir wood studs spaced either 16" or 24" o.c. fastened to a top plate using 1-7/8" long galvanized steel roofing nails. The total height of each assembly was 19-1/2", with an overall length of 48". The fireblocking materials under evaluation were: a single 2 x 4, single 2 x 6, two layers of 1 x 4 with a broken lap joint, wet-spray cellulose insulation (nominal 3 pcf), and dry-fill cellulose insulation (density unknown, but visually greater than 3 pcf). The cellulose insulation was installed at a depth of 14-1/2". Each of the fireblocks was installed 2" from the bottom of the studs. The inside of the outer two studs of the assembly were covered with a piece of 5/8" thick Type X gypsum wallboard, and each end cavity was also separated from the middle cavity by a piece of 5/8" thick Type X gypsum wallboard. After the fireblocking was installed, each surface of the wall assembly was covered with a single layer of 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboard, fastened to the studs using 1-1/2" long self-tapping drywall screws. The wall assemblies were then fitted into the slots in the horizontal test frame with the bottom of the studs flush with the exposed surface of the frame. Construction drawings are located in Appendix A. THERMOCOUPLES All temperatures monitored were measured using 24 GA., electrically-welded, Type K Chromel-Alumel, glass-glass insulated (Special Limits of Error: ±1.1 C) thermocouples, purchased with calibration certifications and lot traceability. Thermocouples were located in each cavity of the test sample. The thermocouples in the wood fireblocking cavities were located on the unexposed side of the fireblocking, and the thermocouples in the cellulose-insulated cavities were

9 Project No August 28, 2002 CIMA Page 6 located on the unexposed surface against the top plate. Additional thermocouples, for information only, were located within the cellulose insulation 1-1/2" from the bottom to give a direct comparison between the wood and the cellulose insulation. A drawing of the thermocouple locations can be found in Appendix B. TEST RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS The test assembly was mounted on the laboratory's small-scale horizontal test furnace on February 13, The lab ambient temperature at the time of the test was 90 F, with a relative humidity of 65%. Observations made during the test are as follows: Time (min:sec) Observation 0:00 Furnace fired at 2:45 p.m. 1:30 Light smoke issuing from the test assembly 5:00 The damper was closed to create positive pressure (+0.01" W.C.) at the sample location 5-60 No visible changes occurred throughout the test 60:00 The furnace was extinguished and the test samples were removed from the frame. After the sample had cooled for a few minutes, one layer of gypsum wallboard was removed to inspect the fireblocking materials. The wood fireblocking was either completely charred or burned away, and the celluloseinsulated cavities still had 10-11" of virgin material remaining. Listings and plots of the furnace control temperatures and specimen unexposed surface temperatures may be found in Appendix C. A photographic documentation of the test has been included in Appendix D.

10 Project No August 28, 2002 CIMA Page 7 CONCLUSIONS The test specimen identification is as provided by the client and Omega Point Laboratories, Inc. accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies therein. Omega Point did not select the specimen and has not verified the composition, manufacturing techniques or quality assurance procedures. This test has shown that temperatures on the unexposed side of spray-applied cellulose insulation, installed at a depth of 14-1/2", remained lower than the temperatures on the unexposed side of wood fireblocking materials when exposed to the ASTM E 119 time/temperature curve for a period of 60 minutes. The wood fireblocking materials in this comparative test were 1) two layers of 1 x 4 sprucepine-fir installed with a broken lap joint, and 2) a single piece of 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 spruce-pine-fir. The wet-spray cellulose was installed at a nominal 3 pcf. The dry-fill density was unknown, but visually was greater than 3 pcf.

11 Project No August 28, 2002 CIMA APPENDICES 8 APPENDIX A CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS

12 9 18" 48" 18" 24" 24" 24" Note: A 7' x 7' wood stud frame was constructed from 2" x 4" lumber as shown. The exposed surface was covered with three layers of 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboard. Three slots were cut out for mounting each of the three wall sections. LABORATORIES, INC. Project No CIMA Fig. 1 Stud Frame Detail Scale: 1"=1'

13 10 18" 48" 4-3/4" 18" 48" 4-3/4" 18" 6-3/4" 48" 18" Note: The exposed surface was covered with three layers of 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboard. Three slots were cut out for mounting each of the three wall sections. Two of the openings were large enough for a 2"x4" stud wall with a layer of 5/8" Type X gypsum on each side, and the third opening was large enough for a 2"x6" stud wall with a layer of 5/8" Type X on each side. The bottom of the outside studs of each wall section were be fastened to the stud framework in Fig. 1. LABORATORIES, INC. Project No CIMA Fig. 2 Wall openings Scale: 1" = 1'

14 Project No August 28, 2002 CIMA APPENDICES 11 APPENDIX B THERMOCOUPLE LOCATIONS

15 /2" DRY WET /2" 2" /2" WET " 1-1/2" /2" WET " All temperatures monitored inside the stud cavities were measured using 24 GA., electrically-welded, Type K Chromel-Alumel, glass-glass insulated (Special Limits of Error: ±1.1 C) thermocouples, purchased with calibration certifications and lot traceability. 1-1/2" LABORATORIES Project No CIMA Fig. 4 TC Locations Scale: 1-1/2"=1'

16 Project No August 28, 2002 CIMA APPENDICES 13 APPENDIX C THERMOCOUPLE DATA

17 14 Guardian Fiberglass Project No Furnace Interior Temperatures Temperature ( F) E-119 Std. Furnace Avg Time (min.)

18 15 CIMA Project No Cellulose vs. Wood Fireblocking Average Unexposed Temperatures x 6 Two layers of 1 x 4 2 x 4 Dry fill cellulose Wet spray cellulose Temperature ( F) Time (min.)

19 CIMA Project No August 28, Integration Integration Furnace Furnace Furnace E119 Std Furnace of Furnace of E119 Std Probe Probe Probe Time Average Average Average Average Error # 1 # 2 # 3 (min) ( F) ( F) ( F min) ( F min) (%) ( F) ( F) ( F) % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %

20 CIMA Project No August 28, Integration Integration Furnace Furnace Furnace E119 Std Furnace of Furnace of E119 Std Probe Probe Probe Time Average Average Average Average Error # 1 # 2 # 3 (min) ( F) ( F) ( F min) ( F min) (%) ( F) ( F) ( F) % % % % % % % % % % % Max Temp Max Allowed

21 CIMA Project No August 28, Time (min) Furnace Probe Info #4 TC #1 TC #2 TC #3 TC #4 TC #5 TC #6 TC #7 TC #8 TC #9 TC #10 ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F)

22 CIMA Project No August 28, Time (min) Max Temp Max Allowed Furnace Probe Info #4 TC #1 TC #2 TC #3 TC #4 TC #5 TC #6 TC #7 TC #8 TC #9 TC #10 ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F)

23 CIMA Project No August 28, Time (min) Info Info Info Info Info TC #11 TC #12 TC #13 TC #14 TC #15 TC #16 TC #17 TC #18 TC #19 TC #20 ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F)

24 CIMA Project No August 28, Time (min) Max Temp Max Allowed Info Info Info Info Info TC #11 TC #12 TC #13 TC #14 TC #15 TC #16 TC #17 TC #18 TC #19 TC #20 ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F)

25 CIMA Project No August 28, Time (min) Info Info Info TC #21 TC #22 TC #23 TC #24 TC #25 TC #26 TC #27 TC #28 TC #29 TC #30 ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F)

26 23 CIMA Project No August 28, 2002 Time (min) Max Temp Max Allowed Info Info Info TC #21 TC #22 TC #23 TC #24 TC #25 TC #26 TC #27 TC #28 TC #29 TC #30 ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F)

27 24 CIMA Project No August 28, 2002 Time (min) Info Info Info TC #31 TC #32 TC #33 TC #34 TC #35 TC #36 ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F)

28 25 CIMA Project No August 28, 2002 Time (min) Max Temp Max Allowed Info Info Info TC #31 TC #32 TC #33 TC #34 TC #35 TC #36 ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F) ( F)

29 Project No August 28, 2002 CIMA APPENDICES 26 APPENDIX D PHOTOGRAPHS

30 27 CIMA August 28, 2002 Project No APPENDICES Test frame One of the wall sections prior to insulating the center cavity

31 28 CIMA August 28, 2002 Project No APPENDICES Preparing the test sample One cavity was dry-filled through a hole in the top plate

32 29 CIMA August 28, 2002 Project No APPENDICES (L-R) single 2 x 4, dry-fill insulation, wet spray insulation (the block in the center cavity was removed prior to testing) Wall sections mounted in the test frame

33 30 CIMA August 28, 2002 Project No APPENDICES Bottom view prior to placing the assembly on the furnace Bottom view prior to placing the assembly on the furnace

34 31 CIMA August 28, 2002 Project No APPENDICES Bottom view prior to placing the assembly on the furnace Bottom view prior to placing the assembly on the furnace

35 32 CIMA August 28, 2002 Project No APPENDICES Samples 1-3 Samples 4-6

36 CIMA August 28, 2002 Project No APPENDICES 33 Samples 7-8 Start of test

37 CIMA August 28, 2002 Project No APPENDICES 34 The furnace was extinguished after 60 minutes Samples 1-3 immediately after the test

38 35 CIMA August 28, 2002 Project No APPENDICES Samples 4-6 immediately after the test Samples 7-8 immediately after the test

39 36 CIMA August 28, 2002 Project No APPENDICES Removing the assembly from the furnace Approximately 10" of virgin material remained in the insulated cavities, and the 2 x 6 was completely burnt

remained in the insulated cavity, the 2 x 4 was charred, and the two 1

40 CIMA August 28, 2002 Project No APPENDICES 37 Approximately 10" of virgin material remained in the insulated cavity, the 2 x 4 was charred, and the two 1 x 4 were completely burnt Approximately 10" of virgin material remained in the insulated cavity, the 2 x 6 was charred

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