ASTM E162-02

Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source

SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response standard, to be used for research and development purposes, covers the measurement of surface flammability of materials. It is not intended for use as a basis of ratings for building code purposes.  
1.2 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 the test may be used as elements of a fire- hazard assessment or a 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.  
1.3  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.  
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jan-2002
• ICS: 13.220.50 - Fire-resistance of building materials and elements
• Technical Committee: E05 - Fire Standards
• Drafting Committee: E05.22 - Surface Burning

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E162-98e1 - Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Replaced By: ASTM E162-02a - Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM C647-19 - Standard Guide to Properties and Tests of Mastics and Coating Finishes for Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E1317-19 - Standard Test Method for Flammability of Surface Finishes
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM F3214-23 - Standard Practice for Characterization of Fire Properties of Seating, Upholstery, and Padding Materials for Vehicles Associated with Amusement Rides and Devices
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• 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-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D3574-17 - Standard Test Methods for Flexible Cellular Materials—Slab, Bonded, and Molded Urethane Foams
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• 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-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM F1085-19 - Standard Specification for Mattress and Box Springs for Use in Berths in Marine Vessels
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E1321-18 - Standard Test Method for Determining Material Ignition and Flame Spread Properties
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E3020-22 - Standard Practice for Ignition Sources
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E176-21ae1 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D3675-22 - Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Flexible Cellular Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D4727/D4727M-22 - Standard Specification for Corrugated and Solid Fiberboard Sheet Stock (Container Grade) and Cut Shapes
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E2061-23 - Standard Guide for Fire Hazard Assessment of Rail Transportation Vehicles
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002

Standards Content (Sample)

An American National Standard
Designation:E162–02
Standard Test Method for
Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat
1
Energy Source
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E162; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope 18-in. (305 by 457-mm) panel, in front of which an inclined 6
by 18-in. (152 by 457 mm) specimen of the material is placed.
1.1 This fire-test-response standard, to be used for research
The orientation of the specimen is such that ignition is forced
and development purposes, covers the measurement of surface
near its upper edge and the flame front progresses downward.
flammability of materials. It is not intended for use as a basis
4.2 A factor derived from the rate of progress of the flame
of ratings for building code purposes.
front and another derived from the rate of heat liberated by the
1.2 This standard should be used to measure and describe
material under test are combined to provide a radiant panel
the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
index.
flame under controlled conditions and should not be used to
describe or appraise the fire-hazard or fire-risk of materials,
5. Significance and Use
products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However,
5.1 Thistestmethodprovidesalaboratorytestprocedurefor
results of the test may be used as elements of a firehazard
measuringandcomparingthesurfaceflammabilityofmaterials
assessment or a fire-risk assessment which takes into account
when exposed to a prescribed level of radiant heat energy. It is
all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the
intended for measurements on materials whose surfaces may
fire hazard or fire risk of a particular end use.
be exposed to fire.The test is made on specimens of small size
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
(6 by 18 in. (150 by 460 mm)) that are representative, to the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
extent possible, of the material or assembly being evaluated.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
The test is intended for research and development only.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5.2 The rate at which flames will travel along surfaces
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
depends upon the physical and thermal properties of the
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
material, its method of mounting and orientation, the type and
as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information
level of fire or heat exposure, the availability of air, and
only.
3
properties of the surrounding enclosure.
2. Referenced Documents
6. Apparatus
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2 6.1 The apparatus shall be essentially as shown in Figs. 1
E 176 Terminology Relating to Fire Standards
and 2 and shall include the following:
3. Terminology 6.1.1 Radiant Panel with Air and Gas Supply—The radiant
panel shall consist of a porous refractory material vertically
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
mounted in a cast iron frame, exposing a radiating surface of
method refer to the terminology contained in Terminology E
12by18in.(300by460mm)andshallbecapableofoperating
176.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 This test method of measuring surface flammability of
3
Robertson, A. F., “Surface Flammability Measurements by the Radiant Panel
materials employs a radiant heat source consisting of a 12 by
Method,” Symposium on Fire Test Methods, ASTM STP 344, ASTM, 1962, pp.
33–46.
Robertson, A. F., Gross, D., and Loftus, J., “A Method for Measuring Surface
Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Energy Source,” Proceedings, ASTM,
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire Vol 56, 1956, pp. 1437–1453.
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.22 on Surface Gross, D. and Loftus, J. J., “Surface Flame Propagation on Cellulosic Materials
Burning. Exposed to Thermal Radiation,” Journal of Research, NBS, Vol 67C, 1963, pp.
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 2002. Published April 2002. Originally 251–258.
e1
published as E162–60T. Last previous edition E162–98 . Magee, R. S. and McAlevy III, R. F., “The Mechanism of Flame Spread,”
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07. Journal of Fire and Flammability, Vol 2, 1971, pp. 271–297.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E162–02
burnerwiththeplaneofthespecimen.Theburnershallalsobe
capable of being moved out of position when not in use. The
pilot shall providea2to 3-in. (51 t
...