ASTM E1678-15

Standard Test Method for Measuring Smoke Toxicity for Use in Fire Hazard Analysis

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method has been designed to provide data for the mathematical modeling of fire hazard as a means for the evaluation of materials and products and to assist in their research and development.  
5.1.1 Test Method E1678–15 is functionally equivalent to NFPA 269–2012.  
5.2 This test method is used to predict, and subsequently confirm, the lethal toxic potency of smoke produced upon the exposure of a material or product to specific fire test conditions. Confirmation determines whether certain major gaseous toxicants account for the observed toxic effects and lethal toxic potency. If a predicted lethal toxic potency value is not confirmed adequately, indicating a potential for unusual or unexplained toxicity, the lethal toxic potency will need to be investigated using other methodology, such as conducting an experimental determination of the LC50 using the apparatus described. (See X1.3.1 and X1.3.2.)  
5.3 This test method produces lethal toxic potency values that are appropriate for use in the modeling of both pre-flashover and post-flashover fires. Most fire deaths due to smoke inhalation in the U.S. occur in areas other than the room of fire origin and are caused by fires that have proceeded beyond the room of fire origin. It is assumed that these are flashover fires. Therefore, the principal emphasis is placed on evaluating toxic hazard under these conditions. In post-flashover fires, large concentrations of carbon monoxide results from reduced air supply to the fire plume and other room-scale factors. Bench-scale tests do not have the capacity to simulate these phenomena. The lethal toxic potency values determined in this test method are obtained from fuel/air ratios more representative of pre-flashover, rather than post-flashover conditions. In cases where a pre-flashover fire representation is desired in fire hazard modeling, these LC50 values are appropriate. Lethal toxic potency and carbon monoxide yield values determined in this test method re...
SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response standard covers a means for determining the lethal toxic potency of smoke produced from a material or product ignited while exposed to a radiant heat flux of 50 kW/m2 for 15 min.  
1.2 This test method is limited to test specimens no larger than 76 by 127 mm (3 by 5 in.), with a thickness no greater than 51 mm (2 in.). Specimens are intended to be representative of finished materials or products, including composite and combination systems.  
1.3 Lethal toxic potency values associated with 30-min exposures are predicted using calculations that use combustion atmosphere analytical data for carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen (vitiation) and, if present, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride, and hydrogen bromide. The predictive equations are therefore limited to those materials and products whose smoke toxicity can be attributed to these toxicants. An animal check determines the extent to which additional toxicants contribute to the lethal toxic potency of the smoke.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.5 This standard measures and describes the response of materials, products, or assemblies in response to heat under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard of fire risk assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.  
1.6 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 (particularly with regard to the care and use of experimental animals) prior to use. For specific hazards statements, see Section 7 and Note X1.1.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Nov-2015
• ICS: 13.220.50 - Fire-resistance of building materials and elements
• ICS: 91.040.01 - Buildings in general
• Technical Committee: E05 - Fire Standards
• Drafting Committee: E05.21 - Smoke and Combustion Products

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
Designation: E1678 − 15 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
1
Measuring Smoke Toxicity for Use in Fire Hazard Analysis
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1678; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Thepyrolysisorcombustionofeverycombustiblematerialorproductproducessmokethatistoxic.
It is, therefore, desirable to establish a test method for the development of data characterizing smoke
toxicity as an element of fire hazard analyses for both pre-flashover and post-flashover fires. The test
methodincludesquantificationofthetoxicityofthesmokeandascertainwhethertheobservedtoxicity
can be attributed to the major common toxicants.
1. Scope 1.6 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 standard covers a means for
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
determining the lethal toxic potency of smoke produced from
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
a material or product ignited while exposed to a radiant heat
bility of regulatory limitations (particularly with regard to the
2
flux of 50 kW/m for 15 min.
careanduseofexperimentalanimals)priortouse.Forspecific
1.2 This test method is limited to test specimens no larger
hazards statements, see Section 7 and Note X1.1.
than 76 by 127 mm (3 by 5 in.), with a thickness no greater
than 51 mm (2 in.). Specimens are intended to be representa-
2. Referenced Documents
tive of finished materials or products, including composite and 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
combination systems.
E176Terminology of Fire Standards
E800GuideforMeasurementofGasesPresentorGenerated
1.3 Lethal toxic potency values associated with 30-min
exposures are predicted using calculations that use combustion During Fires
atmosphere analytical data for carbon monoxide, carbon
2.2 ISO Document:
3
dioxide, oxygen (vitiation) and, if present, hydrogen cyanide,
TR 9122(Parts 1–5) Toxicity Testing of Fire Effluents
hydrogen chloride, and hydrogen bromide. The predictive 4
2.3 FFPA Standard:
equations are therefore limited to those materials and products
NFPA 269–2012Standard Test Method for Developing
whose smoke toxicity can be attributed to these toxicants. An
Toxic Potency Data for Use in Fire Hazard Modeling
animal check determines the extent to which additional toxi-
cants contribute to the lethal toxic potency of the smoke.
3. Terminology
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of general terms used in
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
this test method, refer to Terminology E176.
only.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 carboxyhemoglobin saturation, n—the percent of
1.5 This standard measures and describes the response of
blood hemoglobin predominately converted to carboxyhemo-
materials, products, or assemblies in response to heat under
globin from reaction with inhaled carbon monoxide.
controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all
3.2.1.1 Discussion—The chemical reaction between carbon
factors required for fire hazard of fire risk assessment of the
materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.21 on Smoke and the ASTM website.
3
Combustion Products. Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2015. Published December 2015. Originally 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
4
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as E1678–10. DOI: Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch
10.1520/E1678-15. Park, Quincy, MA 02269, http://www.nfpa.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1678 − 15
monoxide and hemoglobin in blood is reversible.The effect of for 30 min to the smoke produced from that mass of the test
carbonmonoxideontheexposedpersonmaynotbereversible. specimen whose mass loss concentration during the 30-min
period is approximately (610%) equivalent to 70% and to
3
...

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: E1678 − 10 E1678 − 15 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
1
Measuring Smoke Toxicity for Use in Fire Hazard Analysis
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1678; 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 pyrolysis or combustion of every combustible material or product produces smoke that is toxic.
It is, therefore, desirable to establish a test method for the development of data characterizing smoke
toxicity as an element of fire hazard analyses for both pre-flashover and post-flashover fires. The test
method includes quantification of the toxicity of the smoke and ascertain whether the observed toxicity
can be attributed to the major common toxicants.
1. Scope
1.1 This fire-test-response standard covers a means for determining the lethal toxic potency of smoke produced from a material
2
or product ignited while exposed to a radiant heat flux of 50 kW/m for 15 min.
1.2 This test method is limited to test specimens no larger than 76 by 127 mm (3 by 5 in.), with a thickness no greater than 51
mm (2 in.). Specimens are intended to be representative of finished materials or products, including composite and combination
systems.
1.3 Lethal toxic potency values associated with 30-min exposures are predicted using calculations that use combustion
atmosphere analytical data for carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen (vitiation) and, if present, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen
chloride, and hydrogen bromide. The predictive equations are therefore limited to those materials and products whose smoke
toxicity can be attributed to these toxicants. An animal check determines the extent to which additional toxicants contribute to the
lethal toxic potency of the smoke.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 This standard measures and describes the response of materials, products, or assemblies in response to heat under controlled
conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard of fire risk assessment of the materials, products,
or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
1.6 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 (particularly with regard to the care and use of experimental animals) prior to use. For specific hazards statements,
see Section 7 and Note X1.1.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E800 Guide for Measurement of Gases Present or Generated During Fires
2.2 ISO Document:
3
TR 9122 (Parts 1–5) Toxicity Testing of Fire Effluents
4
2.3 FFPA Standard:
NFPA 269–2012 Standard Test Method for Developing Toxic Potency Data for Use in Fire Hazard Modeling
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 Feb. 1, 2010Nov. 15, 2015. Published February 2010December 2015. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 20092010
as E1678 – 09.E1678 – 10. DOI: 10.1520/E1678-10.10.1520/E1678-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
4
Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269, http://www.nfpa.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1678 − 15
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of general terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology E176.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 carboxyhemoglobin saturation, n—the percent of blood hemoglobin predominately converted to carboxyhemogl
...