ASTM E906-09
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using a Thermopile Method
Standard Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using a Thermopile Method
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method provides a description of the behavior of material specimens under a specified fire exposure in terms of the release rate of heat and visible smoke. It is possible to determine the change in behavior of materials and products with change in heat-flux exposure by testing specimens in a series of exposures that cover a range of heat fluxes.
The data obtained for a specific test describe the rate of heat and smoke release of the specimen when exposed to the specific environmental conditions and procedures used in performing that test.
The entire exposed surface of the specimen will not be burning during the progressive involvement phase when piloted, point ignition (impingement) procedures are used. During the period of progressive surface involvement, release rates of heat and smoke are “per square metre of original exposed surface area” not “per square metre of flame involved surface.”
The rates of both heat and smoke release are calculated per square metre of original surface area exposed. If a specimen swells, sags, delaminates, or otherwise deforms so that the exposed surface area changes, calculated release rates correspond to the original area, not to the new surface area.
Heat-release values depend on mode of ignition. Gas phase ignition gives a more dimensionally consistent measure of release rate when very rapid or immediate flame involvement of the specimen surface occurs. However, piloted, point ignition allows release-rate information to be obtained at external heat flux from zero up to that required for satisfactory gas-phase ignition, usually over 20 kW/m2 external exposure. No correlation between the two modes of piloted ignition has been established.
Release rates depend on many factors, some of which cannot be controlled. It is possible that samples that produce a surface char, a layer of adherent ash, or those that are composites or laminates do not attain a steady-state release rate. Thermally thin specimens, that is, spe...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method provides for determining the release rates of heat and visible smoke (Note 1) from materials, products, or assemblies when exposed to different levels of radiant heat.
Note 1—Visible smoke is described in terms of the obscuration of transmitted light caused by combustion products released during the tests (see 14.2.1).
1.2 This fire-test-response method assesses heat release by a thermal method, thermopile, using a radiant heat source composed of an array of four electrical resistance elements.
1.3 This test method provides for radiant thermal exposure of a specimen both with and without a pilot. Piloted ignition results from direct flame impingement on the specimen (piloted, point ignition) or from use of the pilot to ignite gases evolved by pyrolysis of the specimen.
1.4 Heat and smoke release are measured from the moment the specimen is injected into a controlled exposure chamber. The measurements are continued during the period of ignition (and progressive flame involvement of the surface in the case of point ignition), and to such a time that the test is terminated.
1.5 The apparatus described in this test method is often referred to as the Ohio State University (OSU) rate of heat release apparatus. Configurations A and B are variations on the original design.
1.6 This test method is suitable for exposing essentially planar materials, products or assemblies to a constant, imposed external heat flux that ranges from 0 to 80 kW/m 2.
1.7 This test method is intended for use in research and development and not as a basis for rating, regulatory, or code purposes.
1.8 The apparatus described in this test method has been used in two configurations. Configuration A is that which is used by the Federal Aviation Administration for assessing materials for aircraft use, at an external heat flux of 35 kW/m2 (DOT/FAA/AR-00/12), while configuration B is suitable, at various incident heat f...
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An American National Standard
Designation: E906 – 09
Standard Test Method for
Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and
1
Products Using a Thermopile Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E906; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.8 The apparatus described in this test method has been
used in two configurations. Configuration A is that which is
1.1 This test method provides for determining the release
used by the Federal Aviation Administration for assessing
rates of heat and visible smoke (Note 1) from materials,
2
materials for aircraft use, at an external heat flux of 35 kW/m
products, or assemblies when exposed to different levels of
(DOT/FAA/AR-00/12), while configuration B is suitable, at
radiant heat.
various incident heat fluxes, for research and development
NOTE 1—Visible smoke is described in terms of the obscuration of
purposes.
transmitted light caused by combustion products released during the tests
1.9 This test method does not provide information on the
(see 14.2.1).
fire performance of the test specimens under fire conditions
1.2 This fire-test-response method assesses heat release by a
other than those conditions specified in this test method.
thermal method, thermopile, using a radiant heat source
Known limitations of this test method are described in 1.9.1-
composed of an array of four electrical resistance elements.
1.9.5.
1.3 This test method provides for radiant thermal exposure
1.9.1 Heat and smoke release rates depend on a number of
of a specimen both with and without a pilot. Piloted ignition
factors, including the formation of surface char, the formation
results from direct flame impingement on the specimen (pi-
of an adherent ash, sample thickness, and the method of
loted, point ignition) or from use of the pilot to ignite gases
mounting.
evolved by pyrolysis of the specimen.
1.9.2 Heat release values are a function of the specific
1.4 Heat and smoke release are measured from the moment
specimen size (exposed area) tested. Results are not directly
the specimen is injected into a controlled exposure chamber.
scaleable to different exposed surface areas for some products.
The measurements are continued during the period of ignition
1.9.3 The test method is limited to the specified specimen
(and progressive flame involvement of the surface in the case
sizesofmaterials,products,orassemblies.Ifproductsaretobe
of point ignition), and to such a time that the test is terminated.
tested, the test specimen shall be representative of the product
1.5 The apparatus described in this test method is often
in actual use.The test is limited to exposure of one surface; the
referred to as the Ohio State University (OSU) rate of heat
options for exposed surface are vertical and horizontal facing
release apparatus. ConfigurationsAand B are variations on the
up.
original design.
1.9.4 At very high specimen heat release rates, it is possible
1.6 This test method is suitable for exposing essentially
that flaming is observed above the stack, which makes the test
planar materials, products or assemblies to a constant, imposed
invalid.
2
external heat flux that ranges from 0 to 80 kW/m .
1.9.5 No general relationship has been established between
1.7 This test method is intended for use in research and
heat release rate values obtained from horizontally and verti-
development and not as a basis for rating, regulatory, or code
cally oriented specimens. Specimens that melt and drip in the
purposes.
vertical orientation shall be tested horizontally.
1.10 Use the SI system of units in referee decisions; see
IEEE/ASTM SI-10.
1
1.11 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.21 on Smoke and
hazardous, and adequate safeguards for personnel and property
Combustion Products.
shall be employed in conducting these tests. Fire testing
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2009. Published December 2009. Originally
´1
involves hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. See
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E906 – 07 . DOI:
10.1520/E0906-09. Section 6.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
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E906 – 09
1.12 This standard is used to measure and describe the 4. Summary of Test Method
response or materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
4.1 The specimen to be tested is
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
An American National Standard
´1
Designation:E906–07 Designation: E906 – 09
Standard Test Method for
Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and
1
Products Using a Thermopile Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E906; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1
´ NOTE—1.5 was updated editorially in January 2008.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method provides for determining the release rates of heat and visible smoke (Note 1) from materials, products, or
assemblies when exposed to different levels of radiant heat.
NOTE 1—Visible smoke is described in terms of the obscuration of transmitted light caused by combustion products released during the tests (see
14.2.1).
1.2 This fire-test-response method assesses heat release by a thermal method, thermopile, using a radiant heat source composed
of an array of four electrical resistance elements.
1.3 This test method provides for radiant thermal exposure of a specimen both with and without a pilot. Piloted ignition results
from direct flame impingement on the specimen (piloted, point ignition) or from use of the pilot to ignite gases evolved by
pyrolysis of the specimen.
1.4 Heat and smoke release are measured from the moment the specimen is injected into a controlled exposure chamber. The
measurements are continued during the period of ignition (and progressive flame involvement of the surface in the case of point
ignition), and to such a time that the test is terminated.
1.5The1.5 TheapparatusdescribedinthistestmethodisoftenreferredtoastheOhioStateUniversity(OSU)rateofheatrelease
apparatus. Configurations A and B are variations on the original design.
1.6 This test method is suitable for exposing essentially planar materials, products or assemblies to a constant, imposed external
2
heat flux that ranges from 0 to 80 kW/m .
1.7 This test method is intended for use in research and development and not as a basis for rating, regulatory, or code purposes.
1.8 The apparatus described in this test method has been used in two configurations. Configuration A is that which is used by
2
the Federal Aviation Administration for assessing materials for aircraft use, at an external heat flux of 35 kW/m (DOT/FAA/
AR-00/12), while configuration B is suitable, at various incident heat fluxes, for research and development purposes.
1.9 This test method does not provide information on the fire performance of the test specimens under fire conditions other than
those conditions specified in this test method. Known limitations of this test method are described in 1.9.1-1.9.5.
1.9.1 Heat and smoke release rates depend on a number of factors, including the formation of surface char, the formation of an
adherent ash, sample thickness, and the method of mounting.
1.9.2 Heat release values are a function of the specific specimen size (exposed area) tested. Results are not directly scaleable
to different exposed surface areas for some products.
1.9.3 Thetestmethodislimitedtothespecifiedspecimensizesofmaterials,products,orassemblies.Ifproductsaretobetested,
the test specimen shall be representative of the product in actual use. The test is limited to exposure of one surface; the options
for exposed surface are vertical and horizontal facing up.
1.9.4 At very high specimen heat release rates, it is possible that flaming is observed above the stack, which makes the test
invalid.
1.9.5 No general relationship has been established between heat release rate values obtained from horizontally and vertically
oriented specimens. Specimens that melt and drip in the vertical orientation shall be tested horizontally.
1.10 Use the SI system of units in referee decisions; see IEEE/ASTM SI-10.
1.11 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently hazardous, and adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E05 on Fire Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.21 on Smoke and Combustion
Products.
Current edition approved June 15, 2007. Published August 2007. Originally approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as E906–06. DOI:
10.1520/E0906-07E01.
´1
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2009. Published December 2009. Originally approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E906 – 07 . DOI:
10.15
...
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