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NFPA 257, Standard on Fire Test for Window and Glass Block Assemblies

2022 NFPA 257 Standard – Current Edition
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  • Description

    Help confirm window and glass block assemblies adequately prevent or slow the spread of fire by following the latest NFPA 257 criteria.

    It is vital that openings in fire-rated walls such as windows, glass blocks, and other light-transmitting assemblies are capable of performing as intended to provide an adequate level of protection. NFPA 257, Standard on Fire Test for Window and Glass Block Assemblies, offers complete criteria for conducting fire and hose stream tests to help ensure these types of assemblies won’t contribute to fire spread.

    A must-have for manufacturers and testing laboratories, NFPA 257 intends to improve fire protection and building and life safety by providing standardized protocols for calculating the effectiveness of fire windows and glass block assemblies. The document also establishes procedures for comparing the performances of various types of fire window openings.

    NFPA 257 covers the following subjects:

    • Control of fire test temperature-time curve, furnace temperatures, and furnace pressure
    • Fire window assembly construction and size, mounting, and test wall
    • Conducting of fire tests and hose stream tests
    • Performance criteria for fire tests and hose stream tests
    • Reporting requirements and supportive annex material

    NFPA 257, 2022 edition, is the most complete and up-to-date source for window and glass block assemblies fire testing.

    NFPA 257, Standard on Fire Test for Window and Glass Block Assemblies, applies in NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code®, when a fire-resistive wall has a window opening added to it. The standard is also cited in NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives. References have been updated in this edition based on the most current industry knowledge.

    Help to ensure fire windows are properly tested to better safeguard lives and property.

    Keep the guidance and requirements you need at your fingertips with NFPA 257, Standard on Fire Test for Window and Glass Block Assemblies, 2022 edition. Place an order for your copy today. (Print, 20 pp., 2022)

  • Table of Contents (2022 Current Edition)

    NFPA® 257, Standard on Fire Test for Window and Glass Block Assemblies, 2022 Edition

    Chapter 1 Administration
    1.1 Scope.
    1.2 Purpose.
    1.3 Units.
    Chapter 2 Referenced Publications
    2.1 General.
    2.2 NFPA Publications. (Reserved)
    2.3 Other Publications.
    2.4 References for Extracts in Mandatory Sections.
    Chapter 3 Definitions
    3.1 General.
    3.2 NFPA Official Definitions.
    3.3 General Definitions.
    Chapter 4 Control of Fire Test
    4.1 Temperature–Time Curve.
    4.2 Furnace Temperatures.
    4.3 Furnace Pressure.
    Chapter 5 Fire Window Assembly
    5.1 Construction and Size.
    5.2 Mounting.
    5.3 Test Wall.
    Chapter 6 Conduct of Tests
    6.1 Fire Test.
    6.2 Hose Stream Test.
    Chapter 7 Performance Criteria
    7.1 Fire Test.
    7.2 Hose Stream Test.
    Chapter 8 Report
    8.1 Results.
    Annex A Explanatory Material
    Annex B Background and Development
    Annex C Radiant and Total Heat Flux
    Annex D Informational References
  • Prior Editions

    2017 Edition

     

    Referenced by NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code®, up-to-date NFPA 257 helps you ensure that windows and glass blocks don't contribute to fire spread.

    NFPA 257, Standard on Fire Test for Window and Glass Block Assemblies prescribes fire and hose stream test procedures that apply to fire window assemblies – including window, glass block, and other light-transmitting assemblies – intended for use in window openings to prevent the spread of fire through openings in fire-resistive walls. Fire barriers are only as strong as the holes poked through them. NFPA 257 establishes controls of the fire test as well as performance criteria and results for reporting procedures.

    A new time-temperature curve has been added to the 2017 edition.

    The new time-temperature curve was expanded from 45 minutes to 3 hours to accurately reflect the test method. In other changes, the allowed time between the test and the hose stream test has been reduced, and there's a new reference for the hose stream test procedure.

    NFPA 257 is referenced by NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code® when a window opening is added to a fire rated wall, and also referenced by NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives. Essential for testing laboratories and manufacturers, the 2017 Standard edition contains updated references to ensure you're working with the latest information. (Print, 27 pp., 2017)

    2012 Edition

     

    Make sure windows and glass blocks don't contribute to fire spread by following the testing provisions in the 2012 NFPA 257.

    NFPA 257, Standard on Fire Test for Window and Glass Block Assemblies prescribes fire and hose stream test procedures that apply to fire window assemblies – including window, glass block, and other light-transmitting assemblies – intended for use in window openings to retard the spread of fire through openings in fire-resistive walls. It establishes controls of the fire test as well as performance criteria and results for reporting procedures.

    NFPA 257 is referenced by NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code® when being used to set up a window fire resistance rating in a fire rated wall assembly. Essential for testing laboratories and manufacturers, the 2012 Standard edition contains updated references to ensure you're working with the latest information. (Softbound, Approx. 13 pp., 2012)

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