Physical performance standards for spray-applied fire resistive materials (SFRM) are used to evaluate the performance of the materials when subjected to various simulated forces. Acceptable in-place physical performance of SFRM is based on ASTM Test Standard procedures and specific test values as required by AIA Masterspec/GSA, Government Agencies and/or Code Organizations. ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) has developed various test standards that have been adopted by SFRM manufacturers and specifiers as a means of determining acceptable, long-term physical performance values for fire resistive materials. Whether or not a value is acceptable depends on the project specification requirements. The required values are typically correspondent to the acceptable standards as specified by AIA Masterspec/GSA or other agencies, organizations, etc. Therefore, these acceptable standards are the values which should be specified, followed and tested to, on a particular project.

When manufacturers test their materials in accordance with ASTM procedures, tests
are conducted under controlled conditions at independent laboratories. An independent laboratory test typically results in one tested value which often well exceeds both the acceptable standards (AIA/GSA minimum requirements) and the actual in-place performance of the product on the project site. Despite this fact, these values are often used to compare the performance between various materials.

The following summarizes the relevant ASTM Standard Test Methods used to sufficiently evaluate and test the performance of SFRMs under typical project conditions. The ability of an SFRM to perform in accordance with these standards can then be used to compare the performance between various passive fire resistive materials. The tested performance of various SFRM products within the industry has been summarized to help provide a means of comparison.