ASTM D5537-10
(Test Method)Standard 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
Standard 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
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method provides a means to measure a variety of fire-test-response characteristics associated with heat and smoke release and resulting from burning the materials insulating electrical or optical fiber cables, when made into cables and installed on a vertical cable tray. The specimens are allowed to burn freely under well ventilated conditions after ignition by means of a propane gas burner.
The rate of heat release often serves as an indication of the intensity of the fire generated. General considerations of the importance of heat release rate are discussed in Appendix X1 and considerations for heat release calculations are in Appendix X2.
Other fire-test-response characteristics that are measurable by this test method are useful to make decisions on fire safety. The test method is also used for measuring smoke obscuration. The apparatus described here is also useful to measure gaseous components of smoke; the most important gaseous components of smoke are the carbon oxides, present in all fires. The carbon oxides are major indicators 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.
Test Limitations:
The fire-test-response characteristics measured in this test 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.
In particular, it is unlikely that this test is an adequate representation of the fire behavior of cables in confined spaces, without abundant circulation of air.
This is an intermediate-scale test, and the predictability of its results to large scale fires has not been determined. Some information exists to suggest validation with regard to some large-scale scenarios.
SCOPE
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.
1.2 This test method provides a means to measure the heat released and smoke obscuration by burning the 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. Flame propagation cable damage, by char length, and mass loss are also measured.
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 heat release, smoke release, flame propagation and mass loss characteristics of the materials contained in single and multiconductor electrical or optical fiber cables.
1.4 This test method does not provide information on the fire performance of materials insulating 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 materials in those 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 This test equipment is suitable for measuring the concentrations of certain toxic gas species in the combustion gases (see Appendix X4).
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard (see ). The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.8 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..
1.9 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel ...
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Designation:D5537 −10
StandardTest 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
1
Tray Configuration
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5537; 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.
1. Scope* 1.8 This standard measures and describes the response of
materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.
controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all
1.2 This test method provides a means to measure the heat
factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the
released and smoke obscuration by burning the electrical
materials, products or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
insulating materials contained in electrical or optical fiber
1.9 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safe-
cables when the cable specimens, excluding accessories, are
guards for personnel and property shall be employed in
subjectedtoaspecifiedflamingignitionsourceandburnfreely
conducting these tests.
under well ventilated conditions. Flame propagation cable
1.10 This standard does not purport to address all of the
damage, by char length, and mass loss are also measured.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.3 This test method provides two different protocols for
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
exposingthematerials,whenmadeintocablespecimens,toan
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
ignition source (approximately 20 kW), for a 20 min test
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
duration. Use it to determine the heat release, smoke release,
flamepropagationandmasslosscharacteristicsofthematerials
2. Referenced Documents
contained in single and multiconductor electrical or optical
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
fiber cables.
D1711Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
1.4 This test method does not provide information on the
D5424Test Method for Smoke Obscuration of Insulating
fire performance of materials insulating electrical or optical
Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables
fiber cables in fire conditions other than the ones specifically
When Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration
usedinthistestmethodnordoesitmeasurethecontributionof
E84Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
the materials in those cables to a developing fire condition.
Building Materials
1.5 Data describing the burning behavior from ignition to
E176Terminology of Fire Standards
the end of the test are obtained.
E603Guide for Room Fire Experiments
E800GuideforMeasurementofGasesPresentorGenerated
1.6 This test equipment is suitable for measuring the con-
During Fires
centrationsofcertaintoxicgasspeciesinthecombustiongases
E1354Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release
(see Appendix X4).
Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Con-
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
sumption Calorimeter
standard (see IEEE/ASTM SI-10). The values given in paren-
E1537Test Method for Fire Testing of Upholstered Furni-
theses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that
ture
are provided for information only and are not considered
E2067Practice for Full-Scale Oxygen Consumption Calo-
standard.
rimetry Fire Tests
IEEE/ASTM SI-10International System of Units (SI), The
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 D09.21 on Fire Performance Standards. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved March 1, 2010. Published April 2010. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D5537–08. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D5537-10. 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
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D5537−10
Modernized Metric System materialsinsulatingelectricaloropticalfibercables,madeinto
2.2 NFPA Standards: cablespecimens,andlocatedinaverticalcabletrayandignited
ANSI/NFPA 70National Electrical Code, National Fire with a propane gas burner. The main fire properties measured
3
Protec
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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.
An American National Standard
Designation:D5537–08 Designation: D5537 – 10
Standard 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
1
Tray Configuration
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5537; 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.
1. Scope*
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.
1.2 This test method provides a means to measure the heat released and smoke obscuration by burning the 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. Flame propagation cable damage, by char
length, and mass loss are also measured.
1.3 Thistestmethodprovidestwodifferentprotocolsforexposingthematerials,whenmadeintocablespecimens,toanignition
source (approximately 20 kW), for a 20 min test duration. Use it to determine the heat release, smoke release, flame propagation
and mass loss characteristics of the materials contained in single and multiconductor electrical or optical fiber cables.
1.4 This test method does not provide information on the fire performance of materials insulating 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
materials in those 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 This test equipment is suitable for measuring the concentrations of certain toxic gas species in the combustion gases (see
Appendix X4).
1.7The1.7 ThevaluesstatedinSIunitsaretoberegardedasstandard(seeIEEE/ASTMSI10).Thevaluesgiveninparentheses
are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.8 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.
1.9Fire testing of products and materials is inherently hazardous. Employ adequate safeguards for personnel and property in
conducting these tests.
1.9 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these
tests.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
D5424 Test Method for Smoke Obscuration 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
E603 Guide for Room Fire Experiments
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
D09.21 on Fire Performance Standards.
Current edition approved MayMarch 1, 2008.2010. Published June 2008.April 2010. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 20032008 as
D5537–03.D5537–08. DOI: 10.1520/D5537-108.
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,orcontactASTMCustomerServiceatservice@astm.org.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 ----------------------
D5537 – 10
E800 Guide for Measurement of Gases Present or Generated During Fires
E1354 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Pr
...
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