ASTM F3538-22

Standard Test Method for Measuring Heat Transmission Through Flame-Resistant Materials for Clothing in Flame Exposure Using a Cylindrical Specimen Holder

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is intended for the determination of the cylinder heat transfer performance value of a flame-resistant material or combination of materials when exposed to a continuous and constant heat source. This is used to compare materials used in flame-resistant clothing for workers when exposed to combined convective and radiant thermal hazards.
Note 3: Air movement at the face of the specimen and around the calorimeter can affect the measured heat transferred due to forced convective heat losses. Minimizing air movement around the specimen and test apparatus will aid in the repeatability of the results.  
5.2 This test method maintains the specimen with and without air gaps in a static, horizontal position and does not involve movement unless the test specimen naturally changes due to the thermal exposure.  
5.3 This test method specifies a standardized 84 ± 2 kW/m2 (2 ± 0.05 cal/cm2·s) exposure condition. Different exposure conditions have the potential to produce different results. Use of other exposure conditions that are representative of the expected hazard are allowed but shall be reported with the results, along with a determination of the exposure energy level stability.  
5.4 This test method does not predict skin burn injury from the heat exposure.  
5.5 This test method is similar to Test Method F2700 in that it uses the same energy heat source, water-cooled shutter, data acquisition, and measures the heat transfer through protective clothing materials using a copper calorimeter. This test method differs from Test Method F2700 in the usage of an eccentric instrumented cylinder mounted horizontally that allows for the thermal shrinkage of materials when tested.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method measures the thermal response of a material or combination of materials using a combined convective/radiant heat transmission apparatus consisting of an eccentric cylindrical test sensor. It can be used to estimate the non-steady state thermal transfer through flame-resistant materials used in clothing when subjected to a continuous, combined convective and radiant heat exposure. The average incident heat flux is 84 kW/m2 (2 cal/cm2·s), with durations up to 30 s.  
1.1.1 This test method is not applicable to materials that melt, drip, or cause falling debris during the test.
Note 1: Because of the arrangement of the equipment, if materials melt, drip, or cause falling debris during the test, the test result is invalid.  
1.2 Heat transmission through clothing is largely determined by its thickness, including any air gaps. The air gaps can vary considerably in different areas of the human body. This method provides a means of grading materials when tested under standard test conditions and an air gap exists between the fabric and the sensor. During the exposure, fabric temperatures can exceed 400 °C. At these temperatures some fabrics are not dimensionally stable and can shrink or stretch. The cylindrical geometry used in this test method allows such motion to occur, which will affect the time to achieve the end point of the test. These effects are not demonstrated in planar geometry test methods such as Test Method F2700.  
1.3 This test method is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat 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 The measurements obtained and observations noted only apply to the particular material(s) tested using the specified heat flux, flame distribution, and duration.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units or other units commonly used for thermal testing. If appropriate, round the non-SI units for convenience.  
1.6 This standard does not p...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2022
• ICS: 13.220.40 - Ignitability and burning behaviour of materials and products
• ICS: 13.340.10 - Protective clothing
• Technical Committee: F23 - Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment
• Drafting Committee: F23.80 - Flame and Thermal

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: F3538 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Measuring Heat Transmission Through Flame-Resistant
Materials for Clothing in Flame Exposure Using a
1
Cylindrical Specimen Holder
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3538; 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 1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
1.1 This test method measures the thermal response of a
conversions to inch-pound units or other units commonly used
material or combination of materials using a combined
for thermal testing. If appropriate, round the non-SI units for
convective/radiant heat transmission apparatus consisting of an
convenience.
eccentric cylindrical test sensor. It can be used to estimate the
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
non-steady state thermal transfer through flame-resistant ma-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. Fire testing is
terials used in clothing when subjected to a continuous,
inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and
combined convective and radiant heat exposure. The average
2 2
property shall be employed in conducting these tests. It is the
incident heat flux is 84 kW/m (2 cal/cm ·s), with durations up
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
to 30 s.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
1.1.1 This test method is not applicable to materials that
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
melt, drip, or cause falling debris during the test.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
NOTE 1—Because of the arrangement of the equipment, if materials
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
melt, drip, or cause falling debris during the test, the test result is invalid.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.2 Heat transmission through clothing is largely deter-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
minedbyitsthickness,includinganyairgaps.Theairgapscan
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
vary considerably in different areas of the human body. This
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
method provides a means of grading materials when tested
understandardtestconditionsandanairgapexistsbetweenthe
2. Referenced Documents
fabric and the sensor. During the exposure, fabric temperatures
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
can exceed 400 °C.At these temperatures some fabrics are not
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
dimensionally stable and can shrink or stretch. The cylindrical
E457 Test Method for Measuring Heat-Transfer Rate Using
geometry used in this test method allows such motion to occur,
a Thermal Capacitance (Slug) Calorimeter
which will affect the time to achieve the end point of the test.
F1494 Terminology Relating to Protective Clothing
These effects are not demonstrated in planar geometry test
F2700 Test Method for Unsteady-State HeatTransfer Evalu-
methods such as Test Method F2700.
ation of Flame-Resistant Materials for Clothing with
1.3 This test method is used to measure and describe the
Continuous Heating
3
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat under
2.2 AATCC Standard:
controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all
AATCC LP1 Laboratory Procedure for Home Laundering:
factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the
Machine Washing
materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
3. Terminology
1.4 The measurements obtained and observations noted
3.1 Definitions:
only apply to the particular material(s) tested using the
specified heat flux, flame distribution, and duration.
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
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeF23onPersonal Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Protective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee the ASTM website.
3
F23.80 on Flame and Thermal. Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
Current edition approved July 1, 2022. Published July 2022. DOI: 10.1520/ (AATCC), P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2215, http://
F3538-22. www.aatcc.org.
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