Fire Resistance Testing for Performance-Based Fire Design of Buildings. Final Report.
Fire Resistance Testing for Performance-Based Fire
Design of Buildings. Final Report.
(1034 K)
Beyler, C. L.; Beitel, J.; Iwankiw, N.; Lattimer, B.
NIST GCR 07-971; 154 p. June 2007.
Sponsor:
Fire Protection Research Foundation Quincy, MA
Order number: SB134106W1054
Keywords:
building design; fire resistance testing; fire
protection engineering; test methods; ASTM E 119; heat
transfer; structural properties; instruments; thermal
properties; furnaces; structural failure; fire tests;
high temeprature; physical properties
Abstract:
The ASTM E119 test procedure (or equivalent) is used to
determine whether a construction assembly or structural
element meets the fire
resistance rating requirements specified in prescriptive
building codes. Fire statistics indicate that these
requirements appear to be adequate in meeting the
intended fire safety objectives of the prescriptive
codes. In recent years it has become more common to
design buildings for fire safety on a performance basis.
The standard fire resistance test in its present form is
not designed to provide discrete information that can be
used in support of performance-based structural fire
design. The technology of the test standard could be
improved to make the measurements and results more
useful for performance-based fire design. This report
presents the results of a study undertaken by the
Foundation to develop the technical basis for changes
and additions to ASTM E119 so that measurements and
results can be used in performance-based design, without
compromising the traditional use of the test standard
for prescriptive building code compliance. The Research
Foundation expresses gratitude to the report authors
Craig Beyler, Jesse Beitel, Nestor Iwankiw, and Brian
Lattimer of Hughes Associates, Inc.; and the Project
Technical Panelists and Principal Sponsors listed on the
following page. The content, opinions and conclusions
contained in this report are solely those of the
authors.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899