UL 263 (Standard for Fire Testing of Building Construction and Materials) and ASTM E119 (Standard for Fire Testing of Building Construction and Materials) are two widely used fire testing standards for evaluating the fire resistance of building materials and components. Although they are similar in many respects, they differ in some areas. The following is a detailed summary of the main differences between them:
1. Test Methods:
- UL 263: The UL 263 standard was developed by Underwriters Laboratories and is also known as the "UL Common Wall Type Callout Document". The test is conducted using a large laboratory furnace to simulate real fire conditions. Test specimens are exposed to flames and extremely high temperatures under specific conditions to evaluate their resistance to fire over a period of time.
- ASTM E119: ASTM E119 is a standard developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials. This test uses a boiler or furnace to simulate fire conditions, but unlike UL 263, it also subjects the specimen to additional mechanical loads such as continuous pin hammer impact. This test is designed to evaluate the ability of materials and components to withstand gravitational and structural loads in a fire.
2. Specimen and evaluation requirements:
- UL 263: UL 263 is primarily used to evaluate the fire resistance of vertical and horizontal members such as walls, floors and roofs. It requires members to maintain integrity, stability, and insulation for a specified period of time, as well as to limit the propagation of flame, smoke, and noxious gases.
- ASTM E119: ASTM E119 is widely used to evaluate a variety of members such as walls, floors, roofs, structural framing, and load-bearing structural elements. In addition to requiring members to maintain integrity, stability, and insulation, ASTM E119 also evaluates the load carrying capacity of members under fire conditions.
3. Fire Resistance Ratings:
- UL 263: The UL 263 standard specifies fire resistance ratings for different members for specific periods of time (e.g., 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, etc.). These ratings indicate the ability of a member to withstand flame, smoke, and heat radiation for a specific period of time.
- ASTM E119: The ASTM E119 standard does not specify fire resistance ratings like UL 263. Instead, it rates members and categorizes them according to how long they maintain integrity, stability, and insulation during testing.
4. Scope of Application:
- UL 263: UL 263 is primarily used in commercial and industrial buildings, as well as in specific areas of residential buildings (e.g., firewalls). It is also applicable to different types of components and materials.
- ASTM E119: ASTM E119 is used to evaluate the fire safety performance of a building as a whole and is not limited to specific areas or components.
5. Approvals and certifications:
- UL 263: UL 263 testing is typically performed by independent third-party laboratories and is approved and certified by Underwriters Laboratories. The UL Mark indicates that a product has been tested to UL 263.
- ASTM E119: ASTM E119 testing is also typically performed by an independent third-party laboratory, but there is no similar certification body. Fire ratings for buildings are usually laboratory dependent
6. Additional testing requirements:
- UL 263: The UL 263 standard also requires additional testing of specimens, such as conduction and heat transfer tests, to evaluate their thermal effects and combustion processes under fire conditions.
- ASTM E119: ASTM E119 testing does not typically include other additional testing requirements. It focuses primarily on evaluating the fire resistance and structural integrity of members.
7. Material and component evaluation:
- UL 263: UL 263 testing is applicable to different types of materials and components including, but not limited to, gypsum board, concrete, steel, etc.
- ASTM E119: ASTM E119 testing applies to a variety of materials and components including, but not limited to, metal, concrete, wood, gypsum board, etc.
In summary, UL 263 and ASTM E119 are two important standards for evaluating the fire performance of building materials and components. They have some differences in test methods, sample requirements, fire resistance ratings, application areas and certifications. Therefore, when selecting the appropriate fire test standard for a particular project, it is recommended to consult with a professional and base your decision on the required evaluation requirements and code requirements.