ASTM D3806-98
(Test Method)Standard Test Method of Small-Scale Evaluation of Fire-Retardant Paints (2-Foot Tunnel Method)
Standard Test Method of Small-Scale Evaluation of Fire-Retardant Paints (2-Foot Tunnel Method)
SCOPE
1.1 This test method determines the protection a coating affords its substrate and the comparative burning characteristics of coatings by evaluating the flame spread over the surface when ignited under controlled conditions in a small tunnel. This establishes a basis for comparing surface-burning characteristics of different coatings without specific consideration of all the end-use parameters that might affect surface-burning characteristics under actual fire conditions.
1.2 In addition to the experimental flamespread rate, the weight of panel consumed, time of afterflaming and afterglow, char dimensions and index, and height of intumescence may be measured in this test. However, a relationship should not be presumed among these measurements.
1.3 This standard should be used to measure and describe the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response to heat and flame under controlled laboratory 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 this test may be used as elements of a fire risk assessment which takes into account all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 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.
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Designation: D 3806 – 98
Standard Test Method of
Small-Scale Evaluation of Fire-Retardant Paints (2-Foot
Tunnel Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3806; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This test method determines the protection a coating 2.1 ASTM Standards:
affords its substrate, and the comparative burning characteris- C 220 Specification for Flat Asbestos-Cement Sheets
tics of coatings by evaluating the flame spread over the surface D 344 Test Method for Relative Hiding Power of Paints by
when ignited under controlled conditions in a small tunnel. the Visual Evaluation of Brushouts
This establishes a basis for comparing surface-burning charac- D 1475 Test Method for Density of Paint, Varnish, Lacquer,
teristics of different coatings without specific consideration of and Related Products
all the end-use parameters that might affect surface-burning D 2196 Test Methods for Rheological Properties of Non-
characteristics under actual fire conditions. Newtonian Materials by Rotational (Brookfield) Viscom-
1.2 In addition to the experimental flamespread rate, the eter
weight of panel consumed, time of afterflaming and afterglow, E 84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
char dimensions and index, and height of intumescence may be Building Materials
measured in this test. However, a relationship should not be 2.2 Federal Standard:
presumed among these measurements. Fed. Spec. TT-V-119 Varnish, Spar, Phenolic Resin
1.3 This standard should be used to measure and describe
3. Significance and Use
the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response
3.1 A number of laboratory procedures are used to evaluate
to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions, and
should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire the effectiveness of fire-retardant and fire-resistant treatments
and coatings. In general, these methods measure the three
risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire
stages of fire development: (1) ignition; (2) flame spread (rate
conditions. However, results of this test may be used as
elements of a fire risk assessment which takes into account all of growth of the fire); and (3) conflagration extent. While all
three are of extreme importance, flame spread has been
of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire
hazard of a particular end use. recognized as the main factor associated with testing fire-
retardant coatings.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for 3.2 Flame spread ratings based upon Test Method E 84 have
acquired common acceptance by regulatory agencies, but such
information only.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the large-scale tests are seldom practical during the development
or modification of a fire-retardant coating.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.3 This test method provides the relative flame spread of
experimental coatings using small test specimens. By calibrat-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. ing the 2-foot tunnel with Test Method E 84-rated fire-retardant
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-1 on Paint Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.05.
and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.01.
Subcommittee D 01.22 on Health and Safety. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 1998. Published December 1998. Originally Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700 Robbins Ave.,
published as D 3806 –79. Last previous edition D 3806 – 90a (l995) . Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 3806
paint, results obtained by this test method should be indicative 4. Apparatus
of those obtained with a large specimen in the Test Method
4.1 Flame Tunnel (see Fig. 1A)—two-foot (610-mm) flame
E 84 tunnel.
The sole souce of supply of a suitable cabinet and assembly known to the
committee at this time is Dek-Tron Scientific, 244 East 3rd St., Plainfield, NJ 07060.
If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM
Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend.
FIG. 1 Flame Tunnel
D 3806
tunnel consisting of asbestos-cement board mounted on an iron 4.2 Burner, 8.5 in. (215 mm) high with 40–mm diameter,
framework and supplied with natural gas fuel of uniform 10-mm thick grid for use with natural gas. The burner is placed
quality. 2 ⁄4 in. (57 mm) in from the fire end of the tunnel and 1 in. (25
1 1
4.1.1 The framework is constructed of ⁄8 by 1 by 1-in. (3 by mm) below the bottom side of the sample holder, that is, 1 ⁄8 in.
25 by 25-mm) angle iron, the top of which provides a 24 by (30 mm) from the bottom of the specimen. See Fig. 1.
4-in. (610 by 100-mm) specimen holder inclined at 28° to the
NOTE 2—Artificial gas or liquid petroleum (LP) gas may be used, but
horizontal. The framework is mounted on a 10 by 24 by ⁄2-in.
burners designed for these types of gases must be used.
(250 by 610 by 13-mm) steel base. The specimen holder is
4.3 Ignition Transformer, or other suitable ignition source,
elevated 7 ⁄8in. (185 mm) above the base at the lower (fire) end
to generate a spark through a ⁄16-in. (2-mm) Nichrome wire to
and 18 ⁄8 in. (480 mm) at the upper (flue) end.
the burner barrel. The transformer is activated by a push-button
4.1.2 The fire end and sides of the tunnel are covered to the
type spark switch.
extent shown in Fig. 1, with ⁄4-in. (6-mm) asbestos-cement
7 8 4.4 Gas Supply, of uniform quality controlled by a positive-
board or ⁄4-in. (6-mm) inorganic reinforced-cement board
flow pressure regulatory valve (0 to 6 in. (0 to 152 mm) water)
attached to the inside of the angle iron framework. The open
and a gas flowmeter (0.6 to 5.0 SCFH).
flue end and the cut-out sides allow a natural draft through the
4.5 Insulating and Fire Resistant Backing for Test Panels,
tunnel. Additional air access is provided by a 1–in. (25–mm)
7 7 1
consisting of 3 ⁄8 by 23 ⁄8-in. (100 by 605-mm) pieces of ⁄2-in.
hole drilled in the cover at the fire end, centered and 4 ⁄2 in.
(13-mm) asbestos-cement board or inorganic reinforced ce-
(115 mm) above the base.
ment board and ⁄2-in. steel plate applied one above the other
4.1.3 An observation window made of a 2-in. (50-mm) wide
with asbestos cement or the inorganic reinforced cement board
strip of ⁄8-in. (3-mm) polished heat-resistant sheet glass is
placed directly on top of the test panel.
located just below the specimen holder, extending the full
4.6 Thermocouple totally shielded (see Note 3), installed
length of the tunnel, 24 in. (610 mm). This glass is marked by
through the hole in the side of the specimen holder so that its
any appropriate method at 1-in. intervals from 4 to 22 in. A 22
tip rests on the back, cool side, of the test panel.
1 1
by 2 ⁄4 by ⁄16-in. (560 by 55 by 2-mm) sheet metal shield is
attached above the window, slanting downwards at an angle of NOTE 3—Some commercial tunnels are supplied with more than one
thermocouple.
60° to shield the observation window. The angle iron panel
holder is notched along the bottom or supporting lip of the
4.7 Recording Potentiometer, 0 to 300°C range.
angle at 1-in. (25-mm) intervals to assist in the measurements
4.8 Audible Timer, set to sound at 15-s intervals to indicate
of the flame advance.
the time for flame-front measurements.
4.9 Constant Temperature and Humidity Room or Cabinet,
NOTE 1—A rule may also be mounted outside the observation window
maintained at 50 6 5 % relative humidity and 73.5 6 3.5°F (23
to help measure the flame advancement.
6 2°C).
4.1.4 A ⁄32-in. (2.5-mm) hole is drilled in the side of the
specimen holder immediately above the center of the burner to
5. Test Panels
allow insertion of a thermocouple.
5.1 Test Panels—See Table 1 for a list of various woods and
4.1.5 The tunnel should be placed in an area as free from
1 7 7
their densities. Wood, ⁄4 by 3 ⁄8by 23 ⁄8-in. (6 by 100 by
drafts as possible with facilities for removal or escape of
605-mm) close grained, as nearly edge grain as possible and
combustion products. (Standard laboratory hood with forced
free from knots and imperfections. The panels should be solid
draft off during test.)
The sole souce of supply of an asbestos-cement board, transite, known to the
committee at this time is Manville Corp., Denver CO 80217 If you are aware of
The sole souce of supply of a burner, Catalog No. 3–902 for artifical gas, or
alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM Headquarters. Your
Catalog No. 3–900 and 3–902 for natural gas and LP gas, respectively, known to the
comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible
committee at this time is Fisher Scientific Co. If you are aware of alternative
technical committee, which you may attend.
suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM Headquarters. Your comments
The sole souce of supply of inorganic reinforced-cement board, #100S and
will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical
3 3
100H, nominal 100 to 110 lb/ft (1600 to 1760 kg/m ), known to the committee at
committee, which you may attend.
this time is Chem-Fil Corp., 100 Spence Lane, Nashville, TN 37210. If you are
The sole souce of supply of a thermocouple, Megopak Type J, known to the
aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM Headquar-
committee at this time is Megopak Co. If you are aware of alternative suppliers,
ters. Your comments will receive casreful consideration at a meeting of the
please provide this information to ASTM Headquarters. Your comments will receive
responsible technical committee, which you may attend.
careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical committee, which
Quartz or high-silica glass has been found satisfactory for this purpose.
you may attend.
TABLE 1 Densities and Panel Weights of Various Woods (Conditioned at Relative Humidity 50 6 5 % and 73.5 6 3.5°F
(236 2°C) for 14 days)
7 7 1
Density (9 to 10 % Moisture), Weight of 3 ⁄8 by 23 ⁄8by ⁄4in.
Type of Wood
3 3
lb/ft (kg/m ) Panel, g
Red cedar 21.4 to 22.4 (345 to 360) 130 to 140
Douglas fir 29 to 35 (465 to 560) 180 to 215
White pine-Ponderosa pine 22.4 to 26.4 (360 to 420) 140 to 160
Southern yellow pine 31 to 37 (495 to 590) 190 to 225
Redwood 27.2 to 28.2 (435 to 450) 165 to 175
D 3806
wood with surfaces planed and sanded (see Note 4). Kiln-dry
where:
test panels to contain not more than 10 weight % of moisture
W 5 weight of applied wet coating, g,
on an oven dry basis.
D 5 coating density, g/mL, and
S 5 spreading rate in m /L.
R
NOTE 4—Douglas fir, ⁄4–in. (6.3–mm) 3-ply, marine–grade plywood
7.5 Dry the coated panels under standard conditions (4.9)
may be used upon agreement between manufacturer and user. Asbestos-
until equilibrium weight is obtained, allowing sufficient time
cement board, steel, or concrete may be used upon agreement between
for the complete evaporation of solvents, any curing that might
manufacturer and user.
be required by the material, and for the attainment of equilib-
5.1.1 Prior to coating, condition test panels for 14 days in
rium moisture content. Forty-eight hours are normally suffi-
the controlled atmosphere of 50 6 5 % relative humidity and
cient except for certain coatings that may require longer
73.5 6 3.5°F (23 6 2°C) toa9to10% moisture content.
periods because they trap solvent or contain solvents that
Refer to Table 1 for the density and weight per panel of each
evaporate very slowly.
listed wood.
7.6 Apply and cure non-air–drying coatings as recom-
5.1.2 Seal the ends of the panels with two coats of varnish
mended by the supplier and condition as specified in 7.5.
conforming to Fed. Spec. TT-V-119 after conditioning. Allow
each coat of varnish to air-dry 18 to 24 h.
8. Calibration of the Tunnel
8.1 Calibrate the tunnel prior to each day’s operation with
6. Calibration Standards
the calibration standards described in Section 6.
6.1 Zero-Flame Spread—Asbestos-cement board, Type F
8.1.1 Place the zero flame-spread standard in the holder,
1 7 7
conforming to Specification C 220, ⁄2 by 3 ⁄8 by 23 ⁄8 in. (13
smooth side down, and back it with the backing plate (4.5).
by 100 by 605 mm), conditioned as in 5.1.1.
8.1.2 Open the gas valve and adjust to a pressure of 3 oz/in.
(1.3 kPa) and a constant flow of 4.8 ft /h (38 mL/s), and actuate
NOTE 5—Inorganic reinforced cement board, ⁄4-in. (6.3-mm) thick may
the interval timer.
be substituted for asbestos cement.
NOTE 7—These conditions are specified for a natural gas supply
6.2 Fire-Rated Standard—A test panel, similar to that used
3 3
providing 1055 BTU/ft (40 MJ/m ). For any other gas supply, adjust flow
with test coatings, coated with Test Method E 84 rated paint at
to provide 5085 BTU/h (1490 J/s).
the manufacturer’s recommended spreading rate and condi-
8.1.2.1 When the timer sounds, ignite the burner using the
tioned as in Section 7.
ignition transformer. Observe the flame front, measure in
NOTE 6—Do not use paint beyond manufacturer’s stated shelf life.
inches and record at 15-s intervals the flame position by
aligning the notches in the bottom of the specimen holder with
7. Preparation of Test Panels
the markings on the observation window.
7.1 Thoroughly mix the coating under test by a suitable 8.1.3 Record the extreme tip of the flame advance (flame
means until it is uniform in composition and consistency. Test front) on the panel surface, disregarding flame extending up the
Method D 2196 describes a suitable preparation procedure.
tunnel but completely on the angle iron support. After a total
test period of 4 min, extinguish the burner.
7.2 Determine the density of the coating in accordance with
8.1.4 Calculate the mean of the three highest consecutive
Test Method D 1475 in pounds per gallon (or grams per
readings of the flam
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