ISO 3009:2003

Overview

ISO 3009:2003 - Fire-resistance tests - Elements of building construction - Glazed elements defines a standardized test method for assessing the fire-resistance performance of insulated and uninsulated glazed elements when exposed to heating on one face. It covers glazed separating elements (screens, glass-block walls, light-transmitting assemblies) in vertical, inclined or horizontal orientations and gives guidance for both planar and some non‑planar forms (e.g., pyramids). Doors and shutters are excluded (see ISO 3008).

Keywords: ISO 3009:2003, fire-resistance tests, glazed elements, fire-resistant glazing, insulated glazing, building construction.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and applicability
  • Applies to glazed separating elements intended to be assessed in conjunction with ISO 834-1 (general fire-resistance tests).
  • Excludes door/shutter assemblies (ISO 3008).
  • Guidance for non-planar elements provided (Annex A).
• Specimen orientation and sizes
  • Defined orientation ranges: horizontal (0°–25°), inclined (>25°–80°), vertical (>80°–90°).
  • Vertical specimen sizing: full-size if the real construction is <3 m in either dimension; otherwise minimum 3 m × 3 m exposed area.
  • Horizontal furnace specimens: minimum exposed area 4 m × 3 m unless the actual construction is smaller.
  • For some inclinations, fire exposure from underside is required; exposure-from-above for 0°–45° is not covered.
• Test equipment and instrumentation
  • Furnace and general apparatus per ISO 834-1; furnace type chosen by specimen orientation (wall, floor, or adapted).
  • Test frame stiffness requirement: increase in internal dimension ≤ 5 mm under 25 kN applied force.
  • Instrumentation includes furnace and specimen thermocouples (plate thermometer), heat flux meters (suggested 0–50 kW/m², ±5% accuracy, time constant <10 s, 180° view), pressure measurement and deflection measurement.
  • Furnace pressure for inclined tests: (20 ± 3) Pa measured 100 mm below the top of the exposed face.
• Specimen preparation & performance criteria
  • Specimens must represent the construction as installed (including associated construction and fixings).
  • Differentiates insulated glazing (integrity + insulation) from uninsulated glazing (integrity ± radiation criteria).
  • Performance criteria and reporting follow the test procedure and requirements in ISO 834-1 and clause structure of ISO 3009.

Applications and users

• Primary users: fire-test laboratories, product manufacturers (glass façades, skylights, screens), façade and building-envelope engineers, regulatory authorities, and certification bodies.
• Practical uses:
  • Demonstrating compliance for glazed fire-separating elements in buildings.
  • Evaluating insulated vs uninsulated glazing performance for specified fire-resistance periods.
  • Informing design decisions for vertical, inclined or horizontal glazed assemblies, and for preparing test reports for certification.

Related standards

• ISO 834-1:1999 - General requirements for fire‑resistance tests
• ISO 3008 - Fire tests for doors and shutters (excluded here)
• ISO 834-8 - Specific requirements for non-loadbearing vertical separating elements
• ISO/TR 12470 - Guidance on extended application of test data
• ISO 6308 - Gypsum plasterboard (for associated construction)
• ISO 13943 - Fire safety vocabulary

For designers and test labs, ISO 3009:2003 is a practical reference to ensure repeatable, comparable fire‑resistance testing of glazed building elements.