ASTM has no government authority. However, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other regulatory bodies frequently incorporate ASTM standards by reference into law, making them mandatory.
This standard tests how long a building material (wall, column, floor) can withstand a fire before failing. A "2-hour fire rating" comes from testing a wall inside a furnace at 2,000°F (1,093°C) according to E119 protocols. It saves lives by dictating evacuation time in skyscrapers. norma astm