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: F2877/F2877M − 13 (Reapproved 2024) An American National Standard

Standard Test Method for

Shock Testing of Structural Insulation of A-Class Divisions
Constructed of Steel or Aluminum1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2877/F2877M; 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

Passive fire protection materials have been required and used on commercial ships for decades. The
passive systems include the non-combustible insulation material and its means of attachment to steel
or aluminum divisions. The passive system has been evaluated in a standard fire test using a standard
steel or aluminum structural core. No impact loading has been required prior to testing for fire
resistance.
The United States Navy requires shock testing of passive fire protection prior to fire resistance
testing; this test is defined in MIL-STD-3020, Fire Resistance of U.S. Naval Surface Ships, 7
November, 2007. The technology to economically shock test the passive fire protection systems was
developed 50 years ago, and equipment in commercial laboratories is available.
After the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, it is our responsibility that we add a level of shock
protection to our passive fire protection systems on commercial ships where appropriate.2 Many of the
passive fire protection systems used today are mechanically fastened and will perform the intended
function after a shock event.
Passive fire protection insulation may have thermal or acoustic treatments added to the insulated
division. These treatments add mass to the fire protection system and their effect on shock is not
included in this specification.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
Section 1 Scope
Section 2 Referenced Documents
Section 3 Terminology
Section 4 Significance and Use
Section 5 Shock Test Prior to Fire Resistance Test
Section 6 Criteria to Evaluate Shock Test Specimens
Section 7 Post Shock Fire Resistance Test
Section 8 Criteria to Evaluate the Fire Resistance of the Shock Tested Specimen
Section 9 Test Report
Section 10 Precision and Bias
Section 11 Keywords

1. Scope 1.2 The non-combustible passive fire protection insulation

1.1 The purpose of the specification is to evaluate insulation shall be installed, which will meet the highest level of
installed on steel or aluminum structural division as defined in commercial fire resistance expected. Lower levels of fire
IMO Resolution A.754 (18) to ensure the insulation is not resistance will be allowed without additional shock testing.
degraded in the event of a shock. 1.3 This test method is used to measure and describe the
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F25 on Ships under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate
and Marine Technology and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F25.02 on all factors required for fire-hazard or fire-risk assessment of the
Insulation/Processes.
Current edition approved July 1, 2024. Published July 2024. Originally approved
materials, products or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
in 2011. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as F2877 – 13 (2019).
1.4 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safe-
DOI:10.1520/F2877_F2877M-13R24.
2
Journal of the Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society, Vol 53, No. 12, 2001, guards for personnel and property shall be employed in
pp. 8–12 and www.nist.gov/public.affairs/releases/wtc-briefing-april0505.htm. conducting these tests.

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

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 F2877/F2877M − 13 (2024)
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units including any joint, rise more than 180 °C above the original
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in temperature, with the time listed below:
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each Class “A-60” 60 min
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining Class “A-30” 30 min
Class “A-15” 15 min
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance Class “A-0” 0 min
with the standard.
(4) They are so constructed as to be capable of preventing
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
the passage of smoke and flame to the end of the one-hour
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
standard fire test; and
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
(5) The Administration required a test of a prototype
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
bulkhead or deck in accordance with the Fire Test Procedures
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Code to ensure that it meets the above requirements for
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
integrity and temperature rise.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 3.2.2 fire resistance, n—the ability of a material, product, or
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- assembly to withstand fire or give protection from it for a
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical period of time.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 3.2.2.1 Discussion—Fire resistance is the ability of a divi-
sion or boundary (typically a bulkhead or overhead) to with-
2. Referenced Documents stand fire, give protection from it, prevent fire spread to
adjoining compartments, and retain structural integrity under
2.1 ASTM Standards:3
fire. Structural integrity is the ability to continue to carry a
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
structural load. Fire resistance does not address reaction to fire
2.2 International Maritime Code: International Code for properties such as ignitability, surface flame spread, heat
Application of Fire Test Procedures, ISBN 92-801-1452-2:4 release rates, smoke density, fire gas toxicity, or other material
A.754 (18) Recommendation on Fire Resistance Tests for fire performance limits.
“A,” “B,” and “F” Class Divisions
3.2.2.1 fire resistance rating, n—a measure of the elapsed
2.3 United States Military Documents: time during which a material, product, or assembly continues
MIL-S-901D Requirements for Shock Tests H.I. (High Im- to exhibit fire resistance under specified exposure conditions.
pact) Shipboard Machinery, Equipment, and Systems5
NAVSEAINST 9491.ID Approved Class HI Shock Testing 3.2.2.2 restricted application, n—when a division will only
Machines6 protect against a fire threat with the insulation installed on the
MIL-STD-3020 Fire Resistance of U.S. Navy Surface fire side only, the division is designated as fire resistant with
Ships7 restricted application.
3.2.2.3 un-restricted application, n—when a division is
3. Terminology protected against a fire threat from both sides, the division is
3.1 Refer to Terminology E176 for general terms associated designated as fire resistant with unrestricted application.
with fire issues. 3.2.3 non-combustible insulation, n—an insulation material
3.2 Definitions: when tested in accordance with the FTP Code, Annex 1, Part 1,
3.2.1 A-Class division, n—“A” class divisions in accordance and meet the acceptance criteria are non-combustible.
with Part 3 of IMO FTP Code are those divisions formed by 3.2.4 standard steel or aluminum structural core, n—a
bulkheads and decks which comply with the following criteria: structural core used to construct the test specimen. It is
(1) They are constructed of steel or other equivalent constructed of either steel or aluminum with the dimensions
material; and stiffeners shown in Figs. 1-4.
(2) They are suitably stiffened;
(3) They are insulated with approved non-combustible 4. Significance and Use
materials such that the average temperature of the unexposed 4.1 This test method evaluates the ability of a non-
side will not rise more than 140 °C above the original combustible passive fire protection system installed on struc-
temperature, nor will the temperature, at any one point, tural divisions on commercial ships to function after shock
loading.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4.2 The shock loading is accomplished by conducting im-
contact ASTM Customer Service at www.astm.org/contact. For Annual Book of pact testing of a test specimen consisting of insulation on a
ASTM Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary standard steel or aluminum structural core installed on a
page on the ASTM website. medium weight shock test machine.
4
Available from International Maritime Organization (IMO), 4, Albert
Embankment, London SE1 7SR, United Kingdom, http://www.imo.org.
5
4.3 Following the shock testing the shocked test specimen
Available on the internet at www.dtbtest.com/PDFS/MIL-S-901D.pdf.
6
and an unshocked test specimen are tested for fire resistance.
Available on the internet at nsdb.navsses.navy.mil/Approved%20Class%
20HI%20Shock%20Testing%20Machines.pdf. Both shocked and unshocked test specimens are installed
7
Available on the internet at www.dtbtest.com/PDFS/MIL-S-901D.pdf. side-by-side in a fixture and fire tested at the same time.

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 F2877/F2877M − 13 (2024)

FIG. 1 Steel Test Specimen Construction Details for A-Class

Bulkhead FIG. 3 Steel Test Specimen Construction Details for A-Class Deck

FIG. 2 Aluminum Test Specimen Construction Details for A-Class FIG. 4 Aluminum Test Specimen Construction Details for A-Class
Bulkhead Deck

5. Shock Test Prior to Fire Resistance Test

4.4 The fire resistance for both specimens is measured and 5.1 Fire resistant divisions, bulkheads and decks, with
recorded. passive fire protection and associated attachments, shall be
4.5 Other passive fire protection systems using the same shock tested in accordance with MIL-S-901D, Section 3.1.2 (b)
insulation materials and attachment methods and having lower Medium Weight Shock Test. The test specimen construction,
fire resistance ratings will be accepted without additional shock orientations, fixture and assembly details are provided as
testing. guidance in Figs. 1-8. Testing shall be performed using both

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 F2877/F2877M − 13 (2024)

FIG. 5 Typical Deck Mounting Detail

FIG. 7 Bulkhead Orientations

5.2.4 The deck shall be insulated on the stiffened side with

passive fire protection system of an expected A-60 rating.
5.2.5 The insulated test specimen shall be mounted into the
test fixture as shown:
5.2.5.1 In Fig. 5, Typical Deck Mounting Detail.
5.2.5.2 In Fig. 6, Cross Section of Bulkhead Mounting
Detail.
5.2.6 Each test specimen shall be exposed to three hammer
blows per each of the three orientations as shown:
FIG. 6 Cross Section Bulkhead Mounting Detail 5.2.6.1 In Fig. 7, Bulkhead Orientations.
5.2.6.2 In Fig. 8, Deck Orientations.
5.2.7 The shocked test specimen shall be evaluated to the
deck and bulkhead orientations. Test shall be performed for the criteria in Section 6. If it is deemed to meet the criteria, the
orientations being evaluated, that is bulkhead, or deck, or both. shocked and unshocked specimens shall be sent to the fire
5.2 The test specimens to be insulated are 1220 mm by testing laboratory for the testing as stated in Section 7.
3050 mm [48 in. by 120 in.]. Two specimens shall be con-
structed for each configuration to be tested. Both specimens 6. Criteria to Evaluate Shock Test Specimens
will be insulated with passive fire protection, only one will be 6.1 If pins or mechanical fasteners are used to install the
shock tested. insulation, the performance of insulation or other passive fire
5.2.1 The steel bulkhead test specimen is shown in Fig. 1. protection materials shall be based on visual observations. The
5.2.1.1 The aluminum bulkhead test specimen is shown in following factors would degrade the performance of the
Fig. 2. insulation. If anyone of the following is evident, the test
5.2.2 The steel deck test specimen is shown in Fig. 3. specimen is deemed to have failed the shock test.
5.2.2.1 The aluminum deck test specimen is shown in Fig. 6.1.1 More than 10 % of the pins or fasteners used to hold
4. the insulation become loose from the test specimen. A loose pin
5.2.3 The bulkhead or deck shall be insulated on the or fastener is one which is no longer attached to the structural
stiffened side with a passive fire protection system for the core.
desired fire resistance rating. The most severe test for the 6.1.2 Three or more adjacent pins become loose from the
bulkhead is A-60 unrestricted, and for the deck A-60. test specimen.

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7.4 The unexposed-face temperature thermocouples shall be
designed and fixed to the unexposed face of the test specimens
as stated in IMO Resolution A.754 (18) paragraph 7.4 of
reference 2.1.
7.5 For testing of bulkhead and deck assemblies with
insulation only on one side, six thermocouples shall be
symmetrically located on the unexposed face to determine the
average and maximum unexposed temperatures. The thermo-
couples shall be located on the centerline of the frame bays as
shown in Fig. 9.
7.5.1 Additional thermocouples shall be added at the dis-
cretion of the laboratory engineer.

8. Criteria to Evaluate the Fire Resistance of the Shock

Tested Specimen
8.1 The average temperature rise of the shocked specimen,
as determined by the average temperature rise of all six
thermocouples, shall not be greater than 10 % of the average
temperature rise of the unshocked specimen at the end of the
fire resistance test.
8.2 The maximum temperature rise of any thermocouple on
the shocked fire test specimen shall not exceed 180 °C.

9. Test Report
9.1 A test report shall be written by the shock test laboratory
FIG. 8 Deck Orientations
for the shock test, irrespective of the outcome of the test.
9.1.1 The shock test report shall be written by the shock test
laboratory personnel and shall include:
9.1.1.1 Description of the insulation to include weights of
6.1.3 The insulation develops a noticeable crack or void
each piece of material installed on the test specimen.
which exposes the test specimen to direct heat transfer path
from the fire exposure.
6.2 If adhesives are used to attach the insulation to the
standard structural core, any of the following observations
would deem the insulation system has failed the shock test.
6.2.1 The insulation cracks exposing the test specimen.
6.2.2 The insulation comes adrift forming a direct heat
transfer path to the test specimen.
6.2.3 The insulation becomes loose and forms a noticeable
void within the insulation itself or between the insulation and
the test specimen.

7. Post Shock Fire Resistance Test

7.1 The test specimens having met the shock criteria in
Section 6 shall be tested by a flag state approved fire testing
laboratory.8
7.2 For bulkhead tests, the unshocked test specimen shall be
fire tested, side-by-side in the same vertical furnace, with the
shock tested specimen. For deck tests, an unshocked test
specimen shall be fire tested, side-by-side in the same horizon-
tal furnace, with a shock tested specimen. The fire test shall be
conducted for one hour.
7.3 The furnace control shall be the same as stated in IMO
Resolution A.754 (18) paragraph 8.3 of reference 2.1.

FIG. 9 Thermocouple Locations on Unexposed Side of Shock

8
See http://cqmix.uscg.mil/eqlabs. Test Specimen for A-Class Bulkhead and Decks

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9.1.1.2 Description and photographs of the attachment to 9.3 The fire test report shall be written by the fire test
include location of all attachments and method of installing laboratory personnel. The fire test report shall be written
components on the test specimen. irrespective of the outcome of the fire test.
9.1.1.3 Data log describing the observations made after each 9.3.1 The fire test report shall include all information
of the hammer blows. relevant to the details of the test as specified in IMO Resolution
A.754 (18) reference 2.1.
9.1.1.4 Video of each hammer blow and photographs of the
test specimen after each hammer blow. 10. Precision and Bias
9.1.1.5 A statement on whether the passive fire protection 10.1 Committee F25 is actively pursuing the development
system meets the criteria as stated in Section 6. of data regarding the precision and bias of this test method.
9.1.1.6 List of all witnesses present during the test. Data will be included in a future revision of these test methods.

9.2 Electronic copies of the test report shall be sent to the 11. Keywords
client and or their designee. A copy of the videos and 11.1 A-Class division; shock test; structural insulation;
photographs shall be sent to the client on a CD. structural fire protection

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. DISCUSSION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED INSULATION ON A-CLASS STEEL AND ALUMINUM DIVISIONS

X1.1 Introduction on the bare steel side. This type of system is tested with the
X1.1.1 The International Code for Application of Fire Test stiffened side of the steel division as the unexposed side, see
Procedures, FTP Code, became mandatory under the SOLAS Fig. X1.3.
Convention and entered in the force 1 July, 1998. Structural X1.3.3 In the second unrestricted steel bulkhead
insulations are approved for steel and aluminum division in configuration, the same insulation is installed on each side of
accordance with Part 3 Test for “A,” “B,” and “F” class the bulkhead, see Fig. X1.4. All unrestricted aluminum bulk-
divisions, 2010 FTP Code, 2012 Edition. The 2012 Edition of head divisions shall be insulated on both sides. When fire
the FTP Code entered into force on 1 July, 2012; all approvals testing the stiffened side of the division is the unexposed side.
for structural fire protection shall be tested and approved by the
2012 Edition of the FTP Code after 1 July, 2013.
X1.1.2 The purpose of this commentary is to explain
restricted and unrestricted A-Class structural insulation sys-
tems for steel and aluminum divisions. Steel division for A-0
class bulkheads and decks are exempt from testing when they
are constructed in accordance with Annex 2, 3 “A,” “B,” and
“F” class divisions, of 2012 FTP Code. All structural insulation
for aluminum divisions must be tested.
X1.2 Restricted Structural Insulation Systems
X1.2.1 A restricted structural insulation system will provide
protection from a fire even when the insulation and the fire
exposure are on the same side. A restricted bulkhead is
insulated on the exposed stiffened side, see Fig. X1.1. A deck
is insulated from below on the exposed stiffened side, see Fig.
X1.2. If the deck insulated system is successfully tested, that
system is also acceptable for a restricted bulkhead.
X1.3 Unrestricted Structural Insulation System for Bulk-
heads
X1.3.1 An unrestricted structural insulation system will
provide protection from a fire event when the fire exposure is FIG. X1.1 A-Class Restricted Bulkhead, Steel or Aluminum
from either side of the bulkhead.
X1.3.2 Steel bulkhead divisions can have two configuration
of unrestricted insulation. In one case the insulation is installed
on the unexposed side of the bulkhead and the fire exposure is

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FIG. X1.2 A-Class, Steel or Aluminum

FIG. X1.3 A-Class Unrestricted Bulkhead, Steel Only

FIG. X1.4 A-Class Unrestricted Bulkhead, Steel or Aluminum

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