ASTM E648-00

Standard Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Floor-Covering Systems Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source

SCOPE
1.1 This fire test response standard describes a procedure for measuring the critical radiant flux of horizontally mounted floor-covering systems exposed to a flaming ignition source in a graded radiant heat energy environment, in a test chamber. A specimen is mounted over underlayment, a simulated concrete structural floor, bonded to a simulated structural floor, or otherwise mounted in a typical and representative way.  
1.2 This fire test response standard measures the critical radiant flux at flame-out. It provides a basis for estimating one aspect of fire exposure behavior for floor-covering systems. The imposed radiant flux simulates the thermal radiation levels likely to impinge on the floors of a building whose upper surfaces are heated by flames or hot gases, or both, from a fully developed fire in an adjacent room or compartment. The standard was developed to simulate an important fire exposure component of fires that may develop in corridors or exitways of buildings and is not intended for routine use in estimating flame spread behavior of floor covering in building areas other than corridors or exitways. See Appendix X1 for information on proper application and interpretation of experimental results from use of this test.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory information. These notes and footnotes, excluding those in tables and figures, shall not be considered as requirements of this standard.  
1.5  This standard should be 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 materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
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. Specific hazard statements are given in Section 7.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jul-2000
• ICS: 97.150 - Floor coverings
• Technical Committee: E05 - Fire Standards
• Drafting Committee: E05.22 - Surface Burning

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E648-03 - Standard Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Floor-Covering Systems Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C1486-18(2023) - Standard Practice for Testing Chemical-Resistant Broadcast and Slurry-Broadcast Resin Monolithic Floor Surfacings
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2000
• Referred By: ASTM F3214-23 - Standard Practice for Characterization of Fire Properties of Seating, Upholstery, and Padding Materials for Vehicles Associated with Amusement Rides and Devices
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2000
• Referred By: ASTM F1551-09(2017) - Standard Test Methods for Comprehensive Characterization of Synthetic Turf Playing Surfaces and Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E1321-18 - Standard Test Method for Determining Material Ignition and Flame Spread Properties
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2000
• Referred By: ASTM F1918-21 - Standard Safety Performance Specification for Soft Contained Play Equipment
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2000
• Referred By: ASTM F2970-22 - Standard Practice for Design, Manufacture, Installation, Operation, Maintenance, Inspection and Major Modification of Trampoline Courts
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E2061-23 - Standard Guide for Fire Hazard Assessment of Rail Transportation Vehicles
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E3020-22 - Standard Practice for Ignition Sources
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E1546-21 - Standard Guide for Development of Fire-Hazard-Assessment Standards
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D6719-22e1 - Standard Guide for Standard Test Methods and Practices for Evaluating Pile Yarn Floor Covering
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D5144-08(2021) - Standard Guide for Use of Protective Coating Standards in Nuclear Power Plants
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E1317-19 - Standard Test Method for Flammability of Surface Finishes
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E176-21ae1 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E970-17e1 - Standard Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Exposed Attic Floor Insulation Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2000

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: E 648 – 00 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Critical Radiant Flux of Floor-Covering Systems Using a
1
Radiant Heat Energy Source
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 648; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.1 This fire-test-response standard covers a procedure for
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazard
measuring the critical radiant flux of horizontally mounted
statements are given in Section 7.
floor-covering systems exposed to a flaming ignition source in
a graded radiant heat energy environment in a test chamber. A
2. Referenced Documents
specimen is mounted over underlayment, a simulated concrete
2.1 ASTM Standards:
structural floor, bonded to a simulated structural floor, or
E 122 Practice for Choice of Sample Size to Estimate a
otherwise mounted in a typical and representative way.
2
Measure of Quality for a Lot or Process
1.2 This fire-test-response standard measures the critical
E 171 Specification for Standard Atmospheres for Condi-
radiant flux at flame-out. It provides a basis for estimating one
3
tioning and Testing Flexible Barrier Materials
aspect of fire exposure behavior for floor-covering systems.
4
E 176 Terminology of Fire Standards
The imposed radiant flux simulates the thermal radiation levels
likely to impinge on the floors of a building whose upper
3. Terminology
surfaces are heated by flames or hot gases, or both, from a fully
3.1 Definitions—See Terminology E 176 for additional defi-
developed fire in an adjacent room or compartment. The
nitions.
standard was developed to simulate an important fire exposure
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
component of fires that develop in corridors or exitways of
3.2.1 blackbody temperature, n—the temperature of a per-
buildings and is not intended for routine use in estimating
fect radiator—a surface with an emissivity of unity and,
flame spread behavior of floor covering in building areas other
therefore, a reflectivity of zero.
than corridors or exitways. See Appendix X1 for information
3.2.2 corridor, n—an enclosed space connecting a room or
on proper application and interpretation of experimental results
compartment with an exit. The corridor includes normal
from use of this test.
extensions, such as lobbies and other enlarged spaces, where
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
present.
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
3.2.3 critical radiant flux, n—the level of incident radiant
only.
heat energy on the floor covering system at the most distant
1.4 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes
2 2
flame-out point. It is reported as W/cm (Btu/ft ·s).
that provide explanatory information. These notes and foot-
3.2.4 flame-out, n—the time at which the last vestige of
notes, excluding those in tables and figures, shall not be
flame or glow disappears from the surface of the test specimen,
considered as requirements of this standard.
frequently accompanied by a final puff of smoke; Time 0 is the
1.5 This standard is used to measure and describe the
time at which the specimen is moved into the chamber and the
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
door closed. (See 12.3.)
flame under controlled conditions but does not by itself
3.2.5 floor covering, n—an essentially planar material hav-
incorporate all factors required for fire-hazard or fire-risk
ing a relatively small thickness in comparison to its length or
assessment of materials, products, or assemblies under actual
width, which is laid on a floor to enhance the beauty, comfort,
fire conditions.
and utility of the floor.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.6 floor covering system, n—a single material, composite
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
or assembly comprised of the floor covering and related
installation components (adhesive, cushion, etc.), if any.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.22 on Surface
2
Burning. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
3
Current edition approved July 10, 2000. Published August 2000. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09.
4
published as E 648 – 78. Last previous edition E 648 – 99. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 0
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