ASTM E84 vs UL 723

Specification & Product Discussions Specifications Discussions
1

What exactly is the difference between ASTM E84 and UL 723?

I can find the full text of the latest ASTM E84 on MADCAD, and have looked at it. I cannot find full text of UL 723.

I have googled, and people seem to use them interchangeably. But I can’t find anyone explain WHAT the difference is, and I have to assume there is some difference, or why have two different standards?

My best guess is that the Steiner Tunnel Test itself is described in UL 723 but maybe other parameters and the specifics of how FSI and SDI are determined and reported are outlined in ASTM E84. But this is JUST a guess.

Thank you!

2

In ASTM E84, Appendix X4 Commentary, they provide a history of the standards. I believe that essentially the two standards are the same.

Several manufacturers refer to them interchangeably.

3

AI can be your friend:

ASTM E84:

Adopts the Steiner Tunnel test for measuring surface flame spread and smoke development.

Used to assess the fire performance of interior finishes, including wall and ceiling materials, according to ICC Digital Codes.

Provides a Flame Spread index and Smoke Developed index to classify materials.

Used in North America for fire safety evaluations and building codes.

UL 723:

Also employs the Steiner Tunnel test, making it essentially the same as ASTM E84.

Developed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and later adopted by ASTM.

Focuses on assessing the surface burning behavior of building materials.

Used in North America for fire safety evaluations and building codes.

Similarities:

Both methods use the Steiner Tunnel test to measure surface flame spread and smoke development.

They are widely used in North America for evaluating the fire performance of building materials.

They contribute to building codes and regulations related to fire safety.

Key Differences:

Terminology: While both use the Steiner Tunnel test, they may have slightly different terminology for certain parameters.

Test Procedure: Some minor variations in the test procedure may exist, such as the method of achieving air turbulence.

Number of Replicates: The number of replicate tests required might differ slightly between the standards.

Focus: While both are focused on fire safety, UL 723 has a broader scope that includes product safety testing and certification, whereas ASTM focuses on quality and consistency in materials.

4

There are sometimes arcane insurance requirements that play into this. For example, an insurer may require a UL listing for certain products as a requirement for being insured. In this case, they may not accept the ASTM test results, even though identical. My brother ran into this once as a contractor, having used FRP panels in a commercial food prep area that had the ASTM certification, but not the UL which the insurer required. He had to do a song and dance to get approval for the already-installed product.