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TEST REPORT

TEST REPORT




Intertek Testing
Services NA, Inc.
16015 Shady Falls Road
Elmendorf, TX 78112
(voice) 210-635-8100
(fax) 210-635-8101
www.intertek-
etlsemko.com



ASTM E 119-05a

Fire Tests of Building Construction
and Materials


2-HR FIRE RESISTANCE TEST OF A
NON-LOADBEARING WHEAT STRAW BALE WALL


Project No. 3098054A










July 31, 2006
Revised: July 9, 2007







Prepared for:

Ecological Building Network
11 Mark Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903


Intertek Testing Services NA, Inc.
16015 Shady Falls Road, Elmendorf, Texas 78112-9784
210-635-8100 / FAX: 210-635-8101 / 800-966-5253
www.intertek-etlsemko.com





TABLE OF CONTENTS


ITEM PAGE

Introduction 1
Test Procedure
4
Conditions of Acceptance
8
Test Specimen Construction
9
Test Results and Observations
11
Conclusions 13
Appendices
Appendix A: Construction Drawings
14
Appendix B: Thermocouple Layout
16
Appendix C: Temperature Data
18
Appendix D: Photographs
31
Appendix E: ASTM C 42 Compression Results
45
Last Page of Report

47 Project No. 3098054A
Revised: July 9, 2007
July 31, 2006
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INTRODUCTION
1


"The performance of walls, columns, floors, and other building members under fire ex
-
posure conditions is an item of major importance in securing constructions that are safe,
and that are not a menace to neighboring structures nor to the public. Recognition of
this is registered in the codes of many authorities, municipal and other. It is important to
secure balance of the many units in a single building, and of buildings of like character
and use in a community; and also to promote uniformity in requirements of various
authorities throughout the country. To do this it is necessary that the fire-resistive
properties of materials and assemblies be measured and specified according to a
common standard expressed in terms that are applicable alike to a wide variety of ma
-
terials, situations, and conditions of exposure.

Such a standard is found in the methods that follow. They prescribe a standard ex
-
posing fire of controlled extent and severity. Performance is defined as the period of
resistance to standard exposure elapsing before the first critical point in behavior is ob
-
served. Results are reported in units in which field exposures can be judged and ex
-
pressed.

The methods may be cited as the "Standard Fire Tests," and the performance or expo
-
sure shall be expressed as "2-h," "6-h," "1/2-h," etc.

When a factor of safety exceeding that inherent in the test conditions is desired, a pro
-
portional increase should be made in the specified time-classification period.

The ASTM E 119 test procedure is identical or very similar to the following standard test
methods:
UL 263
UBC 7-1
NFPA 251
ANSI A2.1
ULC S101

The analogous test standard in the International Organization of Standardization (ISO),
ISO 834 Fire-resistance Tests Elements of Building Construction, is very similar to the
above U.S. test methods. Its exposure curve, as well as the method used to measure
temperatures within the furnace result in a slightly less severe temperature exposure

1 ASTM E 119-05a Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials ASTM International, Volume
04.07 Building Seals and Sealants, etc. Project No. 3098054A
Revised: July 9, 2007
July 31, 2006
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than the E 119 test for the first two hours. The ISO 834 test requires a slightly greater
positive pressure within the furnace. For those reasons, the E 119 test can be
considered to be slightly more severe for tests of 2 h duration or less, only if the test
article is not likely to be affected by a higher furnace pressure. (BS 476 Pt 20 Fire tests
on building materials and structures is virtually identical to the ISO 834 test method, as
is the new CEN standard, EN 1363-1.)

1. Scope
The test methods described in this fire-test-response standard are applicable to
assemblies of masonry units and to composite assemblies of structural materials for
buildings, including bearing and other walls and partitions, columns, girders, beams,
slabs, and composite slab and beam assemblies for floors and roofs. They are also
applicable to other assemblies and structural units that constitute permanent integral
parts of a finished building.
1.2 It is the intent that classifications shall register comparative performance to specific
fire-test conditions during the period of exposure and shall not be construed as having
determined suitability for use under other conditions or after fire exposure.
1.3 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.
1.4 These test methods prescribe a standard fire exposure for comparing the test
results of building construction assemblies. The results of these tests are one factor in
assessing predicted fire performance of building construction assemblies. Application
of these test results to predict the performance of actual building construction requires
the evaluation of test conditions.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The
values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.6 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.
1.7 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory
material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be
considered as requirements of the standard.
Project No. 3098054A
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4. Significance and Use
4.1 This test method is intended to evaluate the duration for which the types of assem
-
blies noted in 1.1 will contain a fire, retain their structural integrity or exhibit both
properties dependent upon the type of assembly involved during a predetermined test
exposure.
4.2 The test exposes a specimen to a standard fire controlled to achieve specified
temperatures throughout a specified time period. When required, the fire exposure is
followed by the application of a specified standard fire hose stream. The test provides a
relative measure of the fire-test-response of comparable assemblies under these fire
exposure conditions. The exposure is not representative of all fire conditions because
conditions vary with changes in the amount, nature and distribution of fire loading,
ventilation, compartment size and configuration, and heat sink characteristics of the
compartment. Variation from the test conditions or specimen construction, such as size,
materials, method of assembly, also affects the fire-test-response. For these reasons,
evaluation of the variation is required for application to construction in the field.
4.3 The test standard provides for the following:
4.3.1 For walls, partitions and floor or roof assemblies:
4.3.1.1 Measurement of the transmission of heat.
4.3.1.2 Measurement of the transmission of hot gases through the assembly, sufficient
to ignite cotton waste.
4.3.1.3 For load bearing elements, measurement of the load carrying ability of the test
specimen during the test exposure.
4.3.2 For individual load bearing assemblies such as beams and columns:
4.3.2.1 Measurement of the load carrying ability under the test exposure with some
consideration for the end support conditions (that is, restrained or not restrained).
4.4 The test standard does not provide the following:
4.4.1 Full information as to performance of assemblies constructed with components or
lengths other than those tested.
4.4.2 Evaluation of the degree by which the assembly contributes to the fire hazard by
generation of smoke, toxic gases, or other products of combustion.
4.4.3 Measurement of the degree of control or limitation of the passage of smoke or
products of combustion through the assembly.
4.4.4 Simulation of the fire behavior of joints between building elements such as floor-
wall or wall-wall, etc.,