ASTM E1546-09
(Guide)Standard Guide for Development of Fire-Hazard-Assessment Standards
Standard Guide for Development of Fire-Hazard-Assessment Standards
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This guide is intended for use by those undertaking the development of fire-hazard-assessment standards. Such standards are expected to be useful to manufacturers, architects, specification writers, and authorities having jurisdiction.
As a guide, this document provides information on an approach to the development of a fire hazard standard; fixed procedures are not established. Limitations of data, available tests and models, and scientific knowledge may constitute significant constraints on the fire-hazard-assessment procedure.
While the focus of this guide is on developing firehazard-assessment standards for products, the general concepts presented also may apply to processes, activities, occupancies, and buildings.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the development of fire-hazard-assessment standards.
1.2 This guide is directed toward development of standards that will provide procedures for assessing fire hazards harmful to people, animals, or property.
1.3 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.
1.4 This fire standard cannot be used to provide quantitative measures.
X3.1.1 This is an example of a fire hazard assessment standard written in accordance with Guide E 1546. It is intended solely for the purpose of illustrating the application of Guide E 1546 and so assisting in the development of fire-hazard-assessment standards. It is not to be used as a fire-hazard-assessment standard itself.
X3.1.1.1 As an example of a standard developed in accordance with Guide E 1546, this document is itself a more detailed guide to the format and content of a fire-hazard-assessment standard. For this reason, this document will refer to itself as both an “example standard” and a “guide.” The term “example standard” will be used in any passage where a free-standing standard would refer to itself as a “standard.”
X3.1.1.2 A fire-hazard-assessment standard, or any other performance-based standard, is useful if there are new technologies or unusual designs whose associated fire hazards cannot be adequately measured by existing test-method-based standards; or if the goals of existing codes, standards, and regulations can be met more flexibly or less expensively by new technologies or designs that would not be acceptable under existing codes, standards, or regulations but could be shown to achieve the goals. Because existing codes, standards, and regulations typically do not state their goals in measureable form, suitable for engineering analysis, suitable goals that express the intent of the code, standard, or regulation must be developed by those responsible for safety. Those individuals have not controlled the specification of goals and associated evaluation criteria in this example standard, which is the principal reason that it is to be used as a guide and example and not as a standard for the subject product.
X3.1.1.3 Because this is an example and not a finished standard for use, the evaluation criteria, scenarios, assumptions, and models proposed must be regarded only as plausible, workable candidates that illustrate the structure and content of a fire-hazard-assessment standard. They do not all have consensus support as final choices for a standard ready for use.
X3.1.2 This example standard addresses fire-hazard assessment of floor coverings installed on the floor areas of buildings used as health-care occupancies. Paragraph X3.3.2.1 defines health-care occupancies, and Paragraphs X3.3.2.2 and X3.3.2.3 specify the types of health care occupancies addressed by this example standard. This example standard does not address floor coverings installed on walls, ceilings, stairs, or in occupancies other than health care.
X3.1.3 Floor coverings include c...
General Information
Relations
Buy Standard
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
An American National Standard
Designation:E1546–09
Standard Guide for
1
Development of Fire-Hazard-Assessment Standards
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1546; 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.
1. Scope dards are expected to be useful to manufacturers, architects,
specification writers, and authorities having jurisdiction.
1.1 This guide covers the development of fire-hazard-
4.2 As a guide, this document provides information on an
assessment standards.
approach to the development of a fire hazard standard; fixed
1.2 This guide is directed toward development of standards
procedures are not established. Limitations of data, available
that will provide procedures for assessing fire hazards harmful
tests and models, and scientific knowledge may constitute
to people, animals, or property.
significantconstraintsonthefire-hazard-assessmentprocedure.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.3 While the focus of this guide is on developing
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
firehazard-assessment standards for products, the general con-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
cepts presented also may apply to processes, activities, occu-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
pancies, and buildings.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This fire standard cannot be used to provide quantitative
5. Key Elements
measures.
5.1 This guide uses as its key elements the following:
2. Referenced Documents 5.1.1 The purpose of a fire-hazard-assessment standard is to
2
provide a standardized procedure for assembling a compilation
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of information relevant to the fire hazard of a product under
E 176 Terminology of Fire Standards
specific conditions of use.
E 603 Guide for Room Fire Experiments
5.1.2 The information assembled should be relevant to the
2.2 Other ASTM Document:
3
purpose of assessing the fire hazard of the specific designated
Form and Style for ASTM Standards
product within the range of designated fire scenarios.
2.3 ISO Standards:
5.1.3 The information assembled should be explicit and
ISO 13943 Fire Safety – Vocabulary
quantitative and should provide a sufficiently thorough exami-
3. Terminology nation of the product’s fire hazard under the conditions defined
by the scope of the specific standard, so as to permit valid
3.1 Definitions—SeeTerminology E 176 and ISO 13943.In
choices and decisions with respect to the fire hazard of that
case of conflict the definitions in Terminology E 176 shall
product.
prevail. Terms used for developing this standard are shown in
5.1.4 A persuasive scientific case must be made in the
Appendix X1. When revisions are finalized in Terminology
documentation of a specific fire-hazard-assessment standard
E 176, the revised terms will be included in this guide.
that the procedures, data, and hazard measures specified by the
4. Significance and Use
standard will address questions about a product’s fire hazard
with sufficient accuracy and validity that a more thorough
4.1 This guide is intended for use by those undertaking the
assessment procedure would not materially alter any decisions
development of fire-hazard-assessment standards. Such stan-
thatmightbemadebasedonthestandard.Ifsuchacasecannot
be made for all products to be addressed, then the hazard
1
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE05onFireStandards assessment should specify those conditions under which a
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.33 on Fire Safety Engineering.
more thorough fire-hazard-assessment procedure should be
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2009. Published February 2009. Originally
used.
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E 1546–07.
2
5.1.5 The absence of a data source, test method, or calcu-
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
lation procedure of sufficient scope and proven validity to
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
support the needs of a particular fire-hazard-assessment proce-
the ASTM website.
3
dure may not be a sufficient reason to use a data source, test
Available from ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700,
West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. method, or calculation procedure of lesser scope or unproven
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1
...
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:E1546–07 Designation:E1546–09
Standard Guide for
1
Development of Fire-Hazard-Assessment Standards
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1546; 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.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide covers the development of fire-hazard-assessment standards.
1.2 This guide is directed toward development of standards that will provide procedures for assessing fire hazards harmful to
people, animals, or property.
1.3 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.
1.4 This fire standard cannot be used to provide quantitative measures.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E 176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E 603 Guide for Room Fire Experiments
2.2 Other ASTM Document:
3
Form and Style for ASTM Standards
2.3 National Fire Protection Association:
NFPA 901Uniform Coding for Fire Protection
2.4 ISO Standards:
ISO 13943 Fire Safety – Vocabulary
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—See Terminology E 176 and ISO 13943. In case of conflict the definitions in Terminology E 176 shall prevail.
TermsusedfordevelopingthisstandardareshowninAppendixX1.WhenrevisionsarefinalizedinTerminologyE 176,therevised
terms will be included in this guide.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This guide is intended for use by those undertaking the development of fire-hazard-assessment standards. Such standards
are expected to be useful to manufacturers, architects, specification writers, and authorities having jurisdiction.
4.2 As a guide, this document provides information on an approach to the development of a fire hazard standard; fixed
procedures are not established. Limitations of data, available tests and models, and scientific knowledge may constitute significant
constraints on the fire-hazard-assessment procedure.
4.3 While the focus of this guide is on developing firehazard-assessment standards for products, the general concepts presented
also may apply to processes, activities, occupancies, and buildings.
5. Key Elements
5.1 This guide uses as its key elements the following:
5.1.1 The purpose of a fire-hazard-assessment standard is to provide a standardized procedure for assembling a compilation of
information relevant to the fire hazard of a product under specific conditions of use.
5.1.2 Theinformationassembledshouldberelevanttothepurposeofassessingthefirehazardofthespecificdesignatedproduct
within the range of designated fire scenarios.
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.33 on Fire Safety Engineering .
´1
Current edition approved July 1, 2007. Published August 2007. Originally approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as E1546–00 .
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2009. Published February 2009. Originally approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E 1546–07.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1546–09
5.1.3 The information assembled should be explicit and quantitative and should provide a sufficiently thorough examination of
the product’s fire hazard under the conditions defined by the scope of the specific standard, so as to permit valid choices and
decisions with respect to the fire hazard of that product.
5.1.4 A persuasive scientific case must be made in the documentation of a specific fire-hazard-assessment standard that the
procedures, data, and hazard measures specified by the standard will address questions about a product’s fire hazard with sufficient
accuracy and validity that a more thorough assessment procedure would not materially alter any decisions that
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.