ASTM E84 Fire Safety Test Results

dB Absorber's 2-inch pyramidal RF absorber foam has been independently tested and certified to meet Class A fire safety standards — the highest rating available for building materials.

Test Summary

Our RF absorber foam achieved Class A certification per ASTM E84-25a, the standard test method for surface burning characteristics of building materials. This certification is essential for customers installing anechoic chambers in commercial buildings, government facilities, and testing laboratories where strict fire codes apply.

Key Results

Flame Spread Index: 25 (Class A requires 0-25)
Smoke Developed Index: 250 (Class A requires ≤450)
Classification: Class A (Highest Rating)

What These Numbers Mean

Flame Spread Index: 25

During the 10-minute test, flames spread to a maximum of only 5.2 feet within the 24-foot test chamber. The flame front reached maximum spread at just 41 seconds, then remained contained for the remainder of the test. A Flame Spread Index of 25 places our foam at the very top of Class A — the most fire-resistant category.

Smoke Developed Index: 250

Smoke density peaked early in the test and then declined steadily. At 250, our foam produces significantly less smoke than the 450 maximum allowed for Class A materials. Lower smoke development means better visibility for evacuation and less toxic exposure in the event of a fire.

Test Details

Test Standard: ASTM E84-25a
Equivalent Standards: UL 723, ANSI/NFPA No. 255, UBC No. 8-1
Testing Laboratory: QAI Laboratories (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
Report Number: QA-6315F-1a
Test Date: January 30, 2025
Sample: RF Absorber 2-inch Pyramidal Foam

Test Methodology

The test specimen (20 feet long × 20 inches wide × 2 inches thick) was mounted in a horizontal fire test chamber. A controlled flame was applied at one end while technicians measured flame progression, smoke density, and chamber temperature throughout the 10-minute test.

The specimen was conditioned for 48+ hours at 70°F and 52% relative humidity before testing.

Fire Safety Classifications

Class	Flame Spread	Smoke Developed	Description
A	0-25	≤450	Highest fire resistance
B	26-75	≤450	Moderate fire resistance
C	76-200	≤450	Standard fire resistance

Our RF absorber foam achieved Class A — meeting the most stringent fire safety requirements.

Building Code Compliance

This certification satisfies requirements under:

NFPA 101 "Life Safety Code"
International Building Code (IBC) Chapter 8, Section 803
UL 723 Standard for Safety

Why This Matters

Anechoic chambers are often installed in buildings with strict fire codes — defense facilities, corporate R&D labs, university research centers, and commercial testing laboratories. Class A certification ensures our RF absorbers can be installed in these environments without compromising fire safety compliance.

Request Documentation

Full test reports are available upon request for customers who need to submit fire safety documentation to building inspectors or facility managers. Contact us for certified copies.