What test is commonly used to evaluate adhesion in applied fireproofing?

The test commonly used to evaluate adhesion in applied fireproofing is ASTM E736. This standard specifically outlines the procedures for determining the bond strength of spray-applied fire resistive materials (SFRMs) to various substrates. The adhesion test is crucial because the effectiveness of fireproofing materials relies heavily on their ability to adhere to the underlying structure. A good adhesion ensures that the fireproofing remains intact during a fire, thereby providing adequate fire resistance.

ASTM E736 evaluates adhesion through mechanical means and provides a consistent method to assess the bond strength under specific conditions. This testing is imperative for ensuring that fireproofing installations can withstand the stresses they may encounter in real-world scenarios, such as temperature fluctuations, humidity, and mechanical impacts.

In contrast, the other options are related to different aspects of fire resistance and should not be confused with adhesion testing. For instance, ASTM E85 pertains to flammability testing of building materials and assemblies, ASTM E119 deals with the fire tests of building constructions and materials, and ASTM D1980 is concerned with the performance of coatings rather than adhesion of fireproofing materials. Each of these standards serves different purposes in fire testing and evaluation but does not focus on bond strength as identified in ASTM E736.