ASTM E1623-11
(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:
The test results have limited validity if: (a) the specimen melts sufficiently to overflow the drip tray, or (b) explosive spalling occurs.
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 E1321). 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.
General Information
Relations
Buy Standard
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
Designation: E1623 − 11 AnAmerican National Standard
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 The procedure is specified in 11.1. Smoke development is
quantified by measuring the obscuration of light by the
1.1 This fire-test-response standard assesses the response of
combustion product stream (exhaust duct).
materials, products, and assemblies to controlled levels of
radiant heat exposure with or without an external ignitor.
1.6 Specimens are exposed to a constant heating flux in the
2
range of 0 to 50 kW/m in a vertical orientation. Hot wires are
1.2 The fire-test-response characteristics determined by this
usedtoignitethecombustiblevaporsfromthespecimenduring
test method include the ignitability, heat release rates, mass
the ignition and heat release tests. The assessment of the
loss rates, visible smoke development, and gas release of
parametersassociatedwithflamespreadrequirestheuseofline
materials, products, and assemblies under well ventilated
burners instead of hot wire ignitors.
conditions.
1.6.1 Heat release measurements at low heat flux levels (<
1.3 This test method is also suitable for determining many 2
10 kW/m ) require special considerations as described in
of the parameters or values needed as input for computer fire
Section A1.1.6.
models. Examples of these values include effective heat of
1.7 This test method has been developed for evaluations,
combustion, surface temperature, ignition temperature, and
design, or research and development of materials, products, or
emissivity.
assemblies,formathematicalfiremodeling,orforresearchand
1.4 Thistestmethodisalsointendedtoprovideinformation
development. The specimen shall be tested in thicknesses and
about other fire parameters such as thermal conductivity,
configurations representative of actual end product or system
specific heat, radiative and convective heat transfer
uses.
coefficients, flame radiation factor, air entrainment rates, flame
1.8 Limitations of the test method are listed in Section 5.5.
temperatures, minimum surface temperatures for upward and
downward flame spread, heat of gasification, nondimensional
1.9 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
2
heat of gasification (1) and the Φ flame spread parameter (see
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
Test Method E1321). While some studies have indicated that
standard.
this test method is suitable for determining these fire
1.10 This standard is used to measure and describe the
parameters, insufficient testing and research have been done to
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
justify inclusion of the corresponding testing and calculating
flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself
procedures.
incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk
1.5 The heat release rate is determined by the principle of
assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under
oxygen consumption calorimetry, via measurement of the
actual fire conditions.
oxygen consumption as determined by the oxygen concentra-
1.11 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safe-
tionandflowrateintheexhaustproductstream(exhaustduct).
guards for personnel and property shall be employed in
conducting these tests. Specific information about hazards is
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire
given in Section 7.
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.21 on Smoke and
1.12 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Combustion Products.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2011. Published February 2011. Originally
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as E1623-09. DOI:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
10.1520/E1623-11.
2 priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
The boldface numbers given in parentheses refer to the list of references at the
end of this standard. bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1623 − 11
2. Referenced Documents mate the gross heat of combustion. More often, the fire test
3 conditions will represent or approximate certain real fire
2.1 AST
...
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:E1623–09 Designation:E1623–11
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
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 Thistestmethodisalsosuitablefordeterminingmanyoftheparametersorvaluesneededasinputforcomputerfiremodels.
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,radiativeandconvectiveheattransfercoefficients,flameradiationfactor,airentrainmentrates,flametemperatures,minimum
2
surfacetemperaturesforupwardanddownwardflamespread,heatofgasification,nondimensionalheatofgasification(1) andthe
F flame spread parameter (see Test Method E1321). While some studies have indicated that this test method is suitable for
determiningthesefireparameters,insufficienttestingandresearchhavebeendonetojustifyinclusionofthecorrespondingtesting
and calculating procedures.
1.5 The heat release rate is determined by the principle of oxygen consumption calorimetry, via measurement of the oxygen
consumptionasdeterminedbytheoxygenconcentrationandflowrateintheexhaustproductstream(exhaustduct).Theprocedure
is specified in 11.1. Smoke development is quantified by measuring the obscuration of light by the combustion product stream
(exhaust duct).
2
1.6 Specimensareexposedtoaconstantheatingfluxintherangeof0to50kW/m inaverticalorientation.Hotwiresareused
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.
2
1.6.1 Heat release measurements at low heat flux levels (< 10 kW/m ) 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 mathematical fire modeling, or for research and development. The specimen shall be tested in thicknesses and
configurations representative of actual end product or system uses.
1.8 Limitations of the test method are listed in Section 5.5.
1.9 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.10 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.
1.11 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting
these tests. Specific information about hazards is given in Section 7.
1.12 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.
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE05onFireStandardsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeE05.21onSmokeandCombustion
Products.
Current edition approved Oct.Jan. 1, 2009.2011. Published October 2009.February 2011. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 20042009 as
E1623-049. DOI: 10.1520/E1623-09.10.1520/E1623-11.
2
The boldface numbers given in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.