ASTM D5424-23
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Smoke Obscuration of Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration
Standard Test Method for Smoke Obscuration 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 smoke obscuration and resulting from burning the electrical insulating materials contained in electrical or optical fiber cables. The specimens are allowed to burn freely under well ventilated conditions after ignition by means of a propane gas burner.
5.2 Smoke obscuration quantifies the visibility in fires.
5.3 This test method is also suitable for measuring the rate of heat release as an optional measurement. The rate of heat release often serves as an indication of the intensity of the fire generated. Test Method D5537 provides means for measuring heat release with the equipment used in this test method.
5.4 Other optional fire-test-response characteristics that are measurable by this test method are useful to make decisions on fire safety. The most important gaseous components of smoke are the carbon oxides, present in all fires. They are major indicators of the toxicity of the atmosphere and 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. Other toxic gases, which are specific to certain materials, are less crucial for determining combustion completeness.
5.5 Test Limitations:
5.5.1 The fire-test-response characteristics measured in this test method 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.
5.5.2 In particular, it is unlikely that this test method is an adequate representation of the fire behavior of cables in confined spaces, without abundant circulation of air.
5.5.3 This is an intermediate-scale test, and the predictability of its results to large scale fires has not been determined. Some information ...
SCOPE
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.
1.2 This test method provides a means to measure the smoke obscuration resulting from burning 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.
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 flame propagation and smoke release characteristics of the materials contained in single and multiconductor electrical or optical fiber cables designed for use in cable trays.
1.4 This test method does not provide information on the fire performance of 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 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 The production of light obscuring smoke is measured.
1.7 The burning behavior is documented visually, by photographic or video recordings, or both.
1.8 The test equipment is suitable for making other, optional, measurements, including the rate of heat release of the burning specimen, by an oxygen consumption technique and weight loss.
1.9 Another set of optional measurements are the concentrations of certain toxic gas species in the combustion gases.
1.10 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. (See IEEE/ASTM SI 10.)
1.11 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...
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Designation: D5424 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Smoke Obscuration of Insulating Materials Contained in
Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical
1
Cable Tray Configuration
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5424; 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* 1.10 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.
standard. (See IEEE/ASTM SI 10.)
1.2 This test method provides a means to measure the
1.11 This standard does not purport to address all of the
smoke obscuration resulting from burning electrical insulating
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
materials contained in electrical or optical fiber cables when
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the cable specimens, excluding accessories, are subjected to a
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
specified flaming ignition source and burn freely under well
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
ventilated conditions.
1.12 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safe-
1.3 This test method provides two different protocols for
guards for personnel and property shall be employed in
exposing the materials, when made into cable specimens, to an
conducting these tests.
ignition source (approximately 20 kW), for a 20 min test
1.13 This standard is used to measure and describe the
duration. Use it to determine the flame propagation and smoke
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
release characteristics of the materials contained in single and
flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself
multiconductor electrical or optical fiber cables designed for
incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk
use in cable trays.
assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under
1.4 This test method does not provide information on the
actual fire conditions.
fire performance of electrical or optical fiber cables in fire
1.14 This international standard was developed in accor-
conditions other than the ones specifically used in this test
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
method, nor does it measure the contribution of the cables to a
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
developing fire condition.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.5 Data describing the burning behavior from ignition to
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
the end of the test are obtained.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.6 The production of light obscuring smoke is measured.
2. Referenced Documents
1.7 The burning behavior is documented visually, by pho- 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
tographic or video recordings, or both.
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
1.8 The test equipment is suitable for making other,
D5537 Test Method for Heat Release, Flame Spread, Smoke
optional, measurements, including the rate of heat release of Obscuration, and Mass Loss Testing of Insulating Mate-
the burning specimen, by an oxygen consumption technique
rials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When
and weight loss. Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
1.9 Another set of optional measurements are the concen-
Building Materials
trations of certain toxic gas species in the combustion gases.
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E800 Guide for Measurement of Gases Present or Generated
During Fires
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 Feb. 1, 2023. Published February 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D5424 – 18. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D5424-23. 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, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5424 − 23
E1354 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release 4. Summary of Test Method
...
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: D5424 − 18 D5424 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Smoke Obscuration of Insulating Materials Contained in
Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical
1
Cable Tray Configuration
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5424; 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 smoke obscuration resulting from burning 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.
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 flame propagation and smoke release
characteristics of the materials contained in single and multiconductor electrical or optical fiber cables designed for use in cable
trays.
1.4 This test method does not provide information on the fire performance of 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 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 The production of light obscuring smoke is measured.
1.7 The burning behavior is documented visually, by photographic or video recordings, or both.
1.8 The test equipment is suitable for making other, optional, measurements, including the rate of heat release of the burning
specimen, by an oxygen consumption technique and weight loss.
1.9 Another set of optional measurements are the concentrations of certain toxic gas species in the combustion gases.
1.10 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. (See
IEEE/ASTM SI 10.)
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 Nov. 1, 2018Feb. 1, 2023. Published December 2018February 2023. Originally approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 20142018
as D5424 – 14.D5424 – 18. DOI: 10.1520/D5424-18.10.1520/D5424-23.
*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 ----------------------
D5424 − 23
1.11 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.
1.12 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these
tests.
1.13 This standard is used to measure and describe 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.
1.14 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
D5537 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
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E800 Guide for Measurement of Gases Present or Generated During Fires
E1354 Test Me
...
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