ASTM standards updates

Amongst updates to AMST standards underway: blooming of brominated FRs, FRs in dust, definition of “non-combustible”. For regular detailed news on standards updates, subscribe to FS&TB (Fire Safety & Technology Bulletin). Under ASTM D20 Plastics, the standard for assessing blooming of brominated flame retardants is out for ballot to add another test for flame retardants in dust. Under ASTM E05.31 Terminology, a simplification of the definition of “non-combustible” (for building materials) is expected to be balloted, to read “not capable of undergoing combustion”. A proposal to create standards for terminology for (plastics) recycling is underway. Under ASTM E2579, discussions are ongoing on a proposal to require flame retardant wood structural panels to be tested with a gap or rip, which is liable to decrease fire resistance but to reflect real-life fire risks in case of installation problems or damage.

ASTM = American Society for Testing and Materials https://www.astm.org/

Information above from FS&TB December 2025 and January 2026. The above is simplified, please refer to FS&TB for full details: https://gbhinternational.com/fstb/