Standard Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products

SCOPE
1.1 This test method can be used to determine the release rates of heat and visible smoke (Note 1) from materials and products when exposed to different levels of radiant heat using the test apparatus, specimen configurations, and procedures described in this test method.  
Note 1-Visible smoke is described in terms of the obscuration of transmitted light caused by combustion products release during the tests (see 10.2.1).
1.2 This test method provides for radiant thermal exposure of a specimen both with and without a pilot. Piloted ignition may be effected by direct flame impingement on the specimen (piloted, point ignition) or by placing the pilot to ignite gases evolved by pyrolysis of the specimen.  
1.3 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.  
1.4 This test method tests materials and products under a constant, imposed, external heat flux that may be varied from 0 to 100 kW/m .  
1.5 This test method is intended for use in research and development and not as a basis for rating, regulatory, or code purposes.  
1.6 This standard should be used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions and should not be used to describe or appraise the fire-hazard or fire-risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, results of the test may be used as elements of a fire-hazard assessment or a fire-risk assessment which takes into account all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard or fire risk of a particular end use.  
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

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Publication Date
30-Nov-2004
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ASTM E906-04 - Standard Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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An American National Standard
Designation: E 906 – 04
Standard Test Method for
Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and
1
Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 906; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.8 This test method does not provide information on the
fire performance of the test specimens under fire conditions
1.1 This test method provides for determining the release
other than those conditions specified in this test method.
rates of heat and visible smoke (Note 1) from materials,
Known limitations of this test method are described in 1.8.1-
products, or assemblies when exposed to different levels of
1.8.5.
radiant heat.
1.8.1 Heat and smoke release rates depend on a number of
NOTE 1—Visible smoke is described in terms of the obscuration of
factors, including the formation of surface char, the formation
transmitted light caused by combustion products released during the tests
of an adherent ash, sample thickness, and the method of
(see 14.2.1).
mounting.
1.2 This fire-test-response method assesses heat release by a
1.8.2 Heat release values are a function of the specific
thermal method, thermopile, using a radiant heat source
specimen size (exposed area) tested. Results are not directly
composed of an array of four electrical resistance elements.
scaleable to different exposed surface areas for some products.
1.3 This test method provides for radiant thermal exposure
1.8.3 The test method is limited to the specified specimen
of a specimen both with and without a pilot. Piloted ignition
sizesofmaterials,products,orassemblies.Ifproductsaretobe
results from direct flame impingement on the specimen (pi-
tested, the test specimen shall be representative of the product
loted, point ignition) or from use of the pilot to ignite gases
in actual use.The test is limited to exposure of one surface; the
evolved by pyrolysis of the specimen.
options for exposed surface are vertical and horizontal facing
1.4 Heat and smoke release are measured from the moment
up.
the specimen is injected into a controlled exposure chamber.
1.8.4 At very high specimen heat release rates, it is possible
The measurements are continued during the period of ignition
that flaming is observed above the stack, which makes the test
(and progressive flame involvement of the surface in the case
invalid.
of point ignition), and to such a time that the test is terminated.
1.8.5 No general relationship has been established between
1.5 This test method is suitable for exposing essentially
heat release rate values obtained from horizontally and verti-
planar materials, products or assemblies to a constant, imposed
cally oriented specimens. Specimens that melt and drip in the
2
external heat flux that ranges from 0 to 80 kW/m .
vertical orientation shall be tested horizontally.
1.6 This test method is intended for use in research and
1.9 Use the SI system of units in referee decisions; see
development and not as a basis for rating, regulatory, or code
IEEE/ASTM SI-10.
purposes.
1.10 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently
1.7 The apparatus described in this test method has been
hazardous, and adequate safeguards for personnel and property
used in two configurations. Configuration A is that which is
shall be employed in conducting these tests. Fire testing
used by the Federal Aviation Administration for assessing
involves hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. See
2
materials for aircraft use, at an external heat flux of 35 kW/m
Section 6.
(DOT/FAA/AR-00/12), while configuration B is suitable, at
1.11 This standard is used to measure and describe the
various incident heat fluxes, for research and development
response or materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
purposes.
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
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire
actual fire conditions.
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.21 on Smoke and
Combustion Products.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2004. Published December 2004. Originally
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as E 906 – 99.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E906–04
1.12 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.2.8 time to ignition, n—time between the start o
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