ASTM E1623-04
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determination of Fire and Thermal Parameters of Materials, Products, and Systems Using an Intermediate Scale Calorimeter (ICAL)
Standard Test Method for Determination of Fire and Thermal Parameters of Materials, Products, and Systems Using an Intermediate Scale Calorimeter (ICAL)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is used primarily to determine the heat release rate of materials, products, and assemblies. Other parameters are the effective heat of combustion, mass loss rate, the time to ignition, smoke and gas production, emissivity, and surface temperature. Examples of test specimens are assemblies of materials or products that are tested in their end-use thickness. Therefore, the test method is suitable for assessing the heat release rate of a wall assembly.
Representative joints and other characteristics of an assembly shall be included in a specimen when these details are part of normal design.
This test method is applicable to end-use products not having an ideally planar external surface. The radiant flux field shall be adjusted to be that which is desired at the average distance of the surface from the radiant panel.
In this procedure, the specimens are subjected to one or more specific sets of laboratory 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.
Test Limitations:
5.5.1 The test results have limited validity if: (a) the specimen melts sufficiently to overflow the drip tray, or (b) explosive spalling occurs.
5.5.2 Exercise caution in interpreting results of specimens that sag, deform, or delaminate during a test. Report observations of such behavior.
SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response standard assesses the response of materials, products, and assemblies to controlled levels of radiant heat exposure with or without an external ignitor.
1.2 The fire-test-response characteristics determined by this test method include the ignitability, heat release rates, mass loss rates, visible smoke development, and gas release of materials, products, and assemblies under well ventilated conditions.
1.3 This test method is also suitable for determining many of the parameters or values needed as input for computer fire models. Examples of these values include effective heat of combustion, surface temperature, ignition temperature, and emissivity.
1.4 This test method is also intended to provide information about other fire parameters such as thermal conductivity, specific heat, radiative and convective heat transfer coefficients, flame radiation factor, air entrainment rates, flame temperatures, minimum surface temperatures for upward and downward flame spread, heat of gasification, nondimensional heat of gasification (1) and the Φ flame spread parameter (see Test Method E 1321). While some studies have indicated that this test method is suitable for determining these fire parameters, insufficient testing and research have been done to justify inclusion of the corresponding testing and calculating procedures.
1.5 The heat release rate is determined by the principle of oxygen consumption calorimetry, via measurement of the oxygen consumption as determined by the oxygen concentration and flow rate in the exhaust product stream (exhaust duct). The procedure is specified in 11.1. Smoke development is quantified by measuring the obscuration of light by the combustion product stream (exhaust duct).
1.6 Specimens are exposed to a constant heating flux in the range of 0 to 50 kW/m2 in a vertical orientation. Hot wires are used to ignite the combustible vapors from the specimen during the ignition and heat release tests. The assessment of the parameters associated with flame spread requires the use of line burners instead of hot wire ignitors.
1.6.1 Heat release measurements at low heat flux levels ( 10 kW/m2) require special considerations as described in Section A1.1.6.
1.7 This test method has been developed for evaluations, design, or research and development of materials, products, or assemblies, for ma...
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:E1623–04
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Fire and Thermal Parameters of Materials,
Products, and Systems Using an Intermediate Scale
1
Calorimeter (ICAL)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1623; 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 eters,insufficienttestingandresearchhavebeendonetojustify
inclusion of the corresponding testing and calculating proce-
1.1 This fire-test-response standard assesses the response of
dures.
materials, products, and assemblies to controlled levels of
1.5 The heat release rate is determined by the principle of
radiant heat exposure with or without an external ignitor.
oxygen consumption calorimetry, via measurement of the
1.2 The fire-test-response characteristics determined by this
oxygen consumption as determined by the oxygen concentra-
test method include the ignitability, heat release rates, mass
tionandflowrateintheexhaustproductstream(exhaustduct).
loss rates, visible smoke development, and gas release of
The procedure is specified in 11.1. Smoke development is
materials, products, and assemblies under well ventilated
quantified by measuring the obscuration of light by the
conditions.
combustion product stream (exhaust duct).
1.3 This test method is also suitable for determining many
1.6 Specimens are exposed to a constant heating flux in the
of the parameters or values needed as input for computer fire
2
range of 0 to 50 kW/m in a vertical orientation. Hot wires are
models. Examples of these values include effective heat of
usedtoignitethecombustiblevaporsfromthespecimenduring
combustion, surface temperature, ignition temperature, and
the ignition and heat release tests. The assessment of the
emissivity.
parametersassociatedwithflamespreadrequirestheuseofline
1.4 Thistestmethodisalsointendedtoprovideinformation
burners instead of hot wire ignitors.
about other fire parameters such as thermal conductivity,
1.6.1 Heat release measurements at low heat flux levels (<
specific heat, radiative and convective heat transfer coeffi-
2
10 kW/m ) require special considerations as described in
cients, flame radiation factor, air entrainment rates, flame
Section A1.1.6.
temperatures, minimum surface temperatures for upward and
1.7 This test method has been developed for evaluations,
downward flame spread, heat of gasification, nondimensional
2 design, or research and development of materials, products, or
heat of gasification (1) and the F flame spread parameter (see
assemblies,formathematicalfiremodeling,orforresearchand
Test Method E1321). While some studies have indicated that
development. The specimen shall be tested in thicknesses and
this test method is suitable for determining these fire param-
configurations representative of actual end product or system
uses.
1.8 Limitations of the test method are listed in Section 5.5.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire
1.9 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.21 on Smoke and
standard.
Combustion Products.
Current edition approved March 1, 2004. Published April 2004. Originally
1.10 This standard is used to measure and describe the
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E1623-03. DOI:
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
10.1520/E1623-04.
2 flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself
The boldface numbers given in parentheses refer to the list of references at the
end of this standard. incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1623–04
assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under 3. Terminology
actual fire conditions.
3.1 Definitions:
1.11 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer
hazardous, and adequate safeguards for personnel and prop-
to Terminology E176.
erty shall be employed in conducting these tests. This test
3.1.2 effective heat of combustion, n—the amount of heat
method may involve hazardous materials, operations, and
generated per unit mass lost by a material, product, or
equipment. Specific information about hazard is given in
assembly, when exposed to specific fire test conditions. (see
Section 7.
gross heat of combustion).
1.12 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.2.1 Discussion—The effect
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.