HVAC Duct Systems

A new ASTM standard will provide the United States building codes with a test method designed to test a heating, ventilation and air conditioning duct system or its materials for fire resistance and other durability requirements. E2816, Test Methods for Fire Resistive Metallic HVAC Duct Systems, was developed by Subcommittee E05.11 on Fire Resistance, under the jurisdiction of ASTM International Committee E05 on Fire Standards.

“E2816 provides authorities having jurisdiction, such as building officials and fire marshals, a tool to ascertain the fire resistance of an HVAC duct system and other properties of the insulation materials used to protect the HVAC duct system,” says John Nicholas, consultant and president, Perceptive Solutions LLC, and an E05 member. “This test method will increase life safety as there is no test method currently cited in the model building or fire codes for HVAC duct systems.”

Nicholas says that building officials, specifiers and architects will use E2816 to specify a set of requirements that are desired by HVAC duct systems and their insulation materials used in a fire-resistive application. In addition, test laboratories and certification bodies will have a standard designed to test HVAC duct systems for fire resistance and then list and label products meeting the requirements through published design listings. Finally, E2816 will provide manufacturers with a research and development tool to create fire-resistive HVAC duct systems.

CONTACT

Technical Information: John Nicholas, Perceptive Solutions LLC, Schertz, Texas

Phone: 210-601-1119

ASTM Staff: Thomas O’Toole

Phone: 610-832-9739