What is the ASTM E119
ASTM E119 is a standard test method developed by ASTM International to assess the fire resistance of building materials and assemblies. It determines the ability of a material or assembly to contain a fire or maintain its structural integrity when exposed to fire for a specified period of time.
Critical Aspects of ASTM E119:
1. Fire Endurance: The primary focus of ASTM E119 is to evaluate how long a material or assembly can withstand a fire. The test measures the ability to maintain structural integrity, prevent the passage of flame and hot gases, and limit temperature rise on the non-exposed surface.
2. Standard Fire Exposure: The test involves exposing the material or assembly to a standardized fire exposure, which follows a temperature-time curve that simulates a typical building fire. The temperature increases over time, reaching about 1,000°F (538°C) at 5 minutes, 1,550°F (843°C) at 30 minutes, and 1,700°F (927°C) at 1 hour.
3. Load-Bearing Assessment: When the material or assembly being tested is load-bearing, the ASTM E119 test also evaluates its ability to support a specified load during fire exposure. This aspect is crucial for structural components like walls, floors, and columns.
4. Fire Ratings: The results of the ASTM E119 test are typically expressed in terms of fire ratings, such as 1-hour, 2-hour, 3-hour, or 4-hour ratings. These ratings indicate the duration for which the material or assembly can withstand the fire exposure without failing.
5. Test Specimen: The materials tested under ASTM E119 can include walls, partitions, floors, roofs, beams, and columns. The assembly tested often includes multiple layers of materials, such as insulation, sheathing, and cladding, to reflect real-world construction scenarios.
MagMatrix New MGO Fire Rated Structural Exterior Wall Sheathing Panel 2 Hours 100% Full Loads Fire Ratings
MagMatrx BMSC 517 New Sulfate MgO 12mm fire-rated exterior wall sheathing panel represent a significant advancement in construction materials, particularly for projects requiring robust fire resistance and structural integrity.
When subjected to a full structural load, these panels have achieved impressive 1-hour and 2-hour fire ratings under ASTM E119 testing. What sets these panels apart is their ability to pass fire tests without relying on additional materials like caulks, tapes, sealants, weather-resistant barriers (WRBs), or claddings, which are often necessary for other fire-rated gypsum panels to achieve similar results.
The panels are fastened to the studs, with fastener heads and joints left exposed, yet they still maintain fire-resistant properties. This flexibility allows project teams to choose any additional materials they prefer without compromising the fire rating, which can significantly streamline the construction process.
Furthermore, these panels excel in structural performance, as they have been approved for use in structural exterior wall assemblies due to their strong transverse and wind shear resistance, as tested under ASTM E72. This combination of fire resistance and structural strength means that project teams can build faster and more cost-effectively, eliminating the need for blocking and enabling direct cladding attachment. This cost-effectiveness ensures that your project stays within budget without compromising on safety or quality.
This breakthrough innovation enhances safety and efficiency in construction and provides greater design flexibility and cost savings, making it a valuable option for modern building projects. With MagMatrix New MGO Fire-Rated Structural Exterior Wall Sheathing Panel, you can be confident in the safety and reliability of your construction.
2 Hours Fire Ratings with 100% Full Loads
When a building material or assembly is tested for a 2-hour fire rating under a full load, it undergoes a rigorous evaluation to determine its ability to maintain structural integrity and resist fire for two hours while supporting the maximum load it is designed to bear. This is critical for ensuring that structural elements, such as walls, floors, and beams, can continue to perform their intended function during a fire, providing enough time for occupants to evacuate safely and for emergency responders to act.
Key Points about 2-Hour Fire Ratings Under Full Loads:
1. Structural Integrity: The assembly must support the full structural load it is designed for, such as the weight of the building and its contents, without collapsing or failing during the fire test. MagMatrix's new sulfate MGO exterior wall and subfloor sheathings offer 100% full support during the fire ratings test and applications to save layers of the wall or subfloor systems designs in the modern timber frame and steel frame systems constructions.
2. Fire Resistance Testing: The assembly is exposed to fire following the ASTM E119 standard, which includes a time-temperature curve that simulates actual fire conditions. The assembly must resist the fire for at least two hours without allowing the passage of flames or excessive heat to the non-exposed side.
3. Load Conditions: During the test, the assembly is subjected to a load replicating the actual conditions it would face in a building. This could involve placing weights or applying forces representing the building's load (e.g., the weight of floors, roofs, or equipment).
4. Temperature Monitoring: Temperatures are closely monitored on the non-exposed side of the assembly. The material must limit the rise in temperature to prevent the ignition of adjacent materials or harm to people on the opposite side of the wall or floor.
5. Performance Without Additional Components: Achieving a 2-hour fire rating under full load without using additional fire-protective components (like caulks, sealants, or claddings) demonstrates the material's fire-resistant properties. This is particularly noteworthy as many conventional materials require additional treatments or layers to achieve such ratings.
6. Safety and Compliance: Achieving a 2-hour fire rating under full load is a significant benchmark for safety, as it provides confidence that the assembly will maintain its structural performance in the event of a fire. Building codes for certain types of buildings or specific structural elements often require this rating.
Practical Implications
Design Flexibility: Materials that achieve these ratings can be used flexibly in construction since they reduce the need for additional fireproofing measures.
Cost and Time Efficiency: Construction can be faster and more cost-effective by eliminating the need for additional layers or treatments to achieve the desired fire rating.
Peace of Mind: For builders, architects, and building owners, a 2-hour fire rating under full load guarantees that the building's critical structures are well-protected in a fire.
This level of fire resistance is especially crucial for buildings where safety is paramount, such as high-rise structures, hospitals, and other facilities where evacuation might be challenging.
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