NFPA 286 Fire Test Evaluating Contribution of Wall and Ceiling Interior Finish

Standard: Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Contribution of Wall and Ceiling Interior Finish to Room Fire Growth

Scope: This standard describes a method that is used to determine the contribution of interior finish materials to a room fire growth during specified fire exposure conditions. This method evaluates the flammability characteristics of a wall and ceiling interior finish where such materials constitute the exposed interior surfaces of buildings. It is not meant to evaluate the fire resistance of assemblies or the effect of fires that originate within a wall assembly. NFPA 286 specifies three types of specimen mounting, depending on the application of the interior finish material, as the following:

• Three walls when the interior finish is to be used on the walls only
• Three walls and the ceiling when the interior finish is to be used on walls and ceiling
• The ceiling alone when the interior finish is to be on ceilings only

Products: Interior wall and ceiling finish materials

Procedure: The test procedure starts with establishing an initial volumetric flow rate of at least 0.47 m³/sec through the duct. The volume flow rate is required to keep oxygen content above 14 percent and to capture all effluents from the burn room. All sampling and recording devices are turned on and a steady-state baseline is established for at least 2 minutes. The gas burner is ignited and the timer starts once burner ignition is observed.

The gas flow rate is increased to provide a heat release of 40 kW ± 1 kW from the burner. This exposure continues for 5 minutes ± 10 seconds. After the initial exposure, the gas flow rate is increased to provide a rate of heat release of 160 kW ± 5 kW. This exposure continues for 10 minutes ± 10 seconds.

Visual observations are documented, and the occurrence of flashover is documented when any two of the following conditions occur:

• Heat release rate exceeds 1 MW
• Heat flux at the floor exceeds 20 kW/m²
• Average upper layer temperature exceeds 600°C (1112°F)
• Flames exit the doorway
• A paper target on the floor autoignites

The ignition burner is shut off 15 minutes after the start of the test and the test is terminated. After the test, all damage is documented.

Result: NFPA 286 test provides the following:

• Extent of fire growth in the fire test room
• Rate of heat release by the specimen
• Total heat released by the specimen
• Time to flashover in the fire test room if flashover occurs
• Time to flame extension beyond the doorway of the fire test room if flame extension occurs
• Total heat flux incident to the floor of the fire test room
• Upper-level gas temperature in the fire test room
• Smoke obscuration, as determined in the exhaust duct
• Production of carbon monoxide, as determined in the exhaust duct
• Emissions of other combustion gases, as determined in the exhaust duct