Standard Practice for Calculating the Superimposed Load on Wood-frame Walls for Standard Fire-Endurance Tests

1.1 This practice covers procedures for calculating the superimposed axial load required to be applied to load-bearing wood-frame walls throughout standard fire-endurance and fire and hose-stream tests.

1.2 The calculations determine the maximum load allowed by design for wood-frame wall assemblies under nationally recognized structural design criteria.

1.3 This practice is only applicable to those wood-frame assemblies for which the nationally recognized structural design criteria is the National Design Specification for Wood Construction (NDS).

1.4 The system of units to be used is that of the nationally recognized structural design criteria. For the NDS, the units are inch-pound.

1.5 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.

This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.