ISO 834-9:2003

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 834-9
First edition
2003-02-01
Fire-resistance tests — Elements of
building construction —
Part 9:
Specific requirements for non-loadbearing
ceiling elements
Essais de résistance au feu — Éléments de construction —
Partie 9: Exigences spécifiques relatives aux éléments non porteurs de
plafond
Reference number
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Contents Page
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Test equipment . 2
5 Test conditions . 2
6 Test specimen preparation . 3
7 Application of instrumentation . 6
8 Test procedure . 7
9 Performance criteria . 7
10 Validity of test . 7
11 Expression of results . 7
12 Test report . 7
Annex
A Direct application of results. 8
Bibliography. 10
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ISO 2003 – All rights reserved iii

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO
member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical
committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has
the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in
liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 3.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting.
Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this part of ISO 834 may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard ISO 834-9 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 92, Fire safety, Subcommittee
SC 2, Fire containment.
ISO834 consists of the following parts, under the general title Fire-resistance tests — Elements of building
construction:
— Part 1: General requirements
— Part 3: Commentary on test method and test data application
— Part 4: Specific requirements for loadbearing vertical separating elements
— Part 5: Specific requirements for loadbearing horizontal separating elements
— Part 6: Specific requirements for beams
— Part 7: Specific requirements for columns
— Part 8: Specific requirements for non-loadbearing vertical separating elements
— Part 9: Specific requirements for non-loadbearing ceiling elements
Annex A of this part of ISO 834 is for information only.
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iv ISO 2003 – All rights reserved

Introduction
This part of ISO 834 contains specific requirements for fire resistance testing which are unique to the elements of
building construction described as non-loadbearing elements. The requirements for these non-loadbearing elements
are intended to be applied in appropriate conjunction with the detailed and general requirements contained in
ISO 834-1.
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ISO 2003 – All rights reserved v

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 834-9:2003(E)
Fire-resistance tests — Elements of building construction —
Part 9:
Specific requirements for non-loadbearing ceiling elements
CAUTION — The attention of all persons concerned with managing and carrying out this fire resistance test
is drawn to the fact that fire testing may be hazardous and that there is a possibility that toxic and/or harmful
smoke and gases may be evolved during the test. Mechanical and operational hazards may also arise during
the construction of the test elements or structures, their testing and disposal of test residues.
An assessment of all potential hazards and risks to health shall be made and safety precautions shall be
identified and provided. Written safety instructions shall be issued. Appropriate training shall be given to
relevant personnel. Laboratory personnel shall ensure that they follow written safety instructions at all
times.
1 Scope
This part of ISO 834 specifies test procedures for determining the fire resistance of non-loadbearing ceiling elements
which possess fire resistance independent of any building element above them, when exposed to heating from below
the ceiling. It is applicable to self-supporting ceilings and to ceilings suspended from, or fixed directly to, a supporting
construction.
The application of this test to other untested forms of construction is acceptable when the construction complies with
the direct field of application as given in this part of ISO 834 or when subjected to an extended application analysis
[1]
in accordance with ISO/TR12470 . Since ISO/TR12470 gives only general guidelines, specific extended
application analyses are to be performed only by persons expert in fire-resistant constructions.
This part of ISO 834 is not applicable to ceilings used as a horizontal fire barrier for the protection of a loadbearing
element above, in which case performance is assessed as an integral part of the complete assembly using
ISO 834-5.
2 Normative references
The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of
this part of ISO 834. For dated references, subsequent amendments to, or revisions of, any of these publications do
not apply. However, parties to agreements based on this part of ISO 834 are encouraged to investigate the possibility
of applying the most recent editions of the normative documents indicated below. For undated references, the latest
edition of the normative document referred to applies. Members of ISO and IEC maintain registers of currently valid
International Standards.
ISO 834-1, Fire-resistance tests — Elements of building construction — Part 1: General requirements
ISO 13943, Fire safety — Vocabulary
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this part of ISO 834, the terms, definitions, symbols and abbreviations given in ISO 834-1, the
terms and definitions given in ISO 13943 and the following apply.
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ISO 2003 – All rights reserved 1

3.1
ceiling
non-loadbearing element of building construction designed to provide horizontal fire separation
3.2
ceiling grid
substructure or suspension system that supports the ceiling membrane
3.3
expansion device
typically, device built into the ceiling grid that allows for expansion of the grid without causing significant deformation
of the ceiling
3.4
plenum
concealed space between ceiling and floor or roof, often, but not necessarily, designed to accommodate air
movement
3.5
self-supporting ceiling
ceiling with span from wall to wall, without additional suspension support
3.6
services
devices penetrating the ceiling (e.g. lighting and ventilation systems) not otherwise covered by a specific fire test
3.7
span
distance between centres of support
3.8
suspended ceiling
non-loadbearing horizontal protective membrane suspended from a loadbearing horizontal separating element and
its supporting framework, including hangers, services, insulating materials, and access and inspection panels
3.9
test specimen
full ceiling specimen submitted for test, including hangers, fittings, insulating materials and features such as lighting,
ventilation and access and inspection panels
4 Test equipment
The test equipment employed in the conduct of this test shall consist of a furnace, restraint and support frames and
instrumentation in accordance with ISO 834-1.
5 Test conditions
The heating and pressure conditions, furnace atmosphere and the restraint and boundary conditions shall be in
accordance with ISO 834-1, in addition to the requirements of this part of ISO 834.
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6 Test specimen preparation
6.1 Specimen design
6.1.1 Details of construction
The test specimen shall be designed to characterize the details of the construction for which the desired rating is
sought, such as longitudinal and transverse jointing systems. Differently constituted forms of the same detail shall be
avoided.
6.1.2 Alignment
When the longitudinal and transverse directions of the ceiling are constructed differently, and the performance of the
test specimen varies depending upon the direction aligned with the longitudinal axis, the ceiling shall be designed to
represent the more onerous orientation by arrangement of the more critical components parallel to the longitudinal
axis. When the more onerous condition cannot be identified, two separate tests shall be performed, with the
components arranged both parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
6.1.3 Services
When ceilings incorporate services such as lighting or air handling systems, which are an integral part of the design
of the ceiling, these shall be included in the test specimen or in an additional specimen and distributed as in practice.
6.2 Specimen size
The exposed dimensions of the test specimen shall be at least 4m×3m, unless the construction it represents is
designed to have exposed dimensions of less than 4m×3m, in which case the actual exposed dimensions shall be
tested. The span of the ceiling shall be in the direction of the larger dimension.
6.3 Number of test specimens
The number of test specimens shall be in accordance with this part of ISO 834 and ISO 834-1.
6.4 Specimen conditioning
At the time of the test the strength and moisture content of the test specimens shall approximate the conditions
expected in normal service. This shall include any infills and jointing materials. All components and materials of the
test specimen shall be conditioned in accordance with ISO 834-1. After equilibrium has been achieved the moisture
content or state of cure shall be determined and recorded. Any supporting construction, including the lining to the
test frame, is exempt from this requirement.
6.5 Specimen installation and restraint
6.5.1 General
6.5.1.1 Installation and fittings
The ceiling shall be installed in a manner representative of its use in practice. It shall be installed using the method
and procedures recommended by the sponsor. It shall model the edges between the ceiling and walls, the joints and
jointing materials to be used in practice. The test specimen shall include any appropriate fittings that are an essential
part of the specimen and may influence its behaviour in test.
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Where fixtures and fittings do not form an integral part of the ceiling but can be fitted subsequently in a manner that
could affect the fire resistance of the ceiling, these shall be the subject of a separate full-size test.
When the ceiling design includes both longitudinal and transverse joints, the test specimen shall include both.
6.5.1.2 Profiles
IMPORTANT — Where the supporting grid of the ceiling contains a built-in expansion device, the ends of the
grid supported on the perimeter angle/section shall be tightly abutted to it. This is to ensure that the
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