ASTM E2058-06
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Measurement of Synthetic Polymer Material Flammability Using a Fire Propagation Apparatus (FPA)
Standard Test Methods for Measurement of Synthetic Polymer Material Flammability Using a Fire Propagation Apparatus (FPA)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
These test methods are an integral part of existing test standards for cable fire propagation and clean room material flammability, as well as, in an approval standard for conveyor belting (1-3).3 Refs (1-3) use these test methods because fire-test-response results obtained from the test methods correlate with fire behavior during real-scale fire propagation tests, as discussed in X1.4
The Ignition, Combustion, or Fire Propagation test method, or a combination thereof, have been performed with materials and products containing a wide range of polymer compositions and structures, as described in X1.7.
The Fire Propagation test method is different from the test methods in the ASTM standards listed in 2.1 by virtue of producing laboratory measurements of the chemical heat release rate during upward fire propagation and burning on a vertical test specimen in normal air, oxygen-enriched air, or in oxygen-vitiated air. Test methods from other standards, for example, Test Method E 1321, which yields measurements during lateral/horizontal or downward flame spread on materials and Test Methods E 906, E 1354, and E 1623, which yield measurements of the rate of heat release from materials fully involved in flaming combustion, generally use an external radiant flux, rather than the flames from the burning material itself, to characterize fire behavior.
These test methods are not intended to be routine quality control tests. They are intended for evaluation of specific flammability characteristics of materials. Materials to be analyzed consist of specimens from an end-use product or the various components used in the end-use product. Results from the laboratory procedures provide input to fire propagation and fire growth models, risk analysis studies, building and product designs, and materials research and development.
SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response standard determines and quantifies synthetic polymer material flammability characteristics, related to the propensity of materials to support fire propagation, by means of a fire propagation apparatus (FPA). Material flammability characteristics that are quantified include time to ignition (tign), chemical ( Qchem), and convective ( Qc) heat release rates, mass loss rate ( m) and effective heat of combustion (EHC).
1.2 The following test methods, capable of being performed separately and independently, are included herein:
1.2.1 Ignition Test to determine tign for a horizontal specimen;
1.2.2 Combustion Test to determine Qchem, Qc, m, and EHC from burning of a horizontal specimen; and,
1.2.3 Fire Propagation Testto determine Qchem from burning of a vertical specimen.
1.3 Distinguishing features of the FPA include tungsten-quartz external, isolated heaters to provide a radiant flux of up to 65 kW/m 2 to the test specimen, which remains constant whether the surface regresses or expands; provision for combustion or upward fire propagation in prescribed flows of normal air, air enriched with up to 40 % oxygen, air oxygen vitiated, pure nitrogen or mixtures of gaseous suppression agents with the preceding air mixtures; and, the capability of measuring heat release rates and exhaust product flows generated during upward fire propagation on a vertical test specimen 0.305 m high.
1.4 The FPA is used to evaluate the flammability of synthetic polymer materials and products. It is also designed to obtain the transient response of such materials and products to prescribed heat fluxes in specified inert or oxidizing environments and to obtain laboratory measurements of generation rates of fire products (CO2, CO, and, if desired, gaseous hydrocarbons) for use in fire safety engineering.
1.5 Ignition of the specimen is by means of a pilot flame at a prescribed location with respect to the specimen surface.
1.6 The Fire Propagation test of vertical specimens is not suitable for materials that, on heating, melt sufficiently to form a liquid pool.
1.7 ...
General Information
Relations
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
An American National Standard
Designation: E 2058 – 06
Standard Test Methods for
Measurement of Synthetic Polymer Material Flammability
1
Using a Fire Propagation Apparatus (FPA)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2058; 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.
1. Scope 1.6 The Fire Propagation test of vertical specimens is not
suitable for materials that, on heating, melt sufficiently to form
1.1 This fire-test-response standard determines and quanti-
a liquid pool.
fies synthetic polymer material flammability characteristics,
1.7 Values stated are in SI units. Values in parentheses are
related to the propensity of materials to support fire propaga-
for information only.
tion, by means of a fire propagation apparatus (FPA). Material
1.8 This standard is used to measure and describe the
flammability characteristics that are quantified include time to
responseofmaterials,products,orassembliestoheatandflame
˙ ˙
ignition (t ), chemical ( Q ), and convective ( Q ) heat
ign chem c
under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate
release rates, mass loss rate ( m˙) and effective heat of
allfactorsrequiredforfirehazardorfireriskassessmentofthe
combustion (EHC).
materials, products or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
1.2 Thefollowingtestmethods,capableofbeingperformed
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
separately and independently, are included herein:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.2.1 Ignition Test, to determine t for a horizontal speci-
ign
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
men;
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
˙ ˙
1.2.2 Combustion Test,todetermine Q , Q , m˙,andEHC
chem c
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
from burning of a horizontal specimen; and,
statements, see Section 7.
˙
1.2.3 Fire Propagation Test, to determine Q from burn-
chem
ing of a vertical specimen.
2. Referenced Documents
1.3 Distinguishing features of the FPA include tungsten-
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
quartz external, isolated heaters to provide a radiant flux of up
2
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
to 65 kW/m to the test specimen, which remains constant
E906 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release
whether the surface regresses or expands; provision for com-
Rates for Materials and Products
bustion or upward fire propagation in prescribed flows of
E1321 Test Method for Determining Material Ignition and
normal air, air enriched with up to 40% oxygen, air oxygen
Flame Spread Properties
vitiated, pure nitrogen or mixtures of gaseous suppression
E1354 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release
agents with the preceding air mixtures; and, the capability of
Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Con-
measuring heat release rates and exhaust product flows gener-
sumption Calorimeter
atedduringupwardfirepropagationonaverticaltestspecimen
E1623 Test Method for Determination of Fire andThermal
0.305 m high.
Parameters of Materials, Products, and Systems Using an
1.4 The FPA is used to evaluate the flammability of syn-
Intermediate Scale Calorimeter (ICAL)
thetic polymer materials and products. It is also designed to
obtain the transient response of such materials and products to
3. Terminology
prescribed heat fluxes in specified inert or oxidizing environ-
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in these test
ments and to obtain laboratory measurements of generation
methods, refer to Terminology E176.
rates of fire products (CO , CO, and, if desired, gaseous
2
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
hydrocarbons) for use in fire safety engineering.
3.2.1 fire propagation, n—increase in the exposed surface
1.5 Ignition of the specimen is by means of a pilot flame at
area of the specimen that is actively involved in flaming
a prescribed location with respect to the specimen surface.
combustion.
1
ThesetestmethodsareunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE05onFire
2
Standards and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.22 on Surface For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Burning. contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. ForAnnual Book ofASTM
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2006. Published November 2006. Originally Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E2058–03. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
--------
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.