ASTM F2326-04(2009)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Collection and Analysis of Visible Emissions from Candles as They Burn
Standard Test Method for Collection and Analysis of Visible Emissions from Candles as They Burn
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The intent of this test method is to aid the candle manufacturer to optimize candle formulations in the reduction of visible smoke emissions.
This test method is intended to provide candle manufacturers a standard procedure to use during development of candle designs and formulations to compare relative smoke/burn behavior. For the development of this method, a protocol was established for trimming the wick on specially prepared test candles to 6 to 7 mm (¼in.) prior to each burn cycle. It is recommended that the manufacturer determine a standardized protocol, that is, either not trimming the wick or trimming the wick to an appropriate length in order for direct comparison of results.
A relative ranking of candle formulations can be established with the use of a histogram of the data and control charts.
This test method is not intended to set forth pass/fail criteria for visible smoke emissions from candles, as such, this method sets no standard level for visible smoke emissions.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the collection and analysis of visible emissions from indoor use candles as they burn.
1.2 The test is to be used to compare relative smoke/burn behavior during development of candle designs and formulations.
1.3 This test method may not be suitable for multiple wick candles; tapers and candles intended to be burned while floating on water commonly known as “floaters.”
1.4 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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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: F2326 − 04(Reapproved 2009)
Standard Test Method for
Collection and Analysis of Visible Emissions from Candles
as They Burn
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2326; 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.
INTRODUCTION
During the development of this test method with a specially manufactured “standardized” candle,
variability of candle burn behavior was observed that introduced a wide statistical variation in the
overall test results from a single design. Variability in testing different types of candle products would
introduceevengreatervariability,thatis,apillarcandlecomprisedof60°C(140°F)meltingpointwax
would not, and would not be expected to, show the same burn behavior as a jar candle comprised of
54.4°C (130°F) melting point wax. It is believed that a significant database of candle burn
performance, based on each type of candle and formulation format, would be required before one
could determine whether a statistical basis could be developed for pass/fail criteria for visible smoke
emissions from candles. This method is intended to provide candle manufacturers a standard
procedure to use during the development of candle designs and formulations to compare relative
smoking/burn behavior. This method neither implies nor sets a standard level for visible smoke
emissions for any candle type or formulation.
1. Scope F1972 Guide for Terminology Relating to Candles and
Associated Accessory Items
1.1 This test method covers the collection and analysis of
PS59 Provisional Specification for Fire Safety for Candles
visible emissions from indoor use candles as they burn.
1.2 The test is to be used to compare relative smoke/burn
3. Terminology
behavior during development of candle designs and formula-
3.1 SeeGuideF1972fordefinitionsoftermsnotspecifiedin
tions.
3.2.
1.3 This test method may not be suitable for multiple wick
3.2 Definitions:
candles; tapers and candles intended to be burned while
floating on water commonly known as “floaters.”
3.2.1 burn cycle—length of time the candle is burned during
one test day. For this test, a burn cycle is 4 h (see Provisional
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Specification PS59).
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.2 burn period—total time the candle is burned over the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
duration of the test. For this test, the burn period will be 16 h.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2.3 fuel pool establishment period—time, 15 min or
2. Referenced Documents
longer, before each burn cycle that a candle must be burned to
establish a normal fuel pool and stable flame.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.4 molten fuel pool—portion of the wax or fuel pool of a
candle that is in the liquid form when the candle is burning.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on
Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.45 on
3.2.5 optical densitometer—instrument used for determin-
Candle Products.
ingtheopticaldensityinthetransmittanceorreflectancemode.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2009. Published September 2009. Originally
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as F2326 – 04. DOI:
3.2.6 top of the candle—the upper most part of the candle or
10.1520/F2326-04R09.
container.
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
3.2.7 visible emissions—emissions that can be seen once
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. collected on a substrate.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2326 − 04 (2009)
4. Summary of Test Method 7.12 Scissors, or other device suitable for trimming wicks
between burn cycles.
4.1 The visible emissions from a candle are collected on a
transparent media over the specified burn period. The emis-
8. Preparation of Apparatus
sions can then be assigned a relative value as a function of
opacity using a densitometer for a given testing sequence.
8.1 Prior to sampling, wipe microscope slides with a suit-
able lint free wipe to remove dust or fingerprints, or both.
5. Significance and Use
8.2 Attach the microscope slide in a flat horizontal position
5.1 The intent of this test method is to aid the candle
in a ring stand clamp. The microscope slide should be parallel
manufacturer to optimize candle formulations in the reduction
with the ground and as close to level as possible.
of visible smoke emissions.
8.3 Place the candle(s) to be tested in a chamber or room
5.2 This test method is intended to provide candle manu-
with minimal drafts on a level-burning surface. The tempera-
facturers a standard procedure to use during development of
ture of the room or chamber shall be maintained to 25 6 5°C
candle designs and formulations to compare relative smoke/
(77 6 9°F) throughout the test period.
burn behavior. For the development of this method, a protocol
was established for trimming the wick on specially prepared
8.4 Move the microscope slide with ring stand into position
test candles to 6 to 7 mm ( ⁄4 in.) prior to each burn cycle. It is
such that the center of the microscope slide is above the center
recommended that the manufacturer determine a standardized
of the wick in the candle.
protocol, that is, either not trimming the wick or trimming the
8.5 Position the microscope slide in the ring stand such that
wick to an appropriate length in order for direct comparison of
it is 102 66mm(4 6 0.25 in.) above the solid top surface of
results.
the candle wax pool. In the event the flame becomes recessed
5.3 A relative ranking of candle formulations can be estab-
inside the candle either due to a pillar candle maintaining the
lished with the use of a histogram of the data and control
side walls as it burns or a containerized candle consuming the
charts.
fuel as it burns, do not position the slide any closer than 51 6
5.4 This test method is not intended to set forth pass/fail
6mm(2 6 0.25 in.) from the top of the candle as defined in
criteria for visible smoke emissions from candles, as such, this
3.2.6. If the microscope slide is positioned any closer than 51
method sets no standard level for visible smoke emissions.
66mm(2 6 0.25 in.) to the top of the candle it may restrict
air flow into the candle and effect the performance or behavior
6. Interferences
of the flame during the test. Once the proper height adjustment
6.1 Thethicknessofthecollectionmaterial,thatis,theglass
has been made prior to the burn cycle, move the slide and
microscope slide, will create a positive interference and should
holder away from the candle until it is time to collect the
be corrected for in the set up of the densitometer prior to the
sample, that is, after the 15 min or longer required to develop
analysis of test samples.
a molten fuel pool and stable flame.
6.2 Any material that darkens the microscope slide other
9. Calibration and Standardization
than the visible emissions of a candle shall create a positive
interference.
9.1 Place a new, clean microscope slide with a cover slip
taped in place in the same manner as the test samples, on the
7. Apparatus and Materials
optical portion of the black and white densitometer and zero
7.1 Glass Microscope Slides, nominally 76 by 25 mm (3 by
the instrument. For transparent slides make sure that the
1 in.) with a writing surface for sample identification) to be
densitometer is in the transmittance mode and not the reflec-
placed above the candle to collect visible emissions.
tance mode.
7.2 Ring Stands and Clamps.
9.2 Place another new, clean slide with the cover slip taped
7.3 Black and White Optical Densitometer.
inplacesuchthatthecoverslipistapedonlyononeside.Place
the slide under the
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