ASTM F1939-99a
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Radiant Protective Performance of Flame Resistant Clothing Materials
Standard Test Method for Radiant Protective Performance of Flame Resistant Clothing Materials
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a means of meausring the effect of radiant heat exposure at the standard levels of (a) 0.5 or (b) 2.0 cal/cm2 -s (21 or 84 kW/m2) on a fabric specimen or a fabric assembly specimen.
1.2 The radiant protective performance (RPP) rating is calculated.
1.2..1 This value is not intended to be used as a performance specification.
1.2.2 The effects of the radiant energy exposure on the specimen may be observed and reported.
1.3 This test method is recommended for use with fabrics that are flame resistant and that are used in the manufacture of protective clothing.
1.4 This test method is not recommended for use with fabrics or with other textile materials that are not flame resistant, and that may not ignite and continue to burn from exposure to the radiant heat flux.
1.5 This test method measures and describes 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.
1.6 The values stated in customary units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units.
1.7 This 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.
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Designation: F 1939 – 99a
Standard Test Method for
Radiant Protective Performance of Flame Resistant Clothing
Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1939; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This test method covers a means of measuring the effect 2.1 ASTM Standards:
of radiant heat exposure at the standard levels of ( a) 0.5 or (b) D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
2 2
2.0 cal/cm ·s (21 or 84 kW/m ) on a fabric specimen or a D 1776 Practice for Conditioning Textiles for Testing
fabric assembly specimen. E 457 TestMethodforMeasuringHeat-TransferRateUsing
1.2 The radiant protective performance (RPP) rating is a Thermal Capacitance (Slug) Calorimeter
calculated. F 1494 Terminology Relating to Protective Clothing
1.2.1 This value is not intended to be used as a performance
3. Terminology
specification.
1.2.2 The effects of the radiant energy exposure on the 3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 break-open, n—in testing thermal protective materi-
specimen may be observed and reported.
1.3 This test method is recommended for use with fabrics als, response evidenced by the formation of a hole in the
material during the thermal exposure that may result in direct
that are flame resistant and that are used in the manufacture of
protective clothing. contact of the heat sensor with the exposure energy.
3.1.2 burn injury, n—burn damage that occurs at various
1.4 This test method is not recommended for use with
fabrics or with other textile materials that are not flame levels of depth within human tissue.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—Burn injury in human tissue occurs
resistant, and that may or may not ignite and continue to burn
from exposure to the radiant heat flux. when the tissue is heated and kept at an elevated temperature
for a critical period of time. The amount of burn injury, first-,
1.5 Thistestmethodmeasuresanddescribestheresponseof
second-, or third-degree depends upon both the level of the
materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under
controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all elevated temperature and the duration of time. Material perfor-
mance in this test method is related to the second-degree burn
factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the
materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. injury and is determined by the amount of thermal energy
transmitted through the specimen that is sufficient to cause a
1.6 The values stated in customary units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical second-degree burn. A second-degree burn involves irrevers-
ible damage of the epidermis/dermis interface.
conversions to SI units.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.1.3 burn time intersection, n— in testing of thermal
protective materials, the point where the energy transferred
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- through the specimen and the energy required to predict a
second-degree burn are equal, as indicated by the point where
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. the sensor response curve on the recorder chart crosses the
curve of the human tissue burn tolerance criteria overlay; or if
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-23 on
Protective Clothing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F23.80 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Radiant Energy Exposure Test. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved May 10, 1999. Published July 1999. Originally Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
published as F 1939 - 99. Last previous edition F 1939 - 99. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F 1939 – 99a
the data are processed with a computer software program, a 3.1.22 For the definitions of protective clothing terms used
similar result achieved by comparison of the heat transferred in this method, refer to Terminology F 1494, and for other
through the specimen and the human tissue tolerance to heat. textile terms used in this method, refer to Terminology D 123.
3.1.4 charring, n—the formation of a carbonaceous residue
4. Summary of Test Method
as the result of pyrolysis or incomplete combustion.
3.1.5 dripping, n—a material response evidenced by flow-
4.1 A vertically positioned test specimen is exposed to a
ing and formation of falling droplets.
radiant heat source with an exposure heat flux of either ( a) 0.5
2 2
3.1.6 embrittlement, n—the formation of a brittle residue as or (b) 2.0 cal/cm ·s (21 or 84 kW/m ).
a result of pyrolysis or incomplete combustion. 4.2 Thetransferofheatfromtheheatsourcethroughthetest
specimen is measured using a heat sensor. The RPP rating of
3.1.7 flame-retardant-treated, adj—having been processed
the fabric is calculated from the exposure energy and the
with a flame retardant.
thermal transfer threshold time.
3.1.8 heat flux, n—the thermal intensity indicated by the
4.3 The observations of the thermal response of the speci-
amount of energy transmitted per unit area and per unit time;
2 2
men resulting from the exposure may be noted.
cal/cm ·s (kW/m ).
3.1.9 human tissue burn tolerance, n—in the testing of
5. Significance and Use
thermal protective materials, the amount of thermal energy
predictedtocauseasecond-degreeburninjuryinhumantissue. 5.1 Heat transfer is a phenomenon that is contingent upon
several critical variables.
3.1.10 ignition, n—the initiation of combustion.
5.1.1 Distance, size, and intensity of the heat source are
3.1.11 inherent flame-resistance, n—as applied to textiles,
significant in determining the exposure level and the required
flame resistance that derives from an essential characteristic of
thermal protection. This test method specifies exposure levels
the fiber from which the textile is made.
2 2
of ( a) 0.5 or (b) 2.0 cal/cm ·s (21 or 84 kW/m ) to cover two
3.1.12 melting, n—the liquefaction of material under the
potential hazards.
influence of heat.
5.1.2 Air movement at the face of the specimen can affect
3.1.12.1 Discussion—Liquid in this context indicates evi-
the intensity of the exposure. Minimizing the convective air
dence of material flow and dripping, or both. These observa-
currents between the radiant source and the test specimen will
tions may be made after conclusion of the test exposure.
aid in the repeatability of the results.
3.1.13 radiant protective performance (RPP), n—in testing
5.2 This test method maintains the specimen in a static,
of thermal protective materials, the heat transfer characteristics
vertical position and does not involve movement, except that
of the material during the test exposure.
resulting from the exposure.
3.1.14 radiant protective performance (RPP) rating, n—in
5.3 Ahigher radiant protective performance rating indicates
testing of thermal protective materials, the amount of the
a longer time to reach the thermal transfer threshold and,
exposure energy resulting in heat transfer through the test
therefore, greater protection.
material that predicts a second-degree burn injury in human
5.4 This test method may be used to measure the relative
2 2
tissue; cal/cm (kJ/m ).
performance of different materials for garments intended to
3.1.15 response to heat exposure, n—in testing the thermal
provide protection from radiant energy, such as proximity fire
resistance of thermal protective materials, the observable
entry suits, Method A and molten metal protective clothing,
response of the textile to the energy exposure as indicated by
Method B.
break-open, melting, dripping, charring, embrittlement, shrink-
5.5 This test method is not recommended for acceptance
age, sticking, and ignition.
testing of commercial shipments because its between labora-
3.1.16 second-degree burn injury, n—irreversible burn
tory precision has not been determined.
damage at the epidermis/dermis interface in human tissue
(Synonym–second-degree burn).
6. Apparatus and Materials
3.1.17 shrinkage, n—a decrease in one or more dimensions
6.1 General Arrangement—The apparatus shall consist of a
of an object or material.
vertically oriented radiant heat source, specimen holder assem-
3.1.18 sticking, n—a material response evidenced by soft-
bly, protective shutter, sensor assembly, and recorder. The
ening and adherence of the material to the surface of itself or
arrangement of the radiant heat source, specimen holder, and
another material.
protective shutter is shown in Fig. 1.
3.1.19 thermal duration, n— in the testing of thermal
6.1.1 Radiant Heat Source—The vertically oriented radiant
protective clothing, the total time that a material is exposed to
heat source shall be in accordance with Fig. 1 and shall consist
heat energy.
of a bank of five, 500 W infrared, tubular, translucent quartz
3.1.20 thermal transfer threshold, n—in the testing of ther-
lamps having a 5.0-in. (127-mm) lighted length and a mean
mal protective clothing, the point at which the heat transferred
overall length of 8 ⁄4 in. (222 mm). The lamps shall be
3 1
through the specimen from the thermal exposure has accumu-
mounted on ⁄8 6 ⁄64-in. (9.5 6 0.4-mm) centers so that the
lated to the level that a burn injury is imminent.
lamp surfaces are approximately ⁄64-in. (0.4-mm) apart. The
3.1.21 thermal transfer threshold time, n—in the testing of bank or array of lamps shall be mounted and centered behind
1 1
thermal protective clothing, the duration of time from the start a2 ⁄4 3 5 ⁄2-in. (63.5 3 140-mm) cut-out that is positioned in
1 3
of the exposure to the thermal transfer threshold. the center of a ⁄2-in. (12.7-mm) thick, 3 ⁄8-in. (86-mm) wide,
F 1939 – 99a
FIG. 1 Expanded View of Radiant Protective Performance Test Apparatus
by 11- ⁄2 in. (292-mm.) long transite board as shown in Fig. 2. The quartz lamps shall be heated electrically, and the power
FIG. 2 Position of Quartz Lamps on Transite
F 1939 – 99a
input controlled by means of a rheostat having a capacity of at 6.1.6 Recorder—Any strip chart recorder with full scale
least 25A.Avoltmeter, accurate to 6 1 V, shall be installed on deflection of at least 300°F (150°C) or 10 mV and sufficient
the load circuit to indicate operating or load voltage to the sensitivity and scale divisions to read the sensor response to
lamps. 2°F (1°C) or 0.05 mV. A chart speed to read exposure time to
6 0.1 s is required; ⁄2 in./s (13 mm/s) is satisfactory. As an
NOTE 1—The voltage used to achieve a given level of radiant heat
option, the signal from the sensor may be connected to a data
energymaybeusedtosettheexposurelevelforcalibrationandmonitored
acquisition unit, and the data processed with computer soft-
during the testing to ensure consistent exposure levels.
ware to produce the results as required in 11.2.2.
6.1.2 Specimen Holder Assembly—A specimen holder and
6.1.7 Solvents, alcohol or petroleum solvent.
holder plate with a 2 ⁄2 3 6-in. (64 3 152-mm) center cut-out
6.1.8 Paint, flat-black, spray type with an coefficient of
shall be positioned so that the distance from the nearest lamp
absorption > 0.95.
surface to the test specimen is 1.0 6 ⁄64 in. (25.4 6 0.4 mm).
The holder plate, as shown in Fig. 3, shall include a bracket to
7. Hazards
hold the copper calorimeter sensor assembly and shall cover
7.1 Perform the test in a hood to carry away combustion
the complete cut-out section (see Figs. 3 and 4). Several
products, smoke, and fumes. Shield the apparatus or turn off
specimen holders are recommended.
6.1.3 Protective Shutter—A protective shutter, as shown in the hood while running the test; turn the hood on to clear the
fumes. Maintain adequate separation between heat source and
Fig. 3, shall be placed between the radiant energy source and
the specimen. The protective shutter shall be capable of combustible materials.
7.2 Because the specimen holder and sensor assembly
blocking the radiant load during the period before exposure of
the specimen. The shutter may be manually or mechanically become heated during prolonged testing, use protective gloves
when handling these hot objects.
operated.
7.3 Use care when the specimen ignites or releases combus-
6.1.4 Rheostat, a standard laboratory rheostat with a capac-
tible gases.
ity of at least 25A to control the power input to the radiant
7.4 Refer to manufacturer’s Material Safety Data Sheets
tubes for use at standard current levels.
(MSDS) for information on handling, use, storage, and dis-
6.1.5 Sensor—Asensorshallconsistofacoppercalorimeter
posal of chemicals used in this test method.
that has the surface painted with a thin layer of flat black paint
and mounted in an insulating block (see Fig. 5). The calorim-
eter shall consist of a 1.57-in. (40-mm) diameter, ⁄16-in. 8. Sampling and Specimen Preparation
(1.6-mm)thickelectricalgradecopperdisc,weighing18 60.1
8.1 Laboratory Sample—Take a full-width 1 yd (1 m)
g before thermocouples are attached, with four 30 gage
swatch from each fabric roll after first removing the outside
iron/constantan thermocouples connected and mechanically
layer from the roll.
secured, as indicated in Fig. 5, in the center and on three
8.2 Test Specimens— Cut and identify five test specimens
equally spaced radii at 0.79-in. (20-mm) diameter. The insu-
from each laboratory sampling unit. Make each test specimen
lating block shall consist of a soft heat resistant material 5 ⁄4 1
4 3 10 in. 6 ⁄16 in. (75 3 250 mm 6 2 mm) with the long
1 1
3 5 ⁄4 3 ⁄2 in. (133 3 133 3 12.7 mm) with a recess cut in
dimension of the specimen parallel with the machine direction
the middle of one surface to receive the calorimeter as shown
of the sampling unit. Stagger specimens diagonally on the
in Fig. 5. The sensor assembly should fit without binding into
sampling unit to obtain a representative sample.
the bracket on the rear plate of the specimen holder. For
8.3 Test Result— A test result is the average of the five
additional information on calorimeters, refer to Test Method
specimens from the laboratory sampling unit.
E 457.
8.4 Conditioning— Bring the specimens to a controlled
moisture content by preconditioning in a 120
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