ASTM D7936-20

Standard Test Method for Flammability of Electrical Insulating Materials Intended for Wires or Cables When Burning in Horizontal Configuration

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This horizontal flame test method measures the ability of the material to cease flaming when the source of ignition used is removed.  
5.2 This test method also provides a measure of the capability of the material to spread flame by dripping of flaming particles.  
5.3 This test method is used to assess the horizontal flame test performance of electrical insulation materials in Test Methods D470.  
5.4 In this test method, the test 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. The results are therefore valid only for the fire-test-exposure conditions described in this test method.
SCOPE
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.  
1.2 This fire test method is applicable to the electrical insulation materials contained in wires or cables.  
1.3 The ignition source is a gas burner fueled by methane or natural gas.  
1.4 Use the values stated in SI units in referee decisions; see IEEE/ASTM SI-10. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.5 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.  
1.6 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests.  
1.7 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.8 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2020
• ICS: 13.220.40 - Ignitability and burning behaviour of materials and products
• ICS: 29.035.01 - Insulating materials in general
• Technical Committee: D09 - Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials
• Drafting Committee: D09.17 - Fire and Thermal Properties

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D1711-24 - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM E176-24 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM D5025-20a - Standard Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2020
• Refers: ASTM D5025-20 - Standard Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2020
• Refers: ASTM E176-18a - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2018
• Refers: ASTM E176-18 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Refers: ASTM D1711-15 - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Refers: ASTM E176-15a - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2015
• Refers: ASTM E176-15ae1 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2015
• Refers: ASTM E176-15 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2015
• Refers: ASTM D1711-14a - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2014
• Refers: ASTM E176-14c - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2014
• Refers: ASTM E176-14b - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2014
• Refers: ASTM E176-14a - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2014
• Refers: ASTM E176-14 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2014

Overview

ASTM D7936-20 is the Standard Test Method for Flammability of Electrical Insulating Materials Intended for Wires or Cables When Burning in Horizontal Configuration. Published by ASTM, this international standard provides a laboratory test protocol for evaluating the fire response of electrical insulation materials under a controlled horizontal flame exposure. The method is used to determine a material’s ability to self-extinguish when an ignition source is removed, as well as its potential to spread fire by dripping flaming particles.

This standard plays a critical role in the assessment of fire safety of wire and cable insulation materials across a range of industries, helping manufacturers, engineers, and safety professionals ensure compliance and support reliable fire risk management.

Key Topics

• Horizontal Flame Testing: Evaluates how electrical insulating materials for wires and cables behave when exposed to a small gas burner flame in a horizontal orientation.
• Flame Cessation: Measures how well a material ceases to burn after the removal of the ignition source.
• Dripping and Flaming Particles: Assesses a material’s tendency to spread flame by releasing burning particles that could ignite surrounding materials, such as a cotton mat placed beneath the specimen.
• Standardized Test Conditions: Specifies precise laboratory conditions, including burner configuration, specimen placement, use of methane or natural gas as fuel, and environmental controls.
• Result Reporting: Requires documentation of test specimen characteristics, flame travel distance, after-flame time, and whether any flaming drips ignite the cotton mat below.
• Limitations: Results apply specifically to the test conditions described and do not alone provide a comprehensive fire hazard assessment for real-world situations.
• Personnel Safety: Emphasizes that fire testing involves hazards, therefore appropriate safeguards and safety procedures must be implemented.

Applications

ASTM D7936-20 is widely applicable in industries and settings where the flammability of electrical insulation materials is a critical consideration:

• Wire and Cable Manufacturers: Ensures that insulation materials for electrical wiring meet necessary flammability standards for consumer safety and regulatory compliance.
• Electrical Equipment Design: Informs selection of wire insulation with appropriate fire-resistant properties for use in commercial, industrial, automotive, and residential applications.
• Third-Party Testing Laboratories: Provides a well-defined method for certifying products to flammability standards.
• Regulatory Compliance: Supports manufacturers in meeting legal and industry-specific fire safety requirements, particularly where horizontal flame spread of insulation is a concern.
• Product Specification and Quality Control: Assists in setting performance criteria for procurement and quality assurance across global supply chains.
• Reference for Related Testing: Serves as a foundational test method for evaluating materials used in wires and cables as specified in related standards like ASTM D470.

Related Standards

• ASTM D470: Test Methods for Crosslinked Insulations and Jackets for Wire and Cable, which references ASTM D7936-20 for horizontal flammability testing.
• ASTM D1711: Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation.
• ASTM D5025: Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials.
• ASTM D5207: Practice for Confirmation of 20-mm (50-W) and 125-mm (500-W) Test Flames for Small-Scale Burning Tests.
• ASTM E176: Terminology of Fire Standards.
• ISO 13943: Fire Safety - Vocabulary.
• IEEE/ASTM SI-10: Standard for Use of the International System of Units (SI).

Leveraging ASTM D7936-20 ensures a standardized approach to fire safety testing and enhances the reliability and global acceptance of wire and cable insulation products. For further compliance, professionals should consider the requirements of related fire safety and electrical insulation standards.

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:D7936 −20
Standard Test Method for
Flammability of Electrical Insulating Materials Intended for
Wires or Cables When Burning in Horizontal Configuration
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7936; 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 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.
D470 Test Methods for Crosslinked Insulations and Jackets
1.2 This fire test method is applicable to the electrical
for Wire and Cable
insulation materials contained in wires or cables.
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
D5025 Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-
1.3 The ignition source is a gas burner fueled by methane or
Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
natural gas.
D5207 Practice for Confirmation of 20–mm (50–W) and
1.4 Use the values stated in SI units in referee decisions; see
125–mm (500–W) Test Flames for Small-Scale Burning
IEEE/ASTM SI-10. The values given in parentheses after SI
Tests on Plastic Materials
units are provided for information only and are not considered
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
standard.
2.2 ISO Standard:
ISO 13943 Fire Safety – Vocabulary
1.5 This standard is used to measure and describe the
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
3. Terminology
flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself
3.1 Definitions:
incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk
3.1.1 For definitions of terms relating to electrical and
assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under
electronic insulating materials, the definitions in this test
actual fire conditions.
method are in accordance with Terminology D1711. For terms
1.6 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safe-
relating to fire, the definitions in this test method are in
guards for personnel and property shall be employed in
accordance with Terminology E176 and ISO 13943. In case of
conducting these tests.
conflict, the definitions given in Terminology E176 shall
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
prevail.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Summary of Test Method
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.1 In this test method, the electrical insulation material test
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
specimen is mounted horizontally and ignited with a small
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor- burner, applying a 500 W flame, for a period of 30 s.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.2 The burner gas is methane or natural gas (see 6.4).
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.3 A cotton mat is placed under the test specimen to
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
capture droplets falling from the test specimen and determine
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
whether flaming ignition of the cotton occurs.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of the ASTM website.
Subcommittee D09.17 on Fire and Thermal Properties. Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2020. Published November 2020. DOI: Central Secretariat, BIBC II, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier,
10.1520/D7936-20.
Geneva, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7936−20
4.4 The report records the distance the flame travels, the to 138 kPa (10 to 20 lbf/in. ) has been found to be adequate to
duration of flaming after removal of the igniter flame and maintain the required flame.Acylinder shall not be used when
whether flaming material has dropped from the test specimen this range of pressure is no longer sustainable at room
and ignited the cotton mat. temperature.
6.4.3 Ensure that the burner flame does not change from
5. Significance and Use
blue to luminous without any change of the settings. If this
occurs, it is an indication that the fuel-gas content of the
5.1 This horizontal flame test method measures the ability
cylinder is exhausted and that the gas cylinder is to be labeled
of the material to cease flaming when the source of ignition
as empty and returned for refilling.
used is removed.
6.5 Flame—Ensure that the overall flame remains blue and
5.2 This test method also provides a measure of the capa-
that the height of the blue inner cone is 38 6 2 mm (1.50 6
bility of the material to spread flame by dripping of flaming
0.08 in.). If the height of the flame is lower without any change
particles.
in settings, it is likely that the contents of the gas cylinder are
5.3 This test method is used to assess the horizontal flame
at low pressure and the cylinder shall be replaced.
test performance of electrical insulation materials in Test
6.6 Timing Device—The timing device shall be a stopwatch
Methods D470.
or other suitable timing device capable of time measurements
5.4 In this test method, the test specimens are subjected to
to within 0.5 s.
one or more specific sets of laboratory test conditions. If
6.7 Cotton Mat—The cotton mat shall consist of long-fiber,
different test conditions are substituted or the end-use condi-
pure, dry, untreated, surgical grade cotton not more than 6 mm
tions are changed, it is not always possible by or from this test
(0.25 in.) and not less than 4 mm (0.16 in.) thick. The cotton
to predict change
...