A S T M

Standards for Ferrous, Cementitious, and Miscellaneous Items
By Jim Hojnacki, CCS, ASTM

Time to start refocusing my efforts on those new or withdrawn ASTM Standards and leave the theme columns alone for a while. My last three columns concentrated on soap standards, small and hard things, and last month on UniFormat. My next scheduled theme column is slated for this coming March, when surveying will be the prime focus. Now, it's back to the grind of approved ASTM Committee Actions published in the April, May, June, and July issues of Standardization News, the official ASTM magazine.

Steel Committee A-01 has withdrawn ASTM A520, Specification for Supplementary Requirements for Seamless and Electric Resistance Welded (ERW) Carbon Steel Tubular Products for High Temperature Service Conforming to ISO Recommendations for Boiler. They also added three new standards - ASTM A992, Specification for Steel for Structural Shapes Used in Building Framing; ASTM A1005, Specification for Steel Line Pipe, Black, Plain End, Longitudinal and Helical Seam, Double Submerged - Arc Welded; and ASTM A1006, Specification for Steel Line Pipe, Black, Plain End, Laser Beam Welded. While the A992 steel won't necessarily replace A36 or A572 steel, it will make it easier for structural engineers to design steel framing by utilizing a single grade of steel rather than having to account for several different grades. It will also make it easier and more cost effective for fabricators to design welded connections using a single grade of steel. A992 steel has a maximum yield point and a specified yield tensile ratio, and it limits the maximum carbon content equivalent for better weldability. The yield tensile ratio helps control fracture in connections and facilitates in achieving plastic moment capacity, providing a more tightly defined material for seismic design.

Committee A-05 on Metallic-Coated Iron and Steel Products has added two new standards - ASTM A1003, Specification for Carbon Sheet Steel, Metallic and Non-Metallic Coated for Cold Formed Framing Members; and ASTM A1004, Practice for Establishing Conformance to the Minimum Expected Corrosion Characteristics of Metallic, Painted-Metallic, and Non-Metallic Coated Steel Sheet Intended for Used as Cold Formed.

Concrete suppliers will be affected by the work of three separate committees. Committee C-09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates has withdrawn ASTM C234, Test Method for Comparing Concretes on the Basis of the Bond Developed with Reinforcing Steel. They also added ASTM C1451, Practice for Determining Uniformity of Ingredients of Concrete From a Single Source. Committee C-27 on Precast Concrete Products added ASTM C1452, Specification for Reinforced Autoclaved Concrete Elements. Committee C-17 on Fiber-Reinforced Cement Products added five new standards - ASTM C1447, Specification for Non-Asbestos Fiber-Cement Underdrain Pipe; ASTM C1448, Specification for Non-Asbestos Fiber-Cement Conduit; ASTM C1449, Specification for Non-Asbestos Fiber-Cement Nonpressure Sewer Pipe; ASTM C1450, Specification for Non-Asbestos Fiber-Cement Storm Drain Pipe; and ASTM C1459, Specification for Performance of Non-Asbestos Fiber-Reinforced Cement Shake, Shingle, and Slate Roofing Systems.

Gypsum board specifications will be greatly affected by Committee C-11 with the addition of ASTM C1396, Specification for Gypsum Board. Although not specifically indicated at this time, it is my personal opinion that this one new standard may eventually replace all 10 of the current standards in place for gypsum board products (C36, C79, C318, C442, C588, C931, C960, C1047, C1177, and C1178). This new standard incorporates all gypsum board products including wallboard, sheathing, backing, water resistant board, exterior soffit, plaster base, gyp lath, and pre-decorated board.

Insulation and sealant standards were affected by Committees C-16 and C-24. Committee C-16 added ASTM C1393, Specification for Perpendicularly-Oriented Mineral Fiber Roll and Sheet Thermal Insulation for Pipes and Tanks. Committee C?24 deleted ASTM C733, Test Method for Volume Shrinkage of Latex Sealants.

Fire Standards Committee E-05 added two new fire tests - ASTM E2058, Test Methods for Measurement of Synthetic Polymer Material Flammability Using a Fire Propagation Apparatus (FPA); and ASTM E2067, Practice for Full Scale Oxygen Consumption Calorimetry Fire Tests. In a related fire test procedure, Committee D-07 on Wood has added ASTM D6513, Practice for Calculating the Superimposed Load on Wood-Frame Walls for Standard Fire Endurance Tests.

Performance of Buildings Committee E-06 added three new standards - ASTM E2051, Practice for Detection of Lead in Paint, Settled Dust, Soil, and Air Particulate by Field-Portable Electro-analysis; ASTM E2052, Guide for Evaluation, Management, and Control of Lead Hazards in Facilities; and ASTM E2068, Test Method for Determination of Operating Force of Sliding Windows and Doors.

As always, if any manufacturer, supplier, or distributor feels that their products will be affected by these new or deleted standards, please request copies of the referenced standard by contacting ASTM at 100 Barr Harbour Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, by calling them at 610/832-9500, faxing them at 610/832-9555, or by sending an email to service@astm.org.

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