ASTM F2326-04(2021)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Collection and Analysis of Visible Emissions from Candles as They Burn
Standard Test Method for Collection and Analysis of Visible Emissions from Candles as They Burn
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The intent of this test method is to aid the candle manufacturer to optimize candle formulations in the reduction of visible smoke emissions.
5.2 This test method is intended to provide candle manufacturers a standard procedure to use during development of candle designs and formulations to compare relative smoke/burn behavior. For the development of this method, a protocol was established for trimming the wick on specially prepared test candles to 6 mm to 7 mm (1/4 in.) prior to each burn cycle. It is recommended that the manufacturer determine a standardized protocol, that is, either not trimming the wick or trimming the wick to an appropriate length in order for direct comparison of results.
5.3 A relative ranking of candle formulations can be established with the use of a histogram of the data and control charts.
5.4 This test method is not intended to set forth pass/fail criteria for visible smoke emissions from candles, as such, this method sets no standard level for visible smoke emissions.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the collection and analysis of visible emissions from indoor use candles as they burn.
1.2 The test is to be used to compare relative smoke/burn behavior during development of candle designs and formulations.
1.3 This test method may not be suitable for multiple wick candles; tapers and candles intended to be burned while floating on water commonly known as “floaters.”
1.4 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F2326 − 04 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Test Method for
Collection and Analysis of Visible Emissions from Candles
as They Burn
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2326; 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.
INTRODUCTION
During the development of this test method with a specially manufactured “standardized” candle,
variability of candle burn behavior was observed that introduced a wide statistical variation in the
overall test results from a single design. Variability in testing different types of candle products would
introduce even greater variability, that is, a pillar candle comprised of 60 °C (140 °F) melting point
wax would not, and would not be expected to, show the same burn behavior as a jar candle comprised
of 54.4 °C (130 °F) melting point wax. It is believed that a significant database of candle burn
performance, based on each type of candle and formulation format, would be required before one
could determine whether a statistical basis could be developed for pass/fail criteria for visible smoke
emissions from candles. This method is intended to provide candle manufacturers a standard
procedure to use during the development of candle designs and formulations to compare relative
smoking/burn behavior. This method neither implies nor sets a standard level for visible smoke
emissions for any candle type or formulation.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This test method covers the collection and analysis of 2.1 ASTM Standards:
visible emissions from indoor use candles as they burn. F1972 Guide for Terminology Relating to Candles and
Associated Accessory Items
1.2 The test is to be used to compare relative smoke/burn
PS59 Provisional Specification for Fire Safety for Candles
behavior during development of candle designs and formula-
tions.
3. Terminology
1.3 This test method may not be suitable for multiple wick
3.1 SeeGuideF1972fordefinitionsoftermsnotspecifiedin
candles; tapers and candles intended to be burned while
3.2.
floating on water commonly known as “floaters.”
3.2 Definitions:
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.1 burn cycle—length of time the candle is burned during
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
one test day. For this test, a burn cycle is 4 h (see Provisional
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Specification PS59).
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.2.2 burn period—total time the candle is burned over the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
duration of the test. For this test, the burn period will be 16 h.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.2.3 fuel pool establishment period—time, 15 min or
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
longer, before each burn cycle that a candle must be burned to
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
establish a normal fuel pool and stable flame.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.2.4 molten fuel pool—portion of the wax or fuel pool of a
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
candle that is in the liquid form when the candle is burning.
3.2.5 optical densitometer—instrument used for determin-
ingtheopticaldensityinthetransmittanceorreflectancemode.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on
Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.45 on
Candle Products. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2021. Published February 2021. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as F2326 – 04 (2015). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/F2326-04R21. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2326 − 04 (2021)
3.2.6 top of the candle—the upper most part of the candle or 7.9 Noncombustible Surface, on which to test candles.
container.
7.10 Ruler, or similar measuring device capable of measur-
3.2.7 visible emissions—emissions that can be seen once
ing to the nearest millimetre.
collected on a substrate.
7.11 Thermometers or Temperature Monitoring Device, ac-
curate to 61 °C.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The visible emissions from a candle are collected on a 7.12 Scissors, or other device suitable for trimming wicks
between burn cycles.
transparent media over the specified burn period. The emis-
sions can then be assigned a relative value as a function of
opacity using a densitometer for a given testing sequence. 8. Preparation of Apparatus
8.1 Prior to sampling, wipe microscope slides with a suit-
5. Significance and Use
able lint free wipe to remove dust or fingerprints, or both.
5.1 The intent of this test method is to aid the candle
8.2 Attach the microscope slide in a flat horizontal position
manufacturer to optimize candle formulations in the reduction
in a ring stand clamp. The microscope slide should be parallel
of visible smoke emissions.
with the ground and as close to level as possible.
5.2 This test method is intended to provide candle manu-
8.3 Place the candle(s) to be tested in a chamber or room
facturers a standard procedure to use during development of
with minimal drafts on a level-burning surface. The tempera-
candle designs and formulations to compare relative smoke/
ture of the room or chamber shall be maintained to 25 °C 6
burn behavior. For the development of this method, a protocol
5 °C (77 °F 6 9 °F) throughout the test period.
was established for trimming the wick on specially prepared
test candles to 6 mm to 7 mm ( ⁄4 in.) prior to each burn cycle.
8.4 Move the microscope slide with ring stand into position
It is recommended that the manufacturer determine a standard-
such that the center of the microscope slide is above the center
ized protocol, that is, either not trimming the wick or trimming
of the wick in the candle.
thewicktoanappropriatelengthinorderfordirectcomparison
8.5 Position the microscope slide in the ring stand such that
of results.
it is 102 mm 66mm(4in. 6 0.25 in.) above the solid top
5.3 A relative ranking of candle formulations can be estab-
surface of the candle wax pool. In the event the flame becomes
lished with the use of a histogram of the data and control
recessed inside the candle either due to a pillar candle
charts.
maintaining the side walls as it burns or a containerized candle
5.4 This test method is not intended to set forth pass/fail
consuming the fuel as it burns, do not position the slide any
criteria for visible smoke emissions from candles, as such, this
closer than 51 mm 66mm(2in. 6 0.25 in.) from the top of
method sets no standard level for visible smoke emissions.
the candle as defined in 3.2.6. If the microscope slide is
positioned any closer than 51 mm 66mm(2in. 6 0.25 in.) to
6. Interferences
the top of the candle it may restrict air flow into the candle and
6.1 Thethicknessofthecollectionmaterial,thatis,theglass effect the performance or behavior of the flame during the test.
microscope slide, will create a positive interference and should Once the proper height adjustment has been made prior to the
be corrected for in the set up of the densitometer prior to the burn cycle, move the slide and holder away from the candle
analysis of test samples. until it is time to collect the sample, that is, after the 15 min or
longer required to develop a molten fuel pool and stable flame.
6.2 Any material that darkens the microscope slide other
than the visible emissions of a candle shall create a positive
9. Calibration and Standardization
interference.
9.1 Place a new, clean microscope slide with a cover slip
7. Apparatus and Materials
taped in place in the same manner as the test samples, on the
optical portion of the black and white densitometer and zero
7.1 Glass Microscope Slides, nominally 76 mm by 25 mm
(3 in. by 1 in.) with a w
...
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