ASTM E906/E906M-17
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using a Thermopile Method
Standard Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using a Thermopile Method
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method provides a description of the behavior of material specimens under a specified fire exposure in terms of the release rate of heat and visible smoke. It is possible to determine the change in behavior of materials and products with change in heat-flux exposure by testing specimens in a series of exposures that cover a range of heat fluxes.
5.2 The data obtained for a specific test describe the rate of heat and smoke release of the specimen when exposed to the specific environmental conditions and procedures used in performing that test.
5.3 The entire exposed surface of the specimen will not be burning during the progressive involvement phase when piloted, point ignition (impingement) procedures are used. During the period of progressive surface involvement, release rates of heat and smoke are “per square metre of original exposed surface area” not “per square metre of flame involved surface.”
5.4 The rates of both heat and smoke release are calculated per square metre of original surface area exposed. If a specimen swells, sags, delaminates, or otherwise deforms so that the exposed surface area changes, calculated release rates correspond to the original area, not to the new surface area.
5.5 Heat-release values depend on mode of ignition. Gas phase ignition gives a more dimensionally consistent measure of release rate when very rapid or immediate flame involvement of the specimen surface occurs. However, piloted, point ignition allows release-rate information to be obtained at external heat flux from zero up to that required for satisfactory gas-phase ignition, usually over 20 kW/m2 external exposure. No correlation between the two modes of piloted ignition has been established.
5.6 Release rates depend on many factors, some of which cannot be controlled. It is possible that samples that produce a surface char, a layer of adherent ash, or those that are composites or laminates do not attain a steady-state release rate. Thermally ...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method provides for determining the release rates of heat and visible smoke (Note 1) from materials, products, or assemblies when exposed to different levels of radiant heat.
Note 1: Visible smoke is described in terms of the obscuration of transmitted light caused by combustion products released during the tests (see 14.2.1).
1.2 This fire-test-response method assesses heat release by a thermal method, thermopile, using a radiant heat source composed of an array of four electrical resistance elements.
1.3 This test method provides for radiant thermal exposure of a specimen both with and without a pilot. Piloted ignition results from direct flame impingement on the specimen (piloted, point ignition) or from use of the pilot to ignite gases evolved by pyrolysis of the specimen.
1.4 Heat and smoke release are measured from the moment the specimen is injected into a controlled exposure chamber. The measurements are continued during the period of ignition (and progressive flame involvement of the surface in the case of point ignition), and to such a time that the test is terminated.
1.5 The apparatus described in this test method is often referred to as the Ohio State University (OSU) rate of heat release apparatus. Configurations A and B are variations on the original design.
1.6 This test method is suitable for exposing essentially planar materials, products or assemblies to a constant, imposed external heat flux that ranges from 0 to 80 kW/m 2.
1.7 The apparatus described in this test method has been used in two configurations. Configuration A is that which is used by the Federal Aviation Administration for assessing materials for aircraft use, at an external heat flux of 35 kW/m2 (DOT/FAA/AR-00/12), while configuration B is suitable, at various incident heat fluxes, for research and development purposes.
1.8 This test method does not provide information on the fire performance of th...
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Designation: E906/E906M − 17 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and
1
Products Using a Thermopile Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E906/E906M; 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* (DOT/FAA/AR-00/12), while configuration B is suitable, at
various incident heat fluxes, for research and development
1.1 This test method provides for determining the release
purposes.
rates of heat and visible smoke (Note 1) from materials,
products, or assemblies when exposed to different levels of
1.8 This test method does not provide information on the
radiant heat. fire performance of the test specimens under fire conditions
other than those conditions specified in this test method.
NOTE 1—Visible smoke is described in terms of the obscuration of
Known limitations of this test method are described in 1.8.1 –
transmitted light caused by combustion products released during the tests
1.8.5.
(see 14.2.1).
1.8.1 Heat and smoke release rates depend on a number of
1.2 Thisfire-test-responsemethodassessesheatreleasebya
factors, including the formation of surface char, the formation
thermal method, thermopile, using a radiant heat source
of an adherent ash, sample thickness, and the method of
composed of an array of four electrical resistance elements.
mounting.
1.3 This test method provides for radiant thermal exposure
1.8.2 Heat release values are a function of the specific
of a specimen both with and without a pilot. Piloted ignition
specimen size (exposed area) tested. Results are not directly
results from direct flame impingement on the specimen
scaleable to different exposed surface areas for some products.
(piloted, point ignition) or from use of the pilot to ignite gases
1.8.3 The test method is limited to the specified specimen
evolved by pyrolysis of the specimen.
sizesofmaterials,products,orassemblies.Ifproductsaretobe
tested, the test specimen shall be representative of the product
1.4 Heat and smoke release are measured from the moment
inactualuse.Thetestislimitedtoexposureofonesurface;the
the specimen is injected into a controlled exposure chamber.
options for exposed surface are vertical and horizontal facing
The measurements are continued during the period of ignition
up.
(and progressive flame involvement of the surface in the case
ofpointignition),andtosuchatimethatthetestisterminated.
1.8.4 At very high specimen heat release rates, it is possible
that flaming is observed above the stack, which makes the test
1.5 The apparatus described in this test method is often
invalid.
referred to as the Ohio State University (OSU) rate of heat
1.8.5 No general relationship has been established between
releaseapparatus.ConfigurationsAandBarevariationsonthe
heat release rate values obtained from horizontally and verti-
original design.
cally oriented specimens. Specimens that melt and drip in the
1.6 This test method is suitable for exposing essentially
vertical orientation shall be tested horizontally.
planarmaterials,productsorassembliestoaconstant,imposed
2
1.9 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
external heat flux that ranges from 0 to 80 kW/m .
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
1.7 The apparatus described in this test method has been
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
used in two configurations. Configuration A is that which is
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
used by the Federal Aviation Administration for assessing
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
2
materials for aircraft use, at an external heat flux of 35 kW/m
with the standard.
1.10 Fire testing involves hazardous materials, operations,
and equipment. See Section 6.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.21 on Smoke and
1.11 This standard is used to measure and describe the
Combustion Products.
response or materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2017. Published August 2017. Originally
flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as E906–14. DOI:
10.1520/E0906-17. incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk
*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
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...
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: E906/E906M − 14 E906/E906M − 17 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and
1
Products Using a Thermopile Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E906/E906M; 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 Scope*
1.1 This test method provides for determining the release rates of heat and visible smoke (Note 1) from materials, products, or
assemblies when exposed to different levels of radiant heat.
NOTE 1—Visible smoke is described in terms of the obscuration of transmitted light caused by combustion products released during the tests (see
14.2.1).
1.2 This fire-test-response method assesses heat release by a thermal method, thermopile, using a radiant heat source composed
of an array of four electrical resistance elements.
1.3 This test method provides for radiant thermal exposure of a specimen both with and without a pilot. Piloted ignition results
from direct flame impingement on the specimen (piloted, point ignition) or from use of the pilot to ignite gases evolved by
pyrolysis of the specimen.
1.4 Heat and smoke release are measured from the moment the specimen is injected into a controlled exposure chamber. The
measurements are continued during the period of ignition (and progressive flame involvement of the surface in the case of point
ignition), and to such a time that the test is terminated.
1.5 The apparatus described in this test method is often referred to as the Ohio State University (OSU) rate of heat release
apparatus. Configurations A and B are variations on the original design.
1.6 This test method is suitable for exposing essentially planar materials, products or assemblies to a constant, imposed external
2
heat flux that ranges from 0 to 80 kW/m .
1.7 This test method is intended for use in research and development and not as a basis for rating, regulatory, or code purposes.
1.7 The apparatus described in this test method has been used in two configurations. Configuration A is that which is used by
2
the Federal Aviation Administration for assessing materials for aircraft use, at an external heat flux of 35 kW/m (DOT/FAA/
AR-00/12), while configuration B is suitable, at various incident heat fluxes, for research and development purposes.
1.8 This test 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. Known limitations of this test method are described in 1.9.11.8.1 – 1.9.51.8.5.
1.8.1 Heat and smoke release rates depend on a number of factors, including the formation of surface char, the formation of an
adherent ash, sample thickness, and the method of mounting.
1.8.2 Heat release values are a function of the specific specimen size (exposed area) tested. Results are not directly scaleable
to different exposed surface areas for some products.
1.8.3 The test method is limited to the specified specimen sizes of materials, products, or assemblies. If products are to be tested,
the test specimen shall be representative of the product in actual use. The test is limited to exposure of one surface; the options
for exposed surface are vertical and horizontal facing up.
1.8.4 At very high specimen heat release rates, it is possible that flaming is observed above the stack, which makes the test
invalid.
1.8.5 No general relationship has been established between heat release rate values obtained from horizontally and vertically
oriented specimens. Specimens that melt and drip in the vertical orientation shall be tested horizontally.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.21 on Smoke and Combustion
Products.
Current edition approved April 1, 2014Aug. 1, 2017. Published May 2014August 2017. Originally approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 20102014 as
E906 – 10.E906 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/E0906-14.10.1520/E0906-17.
*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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E906/E906M − 17
1.9 The values stated in either SI units or in
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