ASTM E2335-22

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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.
Designation: E2335 − 17 E2335 − 22 An American National Standard
Standard Guide for
Laboratory Monitors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2335; 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.
INTRODUCTION
This guide is for use by laboratory monitors who observe interlaboratory testing performed by
participating organizations that validate the legitimacy of test methods and also establish a base of data
from which precision and bias statements are to be written. Interlaboratory testing is done to determine
the validity of a test standard. Such testing requires diligence by adhering to the protocol established
for performing the test in order to minimize variability which often exists between laboratories.
Because laboratories differ in size, organization, management, personnel, facilities and environment
there is always a potential for introducing variability in test results.
Laboratory monitors confirm that the participating facilities adhere to the test protocol as closely as
possible, thereby improving the chances of a successful interlaboratory study. The laboratory monitor
observes and assesses but does not perform the functions of an auditor or trainer; the laboratory
monitor does not provide accreditation of a laboratory. Laboratory monitors should demonstrate
expertise in both the content and the intent of the test method. The laboratory monitor is responsible
to render a report to the appointing subcommittee. It is incumbent upon the laboratory monitor to
maintain objectivity when working with participating laboratories.
Full-scale product fire tests are expensive, especially full-scale tests of bedding and home
furnishings. The development of this standard is intended to ensure that the precision and bias
developed for E05 standards demonstrates a high level of statistical validity.
This guide does not contain procedures for analysis of the test data obtained from an interlaboratory
study. The user is directed to Practice E691, if the laboratory study includes six laboratories or more,
and to Practice E2653 if the number of laboratories in the interlaboratory study is at least three, but
less than six.
Using a laboratory monitor as part of an interlaboratory test program is optional. However, if a
monitor is used, all of the laboratories in the project are to be included.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide provides a general outline, for use by a laboratory monitor, to assess the qualifications of a laboratory that has
requested to participate in a specific ASTM interlaboratory test.
1.2 The preliminary assessment is based on observations made before initiation of any interlaboratory tests.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.31 on Terminology and Services
/ Functions.
Current edition approved July 1, 2017Nov. 1, 2022. Published July 2017December 2022. Originally approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 20122017 as
E2335-12. DOI: 10.1520/E2335-17. – 17. DOI: 10.1520/E2335-22.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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1.3 The subcommittee, which appoints the laboratory monitor, specifies the minimum requirements that an organization should
meet to qualify as a participant for the interlaboratory test. If a laboratory qualification test (pretest) is to be included, see details
in Section 13.
1.4 This fire standard can not be used to provide quantitative measures.
1.5 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory requirementslimitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
E1537 Test Method for Fire Testing of Upholstered Furniture
E1822 Test Method for Fire Testing of Stacked Chairs
E2653 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine Precision Estimates for a Fire Test Method with Fewer
Than Six Participating Laboratories
2.2 ISO Standards:
ISO 13943 Fire Safety-Vocabulary
ISO/IEC 17025 :2005 General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories
2.3 Other Standard:
A2LA R101 -General Requirements: Accreditation of ISO/IEC 17025 Laboratories (December 2016)
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this guide and associated with fire issues refer to the terminology contained in Terminology
E176 and ISO 13943. In case of conflict, the definition given in Terminology E176 shall prevail.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 laboratory monitor, n—a representative of a subcommittee who is appointed to determine if the qualifications, equipment,
personnel, and level of skill at a test facility meet the criteria necessary to participate in an interlaboratory test protocol.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 These guidelines are intended to enable a laboratory monitor to perform onsite assessments of laboratory facilities. Accepted
facilities will then participate in an interlaboratory test protocol to establish precision and bias for a particular ASTM standard.
4.2 This assessment is intended to determine that all of the participants have the necessary equipment, an understanding of the
test method, and the minimum level of skill necessary to gather data that are to be used to establish precision and bias for the
particular standard.
4.3 This guide is not intended to be used as a tool to qualify or accredit laboratories to perform any tests. Refer to ISO/IEC 17025
and to the A2LA R101 Document for further guidance on accreditation requirements.
5. Qualifications of a Laboratory Monitor
5.1 The laboratory monitor should demonstrate a level of expertise about the test method for which the interlaboratory test will
be done.
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 Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
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5.2 Technical understanding of the test method is imperative in order to understand the principles of the measurements to be made
during the test procedure.
5.3 The laboratory monitor should demonstrate objectivity. This includes not deriving any profit, commissions, or dividends from
any commercial entity that performs the same or similar type of test evaluations.
6. Responsibilities of a Laboratory Monitor
6.1 Develop a checklist specific to the subject test method.
6.1.1 This checklist is to serve as a guide for the inspection of the laboratory during the initial qualification phase.
6.2 The laboratory monitor performs an inspection of the test laboratories to determine if the equipment conforms with that
required to perform the test method, and if adequate training of the operators has been done.
6.3 Verify that the data acquisition system used by the laboratory is compatible with the data to be acquired; and that analysis of
the data will provide results that are reliable and comparable to data obtained from other participants.
6.4 Following completion of every laboratory inspection, an assessment report, based on the Checklist described in Section 7, shall
be completed and forwarded, with recommendations, to the sponsoring ASTM Subcommittee.
7. Checklist
7.1 The laboratory monitor’s checklist is to be made available to participating laboratories, in advance of the preliminary
assessment visit so that a self-evaluation is an option for the participating laboratory.
7.1.1 The checklist is a one-time, test specific document used as a guide by the laboratory monitor in assessing the following:
7.1.1.1 Ma
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