ASTM E906-06
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using a Thermopile Method
Standard Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using a Thermopile Method
SCOPE
1.1 This test method provides for determining the release rates of heat and visible smoke (Note 1) from materials, products, or assemblies when exposed to different levels of radiant heat. Note 1 Visible smoke is described in terms of the obscuration of transmitted light caused by combustion products released during the tests (see 14.2.1).
1.2 This fire-test-response method assesses heat release by a thermal method, thermopile, using a radiant heat source composed of an array of four electrical resistance elements.
1.3 This test method provides for radiant thermal exposure of a specimen both with and without a pilot. Piloted ignition results from direct flame impingement on the specimen (piloted, point ignition) or from use of the pilot to ignite gases evolved by pyrolysis of the specimen.
1.4 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.
1.5 This test method is suitable for exposing essentially planar materials, products or assemblies to a constant, imposed external heat flux that ranges from 0 to 80 kW/m 2.
1.6 This test method is intended for use in research and development and not as a basis for rating, regulatory, or code purposes.
1.7 The apparatus described in this test method has been used in two configurations. Configuration A is that which is used by the Federal Aviation Administration for assessing materials for aircraft use, at an external heat flux of 35 kW/m2 (DOT/FAA/AR-00/12), while configuration B is suitable, at various incident heat fluxes, for research and development purposes.
1.8 This test method does not provide information on the fire performance of the test specimens under fire conditions other than those conditions specified in this test method. Known limitations of this test method are described in .
1.8.1 Heat and smoke release rates depend on a number of factors, including the formation of surface char, the formation of an adherent ash, sample thickness, and the method of mounting.
1.8.2 Heat release values are a function of the specific specimen size (exposed area) tested. Results are not directly scaleable to different exposed surface areas for some products.
1.8.3 The test method is limited to the specified specimen sizes of materials, products, or assemblies. If products are to be tested, the test specimen shall be representative of the product in actual use. The test is limited to exposure of one surface; the options for exposed surface are vertical and horizontal facing up.
1.8.4 At very high specimen heat release rates, it is possible that flaming is observed above the stack, which makes the test invalid.
1.8.5 No general relationship has been established between heat release rate values obtained from horizontally and vertically oriented specimens. Specimens that melt and drip in the vertical orientation shall be tested horizontally.
1.9 Use the SI system of units in referee decisions; see IEEE/ASTM SI-10.
1.10 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently hazardous, and adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests. Fire testing involves hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. See Section .
1.11 This standard is used to measure and describe the response or 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.
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 reg...
General Information
Relations
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: E 906 – 07
Standard Test Method for
Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and
1
Products Using a Thermopile Method
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 1.9 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 1.9.1-
products, or assemblies when exposed to different levels of
1.9.5.
radiant heat.
1.9.1 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
1.9.2 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
1.9.3 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.
1.9.4 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.
1.9.5 No general relationship has been established between
1.5 This test method is often identified as the Ohio State
heat release rate values obtained from horizontally and verti-
University (OSU) rate of heat release apparatus.
cally oriented specimens. Specimens that melt and drip in the
1.6 This test method is suitable for exposing essentially
vertical orientation shall be tested horizontally.
planar materials, products or assemblies to a constant, imposed
1.10 Use the SI system of units in referee decisions; see
2
external heat flux that ranges from 0 to 80 kW/m .
IEEE/ASTM SI-10.
1.7 This test method is intended for use in research and
1.11 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently
development and not as a basis for rating, regulatory, or code
hazardous, and adequate safeguards for personnel and property
purposes.
shall be employed in conducting these tests. Fire testing
1.8 The apparatus described in this test method has been
involves hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. See
used in two configurations. Configuration A is that which is
Section 6.
used by the Federal Aviation Administration for assessing
1.12 This standard is used to measure and describe the
2
materials for aircraft use, at an external heat flux of 35 kW/m
response or materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
(DOT/FAA/AR-00/12), while configuration B is suitable, at
flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself
various incident heat fluxes, for research and development
incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk
purposes.
assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under
actual fire conditions.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.21 on Smoke and
Combustion Products.
Current edition approved June 15, 2007. Published August 2007. Originally
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as E 906 – 06.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 -------
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.