ASTM E1321-97a(2002)e1

Standard Test Method for Determining Material Ignition and Flame Spread Properties

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method addresses the fundamental aspects of piloted ignition and flame spread. The procedure is suitable for the derivation of relevant material flammability parameters that include minimum exposure levels for ignition, thermal-inertia values, and flame-spread properties.  
This test method is used to measure some material-flammability properties that are scientifically constant and compatible and to derive specific properties that allow the prediction and explanation of the flame-spread characteristics of materials. They are considered effective properties that are dependent on the correlations used and when combined with theory can be used over a wide range of fire conditions for predicting material ignition and flame-spread behavior.
Do not use this test method for products that do not have planar, or nearly planar, external surfaces and those products and assemblies in which physical performance such as joint separation and fastening methods has a significant influence on flame propagation in actual fire conditions.
5.4 In this procedure, the specimens are subjected to one or more specific sets of laboratory test conditions. If different test conditions are substituted or the end-use conditions are changed, it is not always possible by or from this test method to predict changes in the fire-test-response characteristics measured. Therefore, the results are valid only for the fire test exposure conditions described in this procedure (see also 1.6).
SCOPE
DESIG: E1321 97a (Reapproved 2002) ^TITLE: Standard Test Method for Determining Material Ignition and Flame Spread Properties ^SCOPE:1. Scope
1.1 This fire test response standard determines material properties related to piloted ignition of a vertically oriented sample under a constant and uniform heat flux and to lateral flame spread on a vertical surface due to an externally applied radiant-heat flux.
1.2 The results of this test method provide a minimum surface flux and temperature necessary for ignition ( q"o,ig, Tig) and for lateral spread ( q"o,s, Ts,min), an effective material thermal inertia value (kc), and a flame-heating parameter () pertinent to lateral flame spread.
1.3 The results of this test method are potentially useful to predict the time to ignition, t ig, and the velocity, V, of lateral flame spread on a vertical surface under a specified external flux without forced lateral airflow. Use the equations in that govern the ignition and flame-spread processes and which have been used to correlate the data.
1.4 This test method is potentially useful to obtain results of ignition and flame spread for materials. Data are reported in units for convenient use in current fire growth models.
1.5 SI units are used throughout the standard.
1.6 This 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
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. For specific hazard statements, see Section .

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jun-1997
• ICS: 13.220.50 - Fire-resistance of building materials and elements
• ICS: 91.100.01 - Construction materials in general
• Technical Committee: E05 - Fire Standards
• Drafting Committee: E05.22 - Surface Burning

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1321-97a(2002) - Standard Test Method for Determining Material Ignition and Flame Spread Properties
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-1997
• Replaced By: ASTM E1321-08 - Standard Test Method for Determining Material Ignition and Flame Spread Properties
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E2058-19 - Standard Test Methods for Measurement of Material Flammability Using a Fire Propagation Apparatus (FPA)
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E176-21ae1 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E2061-23 - Standard Guide for Fire Hazard Assessment of Rail Transportation Vehicles
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E2280-21 - Standard Guide for Fire Hazard Assessment of the Effect of Upholstered Seating Furniture Within Patient Rooms of Health Care Facilities
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E3020-22 - Standard Practice for Ignition Sources
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D3675-22 - Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Flexible Cellular Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E1591-20 - Standard Guide for Obtaining Data for Fire Growth Models
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-1997
• Referred By: ASTM F1870-22 - Standard Guide for Selection of Fire Test Methods for the Assessment of Upholstered Furnishings in Detention and Correctional Facilities
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E603-23 - Standard Guide for Room Fire Experiments
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E1317-19 - Standard Test Method for Flammability of Surface Finishes
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E1623-22a - Standard Test Method for Determination of Fire and Thermal Parameters of Materials, Products, and Systems Using an Intermediate Scale Calorimeter (ICAL)
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-1997

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
An American National Standard
e1
Designation: E 1321 – 97a (Reapproved 2002)
Standard Test Method for
Determining Material Ignition and Flame Spread Properties
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1321; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
e NOTE—In the last sentence of 4.1.2, the word “deviation” was replaced by “derivation” editorially in July 2006.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This fire test response standard determines material 2.1 ASTM Standards:
properties related to piloted ignition of a vertically oriented E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
sample under a constant and uniform heat flux and to lateral Building Materials
flame spread on a vertical surface due to an externally applied E162 Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials
radiant-heat flux. Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
1.2 The results of this test method provide a minimum E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
surface flux and temperature necessary for ignition ( q˙9 , T ) E286 Method ofTest for Surface Flammability of Building
o,ig ig
and for lateral spread ( q˙9 , T ), an effective material Materials Using an 8-ft. (2.44 m) Tunnel Furnace
o,s s,min
thermal inertia value (krc), and a flame-heating parameter (F) E648 Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Floor-
pertinent to lateral flame spread. Covering Systems Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
1.3 The results of this test method are potentially useful to E970 Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Exposed
predict the time to ignition, t , and the velocity, V, of lateral AtticFloorInsulationUsingaRadiantHeatEnergySource
ig
flame spread on a vertical surface under a specified external E1317 Test Method for Flammability of Marine Surface
flux without forced lateral airflow. Use the equations in Finishes
Appendix X1 that govern the ignition and flame-spread pro- 2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:ASTM
cesses and which have been used to correlate the data. Detailed drawings (19), construction information, and parts
1.4 Thistestmethodispotentiallyusefultoobtainresultsof list (Adjunct to E1317)
ignition and flame spread for materials. Data are reported in
3. Terminology
units for convenient use in current fire growth models.
1.5 SI units are used throughout the standard. 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
method, refer to Terminology E176.
1.6 This standard is used to measure and describe the
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 backing board, n—anoncombustibleinsulatingboard,
flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself
incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk mounted behind the specimen during actual testing to satisfy
the theoretical analysis assumption of no heat loss through the
assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under
actual fire conditions. specimen. It shall be roughly 25 6 5 mm thick with a density
no greater than 200 6 50 kg/m .
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.2.2 dummy specimen, n—a noncombustible insulating
board used for stabilizing the operating condition of the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- equipment, mounted in the apparatus in the position of the
specimen and removed only when a test specimen is to be
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
statements, see Section 7.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.22 on Surface Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Burning. the ASTM website.
Current edition approved June 10, 1997. Published August 1997. Originally Withdrawn.
published as E1321–90. Last previous edition E1321–97. Available from ASTM Headquarters. Order ADJE1317.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E 1321 – 97a (2002)
inserted. It shall be roughly 20 6 5 mm in thickness with a 4. Summary of Test Method
density of 750 6 100 kg/m .
4.1 This test method consists of two procedures; one to
3.2.2.1 Discussion—For the ignition tests, the dummy
measure ignition and one to measure lateral-flame spread.
specimen board shall have a hole at the 50-mm position for
Vertically mounted specimens are exposed to the heat from a
mounting the fluxmeter.
vertical air-gas fueled radiant-heat energy source inclined at
3.2.3 effective thermal property, n—thermal properties de- 15° to the specimen (see Fig. 1).
4.1.1 For the ignition test, a series of 155,+0,−5 mm by
rived from heat-conduction theory applied to ignition/ flame-
spread data treating the material as homogenous in structure. 155,+0,−5 mm specimens (see Fig. 1) are exposed to a
nearly uniform heat flux (see Fig. 2) and the time to flame
3.2.4 mirror assembly, n—a mirror, marked and aligned
attachment, using piloted ignition (see Fig. 3), is determined.
with the viewing rakes, used as an aid for quickly identifying
4.1.2 For the flame spread test, a 155,+0,−5 mm by
and tracking the flame-front progress.
800,+0,−5 mm specimen (see Fig. 1) is exposed to a
3.2.5 special calibration board, n—a specially assembled
graduated heat flux (see Fig. 2) that is approximately 5 kW/m
noncombustible insulating board used for standardizing the
higher at the hot end than the minimum heat flux necessary for
operating condition of the equipment which is used only to
ignition; this flux being determined from the ignition test (see
measure the flux distribution at specified intervals along the
11.2). The specimen is preheated to thermal equilibrium; the
specimen surface. It shall be roughly 206 5 mm in thickness
preheat time being derived from the ignition test (see 12.1).
with a density of 750 6 100 kg/m .
After using piloted ignition, the pyrolyzing flame-front pro-
3.2.6 thermally thick, n—the thickness of a medium that is
gression along the horizontal length of the specimen as a
large enough to have the predominate thermal (temperature)
function of time is tracked. The data are correlated with a
effects experienced within that distance, that is, negligible heat
theory of ignition and flame spread for the derivation of
is lost from its unexposed side.
material flammability properties.
3.2.7 thermal operating level, n—the operating condition at
which the radiance of the heat source produces a specified
5. Significance and Use
constant heat flux to some specified position at the specimen
5.1 This test method addresses the fundamental aspects of
surface.
pilotedignitionandflamespread.Theprocedureissuitablefor
3.2.8 viewing rakes, n—a set of bars with wires spaced at
thederivationofrelevantmaterialflammabilityparametersthat
50-mm intervals for the purpose of increasing the precision of
include minimum exposure levels for ignition, thermal-inertia
timing flame-front progress along the specimen.
values, and flame-spread properties.
3.3 Symbols:Symbols:
5.2 This test method is used to measure some material-
flammability properties that are scientifically constant and
−1/2 compatible and to derive specific properties that allow the
b = ignition correlation parameter, s .
s/2 1/2 prediction and explanation of the flame-spread characteristics
C = flame heat transfer factor, m /kW·s .
of materials. They are considered effective properties that are
CF = ratio of radiation pyrometer signal to flux inci-
dependent on the correlations used and when combined with
dent on dummy specimen as measured during
theory can be used over a wide range of fire conditions for
calibration; a linear correlation is assumed, mV/
predicting material ignition and flame-spread behavior.
(kW/m ).
5.3 Donotusethistestmethodforproductsthatdonothave
F(t) = specimen thermal response function.
planar, or nearly planar, external surfaces and those products
F(x) = surface flux configuration invariant, (kW/m )/
and assemblies in which physical performance such as joint
mV.
separationandfasteningmethodshasasignificantinfluenceon
h = heat loss coefficient, kW/m ·K.
flame propagation in actual fire conditions.
q˙9 = measured incident flux, kW/m .
e
q˙9o,ig = critical flux for ignition, kW/m .
q˙9o,s = critical flux for spread, kW/m .
t = time, s.
t* = characteristic equilibrium time, s.
t = time at sample insertion, s.
t = time at ignition, s.
t = ignition time under incident flux, s.
ig
T = ignition temperature, °C.
ig
T = minimum temperature for spread, °C.
s,min
T = ambient and initial temperature, °C.
`
V = flame (pyrolysis front) velocity, m/s.
x = longitudinal position along centerline of speci-
men, m.
2 3
F = flame heating parameter, (kW) /m .
2 2
krc = thermal heating property, (kW/m ·K) s.
e = surface emissivity.
2 4
s = Stefan-Boltzmann constant, kW/m ·K .
FIG. 1 Schematic of Apparatus With Ignition Specimen
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E 1321 – 97a (2002)
to predict changes in the fire-test-response characteristics
measured. Therefore, the results are valid only for the fire test
exposure conditions described in this procedure (see also 1.6).
6. Apparatus
6.1 Test-Equipment Fabrication—Fig. 4 shows a photo-
graphoftheequipmentasassembledreadyfortest.Figs.5and
6 show schematics of the apparatus. These provide engineer-
ing information necessary for the fabrication of the main
frame, specimen holders, stack, and other necessary parts of
the equipment. Some commercially available units have added
safety features that are not described in the drawings.
NOTE 1—The specimen fume stack available in some commercial
models is not required for this test procedure.
FIG. 2 Normalized Flux Over Specimen
6.2 A brief parts list for the test-equipment assembly in-
cludes:
6.2.1 Main Frame (see Fig. 5), consisting of two separate
sections, the radiant-panel support frame and the specimen
support frame. The two frame sections shall be joined in a
manner that allows adjustments in the relative position of the
radiant panel to the specimen to be made easily.
6.2.2 Specimen Holders, to provide for support of the
NOTE 1—All dimensions are in millimetres. specimen during test; at least two of these are required, and
FIG. 3 Pilot Configuration for Ignition Test
FIG. 4 General View of Apparatus
5.4 In this procedure, the specimens are subjected to one or three prevent delays resulting from required cooling of holders
more specific sets of laboratory test conditions. If different test prior to mounting specimens.
conditions are substituted or the end-use conditions are 6.2.3 Radiant Panel, consisting of a radiation surface of
changed, it is not always possible by or from this test method porous refractory tiles mounted at the front of a stainless steel
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E 1321 – 97a (2002)
6.2.4.2 The fuel gas used shall be either natural gas or
methane. A pressure regulator shall be provided to maintain a
constant supply pressure. Gas is controlled by either a manu-
allyadjustedneedlevalveoraventurimixer.Theventurimixer
willallowonetocontrolthefluxlevelofthepanelbyadjusting
only the air valve. The fuel gas-flow requirements are roughly
−3 3
0.26 to 1.03 by 10 m /s at a pressure sufficient to overcome
line pressure losses.
NOTE 2—Ifaventurimixerisused,theregulatedairandfuelgassupply
shall be sufficient for efficient operation of the venturi mixer.
6.2.5 The Specimen Holder Support Frame Guides, Pilot
Flame Holder, Fume Stack (optional), Flame Front Viewing
Rakes, Radiation Pyrometer, and Mirror are all assembled on
the specimen support frame. The arrangement of parts on this
frame is shown in Figs. 4-6.
FIG. 5 Test Apparatus Main Frame, Front View
6.2.6 Dummy Specimen,ofnoncombustibleinsulatingboard
of the thickness and density specified in the test procedure,
shall be mounted on the apparatus in the position of the
specimen except during actual testing or calibration.
6.3 Instrumentation:
6.3.1 Total Radiation Pyrometer, compensated for its tem-
peraturevariationandhavinganominalsensitivitybetweenthe
thermal wavelengths of 1 and 9 µm that shall view a centrally
locatedareaontheradiantpanelofabout150by300mm.The
instrument shall be securely mounted on the specimen support
frame in such a manner that it can view the radiant panel
surface oriented for specimens in the vertical position.
6.3.2 Heat Fluxmeters—Have available at least three
fluxmeters for this test method. One of these shall be retained
as a laboratory reference standard. The fluxmeters shall be of
thethermopiletypewithanominalrangeof0to50kW/m and
have a sensitivity of approximately 10 mV at 50 kW/m . They
shall have been calibrated to an accuracy of 5% over this
FIG. 6 Test Apparatus, Side View
range.Thetimeconstantoftheseinstrumentsshallnotbemore
than 290 ms (corresponding to a time to reach 95% of final
outputofnotmorethan1s).Thetargetsensingtheappliedflux
plenum chamber to provide a flat radiating surface of approxi-
shall occupy an area not more than 4 by 4 mm and be located
mately 280 by 483 mm. The plenum chamber shall include
flushwithandatthecenterofthewater-cooled25-mmcircular
baffle plates and diffusers to distribute the gas/air mixture
exposed metallic end of the fluxmeter. If fluxmeters of smaller
evenly over the radiation surface. The gas/air mixture enters
diameters are to be used, these shall be inserted into a copper
the plenum chamber at one of the short sides to facilitate easy
sleeve of 25-mm outside diameter in such a way that good
connection when the panel is mounted from the frame. A
thermal contact is maintained between the sleeve and water-
reverberatory screen (see Fig. 6) is provided immediately in
cooled fluxmeter body. The end of the sleeve and exposed
front of the radiating surface to enhance the combustion
surface of the fluxmeter shall lie in the same plane. Radiation
efficiency and increase the radiant output.
shall not pass through any window before reaching the target.
6.2.4 Air and Fuel Supply, to support combustion of the
6.3.3 Timing Devices, such as a chronograph, a digital
radiant panel. The appropriate air and fuel flow-metering
clock,astopwatch,ataperecorder,adataacquisition/computer
devices, gas control valves, pressure reducer, and safe
...