ASTM D5537-23a
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Heat Release, Flame Spread, Smoke Obscuration, and Mass Loss Testing of Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration
Standard Test Method for Heat Release, Flame Spread, Smoke Obscuration, and Mass Loss Testing of Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method provides a means to measure a variety of fire-test-response characteristics associated with heat and smoke release and resulting from burning the materials insulating electrical or optical fiber cables, when made into cables and installed on a vertical cable tray. The specimens are allowed to burn freely under well ventilated conditions after ignition by means of a propane gas burner. The ignition source used in this test method is also described as a premixed flame flaming ignition source in Practice E3020, which contains an exhaustive compilation of ignition sources.
5.2 The rate of heat release often serves as an indication of the intensity of the fire generated. General considerations of the importance of heat release rate are discussed in Appendix X1 and considerations for heat release calculations are in Appendix X2.
5.3 Other fire-test-response characteristics that are measurable by this test method are useful to make decisions on fire safety. The test method is also used for measuring smoke obscuration. The apparatus described here is also useful to measure gaseous components of smoke; the most important gaseous components of smoke are the carbon oxides, present in all fires. The carbon oxides are major indicators of the completeness of combustion and are often used as part of fire hazard assessment calculations and to improve the accuracy of heat release measurements.
5.4 Test Limitations:
5.4.1 The fire-test-response characteristics measured in this test are a representation of the manner in which the specimens tested behave under certain specific conditions. Do not assume they are representative of a generic fire performance of the materials tested when made into cables of the construction under consideration.
5.4.2 In particular, it is unlikely that this test is an adequate representation of the fire behavior of cables in confined spaces, without abundant circulation of air.
5.4.3 This is an intermediate-scale test...
SCOPE
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.
1.2 This test method provides a means to measure the heat released and smoke obscuration by burning the electrical insulating materials contained in electrical or optical fiber cables when the cable specimens, excluding accessories, are subjected to a specified flaming ignition source and burn freely under well ventilated conditions. Flame propagation cable damage, by char length, and mass loss are also measured.
1.3 This test method provides two different protocols for exposing the materials, when made into cable specimens, to an ignition source (approximately 20 kW), for a 20 min test duration. Use it to determine the heat release, smoke release, flame propagation and mass loss characteristics of the materials contained in single and multiconductor electrical or optical fiber cables.
1.4 This test method does not provide information on the fire performance of materials insulating electrical or optical fiber cables in fire conditions other than the ones specifically used in this test method nor does it measure the contribution of the materials in those cables to a developing fire condition.
1.5 Data describing the burning behavior from ignition to the end of the test are obtained.
1.6 This test equipment is suitable for measuring the concentrations of certain toxic gas species in the combustion gases (see Appendix X4).
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard (see IEEE/ASTM SI-10). The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.8 This standard measures and describes the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the materials, products or assemblies under actual fire conditions
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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: D5537 − 23a
Standard Test Method for
Heat Release, Flame Spread, Smoke Obscuration, and Mass
Loss Testing of Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical
or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical Cable
1
Tray Configuration
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5537; 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.
1. Scope* 1.8 This standard measures and describes the response of
materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.
controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all
1.2 This test method provides a means to measure the heat
factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the
released and smoke obscuration by burning the electrical
materials, products or assemblies under actual fire conditions
insulating materials contained in electrical or optical fiber
1.9 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safe-
cables when the cable specimens, excluding accessories, are
guards for personnel and property shall be employed in
subjected to a specified flaming ignition source and burn freely
conducting these tests.
under well ventilated conditions. Flame propagation cable
1.10 This standard does not purport to address all of the
damage, by char length, and mass loss are also measured.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.3 This test method provides two different protocols for
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
exposing the materials, when made into cable specimens, to an
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
ignition source (approximately 20 kW), for a 20 min test
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
duration. Use it to determine the heat release, smoke release,
1.11 This international standard was developed in accor-
flame propagation and mass loss characteristics of the materials
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
contained in single and multiconductor electrical or optical
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
fiber cables.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.4 This test method does not provide information on the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
fire performance of materials insulating electrical or optical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
fiber cables in fire conditions other than the ones specifically
2. Referenced Documents
used in this test method nor does it measure the contribution of
2
the materials in those cables to a developing fire condition.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
1.5 Data describing the burning behavior from ignition to
D5424 Test Method for Smoke Obscuration of Insulating
the end of the test are obtained.
Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables
1.6 This test equipment is suitable for measuring the con-
When Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration
centrations of certain toxic gas species in the combustion gases
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
(see Appendix X4).
Building Materials
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
standard (see IEEE/ASTM SI-10). The values given in paren-
E603 Guide for Room Fire Experiments
theses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that
E800 Guide for Measurement of Gases Present or Generated
are provided for information only and are not considered
During Fires
standard.
E1354 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release
Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Con-
sumption Calorimeter
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of
2
Subcommittee D09.17 on Fire and Thermal Properties. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2023. Published May 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2023 as D5537 – 23. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D5537-23A. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken
...
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: D5537 − 23 D5537 − 23a
Standard Test Method for
Heat Release, Flame Spread, Smoke Obscuration, and Mass
Loss Testing of Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical
or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical Cable
1
Tray Configuration
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5537; 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.
1. Scope*
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.
1.2 This test method provides a means to measure the heat released and smoke obscuration by burning the electrical insulating
materials contained in electrical or optical fiber cables when the cable specimens, excluding accessories, are subjected to a
specified flaming ignition source and burn freely under well ventilated conditions. Flame propagation cable damage, by char
length, and mass loss are also measured.
1.3 This test method provides two different protocols for exposing the materials, when made into cable specimens, to an ignition
source (approximately 20 kW), for a 20 min test duration. Use it to determine the heat release, smoke release, flame propagation
and mass loss characteristics of the materials contained in single and multiconductor electrical or optical fiber cables.
1.4 This test method does not provide information on the fire performance of materials insulating electrical or optical fiber cables
in fire conditions other than the ones specifically used in this test method nor does it measure the contribution of the materials in
those cables to a developing fire condition.
1.5 Data describing the burning behavior from ignition to the end of the test are obtained.
1.6 This test equipment is suitable for measuring the concentrations of certain toxic gas species in the combustion gases (see
Appendix X4).
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard (see IEEE/ASTM SI-10). The values given in parentheses are
mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.8 This standard measures and describes the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled
conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the materials, products
or assemblies under actual fire conditions
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D09.17 on Fire and Thermal Properties.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2023May 1, 2023. Published February 2023May 2023. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 20182023 as
D5537 – 18.D5537 – 23. DOI: 10.1520/D5537-23.10.1520/D5537-23A.
*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 ----------------------
D5537 − 23a
1.9 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these
tests.
1.10 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.11 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
D5424 Test Method for Smoke Obscuration of Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When
Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E603 Guide for Room Fire Experiments
E800 Guide for Measurement of Gases Present or Generated During Fires
E1354 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using an Ox
...
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