ASTM D5537-99
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Heat Release, Flame Spread and Mass Loss Testing of Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration
Standard Test Method for Heat Release, Flame Spread and Mass Loss Testing of Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration
SCOPE
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.
1.2 This test method provides a means to measure the heat released by burning the electrical insulating materials contained in electrical or optical fiber cables when the cable specimens, excluding accessories, are subjected to a specified flaming ignition source and burn freely under well ventilated conditions. Flame propagation cable damage, by char length, and mass loss are also measured.
1.3 This standard provides two different protocols for exposing the materials, when made into cable specimens, to an ignition source (approximately 20 kW), for a 20 min test duration. Use it to determine the heat release, flame propagation and mass loss characteristics of the materials contained in single and multiconductor electrical or optical fiber cables.
1.4 This test method does not provide information on the fire performance of materials insulating electrical or optical fiber cables in fire conditions other than the ones specifically used in this standard nor does it measure the contribution of the materials in those cables to a developing fire condition.
1.5 Data describing the burning behavior from ignition to the end of the test are obtained.
1.6 This test equipment is suitable for making other measurements, including the smoke released by the burning specimen (Test Method D5424) and the concentrations of certain toxic gas species in the combustion gases (see Appendix X4).
1.7 The values stated in SI units are the standard (see Practice E380); the values stated in parentheses are for information only.
1.8 This standard should be used to measure and describe the response of materials, products or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions and should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test may be used as elements of a fire hazard or fire risk assessment which takes into account all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard or fire risk of a particular end use.
1.9 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently hazardous. Employ adequate safeguards for personnel and property in conducting these tests.
1.10 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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An American National Standard
Designation: D 5537 – 99
Standard Test Method for
Heat Release, Flame Spread and Mass Loss Testing of
Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber
Cables When Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray
Configuration
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5537; 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 1.9 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently
hazardous. Employ adequate safeguards for personnel and
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.
property in conducting these tests.
1.2 This test method provides a means to measure the heat
1.10 This standard does not purport to address all of the
released by burning the electrical insulating materials con-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
tained in electrical or optical fiber cables when the cable
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
specimens, excluding accessories, are subjected to a specified
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
flaming ignition source and burn freely under well ventilated
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
conditions. Flame propagation cable damage, by char length,
and mass loss are also measured.
2. Referenced Documents
1.3 This test method provides two different protocols for
2.1 ASTM Standards:
exposing the materials, when made into cable specimens, to an
D 1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
ignition source (approximately 20 kW), for a 20 min test
D 5424 Test Method for Smoke Obscuration of Insulating
duration. Use it to determine the heat release, flame propaga-
Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables
tion and mass loss characteristics of the materials contained in
When Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration
single and multiconductor electrical or optical fiber cables.
E 84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
1.4 This test method does not provide information on the
Building Materials
fire performance of materials insulating electrical or optical
E 176 Terminology of Fire Standards
fiber cables in fire conditions other than the ones specifically
E 603 Guide for Room Fire Experiments
used in this test method nor does it measure the contribution of
E 800 Guide for Measurement of Gases Present or Gener-
the materials in those cables to a developing fire condition.
ated During Fires
1.5 Data describing the burning behavior from ignition to
E 1354 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release
the end of the test are obtained.
Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Con-
1.6 This test equipment is suitable for making other mea-
sumption Calorimeter
surements, including the smoke released by the burning speci-
IEEE/ASTM SI 10 Standard for Use of the International
men (Test Method D 5424) and the concentrations of certain
System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System
toxic gas species in the combustion gases (see Appendix X4).
2.2 NFPA Standard:
1.7 The values stated in SI units are the standard (see
ANSI/NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, National Fire
IEEE/ASTM SI 10); the values stated in parentheses are for
Protection Association
information only.
2.3 Underwriters Laboratories Standards:
1.8 This standard measures and describes the response of
UL 1581: Reference Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables,
materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under
and Flexible Cords, ANSI/UL 1581
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.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.01.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.02.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
1 5
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-9 on Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of Available from National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park,
Subcommittee D09.21 on Fire Performance Standards. Quincy, MA 02269.
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 1999. Published December 1999. Originally Available from Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., 333 Pfingsten Rd., Northbrook,
published as D 5537 – 94. Last previous edition D 5537 – 98. IL 60062.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 5537
UL 1685: Standard Vertical Tray Fire Propagation and 5. Significance and Use
Smoke Release Test for Electrical and Optical Fiber
5.1 This test method provides a means to measure a variety
Cables
of fire-test-response characteristics associated with heat release
2.4 Canadian Standards Association Standard:
and resulting from burning the materials insulating electrical or
CSA Standard C 22.2 No. 0.3-M1985, Test Methods for
optical fiber cables, when made into cables and installed on a
Electrical Wires and Cables
vertical cable tray. The specimens are allowed to burn freely
2.5 IEEE Standard:
under well ventilated conditions after ignition by means of a
IEEE 1202: Standard for Flame Testing of Cables for Use in
propane gas burner.
Cable Tray in Industrial and Commercial Occupancies
5.2 The rate of heat release often serves as an indication of
2.6 ISO Standard:
the intensity of the fire generated. General considerations of the
ISO 9705, Fire Tests—Full Scale Room Test for Surface
importance of heat release rate are discussed in Appendix X1
Products
and considerations for heat release calculations are in Appen-
dix X2.
3. Terminology
5.3 Other optional fire-test-response characteristics that are
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method and
measurable by this test method are useful to make decisions on
associated with fire issues refer to Terminology E 176. For
fire safety. Test Method D 5424 uses the apparatus described
definitions of terms used in this test method and associated
here for measuring smoke obscuration. The most important
with electrical insulation refer to Terminology D 1711.
gaseous components of smoke are the carbon oxides, present in
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
all fires. The carbon oxides are major indicators of the
3.2.1 sample, n—an amount of the cable type and construc-
completeness of combustion and are often used as part of fire
tion to be tested, which is representative of the product for test.
hazard assessment calculations and to improve the accuracy of
3.2.2 specimen, n—the individual length of cable, or cable
heat release measurements.
bundle, to be placed in the cable tray, which is representative
5.4 Test Limitations:
of the product to be tested.
5.4.1 The fire-test-response characteristics measured in this
test are a representation of the manner in which the specimens
4. Summary of Test Method
tested behave under certain specific conditions. Do not assume
4.1 This fire-test-response standard determines a number of
they are representative of a generic fire performance of the
fire-test-response characteristics associated with burning the
materials tested when made into cables of the construction
materials insulating electrical or optical fiber cables, made into
under consideration.
cable specimens, and located in a vertical cable tray and ignited
5.4.2 In particular, it is unlikely that this test is an adequate
with a propane gas burner. The main fire properties measured
representation of the fire behavior of cables in confined spaces,
are the rate of heat release and its amount. Associated with
without abundant circulation of air.
these measurements, the test procedure also determines flame
5.4.3 This is an intermediate-scale test, and the predictabil-
propagation cable damage (by char length) and mass loss of
ity of its results to large scale fires has not been determined.
specimen. The apparatus described in this test method is also
Some information exists to suggest validation with regard to
suitable for measuring smoke obscuration (Test Method
some large-scale scenarios.
D 5424) and rates and concentrations of gaseous combustion
6. Test Specimens
products released.
4.2 The vertical cable tray that holds the specimen is located
6.1 Use multiple lengths of electrical or optical fiber cable
in an enclosure of specified dimensions.
as test specimens.
4.3 A hood, connected to a duct is located above the fire
6.2 The mounting of the specimen on the cable tray is
enclosure. Heat and gas release analysis instrumentation is
specified in 7.8.
placed in the duct. Smoke release instrumentation (optional) is
7. Apparatus
also placed in the duct.
7.1 Enclosure:
4.4 Two different test procedures are specified, which differ
7.1.1 The enclosure in which the specimen is tested is
in the burner used and in the electrical or optical fiber cable
shown in Fig. 1.
loading. These reflect details of four existing test methods: UL
7.1.2 The enclosure has floor dimensions of 2.44 m 6 25
1581 (vertical tray flammability test, protocol A) and CSA
mm by 2.44 m 6 25 mm, with a height of 3.35 m 6 25 mm (8
Standard C 22.2 No. 0.3-M1985 (FT-4 vertical tray flamma-
ft 6 1 in. by 8 ft 6 1 in. by 11 ft 6 1 in. high). On top of the
bility test) or IEEE 1202 (protocol B) and UL 1685 and Test
walls there is a pyramidal collection hood with a collection
Method D 5424 (both protocols).
box.
4.5 Information specific to the individual protocols is found
7.1.2.1 Other enclosure sizes, such as 2.4 by 2.4 by 2.4 m (8
in 7.6, 7.8, and 11.1.
by 8 by 8 ft) or the 3 m cube are permitted, provided that the
internal volume of the enclosure, exclusive of the pyramidal
3 3 3 3
Available from Canadian Standards Association, 178 Rexdale Blvd., Rexdale,
hood, ranges between 14.5 m (512 ft ) and 36 m ( 1272 ft ),
Ontario, Canada, M9W IR3. 2 2 2 2
the floor area ranges between 6 m (64 ft )and9m (97 ft ),
Available from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, 345 East
and the maximum air movement within the enclosure complies
47th St., New York, NY 10017.
Available from (ISO), P.O. Box 56, CH-1211, Geneva, Switzerland. with 7.1.12 (Note 1).
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 5537
1. Enclosure: an acceptable construction consists of concrete masonry blocks, laid up with mortar, nominally 203 mm high by 406 mm wide by 152 mm thick (8by16
by 6 in.).
2. Wired-glass door, for access and observation. The overall size of the door is 2.1 m high and 0.9 m wide (84 by 36 in.).
3. Steel-framed wired-glass observation windows, 457 mm (18 in.) per side (optional).
4. Truncated-pyramid stainless steel hood, with each side sloped 40°.
5. Cubical collection box, 914 mm (36 in.) per side, with exhaust duct centered on one side.
6. Cable tray, mounted vertically in the center of the enclosure. Tray base (stand) is optional.
7. Air intake openings.
FIG. 1 Cable Test Enclosure
NOTE 1—There is, as yet, not enough information as to the equivalence
7.1.5 Construct a door with wired glass and locate it as
on smoke release between the various facilities. Further work needs to be
shown in Fig. 1. The door is 900 6 25 mm wide and 21006 25
done to confirm this.
mm high (35 6 1 in. by 83 6 1 in.), with an overall conductive
7.1.2.2 In case of disputes, the referee method is the tests
heat flux loss no greater than that of the walls, that is, 6.8
conducted using the enclosure in 7.1.2. W/(m K) (30 Btu/h-ft ). A steel framed wired glass door will
7.1.3 Walls—The maximum conductive heat flux loss of the
meet these requirements. Adequately seal the sides and top of
2 2
walls of the structure is 6.8 W/(m K) (30 Btu/h-ft ), based the door to prevent drafts.
upon an inside wall temperature of 38°C (100°F) and an
7.1.6 Construct a truncated pyramid stainless steel hood,
outside air temperature of 24°C (75°F). Paint the interior
formed as shown in Fig. 1, and locate it on top of the enclosure
surface of the walls flat black. Any materials of construction
walls. Make the slope on each side of the hood 40°. Form a seal
that meet the preceding requirements are acceptable. Two
between the hood and the walls; a compressible inorganic
examples of acceptable construction materials are nominally
batting as gasket is suitable.
152 mm (6 in.) thick concrete masonry blocks (density: 1700
7.1.7 Insulate the exterior of the hood to make an overall
−3 −3
kg m (106 lb ft ) and thermal conductivity nominally k
conductive heat loss no greater than that of the walls.
5 1.75 W/(mK), at 21°C; 12.13 Btu in./ft h°F, at 70°F) or
7.1.8 Locate a cubical stainless steel collection box, 910 6
nominally 13 mm (0.5 in.) gypsum board, with 89 6 6 mm (3.5
25 mm (36 6 1 in.), on a side on top of the exhaust hood, with
6 0.25 in.) of standard fiberglass insulation, with an R value of
a nominal 410 6 25 mm (16 6 1 in.) diameter stainless steel
1.94 m K/W (which corresponds in practical units to an R
pipe exhaust duct centered in one side.
value of 11 hft °F/Btu). Windows for observation of the fire
7.1.9 Install the exhaust duct horizontally and connect it to
test are allowed in the walls; ensure that the total area of the
2 2 the plenum of the hood.
windows does not exceed 1.86 m (20 ft ).
7.1.10 Construct a square 610 mm 6 25 mm (24 6 1 in.)
7.1.3.1 Select materials of construction which can withstand
baffle, centered over the cable tray. An acceptable height is 300
the high temperatures and presence of open flame within the
to 400 mm (12 to 15 in.) above the tray.
test enclosure and duct.
7.1.11 Construct a collection-exhaust system, as explained
7.1.4 Provide air intakes at the base of two opposite walls,
in 7.2 and Annex A2.
one of which contains the access door. Ensure that the total
cross sectional area of the air intakes is 1.45 6 0.03 m (22506 7.1.12 Ensure that the maximum air movement within the
50 in. ), and that the intake areas are divided approximately enclosure, with only the intake and exhaust openings open, the
−1
equally. Fig. 1 shows dimensions for the air intakes installed in exhaust fan on, and the burner off, does not exceed1ms (3.3
−1
the walls. Air intakes are not permitted in either of the other ft s ), as measured by a vane-type anemom
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