Document Archives

Fire Resistance of Concrete Masonry Walls

• ID:

  64

• ESCSI:

  3220.023

• Author:

  Task Group on Concrete Masonry Fire Resist.: Herrell, Tom, Chairman

• Publication Name:

  Draft by NCMA Technical Commission

• Type of Publication:

  Paper

• Publisher:

  National Concrete Masonry Association

• Dated:

  1991

• Issue/Volume:

  October

• Other ID:

• Page(s):

  1-43

• Reference List:

  Y

• Abstract:

  Calculation methods for determining the fire resistance of concrete masonry have been recognized in the Model Building Codes since the mid 1950s. These calculation methods are an alternate to expensive and time consuming fire tests of representative assemblies. Calculation methods are based on correlating the fire endurance period of concrete masonry wall tests with physical properties of the wall such as equivalent thickness; and with the types of aggregates used in the manufacture of the units. There is a significant amount of fire test data to support these correlations. A companion document to this report, “A Compilation of Fire Tests on Concrete Masonry Assemblies” includes reports of 374 fire tests. Each test report was reviewed and pertinent data summarized for analysis by the Task Group. Tested assemblies included in this compilation represent a cross section of aggregate types used in the manufacture of concrete masonry units.In addition to analyzing the correlation between equivalent thickness and fire endurance period for each aggregate type, the effect of cement content on fire endurance was also evaluated, as well as the effect of the wall’s moisture content on fire endurance period.