ASTM E1995-16

Standard Test Method for Measurement of Smoke Obscuration Using a Conical Radiant Source in a Single Closed Chamber, With the Test Specimen Oriented Horizontally

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method provides a means for determining the specific optical density of the smoke generated by specimens of materials, products, or assemblies under the specified exposure conditions. Values determined by this test are specific to the specimen in the form and thickness tested and are not inherent fundamental properties of the material, product, or assembly tested.  
5.2 This test method uses a photometric scale to measure smoke obscuration, which is similar to the optical density scale for human vision. The test method does not measure physiological aspects associated with vision.  
5.3 At the present time no basis exists for predicting the smoke obscuration to be generated by the specimens upon exposure to heat or flame under any fire conditions other than those specified. Moreover, as with many smoke obscuration test methods, the correlation with measurements by other test methods has not been established.  
5.4 The current smoke density chamber test, Test Method E662, is used by specifiers of floor coverings and in the rail transportation industries. The measurement of smoke obscuration is important to the researcher and the product development scientist. This test method, which incorporates improvements over Test Method E662, also will increase the usefulness of smoke obscuration measurements to the specifier and to product manufacturers.  
5.4.1 The following are improvements offered by this test method over Test Method E662: the horizontal specimen orientation solves the problem of melting and flaming drips from vertically oriented specimens; the conical heat source provides a more uniform heat input; the heat input can be varied over a range of up to 50 kW/m2, rather than having a fixed value of 25 kW/m2; and, the (optional) load cell permits calculations to be made of mass optical density, which associates the smoke obscuration fire-test-response characteristic measured with the mass loss.  
5.5 Limitations6:  
5.5.1 The following behavi...
SCOPE
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.  
1.2 This test method provides a means of measuring smoke obscuration resulting from subjecting essentially flat materials, products, or assemblies (including surface finishes), not exceeding 25 mm [1 in.] in thickness, in a horizontal orientation, exposed to specified levels of thermal irradiance, from a conical heater, in the presence of a pilot flame, in a single closed chamber. Optional testing modes exclude the pilot flame.  
1.3 The principal fire-test-response characteristic obtained from this test method is the specific optical density of smoke from the specimens tested, which is obtained as a function of time, for a period of 10 min.  
1.4 An optional fire-test-response characteristic measurable with this test method is the mass optical density (see Annex A1), which is the specific optical density of smoke divided by the mass lost by the specimens during the test.  
1.5 The fire-test-response characteristics obtained from this test are specific to the specimen tested, in the form and thickness tested, and are not an inherent property of the material, product, or assembly.  
1.6 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. For limitations of this test method, see 5.5.  
1.7 Use the SI system of units in referee decisions; see IEEE/ASTM SI-10. The inch-pound units given in brackets are for information only.  
1.8 This test method 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.  
1.9 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently hazardous, and adequate safeguards for personnel and prope...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2016
• ICS: 13.220.40 - Ignitability and burning behaviour of materials and products
• Technical Committee: E05 - Fire Standards
• Drafting Committee: E05.21 - Smoke and Combustion Products

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1995-12 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Smoke Obscuration Using a Conical Radiant Source in a Single Closed Chamber, With the Test Specimen Oriented Horizontally
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2016
• Referred By: ASTM E3020-22 - Standard Practice for Ignition Sources
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2016
• Referred By: ASTM E176-21ae1 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2016

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
Designation: E1995 − 16 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Smoke Obscuration Using a Conical
Radiant Source in a Single Closed Chamber, With the Test
1
Specimen Oriented Horizontally
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1995; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk
assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.
actual fire conditions.
1.2 This test method provides a means of measuring smoke
1.9 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently
obscuration resulting from subjecting essentially flat materials,
hazardous,andadequatesafeguardsforpersonnelandproperty
products, or assemblies (including surface finishes), not ex-
shall be employed in conducting these tests. This test method
ceeding 25 mm [1 in.] in thickness, in a horizontal orientation,
may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment.
exposed to specified levels of thermal irradiance, from a
See also 6.2.1.2, Section 7, and 11.7.2.
conical heater, in the presence of a pilot flame, in a single
1.10 This standard does not purport to address all of the
closed chamber. Optional testing modes exclude the pilot
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
flame.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.3 The principal fire-test-response characteristic obtained
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
from this test method is the specific optical density of smoke
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
from the specimens tested, which is obtained as a function of
time, for a period of 10 min.
2. Referenced Documents
1.4 An optional fire-test-response characteristic measurable 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
with this test method is the mass optical density (see Annex
D2843Test Method for Density of Smoke from the Burning
A1), which is the specific optical density of smoke divided by
or Decomposition of Plastics
the mass lost by the specimens during the test.
D4100 Test Method for Gravimetric Determination of
1.5 The fire-test-response characteristics obtained from this
SmokeParticulatesfromCombustionOfPlasticMaterials
3
test are specific to the specimen tested, in the form and
(Withdrawn 1997)
thickness tested, and are not an inherent property of the
D5424Test Method for Smoke Obscuration of Insulating
material, product, or assembly.
Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables
When Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration
1.6 This test method does not provide information on the
E84Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
fire performance of the test specimens under fire conditions
Building Materials
other than those conditions specified in this test method. For
E176Terminology of Fire Standards
limitations of this test method, see 5.5.
E603Guide for Room Fire Experiments
1.7 Use the SI system of units in referee decisions; see
E662Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke
IEEE/ASTMSI-10.Theinch-poundunitsgiveninbracketsare
Generated by Solid Materials
for information only.
E906Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release
1.8 This test method is used to measure and describe the Rates for Materials and Products Using a Thermopile
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
Method
flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself E1354Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.21 on Smoke and contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Combustion Products. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2016. Published December 2016. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as E1995–12. DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/E1995-16. www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1995 − 16
Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Con- 3.2.8 Nonflaming mode, n—the mode of testing that does
sumption Calorimeter not use a pilot flame.
E1474Test Method
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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.
Designation: E1995 − 12 E1995 − 16 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Smoke Obscuration Using a Conical
Radiant Source in a Single Closed Chamber, With the Test
1
Specimen Oriented Horizontally
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1995; 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 Scope*
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.
1.2 This test method provides a means of measuring smoke obscuration resulting from subjecting essentially flat materials,
products, or assemblies (including surface finishes), not exceeding 25 mm [1 in.] in thickness, in a horizontal orientation, exposed
to specified levels of thermal irradiance, from a conical heater, in the presence of a pilot flame, in a single closed chamber. Optional
testing modes exclude the pilot flame.
1.3 The principal fire-test-response characteristic obtained from this test method is the specific optical density of smoke from
the specimens tested, which is obtained as a function of time, for a period of 10 min.
1.4 An optional fire-test-response characteristic measurable with this test method is the mass optical density (see Annex A1),
which is the specific optical density of smoke divided by the mass lost by the specimens during the test.
1.5 The fire-test-response characteristics obtained from this test are specific to the specimen tested, in the form and thickness
tested, and are not an inherent property of the material, product, or assembly.
1.6 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. For limitations of this test method, see 5.5.
1.7 Use the SI system of units in referee decisions; see IEEE/ASTM SI-10. The inch-pound units given in brackets are for
information only.
1.8 This test method 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.
1.9 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently hazardous, and adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be
employed in conducting these tests. This test method may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. See also
6.2.1.2, Section 7, and 11.7.2.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D2843 Test Method for Density of Smoke from the Burning or Decomposition of Plastics
D4100 Test Method for Gravimetric Determination of Smoke Particulates from Combustion Of Plastic Materials (Withdrawn
3
1997)
1
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 Combustion
Products.
Current edition approved July 1, 2012Dec. 1, 2016. Published August 2012December 2016. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 20082012 as
E1995 – 08.E1995 – 12. DOI: 10.1520/E1995-12.10.1520/E1995-16.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1995 − 16
D5424 Test Method for Smoke Obscuration of Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When
Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E603 Guide for Room Fire Experiments
E662 Test Method for Specific Optica
...