ASTM E2231-09

Pipe and duct insulation systems are often evaluated with Test Method E84 to comply with building or mechanical code requirements. This practice describes, in detail, specimen preparation and mounting procedures for single-component pipe or duct insulation systems and for multi-component pipe or duct insulation systems.

The material, system, composite, or assembly tested shall be representative of the completed insulation system used in actual field installations, in terms of the components, including their respective thicknesses.

Pipe and duct insulation systems consist of a variety of materials and constructions.

Some testing laboratories have developed a number of protocols for testing pipe or duct insulation systems which utilize one generic type of materials, all of them with an insulation core and a jacket. Those protocols are the origin of this practice, which makes them generic, to reduce material bias in the standard; they have resulted in the procedures presented in 6.1. The procedures presented in 6.2-6.5 address other types of pipe or duct insulation systems.

This practice addresses specimen preparation and mounting of systems of the types described in 5.5.1-5.5.3 and testing of supplementary materials as described in 5.6.

Multi-component systems containing an insulation core and a jacket, with or without adhesive between insulation core and jacket, not intended to be bonded to a pipe or duct substrate. Specimen preparation and mounting for such systems is described in 6.1 if they are self-supporting and in 6.2 if they are not self-supporting.

Single component systems, not intended to be bonded to a pipe or duct substrate. Specimen preparation and mounting for such systems is described in 6.3 if they are self-supporting and in 6.4 if they are not self-supporting.

Systems intended to be bonded to a pipe or duct substrate. Specimen preparation and mounting for such systems is described in 6.5.

Reflective insulation materials (see 3.2.10 and 3.2.11) shall be tested using the procedures for specimen preparation and mounting described in Practice E2599.

Specimen preparation and mounting procedures for systems not described in this practice shall be added as the information becomes available.

Supplementary Materials:

It is recognized that supplementary materials for pipe or duct insulation systems are normally able to generate heat, flame or smoke. Thus, the fire safety of the entire system depends, at least to some extent, on the fire performance of supplementary materials. Consequently, the fire-test-response characteristics of all supplementary materials shall be assessed to obtain a full assessment of the fire-test-response of the pipe or duct insulation system. See Appendix X1.

Supplementary materials are often present intermittently spaced, and not for an extended length, in a pipe or duct insulation system. Thus, it is not always possible to suitably test them in conjunction with a pipe or duct insulation system.

Testing of Supplementary Materials—Supplementary materials that have not been fully tested in conjunction with the pipe or duct insulation system, in accordance with Section 6, shall be tested for flame spread and smoke development as single-component systems, in accordance with Test Method E84.

The limitations for this procedure are those associated with Test Method E84.

1.1 This practice describes procedures for specimen preparation and mounting when testing pipe and duct insulation materials to assess flame spread and smoke development as surface burning characteristics using Test Method E84.

1.2 If the pipe or duct insulation materials to be tested are reflective insulation materials (see 3.2.10 and 3.2.11), the materials shall be tested using the procedures for specimen preparation and mounting described in Practice E2599 and not the procedures described in 6.1 through 6.6.

1.3 Testing is conducted with Test Method E84.

1.4 This practice does not provide pass/fail criteria that can be used as a regulatory tool.

1.5 Use the values stated in inch-pound units as the standard, in referee decisions. The values in the SI system of units are given in parentheses, for information only; see for further details.

1.6 This fire standard cannot be used to provide quantitative measures.

1.7 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently hazardous, and adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests. Fire testing involves hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This standard gives instructions on specimen preparation and mounting, but the fire-test-response method is given in Test Method E84. See also Section 8.

1.8 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 requirements of the standard.

1.9 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.

1.10 This fire standard cannot be used to provide quantitative measures.