What is the appropriate test for through-penetration firestop systems?

Through-penetration firestop systems are specifically tested using ASTM E814, which is the Standard Test Method for Fire Tests of Through-Penetration Fire Stops. This test evaluates the effectiveness of firestop products in preventing the transmission of flames, heat, and smoke through openings that are created when pipes, cables, and other items penetrate fire-rated walls and floors.

The importance of ASTM E814 lies in its detailed methodology for assessing the performance of firestop systems under standardized fire conditions. It allows for the evaluation of how well a particular firestop can maintain its integrity in a wall or floor assembly during a fire scenario, thereby ensuring that the firestop will help protect the surrounding areas from fire spread.

The other standards, while important in their respective domains, do not specifically pertain to the testing of through-penetration firestop systems. ASTM E119 evaluates the ability of entire wall and floor assemblies to resist fire for a specific time, ASTM E84 measures the surface burning characteristics of building materials, and ASTM E96 focuses on water vapor transmission. These tests serve different purposes and do not directly assess the performance of firestop systems designed for through-penetrations.