Abstract

This specification presents the standard procedures for establishing the performance rating of wood-plastic composite (WPC) deck boards and guardrail systems (guards or handrails). The purpose of this specification is to establish the basis for code recognition of these products or systems in exterior applications where combustible construction is allowed. The general requirements for these products shall be dictated by their performance in the following test methods: flexural tests; temperature and moisture effects; ultraviolet resistance test; freeze-thaw resistance test; biodeterioration tests; and fire performance tests. Deck boards are additionally examined by: creep-recovery test; determination of unadjusted allowable load; mechanical fastener holding tests; and slip resistance test. In the same manner, guards and handrails are additionally analyzed through concentrated load tests, and one- and two-family dwelling requirements.

This abstract is a brief summary of the referenced standard. It is informational only and not an official part of the standard; the full text of the standard itself must be referred to for its use and application. ASTM does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents of this abstract are accurate, complete or up to date.

This abstract is a brief summary of the referenced standard. It is informational only and not an official part of the standard; the full text of the standard itself must be referred to for its use and application. ASTM does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents of this abstract are accurate, complete or up to date.

1. Scope

1.1 This specification covers the procedures to establish a performance rating for wood-plastic composite (WPC) deck boards. This specification also defines the procedures to establish a performance rating for WPC guards and handrails. The purpose of this specification is to establish the basis for code recognition of these products or systems in exterior applications where combustible construction is allowed (see X1.1).

Note 1While WPCs may contain wood fiber, the presence of wood fiber in the composite is not required by this standard. Other lignocellulosic materials may be used. For WPC deck boards and guardrail systems evaluated according to this standard, the structural, physical, and fire attributes may or may not exhibit similarity to those of wood due to the presence, type, and quantity of plastic(s) in the composite. WPCs should not be assumed to behave similarly to wood. For example, to address the influence of plastic in the composite, special considerations in the standard address sensitivity to temperature, ultraviolet (UV) exposure, and freeze-thaw resistance.

1.2 Deck boards, guards, and handrails covered by this specification are permitted to be of any code compliant shape and thickness (solid or non-solid).

Note 2While WPCs are produced in a broad range of ratios of fiber to resin it is recognized that the performance requirements in this specification are valid for any material or combination of materials used as deck boards, guards, or handrails. For products made primarily from resin, or for products that exhibit highly plastic properties (for example, more than 3 % strain without rupture in a standard flexural test under ambient conditions), users are directed to Specification D6662 for additional guidance.

1.3 A deck board, and a deck board used as a stair tread, are assigned a span rating indicating its ability to comply with model code specified functions identified for its specific end use. A guard or handrail is recognized for its ability to meet minimum code requirements specified in the appropriate model building code.

1.4 Details of manufacturing processes may be proprietary and are beyond the scope of this specification.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D9 Terminology Relating to Wood and Wood-Based Products

D198 Test Methods of Static Tests of Lumber in Structural Sizes

D790 Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials

D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics

D1037 Test Methods for Evaluating Properties of Wood-Base Fiber and Particle Panel Materials

D1413 Test Method for Wood Preservatives by Laboratory Soil-Block Cultures

D1554 Terminology Relating to Wood-Base Fiber and Particle Panel Materials

D1761 Test Methods for Mechanical Fasteners in Wood

D1929 Test Method for Determining Ignition Temperature of Plastics

D1972 Practice for Generic Marking of Plastic Products

D2017 Test Method of Accelerated Laboratory Test of Natural Decay Resistance of Woods

D2047 Test Method for Static Coefficient of Friction of Polish-Coated Flooring Surfaces as Measured by the James Machine

D2394 Test Methods for Simulated Service Testing of Wood and Wood-Base Finish Flooring

D2565 Practice for Xenon-Arc Exposure of Plastics Intended for Outdoor Applications

D2915 Practice for Sampling and Data-Analysis for Structural Wood and Wood-Based Products

D3345 Test Method for Laboratory Evaluation of Wood and Other Cellulosic Materials for Resistance to Termites

D4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materials

D4092 Terminology for Plastics: Dynamic Mechanical Properties

D4761 Test Methods for Mechanical Properties of Lumber and Wood-Base Structural Material

D5764 Test Method for Evaluating Dowel-Bearing Strength of Wood and Wood-Based Products

D6109 Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastic Lumber and Related Products

D6662 Specification for Polyolefin-Based Plastic Lumber Decking Boards

E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials

E108 Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings

E1354 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter

F1679 Test Method for Using a Variable Incidence Tribometer (VIT)

G154 Practice for Operating Fluorescent Light Apparatus for UV Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials

Other References

Keywords

adjustment factor; deck board; guard; handrail; independent inspection; manufacturing standard; span rating; stair tread; wood-plastic composite; Guardrails/guardrail systems--specifications; Performance--building materials/applications; Rating system; Wood-plastic composite ;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 79.080 (Semi-manufactures of timber)

DOI: 10.1520/D7032-10A

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

ASTM D7032