Full Description

1.1This fire-test-response standard determines and quantifies material flammability characteristics, related to the propensity of materials to support fire propagation, by means of a fire propagation apparatus (FPA). Material flammability characteristics that are quantified include time to ignition (t_ign), chemical ( Q_chem), and convective ( Q_c) heat release rates, mass loss rate ( m) and effective heat of combustion (EHC).

1.2The following test methods, capable of being performed separately and independently, are included herein:

1.2.1Ignition Test, to determine t_ign for a horizontal specimen;

1.2.2Combustion Test, to determine Q_chem, Q_c, m, and EHC from burning of a horizontal specimen; and,

1.2.3Fire Propagation Test, to determine Q_chem from burning of a vertical specimen.

1.3Distinguishing features of the FPA include tungsten-quartz external, isolated heaters to provide a radiant flux of up to 110 kW/m ² to the test specimen, which remains constant whether the surface regresses or expands; provision for combustion or upward fire propagation in prescribed flows of normal air, air enriched with up to 40% oxygen, air oxygen vitiated, pure nitrogen or mixtures of gaseous suppression agents with the preceding air mixtures; and, the capability of measuring heat release rates and exhaust product flows generated during upward fire propagation on a vertical test specimen 0.305 m high.

1.4The FPA is used to evaluate the flammability of materials and products. It is also designed to obtain the transient response of such materials and products to prescribed heat fluxes in specified inert or oxidizing environments and to obtain laboratory measurements of generation rates of fire products (CO₂, CO, and, if desired, gaseous hydrocarbons) for use in fire safety engineering.

1.5Ignition of the specimen is by means of a pilot flame at a prescribed location with respect to the specimen surface.

1.6The Fire Propagation test of vertical specimens is not suitable for materials that, on heating, melt sufficiently to form a liquid pool.

1.7Values stated are in SI units. Values in parentheses are for information only.

1.8This standard is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the materials, products or assemblies under actual fire conditions.

1.9This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Section 7.