ASTM D5424-05
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Smoke Obscuration of Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration
Standard Test Method for Smoke Obscuration of Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method provides a means to measure a variety of fire-test-response characteristics associated with smoke obscuration and resulting from burning the electrical insulating materials contained in electrical or optical fiber cables. The specimens are allowed to burn freely under well ventilated conditions after ignition by means of a propane gas burner.
Smoke obscuration quantifies the visibility in fires.
This test method is also suitable for measuring the rate of heat release as an optional measurement. The rate of heat release often serves as an indication of the intensity of the fire generated.
Other optional fire-test-response characteristics that are measurable by this test method are useful to make decisions on fire safety. The most important gaseous components of smoke are the carbon oxides, present in all fires. They are major indicators of the toxicity of the atmosphere and of the completeness of combustion and are often used as part of fire hazard assessment calculations and to improve the accuracy of heat release measurements. Other toxic gases, which are specific to certain materials, are less crucial for determining combustion completeness.
Test Limitations:
5.5.1 The fire-test-response characteristics measured in this test method are a representation of the manner in which the specimens tested behave under certain specific conditions. Do not assume they are representative of a generic fire performance of the materials tested when made into cables of the construction under consideration.
5.5.2 In particular, it is unlikely that this test method is an adequate representation of the fire behavior of cables in confined spaces, without abundant circulation of air.
5.5.3 This is an intermediate-scale test, and the predictability of its results to large scale fires has not been determined. Some information exists to suggest that it has been validated against some large-scale scenarios.
SCOPE
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.
1.2 This test method provides a means to measure the smoke obscuration resulting from burning electrical insulating materials contained in electrical or optical fiber cables when the cable specimens, excluding accessories, are subjected to a specified flaming ignition source and burn freely under well ventilated conditions.
1.3 This test method provides two different protocols for exposing the materials, when made into cable specimens, to an ignition source (approximately 20 kW), for a 20 min test duration. Use it to determine the flame propagation and smoke release characteristics of the materials contained in single and multiconductor electrical or optical fiber cables designed for use in cable trays.
1.4 This test method does not provide information on the fire performance of electrical or optical fiber cables in fire conditions other than the ones specifically used in this test method nor does it measure the contribution of the cables to a developing fire condition.
1.5 Data describing the burning behavior from ignition to the end of the test are obtained.
1.6 The production of light obscuring smoke is measured.
1.7 The burning behavior is documented visually, by photographic or video recordings, or both.
1.8 The test equipment is suitable for making other, optional, measurements, including the rate of heat release of the burning specimen, by an oxygen consumption technique and weight loss.
1.9 Another set of optional measurements are the concentrations of certain toxic gas species in the combustion gases.
1.10 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard (see IEEE/ASTM SI 10).
This standard measures and describes 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 of prod...
General Information
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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: D5424 – 05
Standard Test Method for
Smoke Obscuration of Insulating Materials Contained in
Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical
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Cable Tray Configuration
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5424; 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 controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all
factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.
materials, products or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
1.2 This test method provides a means to measure the
1.12 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently
smoke obscuration resulting from burning electrical insulating
hazardous. Employ adequate safeguards for personnel and
materials contained in electrical or optical fiber cables when
property in conducting these tests.
the cable specimens, excluding accessories, are subjected to a
1.13 This standard does not purport to address all of the
specified flaming ignition source and burn freely under well
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ventilated conditions.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.3 This test method provides two different protocols for
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
exposingthematerials,whenmadeintocablespecimens,toan
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
ignition source (approximately 20 kW), for a 20 min test
duration. Use it to determine the flame propagation and smoke
2. Referenced Documents
release characteristics of the materials contained in single and
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
multiconductor electrical or optical fiber cables designed for
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
use in cable trays.
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
1.4 This test method does not provide information on the
Building Materials
fire performance of electrical or optical fiber cables in fire
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
conditions other than the ones specifically used in this test
E800 Guide for Measurement of Gases Present or Gener-
method nor does it measure the contribution of the cables to a
ated During Fires
developing fire condition.
E1354 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release
1.5 Data describing the burning behavior from ignition to
Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Con-
the end of the test are obtained.
sumption Calorimeter
1.6 The production of light obscuring smoke is measured.
IEEE/ASTM SI 10 Standard for Use of the International
1.7 The burning behavior is documented visually, by pho-
System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System
tographic or video recordings, or both.
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2.2 NFPA Standard:
1.8 The test equipment is suitable for making other, op-
ANSI/NFPA 70-1990 National Electrical Code—1990, Na-
tional, measurements, including the rate of heat release of the
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tional Fire Protection Association
burning specimen, by an oxygen consumption technique and
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2.3 Underwriters Laboratories Standards:
weight loss.
UL 1056 Fire Test of Upholstered Furniture, Underwriters
1.9 Another set of optional measurements are the concen-
Laboratories, 1989
trations of certain toxic gas species in the combustion gases.
UL 1581 Reference Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables,
1.10 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
and Flexible Cords, March 6, 1987, Underwriters Labo-
standard (see IEEE/ASTM SI 10).
ratories, Inc., ANSI/UL 1581-1985
1.11 This standard measures and describes the response of
materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
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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.
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Subcommittee D09.21 on Fire Performance Standards. Available from National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park,
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2005. Published October 2005. Originally Quincy, MA 02269.
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approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as D5424–99. DOI: AvailablefromUnderwritersLaboratories,Inc.,333PfingstenRd.,Northbrook,
10.1520/D5424-05. IL 60062.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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