Which test method is key for evaluating the fire resistance of curtain wall systems?

The key method for evaluating the fire resistance of curtain wall systems is the full-scale fire test. This test simulates real-life fire conditions and assesses the performance of the curtain wall system in terms of its structural integrity, thermal performance, and ability to resist fire penetration. Full-scale tests provide comprehensive insights into how the system behaves under various fire scenarios, allowing for an accurate assessment of safety and compliance with fire codes.

In contrast, the intermediate scale test might not fully capture the complexities of real-world conditions that curtain walls would face. While it may provide useful data for certain applications, it is not comprehensive enough for evaluating the fire resistance of entire systems. The rate of combustion test and the smoldering combustion test focus on different aspects of material flammability and ignition, rather than assessing the overall fire performance of curtain wall assemblies. Therefore, the full-scale fire test is the most effective and widely accepted method for this evaluation.