NFPA 259-2023 errata 1-2023 PDF

Full title and description

Errata 1 to NFPA 259-2023 — Standard Test Method for Potential Heat of Building Materials. This errata document provides corrections and clarifications to the 2023 edition of NFPA 259, addressing editorial errors, incorrect or incomplete reference citations, and minor technical or annex clarifications needed after publication of the 2023 edition.

Abstract

NFPA 259-2023 establishes laboratory procedures for determining the potential heat (heat of combustion) of building materials using controlled test methods (oxygen bomb calorimeter and electric muffle furnace). Errata 1-2023 makes targeted corrections to the published 2023 text — typically one-page corrections that revise reference dates, fix typographical mistakes, clarify short passages in the mandatory text or annex material, and ensure consistency of equations, units, or reporting statements.

General information

• Status: Active — 2023 edition with Errata 1 (2023).
• Publication date: Standard (2023 edition): January 1, 2023; Errata 1 issued in 2023 (Errata publication: 2023).
• Publisher: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
• ICS / categories: 13.220 — Protection against fire; fire tests and fire-resistance testing.
• Edition / version: NFPA 259 (2023 edition); Errata 1‑2023.
• Number of pages: Standard: 19 pages; Errata document: 1 page (typical errata length).

Scope

This standard provides a means of determining, under controlled laboratory conditions, the potential heat of building materials when subjected to a defined high-temperature exposure. Test methods covered include oxygen bomb calorimeter measurements and electric muffle furnace procedures, plus calculations and reporting rules for converting measured values into potential heat (reported in appropriate energy units). The errata corrects errors in the published text and referenced material so that the test method, calculations, and reporting remain clear and unambiguous.

Key topics and requirements

• Test apparatus and materials: oxygen bomb calorimeter specifications and electric muffle furnace requirements.
• Specimen preparation: sampling, conditioning, and mass/geometry requirements for test specimens.
• Oxygen bomb calorimeter test procedure: combustion test steps, calibration, and data recording.
• Electric muffle furnace test procedure: high-temperature exposure and residual mass determination.
• Calculations of potential heat: handling residues, conversion formulas, limits on test variation, and reporting units.
• Required reporting: specimen identification, test method used, calculated potential heat, residue percentage, and any departures from standard procedure.
• Annex material: explanatory guidance on applying potential heat data and tables of potential heat for commonly tested materials (informational annexes); errata may correct reference or wording in these annexes.

Typical use and users

NFPA 259 and its errata are used by fire test laboratories, materials manufacturers, fire protection engineers, code and compliance officials, researchers, and consultants who require a reproducible test method for quantifying the potential heat (total heat of combustion) of building product samples for design, code compliance, product development, or fire-hazard assessment.

Related standards

Commonly used alongside or referenced by other test and building-fire standards such as NFPA 255 (surface burning characteristics), NFPA 285 (fire propagation for exterior wall assemblies), ASTM E1354 (cone calorimeter/heat-release testing), and international calorimetry standards (for example ISO methods for calorific value). Users should consult the normative references listed in NFPA 259-2023 for the full set of related documents.

Keywords

NFPA 259, potential heat, heat of combustion, oxygen bomb calorimeter, electric muffle furnace, building materials, calorimetry, errata, test method, fire testing, Annex B.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: NFPA 259 is the Standard Test Method for Potential Heat of Building Materials. Errata 1-2023 is the official correction sheet that corrects errors or clarifies text in the 2023 edition.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers laboratory test procedures (oxygen bomb calorimeter and electric muffle furnace), specimen preparation, calculation procedures for potential heat (including treatment of residue), and reporting requirements. The errata fixes editorial issues, incorrect reference citations, and minor technical clarifications in the published 2023 text.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Fire-test laboratories, product manufacturers, fire protection engineers, building officials, code consultants, and researchers who need consistent, reproducible measurements of the potential heat of building materials.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2023 edition is the current edition; Errata 1-2023 updates that edition. Users should verify whether later amendments, errata, or revisions have been issued after 2023 before relying on the text for compliance-critical work.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: NFPA 259 is part of NFPA's family of fire test and building-material performance standards; it is frequently used together with other NFPA and ASTM test methods that evaluate material flammability, heat-release, and contribution to fire growth.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Potential heat, oxygen bomb calorimeter, electric muffle furnace, heat of combustion, building materials, calorimetry, NFPA 259, errata.