Architectural color steel plates sold in the U.S. market must obtain an ASTM E 119 fire resistance report.

Use of Color-Coated Steel Plates in the Construction Field:

Industrial Construction: In industrial buildings such as factory plants and warehouses, color-coated steel plates are widely used for roofing and wall cladding. Their lightweight and high-strength characteristics reduce the structural load on the plant, and their fast installation significantly shortens construction time. For example, in large logistics warehouses, color-coated steel plate roofing and walls provide excellent rain, wind, and sun protection.

Civil Construction: Color-coated steel plates are also used in residential buildings, apartments, and other civil constructions. For instance, in temporary housing or mobile homes, color-coated steel plates serve as the primary building material, enabling rapid construction of living spaces. Additionally, in building facade decoration, they can enhance the aesthetic appearance of structures.

U.S. Fire Resistance Testing Standards:

ASTM E 119 Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials

ASTM E 119 Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials

The ASTM E119 2-hour fire resistance test for building color-coated steel plates is a critical evaluation to assess whether the fire resistance performance of the plates meets specific requirements under fire conditions. Do you know the key pre-test considerations?

Pre-Test Considerations for ASTM E119:

Testing Equipment and Environment:

Furnace: The furnace used for testing must provide heating conditions that meet standard requirements and generate a specific temperature curve. The temperature curve is one of the key factors in the test, specifying the temperatures to be achieved at different time points.

Thermocouples: Used to measure temperatures inside the furnace and at various locations on the color-coated steel plate. The placement of thermocouples must strictly adhere to standard requirements to ensure accurate temperature measurement.

Environmental Conditions: The testing environment must remain stable to avoid interference from external factors affecting the test results.

Testing Process:

Sample Preparation: Select representative color-coated steel plate samples, with dimensions and specifications complying with ASTM E119 standard requirements.

Sample Installation: Install the color-coated steel plate samples in the testing apparatus, ensuring they are securely mounted and have good contact with the equipment to simulate real-world building usage.

Heating Process: Heat the furnace according to the standard time-temperature curve, gradually increasing the temperature inside the furnace. During heating, monitor the temperature changes of the color-coated steel plate and other relevant parameters in real time.

Observation and Recording: Closely observe the condition of the color-coated steel plate during the test, including any deformation, delamination, cracking, etc., and record these observations. Also, record temperature changes on the unexposed surface and any flame penetration.

Evaluation Metrics:

Fire Resistance Time: The primary evaluation metric is the duration for which the color-coated steel plate can maintain its fire resistance performance under standard fire conditions. For a 2-hour fire resistance test, the plate must maintain structural integrity and insulation (if applicable) for 2 hours, without significant deformation, collapse, or flame penetration.

Fire Integrity: Under standard fire test conditions, the ability of a building separation element to prevent flame and hot gas penetration or the occurrence of flames on the unexposed side for a specified period when one side is exposed to fire.

Fire Insulation: Under standard fire test conditions, the ability of a building separation element to limit the temperature rise on the unexposed side to below a specified value for a certain period when one side is exposed to fire.