SFM 12-7A-4: Decking（State Fire Marshal-SFM)

Standard: SFM 12-7A-4 – Materials and Construction Methods for Exterior Wildfire Exposure

California Department of forestry and fire protection office of the state fire marshal 
SFM 12-7A-1 Exterior Wall siding and sheathing
SFM 12-7A-2 Exterior Window
SFM 12-7A-3 Under Eave
SFM 12-7A-4 Decking
SFM 12-7A-5 Ignition Resistant material

Certification Required: Yes. The State Fire Marshal (SFM) 12-7A-4 is required in any and all jurisdictions that reference the Wildland Urban-Interface (WUI) Code as well as the California Referenced Standards Code. These are typically referenced in areas identified as high-risk areas for wildland fires near residential/commercial areas. With the increasing occurrences and scale of wildland fires, it is paramount for manufacturers to research where their products are being placed and the applicable codes of where their products are being applied/installed.

Scope: The test evaluates the ability of an exterior deck board’s ability to resist structural failure, flaming material fallout, and runaway combustion when exposed to a standardized under-deck flame exposure as well as a flaming wood crib (burning brand) on the walking surface of the deck.

Applicable Products: Exterior deck boards

Test Procedure:

Part A: Under-deck exposure test consists of triplicate testing under a hood calorimeter. A 12 in. wide x 12 in. Long burner is placed 27 in. under a 24 in. wide x 24 in. long simulated deck with 16 in. on center joists. The propane-fueled burner is set with an output of 80 kW and exposed to the underside of the deck for 3-minutes. Heat release rate data is collected in the hood calorimeter during the full duration of the test, which is either when evidence of combustion ends, or 40 minutes. 3 requirements must be met for Part A:

Effective net peak heat release rate = (Heat release rate - burner heat release)/deck surface area must be less than or equal to 25 kW/ft2 (269 kW/m2).
Absence of sustained flaming or glowing combustion of any kind at the conclusion of the 40-minute observation period.
Absence of falling particles that are still burning when reaching the burner or floor.
Part B: Burning Brand exposure tests consists of triplicate testing. The test utilizes the ASTM E108/UL790 test apparatus and requires a 12mph calibrated wind velocity for the test. A Class A burning brand measuring 12 in. x 12 in. x 2-? in. Is ignited and placed on the deck surface with the calibrated air current on. The test lasts until evidence of combustion ends, or 40-minutes. 2 requirements must be met for Part B:

Absence of sustained flaming or glowing combustion of any kind at the conclusion of the 40-minute observation period.
Absence of falling particles that are still burning when reaching the burner or floor. 

End Result: Pass/Failure Requirement

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