ASTM E136-11

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
An American National Standard
Designation:E136–09b Designation: E136 – 11
Standard Test Method for
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Behavior of Materials in a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750°C
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E136; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This fire-test-response test method covers the determination under specified laboratory conditions of combustion
characteristics of building materials.
1.2 Limitations of this fire-test response test method are shown below.
1.2.1 This test method does not apply to laminated or coated materials.
1.2.2 This test method is not suitable or satisfactory for materials that soften, flow, melt, intumesce or otherwise separate from
the measuring thermocouple.
1.2.3 This test method does not provide a measure of an intrinsic property.
1.2.4 This test method does not provide a quantitative measure of heat generation or combustibility; it simply serves as a test
method with selected (end point) measures of combustibility.
1.2.5 The test method does not measure the self-heating tendencies of materials.
1.2.6 In this test method materials are not being tested in the nature and form used in building applications. The test specimen
consistsofasmall,specifiedvolumethatiseither(1)cutfromathicksheet;(2)assembledfrommultiplethicknessesofthinsheets;
or (3) placed in a container if composed of granular powder or loose-fiber materials.
1.2.7 Results from this test method apply to the specific test apparatus and test conditions and are likely to vary when changes
are made to one or more of the following: (1) the size, shape, and arrangement of the specimen; (2) the distribution of organic
content; (3) the exposure temperature; (4) the air supply; (5) the location of thermocouples.
1.3This test method references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory information. These notes and footnotes, excluding
those in tables and figures, shall not be considered as requirements of this test method.
1.4The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5This 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 assessment of the materials,
products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
1.3 This test method includes two options, both of which use a furnace to expose test specimens of building materials to a
temperature of 750°C (1382°F).
1.3.1 The furnace for the apparatus for Option A consists of a ceramic tube containing an electric heating coil, and two
concentric vertical refractory tubes.
1.3.2 The furnace for the apparatus for Option B (Test Method E2652) consists of an enclosed refractory tube surrounded by
a heating coil with a cone-shaped airflow stabilizer.
1.4 This test method references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory information. These notes and footnotes, excluding
those in tables and figures, shall not be considered as requirements of this test method.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.6 This 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 assessment of the materials,
products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
1.7 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these
tests.
1.7
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.23 on Combustibility.
Current edition approved Dec.Jan. 15, 2009.2011. Published January 2010.February 2011. Originally
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