ASTM E2102-04a
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Measurement of Mass Loss and Ignitability for Screening Purposes Using a Conical Radiant Heater
Standard Test Method for Measurement of Mass Loss and Ignitability for Screening Purposes Using a Conical Radiant Heater
SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response standard provides a means of measuring mass loss and ignitability, for screening purposes, from essentially planar materials, products, or assemblies (including surface finishes), exposed to controlled levels of radiant heating, with or without an external ignitor. This test method is intended for screening purposes only.
1.2 The principal fire-test-response characteristics obtained from this test method are those associated with mass loss from the specimens tested, as a function of time. Time to sustained flaming is also determined. Heat release is, optionally, determined using thermopile measurements detailed in .
1.2.1 The fire-test-response characteristics obtained from this test are best used for comparisons between materials with some similarities in composition or structure.
1.3 The relationship between mass loss and heat release depends on the material, product, or assembly tested, and no universal formula exists for calculation of heat release using mass loss measurements (see also additional limitations in 5.7).
1.4 The fire-test-response characteristics obtained from this test method are also obtainable with the apparatus used in Test Method E 1354 (the cone calorimeter) or in an applications standards of that equipment (see also 5.4). The referenced test methods permit measurements of added fire-test-response characteristics.
1.5 The fire-test-response characteristics obtained by this test method are specific to the specimen tested, in the form and thickness tested, and are not an inherent property of the material, product, or assembly.
1.6 This fire-test-response method does not provide information on the fire performance of the test specimens under fire conditions other than those conditions specified in this test method. For additional limitations of this test method, see .
1.7 Use the SI system of units in referee decisions; see IEEE/ASTM SI-10. The units given in parentheses are for information only.
1.8 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.
1.9 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. See also Section 7.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
Relations
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
An American National Standard
Designation:E2102–04a
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Mass Loss and Ignitability for Screening
1
Purposes Using a Conical Radiant Heater
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2102; 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.
INTRODUCTION
The screening fire-test-response method described in this standard uses a radiant energy source
similar to that used in the cone calorimeter, Test Method E 1354. However, the test method apparatus
is much simpler, because it excludes measurements of oxygen consumption or of smoke obscuration,
which are incorporated into the cone calorimeter to measure heat and smoke release. A fire-test-
response standard describes a test method from which one or more fire-test-response characteristics
can be measured, as a result of exposure to a prescribed source of heat or flame, under controlled
conditions. There are many occasions, typically for initial research and development, when there is a
need for screening samples of materials, products, or assemblies, using a simple test. This allows the
user to verify whether certain fire-test-response characteristics of the sample fall within the expected
margins. Screening tests, as related to fire, are described in fire terminology as fire-response tests
performed to determine whether a material, product, or assembly (a) exhibits any unusual fire-related
characteristics, (b) has certain expected fire-related characteristics, or (c) is capable of being
preliminarily categorized according to the fire characteristic in question. Screening tests addressing
fire properties should be chosen so that the energy input (as heat or flame) is representative of that in
the fire test method for which screening is desired.
1. Scope universal formula exists for calculation of heat release using
masslossmeasurements(seealsoadditionallimitationsin5.7).
1.1 This fire-test-response standard provides a means of
1.4 The fire-test-response characteristics obtained from this
measuring mass loss and ignitability, for screening purposes,
test method are also obtainable with the apparatus used in Test
from essentially planar materials, products, or assemblies
Method E 1354 (the cone calorimeter) or in an applications
(including surface finishes), exposed to controlled levels of
standards of that equipment (see also 5.4). The referenced test
radiant heating, with or without an external ignitor. This test
methodspermitmeasurementsofaddedfire-test-responsechar-
method is intended for screening purposes only.
acteristics.
1.2 The principal fire-test-response characteristics obtained
1.5 The fire-test-response characteristics obtained by this
from this test method are those associated with mass loss from
test method are specific to the specimen tested, in the form and
the specimens tested, as a function of time. Time to sustained
thickness tested, and are not an inherent property of the
flaming is also determined. Heat release is, optionally, deter-
material, product, or assembly.
mined using thermopile measurements detailed in Annex A2.
1.6 This fire-test-response method does not provide infor-
1.2.1 The fire-test-response characteristics obtained from
mation on the fire performance of the test specimens under fire
this test are best used for comparisons between materials with
conditions other than those conditions specified in this test
some similarities in composition or structure.
method. For additional limitations of this test method, see 5.7.
1.3 The relationship between mass loss and heat release
1.7 Use the SI system of units in referee decisions; see
depends on the material, product, or assembly tested, and no
IEEE/ASTM SI-10. The units given in parentheses are for
information only.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire
1.8 This standard is used to measure and describe the
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.21 on Smoke and
responseofmaterials,products,orassembliestoheatandflame
Combustion Products.
under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate
Current edition approved April 1, 2004. Published April 2004. Originally
approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as E 2102 - 04.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E2102–04a
3
all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the 2.2 ISO Standards:
materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. ISO 3261 Fire Tests–Vocab
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.