ASTM E162-22

Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method provides a laboratory test procedure for measuring and comparing the surface flammability of materials when exposed to a prescribed level of radiant heat energy. It is intended for use in measurements of the surface flammability of materials exposed to fire. The test is conducted using small specimens that are representative, to the extent possible, of the material or assembly being evaluated. (Example: in terms of their thickness, layering, and any potential substrate.)  
5.2 The rate at which flames will travel along surfaces depends upon the physical and thermal properties of the material, product or assembly under test, the specimen mounting method and orientation, the type and level of fire or heat exposure, the availability of air, and properties of the surrounding enclosure.4-7  
5.3 In this procedure, the specimens are subjected to one or more specific sets of laboratory fire test conditions. If different test conditions are substituted or the end-use conditions are changed, it is not always possible by or from this test to predict changes in the fire-test-response characteristics measured. Therefore, the results are valid only for the fire test exposure conditions described in this procedure.  
5.4 If the test results obtained by this test method are to be considered as part of an overall assessment of fire hazard in a building or structure, then the example criteria, concepts and procedures incorporated into Guide E1546 shall be taken into consideration.
SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response standard describes the measurement of surface flammability of materials. It is not intended for use as a basis of ratings for building code purposes (see Appendix X1).  
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.3 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.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently hazardous, and adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests. This test method may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. Specific information about hazard is given in Section .
Note 1: There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.  
1.6 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2022
• ICS: 13.220.50 - Fire-resistance of building materials and elements
• Technical Committee: E05 - Fire Standards
• Drafting Committee: E05.22 - Surface Burning

Standards Content (Sample)

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: E162 − 22 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat
1
Energy Source
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E162; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This fire-test-response standard describes the measure-
C1186Specification for Flat Fiber-Cement Sheets
mentofsurfaceflammabilityofmaterials.Itisnotintendedfor
C1288Specification for Fiber-Cement Interior Substrate
use as a basis of ratings for building code purposes (see
Sheets
Appendix X1).
D3675Test Method for Surface Flammability of Flexible
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
Cellular Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
E84Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
Building Materials
and are not considered standard.
E176Terminology of Fire Standards
E1546Guide for Development of Fire-Hazard-Assessment
1.3 This standard measures and describes the response of
Standards
materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under
3
2.2 ISO Standards
controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all
ISO13943Fire Safety—Vocabulary
factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the
materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
3. Terminology
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
method, refer to the terminology contained in Terminology
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
E176 and ISO13943. In case of conflict, the definitions given
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
in Terminology E176 shall prevail.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.5 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently
3.2.1 flashing, n—flame fronts of 3 seconds or less in
hazardous,andadequatesafeguardsforpersonnelandproperty
duration.
shall be employed in conducting these tests. This test method
3.2.1.1 Discussion—All flame fronts, however temporary,
may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment.
are to be taken into account.
Specific information about hazard is given in Section .
3.2.2 radiant panel index, I,n—the radiant panel index is
s
NOTE 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
the product of the flame spread factor, F , and the heat
s
evolution factor, Q.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4. Summary of Test Method
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 4.1 This test method of measuring surface flammability of
materials employs a radiant heat source consisting of a 12 by
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 18-in. (305 by 457 mm) panel, in front of which an inclined 6
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.22 on Surface Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Burning. the ASTM website.
3
Current edition approved July 1, 2022. Published August 2022. Originally Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1, ch. de
approved in 1960. Last previous edition approved in 2021 as E162–21. DOI: la Voie-Creuse, Case postale 56, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://
10.1520/E0162-22. www.iso.ch.
*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 ----------------------
E162 − 22
by 18-in. (152 by 457 mm) specimen of the material is placed. centrifugal blower, or equivalent, capable of providing 1200
3
The orientation of the
...

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: E162 − 21 E162 − 22 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat
1
Energy Source
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E162; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This fire-test-response standard describes the measurement of surface flammability of materials. It is not intended for use as
a basis of ratings for building code purposes (see Appendix X1).
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 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.
1.4 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.
1.5 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently hazardous, and adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be
employed in conducting these tests. This test method may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. Specific
information about hazard is given in Section .
NOTE 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
1.6 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:
C1186 Specification for Flat Fiber-Cement Sheets
C1288 Specification for Fiber-Cement Interior Substrate Sheets
D3675 Test Method for Surface Flammability of Flexible Cellular Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
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 Burning.
Current edition approved July 1, 2021July 1, 2022. Published August 2021August 2022. Originally approved in 1960. Last previous edition approved in 20162021 as
E162 – 16.E162 – 21. DOI: 10.1520/E0162-21.10.1520/E0162-22.
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.
*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 ----------------------
E162 − 22
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E1546 Guide for Development of Fire-Hazard-Assessment Standards
3
2.2 ISO Standards
ISO 13943 Fire Safety—Vocabulary
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to the terminology contained in Terminology E176 and
ISO 13943. In case of conflict, the definitions given in Terminology E176 shall prevail.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 flashing, n—flame fronts of 3 seconds or less in duration.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—
All flame fronts, however temporary, are to be taken into account.
3.2.2 radiant panel index, I , n—the radiant panel index is the product of the flame spread factor, F , and the heat evolution factor,
s s
Q.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 This test method of measuring surface flammability of materials employs a radiant heat source consisting of a 12 by 18-in.
(305 by 457 mm) panel, in front of which an inclined 6 by 18-in. (152 by 457 mm) specimen of the material is placed. The
orientation of the specimen is such that
...