This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: E1966 − 15 (Reapproved 2019) An American National Standard

Standard Test Method for

Fire-Resistive Joint Systems1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1966; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

INTRODUCTION

Joint systems are positioned in joints, voids, gaps, or other discontinuities between or bounded by
two or more supporting elements. Normally such openings are denoted as “linear” because the length
is greater than their width—defined by a typical ratio of at least 10:1 as in practice. Joints are present
in buildings as a result of:
(i) Design to accommodate various movements induced by thermal differentials, seismicity, and
wind loads and exist as a clearance separation.
(ii) Acceptable dimensional tolerances between two or more building elements, for example,
between non-loadbearing walls and floors.
(iii) Inadequate design, inaccurate assembly, repairs, or damage to the building.

1. Scope behavior of joint systems during the fire endurance test but is
not part of the conditions of compliance.
iTeh Standards
1.1 This fire-test-response test method measures the perfor-
mance of joint systems designed to be used with fire rated 1.6 Potentially important factors and fire characteristics not
addressed by this test method include, but are not limited to:
floors and walls during a fire endurance test exposure. The fire
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endurance test end point is the period of time elapsing before
1.6.1 The performance of the fire-resistive joint system
the first performance criteria is reached when the joint system
constructed with components other than those tested.

Document
1.2 The fire exposure conditions used are either those
Preview
is subjected to one of two time-temperature fire exposures. 1.6.2 The cyclic movement capabilities of joint systems
other than the cycling conditions tested.
specified by Test Method E119 for testing assemblies to 1.7 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
standard time-temperature exposures or Test Method
ASTM E1529 for as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
E1966-15(2019)
testing assemblies to rapid-temperature rise fires. conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
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and are not considered standard.
1.3 This test method specifies the heating conditions, meth-
ods of test, and criteria for the evaluation of the ability of a 1.8 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes
joint system to maintain the fire resistance where hourly rated which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
fire-separating elements meet. (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered
1.4 Test results establish the performance of joint systems as requirements of the standard.
during the fire-exposure period and shall not be construed as 1.9 This standard is used to measure and describe the
having determined the joint systems suitability for use after response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
that exposure. flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself
1.5 This test method does not provide quantitative informa- incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk
tion about the joint system relative to the rate of leakage of assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under
smoke or gases or both. However, it requires that such actual fire conditions.
phenomena be noted and reported when describing the general 1.10 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safe-
guards for personnel and property shall be employed in
conducting these tests.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire 1.11 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.11 on Fire safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Resistance.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Current edition approved March 1, 2019. Published March 2019. Originally
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E1966 – 15. DOI: priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
10.1520/E1966-15R19. mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 E1966 − 15 (2019)
1.12 This international standard was developed in accor- 3.1.10 supporting construction, n—the arrangement of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- building sections forming the fire-separating elements into
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the which the joint systems are installed.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 3.1.11 test assembly, n—the complete assembly of test
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical specimens together with their supporting construction.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1.12 test specimen, n—a joint system of a specific
2. Referenced Documents material(s), design, and width.
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
4. Summary of Test Method
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
Building Materials 4.1 This test method describes the following test sequence
E119 Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and procedure:
and Materials 4.1.1 When the maximum joint width does not equal the
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards minimum joint width, joint systems shall be movement cycled
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions before being fire tested.
E814 Test Method for Fire Tests of Penetration Firestop 4.1.2 Joint systems and their supporting construction shall
Systems be conditioned and fire tested.
E1399 Test Method for Cyclic Movement and Measuring the 4.1.3 A duplicate test specimen, that is an extension of a
Minimum and Maximum Joint Widths of Architectural wall, is subject to a fire of lesser duration than the fire
Joint Systems resistance rating. After which, the duplicate test specimen is
E1529 Test Methods for Determining Effects of Large Hy- subject to the hose stream test.
drocarbon Pool Fires on Structural Members and Assem-
blies 5. Significance and Use
E2226 Practice for Application of Hose Stream 5.1 This test method evaluates, under the specified test
E2307 Test Method for Determining Fire Resistance of conditions: (1) the ability of a fire resistive joint system to

story Test Apparatus

iTeh Standards
Perimeter Fire Barriers Using Intermediate-Scale, Multi- undergo movement without reducing the fire rating of the
adjacent fire separating elements and (2) the duration for which
3. Terminology (https://standards.iteh.ai) test specimens will contain a fire and retain their integrity
during a predetermined test exposure.
3.1 Definitions:
Document
3.1.1 For the purpose of this standard, the definitions given Preview
in Terminologies E176 and E631, together with the following,
5.2 This test method provides for the following measure-
ments and evaluations where applicable:
5.2.1 Capability of the joint system to movement cycle.
apply:
5.2.2 Loadbearing capacity of the joint system.
3.1.2 fire-separating element, n—floors, walls,
ASTM and E1966-15(2019)
parti-
5.2.3 Ability of the joint system to prohibit the passage of
tions having a period of fire resistance determined in accor-
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flames and hot gases.
dance with Test Methods E119 or E1529.
5.2.4 Transmission of heat through the joint system.
3.1.3 fire resistive joint system, n—a device or designed 5.2.5 Ability of the joint system, that is an extension of a
feature that provides a fire separating function along continu- wall, to resist the passage of water during a hose stream test.
ous linear openings, including changes in direction, between or
bounded by fire separating elements. 5.3 This test method does not provide the following:
5.3.1 Evaluation of the degree by which the joint system
3.1.4 joint, n—the linear void located between juxtaposed contributes to the fire hazard by generation of smoke, toxic
fire-separating elements. gases, or other products of combustion.
3.1.5 maximum joint width, n—the widest opening of an 5.3.2 Measurement of the degree of control or limitation of
installed joint system. the passage of smoke or products of combustion through the
3.1.6 minimum joint width, n—the narrowest opening of an joint system.
installed joint system. 5.3.3 Measurement of flame spread over the surface of the
3.1.7 movement cycle, n—the change between the minimum joint system.
and the maximum joint widths of a joint system. NOTE 1—The information in 5.3.1 – 5.3.3 may be determined by other
3.1.8 nominal joint width, n—the specified opening of a suitable fire test methods. For example, 5.3.3 may be determined by Test
Method E84.
joint in practice that is selected for test purposes.
5.3.4 Evaluation of joints formed by the rated or non-rated
3.1.9 splice, n—the connection or junction within the length
exterior walls and the floors of the building.
of a joint system.
5.4 In this procedure, the test specimens are subjected to one
2
or more specific sets of laboratory test conditions. When
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
different test conditions are substituted or the end-use condi-
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on tions are changed, it is not always possible by, or from, this test
the ASTM website. method to predict changes to the characteristics measured.

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 E1966 − 15 (2019)
Therefore, the results are valid only for the exposure conditions
described in this test method.

6. Apparatus
6.1 Cycling Apparatus—Equipment (or device) capable of
being used to induce movement of a joint system and meeting
the required cyclic rate and number of cycles selected from
Table 1.
6.2 Furnace—An enclosed furnace facility capable of con-
trolling a fire to the time-temperature curve in Test Methods
E119 or E1529. An example of a vertical furnace with a test
frame is shown in Fig. 1 and a horizontal furnace is shown in
Fig. 2.
6.3 Furnace Thermocouples:
6.3.1 The E119 furnace thermocouples shall:
6.3.1.1 Be protected by sealed porcelain tubes having a FIG. 1 Example of Vertical Furnace and Test Frame
nominal 3⁄4-in. (19-mm) outside diameter and 1⁄8-in. (3-mm)
wall thickness, or, as an alternative, in the case of base metal
thermocouples, protected by a standard 1⁄2-in. (13-mm) diam-
eter wrought steel or wrought iron pipe of standard weight, and
6.3.1.2 Have a time constant between the range of 5.0 to 7.2
min while encased in the tubes described in 6.3.1.1.
6.3.2 Other types of E119 protection tubes or pyrometers
shall be used only when they give the same indications under
iTeh Standards
test conditions as those of 6.3.1.2 within the limit of accuracy
that applies for furnace-temperature measurements.

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NOTE 2—A typical thermocouple assembly meeting these time constant
requirements may be fabricated by fusion-welding the twisted ends of No.
18 gauge Chromel-Alumel wires, mounting the leads in porcelain insula-
Document Preview
tors and inserting the assembly so the thermocouple bead is approximately
0.5 in. (25 mm) from the sealed end of the standard weight nominal 1⁄2-in.
(25-mm) iron, steel, or Inconel3 pipe. The time constant for this and for
several other thermocouple assemblies was measured in 1976. The time
FIG. 2 Example of Horizontal Furnace
constant may also be calculated from knowledge ofASTM E1966-15(2019)
its physical and
thermal properties.4
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assemblies shall be less than 60 s. Standard calibration ther-
6.3.3 The E1529 furnace thermocouples shall measure the
temperature of the gases adjacent to and impinging on the test mocouples with an accuracy of 6 0.75 % shall be used.
specimens using factory manufactured 1⁄4-in. (6-mm) outside 6.4 Pressure-sensing Probes—Where applicable, tolerances
diameter (OD), Inconel-sheathed, Type K, Chromel-Alumel are 6 5 % of dimensions shown in Fig. 3 or Fig. 4.
thermocouples. The time constant, in air, of the thermocouple 6.4.1 The pressure-sensing probes shall be either:
6.4.1.1 A T-shaped sensor as shown in Fig. 3, or
6.4.1.2 A tube sensor as shown in Fig. 4.
6.5 Unexposed Surface Thermocouples:
3
Inconel is a registered trade name of INCO Alloys, Inc., 3800 Riverside Dr., 6.5.1 The wires for the unexposed thermocouple in the
Huntingdon, WV 25720.
4
length covered by the thermocouple pad are not to be heavier
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may
be obtained by requesting Research Report RR:E05-1001. than No. 18 AWG (0.82 mm2) and are to be electrically
insulated with heat-resistant and moisture-resistant coatings.
TABLE 1 Conditions of Test Specimen Cycling 6.6 Thermocouple Pads:
NOTE 1—The terms used for movement are indicative of the cyclic rate 6.6.1 The properties of thermocouple pads used to cover
in expansion and contraction of the joint system and not of the magnitude each thermocouple on the unexposed side of the test assembly
or direction of movement. shall have the following characteristics.
Movement Type Minimum Minimum Number of 6.6.1.1 They shall be dry, felted refractory fiber pads.
Cycling Rates (cpm) Movement Cycles 6.6.1.2 For joints having a maximum joint width of less than
Type I—Thermal 1 500
Type II—Wind Sway 10 500 6 in. (152 mm) the length and width of the square pad shall
Type III—Seismic 30 100 measure 2 6 0.04 in. (50 6 1 mm). For joints having a
Type IV—Combined Move- 30 100 maximum joint width equal to or greater than 6 in. (152 mm)
ment
followed by: 10 400 the length and width of the square pad shall measure 6 6 0.12
in. (152 6 3 mm).

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 E1966 − 15 (2019)

FIG. 3 “T” Shaped Pressure Sensing Probe

iTeh Standards
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ASTM E1966-15(2019)
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FIG. 4 Tube Type Pressure Sensing Probe

6.6.1.3 The thermocouple pads shall be 0.375 6 0.063 in. 6.6.1.6 The thermocouple pads shall have a hardness (on
(9.5 6 1.6 mm) thick. The thickness measurement is to be soft face) of 2.25 to 4.5 (modified Brinnell). The hardness
made under the light load of a standard 1⁄2-in. (12.7-mm) measurement is to be made by pressing a standard 1-in.
diameter pad of a dial micrometer gauge. (25-mm) diameter steel ball against the specimen and measur-
6.6.1.4 The thermocouple pads shall have a density of 31.2 ing the indentation obtained between a minor load of 2
6 0.6 lbs/ft3 (500 6 10 kg/m3). pounds-mass (0.91 kg) and an additional major load of 10
6.6.1.5 The thermal conductivity of the thermocouple pads pounds-mass (4.5 kg) [12 pounds-mass (5.4 kg) total load].
at 150°F (66°C) shall be 0.37 6 0.03 Btu -in./h -ft2 -°F [0.053 The hardness is obtained by the relationship:
6 0.004 W/(m -K)]. Hardness = 2.24/y

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 E1966 − 15 (2019)
where: 6.10.1.4 A pressure tap for measuring the water pressure at
y = the difference in indentation [in. (mm)]. the base of the nozzle shall be normal to the surface of the
nipple, shall be centered in its length, and shall not protrude
6.7 Differential Pressure Measurement Instruments:
into the water stream.
6.7.1 The differential pressure measurement instrument
6.10.1.5 A suitable pressure gauge capable of reading a
shall be:
minimum of 0-50 psi (0-344.8 kPa) and graduated into no
6.7.1.1 A manometer or equivalent transducer.
greater than 2-psi (13.8-kPa) increments shall be used to
6.7.1.2 Capable of reading in graduated increments of no
measure the water pressure.
greater than 0.01 in. H2O (2.5 Pa) with a precision of not less
than 6 0.005 in. H2O (6 1.25 Pa). 7. Test Specimen
6.8 Cotton Pads: 7.1 Make the test assembly representative of the construc-
6.8.1 Their nominal size shall be 4 by 4 by 3⁄4 in. (100 by tion for which the fire resistance rating is desired with respect
100 by 19 mm). Cotton pads are to consist of new, undyed and to materials, workmanship, and details. Install the test speci-
soft cotton fibers, without any admixture of artificial fibers. men in accordance with the manufacturer’s specified procedure
Each cotton pad is to weigh approximately 3 to 4 g. The cotton for conditions representative of those found in building con-
pads are to be conditioned prior to use by drying in an oven at struction.
212 6 9°F (100 6 5°C) for at least 30 min. After drying, the
cotton pads shall be stored in a desiccator for up to 24 h. 7.2 A test assembly often consists of multiple test specimen
6.8.2 The frame used to hold the cotton pad is to be formed widths, joint configurations, test specimen configurations, sup-
of No. 16 AWG (1.31-mm) steel wire and is to be provided porting elements, and joint face materials. When multiple test
with a handle long enough to reach all points of the test specimens are installed and tested simultaneously in a test
assembly. assembly, maintain the separation between adjacent test speci-
mens to accommodate thermocouple placement and structural
6.9 Loading System: and loading requirements.
6.9.1 Equipment, or a device, capable of inducing a desired
load upon the joint system or supporting construction. An 7.3 Test each test specimen with manufactured and field
iTeh Standards
example of a loading system is shown in Fig. 5.
6.10 Hose Stream Delivery System:
splices. When the technique of the manufactured splice is the
same as the field splice, test only one splice. Make the
minimum distance between a splice and the nearest furnace
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6.10.1 The hose stream delivery system shall consist of:
6.10.1.1 A standard 2 1⁄2-in. (64-mm) diameter hose at-
wall 1.5 times the thickness of the supporting construction or
12 in. (305 mm), whichever is greater. Make the minimum
E2226. Document Preview
tached to a national standard play pipe as described in Practice separation between splices within a test specimen 36 in. (914
mm). Position splices so that they will be exposed to a
6.10.1.2 The play pipe shall have a length of 30 6 0.25 in. minimum positive furnace pressure differential of 0.01 in. H2O
(762 6 6 mm) and shall be equipped with a standard 11⁄8-in. (2.5 Pa) during the fire exposure test.
ASTM E1966-15(2019)
(29-mm) discharge tip of the standard-taper-smooth-bore pat-
7.4 Test all test specimens at their maximum joint width.
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tern without shoulder at the orifice.
6.10.1.3 The play pipe shall be fitted with a standard 2 ⁄2-in.
1 7.5 Test vertical asymmetrical test specimens from both
(64-mm) inside dimension by 6-in. (153-mm) long nipple sides unless they are designed for fire exposure on only one
mounted between the hose and the base of the play pipe. side or it is documented that the side with the lower fire
resistance rating is being tested.
7.6 Make vertical and horizontal test specimens with a
maximum joint width not greater than 4 in. (102 mm) at least
4 ft (1219 mm).
7.7 For maximum joint widths greater than 4 in. (102 mm),
make the vertical test specimens at least 9 ft (2744 mm) and
make the horizontal test specimens at least 12 ft (3658 mm).
7.8 Asymmetrical wall-to-wall joint systems shall be tested
in accordance with 7.5. Examples of asymmetrical and sym-
metrical wall-to-wall joint systems are illustrated in Fig. 6.

8. Preparation of Apparatus
8.1 Furnace Thermocouples:
8.1.1 Test Method E119—Make the exposed length of the
pyrometer tube and thermocouple in the furnace chamber not
less than 12 in. (305 mm).
8.1.2 Test Method E1529—Mount a minimum length of 20
diameters (125 mm) of the sheathed junction end of the
FIG. 5 Example of Loading System thermocouple parallel to the surface of the test specimen.

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 E1966 − 15 (2019)
8.3.3 For vertical furnaces, measure the differential pressure
along the furnace wall near each side of the furnace.
9. Calibration and Standardization
9.1 Test Method E119 does not contain a calibration proce-
dure.
9.2 Test Method E1529 calibration procedure is as follows:
9.2.1 Expose a test specimen to heat flux and temperature
conditions representative of total continuous engulfment in the
luminous flame regime of a large free burning fluid hydrocar-
bon fueled pool fire. Use calibration assemblies to demonstrate
that the required heat flux and temperature levels are generated
in the fire test facility.
9.2.2 Measure the total heat flux using a circular foil heat
flux gauge.
NOTE 3—The circular foil heat flux gauge may be called a Gardon
gauge after its developer.
9.2.3 Provide a test setup with an average total cold wall
heat flux on all exposed surfaces of the test specimen of 50 000
6 2 500 Btu/ft2• h (158 6 8 kW/m2). Control the total cold
wall heat flux by varying the flow of fuel and air. Attain the
FIG. 6 Examples of Wall-to-Wall Joint Systems in Gypsum Wall- cold heat flux of 50 000 Btu/ft2 • h (158 6 8 kW/m2) within the
board Assemblies
first 5 min of the test exposure; maintain this heat flux for the
duration of the test.

iTeh Standards
8.2 Furnace Thermocouple Locations:
8.2.1 Uniformly distribute the thermocouples employed to
9.2.4 Generate a temperature environment with a heat flux
of 50 000 Btu/ft2 • h of at least 1500°F (815°C) after the first
3 min of the test and between 1850°F (1010°C) and 2150°F
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measure the temperature of the furnace to give the average
temperature in the vicinity of the test specimen. Reference 6.3.
(1180°C) at all times after the first 5 min of the test.

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8.2.2 Position the furnace thermocouples before the start of
the fire exposure test. If a thermocouple will come in contact
with or will touch the test assembly during the test, reposition
10. Conditioning
10.1 Prior to testing, condition the supporting construction
and test specimen in air having 50 % relative humidity at 73 6
that thermocouple to avoid any contact with the test assembly. 5°F (23 6 3°C). Do not require the supporting construction to
8.2.3 Place the junction of each thermocouple ASTM
12 6E1966-15(2019)
1 in. be conditioned with the test specimen. When conditioning to
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(305 6 25 mm) from the surface of horizontal construction or this level cannot be accomplished, conduct the testing when the
from the surface of specimens mounted in horizontal test most damp portion of the supporting construction and test
assemblies. specimen have achieved equilibrium resulting from storage in
8.2.4 Place the junction of each thermocouple 6 6 1 in. (152 air having 50 % to 75 % relative humidity at 73 6 5°F (23 6
6 25 mm) from the surface of vertical assemblies or from the 3°C).
surface of test specimen mounted in vertical test assembly. 10.1.1 Exception—When an equilibrium condition is not
8.2.5 Use a minimum of three furnace thermocouples. For achieved within a 12-month conditioning period; or if the test
the following, calculate the exposed area as the sum of the assembly is such that hermetic sealing resulting from the
surface area of the test assembly exposed to the furnace fire. conditioning has prevented drying of the interior of the
8.2.5.1 For horizontal assemblies, place no less than five supporting construction or test specimen, then continue the
2 2
thermocouples per 100 ft (9 m ) of exposed area. conditioning only until the supporting construction has devel-
8.2.5.2 For vertical assemblies, place no less than nine oped sufficient strength to retain the test specimen securely in
thermocouples per 100 ft2 (9 m2) of exposed area. position.
8.3 Furnace Pressure: 10.2 Determine the relative humidity within hardened con-
8.3.1 Make the minimum vertical distance between pressure crete with a method that uses an electric sensing element.
sensors referenced in 6.4 one-half the height of the furnace Determine the relative humidity within a supporting construc-
chamber. Locate the pressure sensors where they will not be tion or test specimen made of materials other than concrete
subjected to direct impingement of convection currents. Make with a method such as one that uses an electric sensing
tubing connected to each pressure sensor horizontal both in the element.
furnace and at its egress through the furnace wall such that the
pressure is relative to the same elevation from the inside to the 10.3 Do not use wood with a moisture content greater than
outside of the furnace. 13 % as determined by an electrical resistance method.
8.3.2 For horizontal furnaces, measure the differential pres- 10.4 When it becomes necessary to use accelerated drying
sure near the vertical centerline of two opposing furnace walls. techniques, avoid procedures that will alter the characteristics