ASTM E2102-21
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Measurement of Mass Loss and Ignitability for Screening Purposes Using a Conical Radiant Heater
Standard Test Method for Measurement of Mass Loss and Ignitability for Screening Purposes Using a Conical Radiant Heater
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method provides a means for screening materials, products, or assemblies, for the mass loss, and ignitability they exhibit under specified heat flux exposure conditions. As an option, the test method is also suitable for screening for the heat released, by using a thermopile method (See Annex A2).
5.1.1 Terminology E176, on fire standards, states that fire-test-response characteristics include ease of ignition and mass loss (both measured in this test method), as well as flame spread, smoke generation, fire endurance, and toxic potency of smoke.
5.1.2 The mass loss rate of a material, product, or assembly is a fire-test-response characteristic that gives an indication of its burning rate. Thus, a lower mass loss rate is often associated with slower burning. Note, however, that mass loss is not always a result of combustion, and that this method does not assess release of smoke or combustion products.
5.1.3 The time to ignition of a material, product, or assembly is a fire-test-response characteristic that gives an indication of its propensity to ignite at the applied heat flux level and subsequently to release heat and spread flame over its surface. Thus, a longer time to ignition is an indication of a lower propensity for the material, product, or assembly to become involved and contribute to fire spread or growth; however this method does not assess the smoke or combustion products released.
5.1.4 The apparatus used for this test method is suitable to assess the critical heat flux for ignition of the materials, products, or assemblies tested, by assessing ignitability at various heat fluxes (see Appendix X3 for guidance).
5.2 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. Thus, closely repeatable or reproducible experimental results are not to be expected from this test method when tests are conducted ...
SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response standard provides a means of measuring mass loss and ignitability, for screening purposes, from essentially planar materials, products, or assemblies (including surface finishes), exposed to controlled levels of radiant heating, with or without an external ignitor. This test method is intended for screening purposes only.
1.2 The principal fire-test-response characteristics obtained from this test method are those associated with mass loss from the specimens tested, as a function of time. Time to sustained flaming is also determined. Heat release is, optionally, determined using thermopile measurements detailed in Annex A2.
1.2.1 The fire-test-response characteristics obtained from this test are best used for comparisons between materials with some similarities in composition or structure.
1.3 The relationship between mass loss and heat release depends on the material, product, or assembly tested, and no universal formula exists for calculation of heat release using mass loss measurements (see also additional limitations in 5.7).
1.4 The fire-test-response characteristics obtained from this test method are also obtainable with the apparatus used in Test Method E1354 (the cone calorimeter) or in an applications standards of that equipment (see also 5.4). The referenced test methods permit measurements of added fire-test-response characteristics.
1.5 The fire-test-response characteristics obtained by this test method 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 fire-test-response 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 additional limitations of this test method, see 5.7.
1.7 Use the SI system of units in referee decisions; see IEEE/ASTM SI-10. T...
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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: E2102 − 21 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Mass Loss and Ignitability for Screening
1
Purposes Using a Conical Radiant Heater
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2102; 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
The screening fire-test-response method described in this standard uses a radiant energy source
similar to that used in the cone calorimeter, Test Method E1354. However, the test method apparatus
is much simpler, because it excludes measurements of oxygen consumption or of smoke obscuration,
which are incorporated into the cone calorimeter to measure heat and smoke release. A fire-test-
response standard describes a test method from which one or more fire-test-response characteristics
can be measured, as a result of exposure to a prescribed source of heat or flame, under controlled
conditions. There are many occasions, typically for initial research and development, when there is a
need for screening samples of materials, products, or assemblies, using a simple test. This allows the
user to verify whether certain fire-test-response characteristics of the sample fall within the expected
margins. Screening tests, as related to fire, are described in fire terminology as fire-response tests
performed to determine whether a material, product, or assembly (a) exhibits any unusual fire-related
characteristics, (b) has certain expected fire-related characteristics, or (c) is capable of being
preliminarily categorized according to the fire characteristic in question. Screening tests addressing
fire properties should be chosen so that the energy input (as heat or flame) is representative of that in
the fire test method for which screening is desired.
1. Scope* universal formula exists for calculation of heat release using
masslossmeasurements(seealsoadditionallimitationsin5.7).
1.1 This fire-test-response standard provides a means of
measuring mass loss and ignitability, for screening purposes,
1.4 The fire-test-response characteristics obtained from this
from essentially planar materials, products, or assemblies
test method are also obtainable with the apparatus used in Test
(including surface finishes), exposed to controlled levels of
Method E1354 (the cone calorimeter) or in an applications
radiant heating, with or without an external ignitor. This test
standards of that equipment (see also 5.4). The referenced test
method is intended for screening purposes only.
methodspermitmeasurementsofaddedfire-test-responsechar-
1.2 The principal fire-test-response characteristics obtained acteristics.
from this test method are those associated with mass loss from
1.5 The fire-test-response characteristics obtained by this
the specimens tested, as a function of time. Time to sustained
test method are specific to the specimen tested, in the form and
flaming is also determined. Heat release is, optionally, deter-
thickness tested, and are not an inherent property of the
mined using thermopile measurements detailed in Annex A2.
material, product, or assembly.
1.2.1 The fire-test-response characteristics obtained from
this test are best used for comparisons between materials with
1.6 This fire-test-response method does not provide infor-
some similarities in composition or structure.
mation on the fire performance of the test specimens under fire
conditions other than those conditions specified in this test
1.3 The relationship between mass loss and heat release
method. For additional limitations of this test method, see 5.7.
depends on the material, product, or assembly tested, and no
1.7 Use the SI system of units in referee decisions; see
IEEE/ASTM SI-10. The units given in parentheses are for
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire
information only.
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.21 on Smoke and
Combustion Products.
1.8 This standard is used to measure and describe the
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2021. Published January 2022. Originally
responseofmaterials,products,orassembliestoheatandflame
approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as E2102 - 17. DOI:
10.1520/E2102-21. under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate
*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
...
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: E2102 − 17 E2102 − 21 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Mass Loss and Ignitability for Screening
1
Purposes Using a Conical Radiant Heater
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2102; 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
The screening fire-test-response method described in this standard uses a radiant energy source
similar to that used in the cone calorimeter, Test Method E1354. However, the test method apparatus
is much simpler, because it excludes measurements of oxygen consumption or of smoke obscuration,
which are incorporated into the cone calorimeter to measure heat and smoke release. A fire-test-
response standard describes a test method from which one or more fire-test-response characteristics
can be measured, as a result of exposure to a prescribed source of heat or flame, under controlled
conditions. There are many occasions, typically for initial research and development, when there is a
need for screening samples of materials, products, or assemblies, using a simple test. This allows the
user to verify whether certain fire-test-response characteristics of the sample fall within the expected
margins. Screening tests, as related to fire, are described in fire terminology as fire-response tests
performed to determine whether a material, product, or assembly (a)(a) exhibits any unusual
fire-related characteristics, (b)(b) has certain expected fire-related characteristics, or (c)(c) is capable
of being preliminarily categorized according to the fire characteristic in question. Screening tests
addressing fire properties should be chosen so that the energy input (as heat or flame) is representative
of that in the fire test method for which screening is desired.
1. Scope*
1.1 This fire-test-response standard provides a means of measuring mass loss and ignitability, for screening purposes, from
essentially planar materials, products, or assemblies (including surface finishes), exposed to controlled levels of radiant heating,
with or without an external ignitor. This test method is intended for screening purposes only.
1.2 The principal fire-test-response characteristics obtained from this test method are those associated with mass loss from the
specimens tested, as a function of time. Time to sustained flaming is also determined. Heat release is, optionally, determined using
thermopile measurements detailed in Annex A2.
1.2.1 The fire-test-response characteristics obtained from this test are best used for comparisons between materials with some
similarities in composition or structure.
1.3 The relationship between mass loss and heat release depends on the material, product, or assembly tested, and no universal
formula exists for calculation of heat release using mass loss measurements (see also additional limitations in 5.7).
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, 2017Dec. 1, 2021. Published August 2017January 2022. Originally approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 20152017 as
E2102 - 15.E2102 - 17. DOI: 10.1520/E2102-17.10.1520/E2102-21.
*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 ----------------------
E2102 − 21
1.4 The fire-test-response characteristics obtained from this test method are also obtainable with the apparatus used in Test Method
E1354 (the cone calorimeter) or in an applications standards of that equipment (see also 5.4). The referenced test methods permit
measurements of added fire-test-response characteristics.
1.5 The fire-test-response characteristics obtained by this test method 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 fire-test-response 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 additional limitations of this test method, see 5.7.
1.7 Use the SI system of unit
...
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