The American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) is an organization whose standard specifications and testing methods are extensively referenced in the 1935-miami-dade-building-code for determining the quality of construction materials. The Code mandates that tests for building-material-specifications be made in accordance with ASTM standards effective on the date of adoption (p. 170).
Specific ASTM designations cited in the Code include:
Masonry and Gypsum (from p. 145-164)
- Brick testing: C67-31, C67-30 (p. 146–147)
- Building Brick specifications: C62-30 (p. 146)
- Sand-lime Brick specifications: C73-30 (p. 146)
- Concrete Brick specifications: C55-33T (p. 147)
- Load-bearing Concrete Units: C90-34T (p. 147)
- Gypsum Partition Tile: C52-33 (p. 149)
- Gypsum and Calcined Gypsum: C22-25, C23-30 (p. 149)
- Hollow Burned-Clay Wall Tile: C34-33T (p. 149)
- Mortar materials (Lime, Cement): C5-26, C6-31, C9-30 (p. 150)
Reinforced Concrete Materials (from p. 165-184)
- Portland Cement: Must conform to Specification C9-30 (p. 171).
- Concrete Aggregates: Organic impurities in sands must be tested per Specification C 40-27 (p. 171).
- Metal Reinforcement:
- Billet-Steel Concrete Reinforcement Bars (Intermediate Grade): Specification A 15-35 (p. 171).
- Rail-Steel Concrete Reinforcement Bars: Specification A 16-35 (p. 171).
- Cold-Drawn Steel Wire for Concrete Reinforcement: Specification A 82-34 (p. 172).
- Structural Steel: Must conform to Specification A 9-24 (p. 172).
- Cast-Iron: Sections for composite or combination columns must conform to Specification A 44-04 (p. 172).
- Concrete Testing: Compression tests must follow the “Standard Method of Making Compression Tests of Concrete” (Serial Designation: C 39-27 or C 39-33) (p. 170, 173, 174).
Structural Steel and Iron (from p. 205-224)
The Code further specifies ASTM standards for structural steel and iron used in buildings:
- Structural Steel: Must conform to Standard Specifications for Structural Steel for Buildings, Designation A9-33 (p. 206).
- Cast Steel: Must conform to Standard Specifications for Steel Castings, Designation A27-24 (p. 206).
- Cast Iron: Must conform to Tentative Specifications for Gray Iron Castings, Designation A48-32T (p. 206).
Fire-Resistive Construction (from p. 265-284)
ASTM standards are critical for defining fire-resistive-construction-requirements. According to Section 4201, building materials, systems, units, and forms of construction classified as “four-hour,” “three-hour,” “two-hour,” or “one-hour” fire-resistive construction must meet the requirements specified in the Standard Specifications for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials, A. S. T. M. Designation C19-33, and its subsequent amendments (p. 281). Materials meeting these specifications are accepted as fire-resistive if shown by an authoritative test conducted in accordance with the specifications to possess such fire resistance (p. 281).
Cellular Steel Floors (from p. 325-344)
Ordinance No. 3334 (1947) amended the Building Code to require detailed specifications for cellular-steel-floor-standards. It mandates that steel used in the manufacture of steel floor units must equal the requirements of ASTM “Tentative Specifications for Light Gauge Structural Quality Flat Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel”, designation A24542T, Grades A, B, or C (p. 331). This amendment also requires that cellular steel floors be tested and certified by a recognized testing agency to substantiate stress values, with flexural stress values not exceeding 60 percent of the yield point specified for the permitted grade of steel (p. 331-332).
The building-inspector relies on these standards to verify material compliance and may disapprove tests conducted by persons deemed technically incompetent (p. 170).