ASTM E1474-01

Standard Test Method for Determining the Heat Release Rate of Upholstered Furniture and Mattress Components or Composites Using a Bench Scale Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter

SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response test method can be used to determine the ignitability and heat release from the composites of contract, institutional, or high-risk occupancy upholstered furniture or mattresses using a bench scale oxygen consumption calorimeter.
1.2 This test method provides for measurement of the time to sustained flaming, heat release rate, peak and total heat release, and effective heat of combustion at a constant radiant heat flux of 35 kW/m 2. Heat release data at different heating fluxes may also be obtained by this test method. The specimen is oriented horizontally, and a spark ignition source is used.
1.3 The times to sustained flaming, heat release, and effective heat of combustion are determined using the apparatus and procedures described in Test Method E 1354.
1.4 The tests are performed on bench-scale specimens combining the furniture or mattress outer layer components. Frame elements are not included.
1.5 This test method should be used to measure or describe the responses 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 risks of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, the results of the test may be used as elements of a fire hazard assessment or a fire risk assessment that takes into account all of the factors that are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard or fire risk of a particular end use.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.7 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. For specific precautionary statements, see Section 6.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Nov-2001
• ICS: 13.220.40 - Ignitability and burning behaviour of materials and products
• ICS: 97.140 - Furniture
• Technical Committee: E05 - Fire Standards
• Drafting Committee: E05.21 - Smoke and Combustion Products

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E1474-02 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Heat Release Rate of Upholstered Furniture and Mattress Components or Composites Using a Bench Scale Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002

Standards Content (Sample)

An American National Standard
Designation: E 1474 – 01
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Heat Release Rate of Upholstered Furniture
and Mattress Components or Composites Using a Bench
1
Scale Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1474; 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.
INTRODUCTION
This test method provides a means for measuring the ignition time and heat release of the composite
upholstered components of upholstered furniture and mattresses using an oxygen consumption
calorimeter.
1. Scope 1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This fire-test-response test method can be used to
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
determine the ignitability and heat release from the composites
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
of contract, institutional, or high-risk occupancy upholstered
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
furniture or mattresses using a bench scale oxygen consump-
precautionary statements, see Section 6.
tion calorimeter.
1.2 This test method provides for measurement of the time
2. Referenced Documents
to sustained flaming, heat release rate, peak and total heat
2.1 ASTM Standards:
release, and effective heat of combustion at a constant radiant
2
2
D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
heat flux of 35 kW/m . Heat release data at different heating
3
E 176 Terminology of Fire Standards
fluxes may also be obtained by this test method. The specimen
E 1354 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release
is oriented horizontally, and a spark ignition source is used.
Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Con-
1.3 The times to sustained flaming, heat release, and effec-
3
sumption Calorimeter
tive heat of combustion are determined using the apparatus and
2.2 Other Documents:
procedures described in Test Method E 1354.
CA TB 133, Flammability Test Procedure for Seating Fur-
1.4 The tests are performed on bench-scale specimens
4
niture for Use in Public Occupancies
combining the furniture or mattress outer layer components.
ISO 5725 Part 2, Accuracy (Trueness and Precision) of
Frame elements are not included.
Measurement Methods and Results—Basic Method for
1.5 This test method should be used to measure or describe
the Determination of Repeatability and Reproducibility of
the responses of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
5
a Standard Measurement Method
flame under controlled conditions and should not be used to
describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risks of materials,
3. Terminology
products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However,
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms relating to this test
the results of the test may be used as elements of a fire hazard
method refer to Terminology D 123 and E 176.
assessment or a fire risk assessment that takes into account all
3.1.1 effective heat of combustion, n—the amount of heat
of the factors that are pertinent to an assessment of the fire
generated per unit mass lost by a material, product, or
hazard or fire risk of a particular end use.
assembly, when exposed to specific fire test conditions. (see
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
gross heat of combustion.)
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01.
1 3
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
4
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.15 on Furnishings Available from State of California, Dept. of Home Furnishings and Thermal
and Contents. Insulation, North Highlands, CA 95660-5595.
5
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 2001. Published November 2001. Originally Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
published as E 1474 – 92. Last previous edition E 1474 – 96a. Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E 1474
3.1.1.1 Discussion—The effective heat of combustion de- the mass loss rate of the specimen, the time to sustained
pends on the test method and is determined by dividing the flaming, and the effective heat of combustion. Ignitability is
measured heat release by the mass loss during a specified determined by measuring the time from initial exposure to the
period of time under the specified test conditions. Typically, the time of sustained flaming of the specimen.
specified fire test conditions are provided by the specifications
5. Significance
...