ASTM E800-07
(Guide)Standard Guide for Measurement of Gases Present or Generated During Fires
Standard Guide for Measurement of Gases Present or Generated During Fires
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Because of the loss of life in fires from inhalation of fire gases, much attention has been focused on the analyses of these species. Analysis has involved several new or modified methods, since common analytical techniques have often proven to be inappropriate for the combinations of various gases and low concentrations existing in fire gas mixtures.
In the measurement of fire gases, it is imperative to use procedures that are both reliable and appropriate to the unique atmosphere of a given fire environment. To maximize the reliability of test results, it is essential to establish the following:
4.2.1 That gaseous samples are representative of the compositions existing at the point of sampling,
4.2.2 That transfer and pretreatment of samples occur without loss, or with known efficiency, and
4.2.3 That data provided by the analytical instruments are accurate for the compositions and concentrations at the point of sampling.
This document includes a comprehensive survey that will permit an individual, technically skilled and practiced in the study of analytical chemistry, to select a suitable technique from among the alternatives. It will not provide enough information for the setup and use of a procedure (this information is available in the references).
Data generated by the use of techniques cited in this document should not be used to rank materials for regulatory purposes.
SCOPE
1.1 Analytical methods for the measurement of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbonyl sulfide, hydrogen halides, hydrogen cyanide, aldehydes, and hydrocarbons are described, along with sampling considerations. Many of these gases may be present in any fire environment. Several analytical techniques are described for each gaseous species, together with advantages and disadvantages of each. The test environment, sampling constraints, analytical range, and accuracy often dictate use of one analytical method over another.
1.2 These techniques have been used to measure gases under fire test conditions (laboratory, small scale, or full scale). With proper sampling considerations, any of these methods could be used for measurement in most fire environments.
1.3 This document is intended to be a guide for investigators and for subcommittee use in developing standard test methods. A single analytical technique has not been recommended for any chemical species unless that technique is the only one available.
1.4 The techniques described herein determine the concentration of a specific gas in the total sample taken. These techniques do not determine the total amount of fire gases that would be generated by a specimen during conduct of a fire test.
1.5 This standard is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assembles 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
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.
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
Designation: E800 − 07 AnAmerican National Standard
Standard Guide for
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Measurement of Gases Present or Generated During Fires
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E800; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
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1.1 Analytical methods for the measurement of carbon
2.1 ASTM Standards:
monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen oxides, sulfur
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
oxides, carbonyl sulfide, hydrogen halides, hydrogen cyanide,
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
aldehydes, and hydrocarbons are described, along with sam-
Atmospheres
pling considerations. Many of these gases may be present in
D2036 Test Methods for Cyanides in Water
any fire environment. Several analytical techniques are de-
D3612 Test Method for Analysis of Gases Dissolved in
scribed for each gaseous species, together with advantages and
Electrical Insulating Oil by Gas Chromatography
disadvantages of each. The test environment, sampling
D6696 Guide for Understanding Cyanide Species
constraints, analytical range, and accuracy often dictate use of
D6888 Test Method for Available Cyanide with Ligand
one analytical method over another.
Displacement and Flow InjectionAnalysis (FIA) Utilizing
Gas Diffusion Separation and Amperometric Detection
1.2 These techniques have been used to measure gases
D7295 Practice for Sampling and Determination of Hydro-
under fire test conditions (laboratory, small scale, or full scale).
gen Cyanide (HCN) in Combustion Effluents and Other
With proper sampling considerations, any of these methods
Stationary Sources
could be used for measurement in most fire environments.
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
1.3 Thisdocumentisintendedtobeaguideforinvestigators
Building Materials
and for subcommittee use in developing standard test methods.
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
A single analytical technique has not been recommended for
E535 Practice for Preparation of Fire-Test-Response Stan-
any chemical species unless that technique is the only one
dards
available.
E603 Guide for Room Fire Experiments
1.4 The techniques described herein determine the concen-
E662 Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke
tration of a specific gas in the total sample taken. These Generated by Solid Materials
techniques do not determine the total amount of fire gases that
wouldbegeneratedbyaspecimenduringconductofafiretest.
3. Terminology
1.5 This standard is used to measure and describe the
3.1 Definitions—Definitions used in this guide are in accor-
response of materials, products, or assembles to heat and flame
dancewithTerminologyD123,TerminologyD1356,Terminol-
under controlled conditions but does not by itself incorporate
ogy E176, and Practice E535 unless otherwise indicated.
all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
3.2.1 batch sampling—sampling over some time period in
such a way as to produce a single test sample for analysis.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.2 combustion products, n—airborne effluent from a
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
material undergoing combustion; this may also include pyro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
lysates.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—combustion products without mass,
such as heat or other radiation, are not addressed in this guide.
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ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE05onFireStandards
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.21 on Smoke and Combustion
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Products. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved July 1, 2007. Published August 2007. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as E800 – 06. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E0800-07. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E800 − 07
3.2.3 firetest,n—aprocedure,notnecessarilyastandardtest samples be taken? (4) When does one sample? (5) How are
metho
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