ASTM E906-99
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products
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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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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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 – 99
Standard Test Method for
Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and
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
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
materials for aircraft use, at an external heat flux of 35 kW/m
Section 6.
(DOT/FAA/CT-89/15), 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
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-5 on Fire
actual fire conditions.
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.21 on Smoke and
Combustion Products.
Current edition approved Feb. 10, 1999. Published July 1999. Originally
published E 906-83. Last previous edition E 906 – 98a.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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.
E906–99
1.12 This standard does not purport to address all of the 4. Summary of Test Method
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 The specimen to be tested is injected into an environ-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
mental chamber through which a constant flow of air passes.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
The specimen’s exposure is determined by a radiant heat
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
source adjusted to produce the desired total heat flux on the
specimen. Exposure options include: horizontal or vertical
2. Referenced Documents
orientations; nonpiloted ignition, piloted ignition of evolved
2.1 ASTM Standards:
gases, or point ignition of the surface.The changes in tempera-
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
ture and optical density of the gas leaving the chamber are
E 176 Terminology of Fire Standards
monitored, and from this data the release rates of heat and
E 380 Practice for Use of the International System of Units
visible smoke (see 14.2.1) are calculated.
(SI) (the Modernized Metric System)
E 1354 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release
5. Significance and Use
Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Con-
5.1 This test method provides a description of the behavior
sumption Calorimeter
of material specimens under a specified fire exposure in terms
2.2 ISO Standard:
of the release rate of heat and visible smoke. It is possible to
ISO/IEC Guide 52 - Glossary of Fire Terms and Defini-
determine the change in behavior of materials and products
tions
with change in heat-flux exposure by testing specimens in a
2.3 Federal Aviation Administration Standard:
series of exposures that cover a range of heat fluxes.
Aircraft Material Fire Test Handbook, DOT/FAA/CT-89/
5.2 The data obtained for a specific test describe the rate of
15, FAA Technical Center, September 1990
heat and smoke release of the specimen when exposed to the
specific environmental conditions and procedures used in
3. Terminology
performing that test.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
5.3 The entire exposed surface of the specimen will not be
method refer to the terminology contained in Terminology
burning during the progressive involvement phase when pi-
E 176 and ISO/IEC Guide 52. In case of conflict, the defini-
loted, point ignition (impingement) procedures are used. Dur-
tions given in Terminology E 176 shall prevail.
ing the period of progressive surface involvement, release rates
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
of heat and smoke are “per square metre of original exposed
3.2.1 continuous, as related to data acquisition, adj—
surface area” not “per square metre of flame involved surface.”
conducted at data collection intervals of5sor less.
5.4 The rates of both heat and smoke release are calculated
3.2.2 exposed surface, n—that surface of the specimen
per square metre of original surface area exposed. If a
subjected to the incident heat.
specimen swells, sags, delaminates, or otherwise deforms so
3.2.3 flashing, n—existence of flame on or over the surface
that the exposed surface area changes, calculated release rates
of the specimen for periods of less than 4 s.
correspond to the original area, not to the new surface area.
3.2.4 gas phase ignition, n—ignition of pyrolysis products
5.5 Heat-release values depend on mode of ignition. Gas
leaving a heated surface by a pilot flame or other ignition
phase ignition gives a more dimensionally consistent measure
source that does not impinge on, nor significantly affect, for
of release rate when very rapid or immediate flame involve-
example, by reradiation, the heated surface.
ment of the specimen surface occurs. However, piloted, point
3.2.5 orientation, n—plane in which the exposed face of the
ignition allows release-rate information to be obtained at
specimen is located during testing, either vertical or horizon-
external heat flux from zero up to that required for satisfactory
tally face upwards.
gas-phase ignition, usually over 20 kW/m external exposure.
3.2.6 SMOKEunit—theconcentrationofsmokeparticulates
No correlation between the two modes of piloted ignition has
in a cubic metre of air that reduces the percent transmission of
been established.
light through a 1-m path to 10 %. SMOKE = Standard Metric
5.6 Release rates depend on many factors, some of which
Optical Kinetic Emission.
cannot be controlled. It is possible that samples that produce a
3.2.7 sustained flaming, n—the existence of flame on or
surface char, a layer of adherent ash, or those that are
over the majority of the surface of the specimen for a period of
composites or laminates do not attain a steady-state release
4 s or more.
rate. Thermally thin specimens, that is, specimens whose
3.2.8 time to ignition, n—time between the start of the test
unexposed surface changes temperature during period of test,
and the presence of a flame on or over most of the specimen
will not attain a steady-state release rate. Therefore, release
surface for a period of at least 4 s.
rates for a given material will depend, for example, on how the
3.2.9 time to sustained flaming, n—time to ignition.
material is used, its thickness, and the method of mounting.
5.7 Heat-release values are for the specific specimen size
(exposed area) tested. Results are not directly scalable to
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
different exposed surface areas for some products.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
5.8 The method is limited to specimen sizes of materials in
Available from International Standardization Organization, P.O. Box 56,
accordance with 7.1 and to products from which it is possible
CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland.
Available from NationalTechnical Information Service, Springfield,VA22161. to obtain a test specimen representative of the product in actual
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.
E906–99
use.Thetestislimitedtoexposureofonesurface;therearetwo 7.2 Conditioning—Condition the specimens at 23 6 3°C
optionsforexposureorientation:eitherverticalorhorizontal.If (70 6 5°F) and 50 6 5 % relative humidity for a minimum of
a heat release rate of 8 kW, which is equivalent to 355 kW/m 24 h prior to test, or as described by Procedure A of Practice
for 150 by 150-mm vertical specimens, or 533 kW/m for 100 D 618, if appropriate.
7.3 Mounting—Expose only one surface of a specimen
by 150-mm horizontal specimens is exceeded, there is danger
of combustion occurring above the stack. during a test. Insulate, on five sides, specimens that have a slab
geometry. A single layer of 0.025-mm (0.001 in.) aluminum
5.9 No general relationship between release rate values
foil shall be wrapped tightly on all unexposed sides with the
obtained from horizontally and vertically oriented specimens
dull side of the foil facing the specimen surface. For products
hasbeenestablished.Conducttestsonspecimensintheformin
whose exposed surface is not a plane, describe mounting and
whichthematerialisorientedinenduseconditions.Toprovide
method of calculating surface area exposed when reporting
additional information, conduct tests in the horizontal orienta-
results.
tion for those specimens that melt and drip in the vertical
7.4 Specimen Orientation—For specimens with anisotropic
orientation.
properties (meaning they have different properties in different
5.10 Release rate measurements provide useful information
directions such as machine and cross-machine directions for
for product development by giving a quantitative measure of
extrusions, wrap and fill for woven fabrics), the specimens
specific changes in fire test performance caused by product
shall be tested in the orientation giving the highest results. If
modifications.
this orientation is not known prior to test, two sets of at least
5.11 Thistestmethoddiffersinboththemethodofexposure
three specimens each shall be prepared and tested, with one set
and the calculation procedure from the techniques used in Test
oriented in one direction and the second set oriented in the
Method E 1354, the cone calorimeter, which assesses heat
other direction.
release by oxygen consumption calorimetry, using a truncated
8. Release Rate Apparatus—Configuration A
cone as a radiant source.
8.1 The apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2 shall be used to
6. Operator Safety
determine heat release rates. All exterior surfaces of the
apparatus, except the holding chamber, shall be insulated with
6.1 The test procedure involves high temperatures, and
25 61mm(1 60.04in.)thick,low-density,high-temperature,
combustion processes.Therefore, it is possible for eye injuries,
,
6 7
fiberglass board insulation. A gasketed door, through which
burns,ignitionofextraneousobjectsorclothing,andinhalation
the sample injection rod slides, shall be provided to form an
of smoke or combustion products to occur, unless proper
airtight closure on the specimen hold chamber.
precautions are taken. To avoid accidental leakage of toxic
8.2 Thermopile—The temperature difference between the
combustion products into the surrounding atmosphere, it is
air entering the environmental chamber and that leaving shall
advisable to evacuate the chamber, at the end of a test, into an
be monitored by a thermopile having 5 hot and 5 cold 24-gage
exhaust system with adequate capacity. The operator must use
chromel-alumel junctions. The loop to be formed by the
heavy gloves, safety tongs or other suitable protection for
thermocouple junction shall be 1.3 6 0.3 mm (0.050 6 0.010
removal of the specimen holder. The venting must be checked
in.) in diameter. The cold junctions shall be located in the pan
periodically for proper operation. Care shall be takne not to
below the air distribution plate (see 8.4). T
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