ASTM E662-03

Standard Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke Generated by Solid Materials

SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response standard covers determination of the specific optical density of smoke generated by solid materials and assemblies mounted in the vertical position in thicknesses up to and including 1 in. (25.4 mm).
1.2 Measurement is made of the attenuation of a light beam by smoke (suspended solid or liquid particles) accumulating within a closed chamber due to nonflaming pyrolytic decomposition and flaming combustion.  
1.3 Results are expressed in terms of specific optical density which is derived from a geometrical factor and the measured optical density, a measurement characteristic of the concentration of smoke.  
1.4 This test method is intended for use in research and development and not as a basis for ratings for regulatory purposes.  
1.5  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, of 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.  
1.6  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.  
1.7 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. Values stated in parentheses are for information only.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Apr-2003
• ICS: 13.220.40 - Ignitability and burning behaviour of materials and products
• ICS: 17.180.99 - Other standards related to optics and optical measurements
• Technical Committee: E05 - Fire Standards
• Drafting Committee: E05.21 - Smoke and Combustion Products

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E662-01 - Standard Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke Generated by Solid Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Replaced By: ASTM E662-03e1 - Standard Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke Generated by Solid Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E1995-21 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Smoke Obscuration Using a Conical Radiant Source in a Single Closed Chamber, With the Test Specimen Oriented Horizontally
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E800-20 - Standard Guide for Measurement of Gases Present or Generated During Fires
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E1354-23 - Standard Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C1594-23 - Standard Specification for Polyimide Rigid Cellular Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F3214-23 - Standard Practice for Characterization of Fire Properties of Seating, Upholstery, and Padding Materials for Vehicles Associated with Amusement Rides and Devices
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E3020-22 - Standard Practice for Ignition Sources
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D7295-18 - Standard Practice for Sampling Combustion Effluents and Other Stationary Sources for the Subsequent Determination of Hydrogen Cyanide
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E2061-23 - Standard Guide for Fire Hazard Assessment of Rail Transportation Vehicles
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E2280-21 - Standard Guide for Fire Hazard Assessment of the Effect of Upholstered Seating Furniture Within Patient Rooms of Health Care Facilities
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F1085-19 - Standard Specification for Mattress and Box Springs for Use in Berths in Marine Vessels
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F1870-22 - Standard Guide for Selection of Fire Test Methods for the Assessment of Upholstered Furnishings in Detention and Correctional Facilities
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C1410-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Cellular Melamine Thermal and Sound-Absorbing Insulation
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D6719-22e1 - Standard Guide for Standard Test Methods and Practices for Evaluating Pile Yarn Floor Covering
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003

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 662 – 03
Standard Test Method for
Specific Optical Density of Smoke Generated by Solid
1
Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 662; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope D 2843 Test Method for Density of Smoke from the Burn-
2
ing or Decomposition of Plastics
1.1 This fire-test-response standard covers determination of
3
E 176 Terminology of Fire Standards
the specific optical density of smoke generated by solid
materials and assemblies mounted in the vertical position in
3. Terminology
thicknesses up to and including 1 in. (25.4 mm).
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms found in this test
1.2 Measurement is made of the attenuation of a light beam
method refer to Terminology E 176.
by smoke (suspended solid or liquid particles) accumulating
within a closed chamber due to nonflaming pyrolytic decom-
4. Summary of Test Method
position and flaming combustion.
4.1 This test method employs an electrically heated radiant-
1.3 Results are expressed in terms of specific optical density
energy source mounted within an insulated ceramic tube and
which is derived from a geometrical factor and the measured
positioned so as to produce an irradiance level of 2.2 Btu/
optical density, a measurement characteristic of the concentra-
2 2
s·ft (2.5 W/cm ) averaged over the central 1.5-in. (38.1-mm)
tion of smoke.
diameter area of a vertically mounted specimen facing the
1.4 This test method is intended for use in research and
radiant heater. The nominal 3 by 3-in. (76.2 by 76.2-mm)
development and not as a basis for ratings for regulatory
specimen is mounted within a holder which exposes an area
purposes.
9 9
measuring 2 ⁄16 by 2 ⁄16 in. (65.1 by 65.1 mm). The holder can
1.5 This standard should be used to measure and describe
accommodate specimens up to 1 in. (25.4 mm) thick. This
the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
exposure provides the nonflaming condition of the test.
flame under controlled conditions and should not be used to
4.2 For the flaming condition, a six-tube burner is used to
describe or appraise the fire-hazard or fire-risk of materials,
apply a row of equidistant flamelets across the lower edge of
products, of assemblies under actual fire conditions. However,
the exposed specimen area and into the specimen holder
results of the test may be used as elements of a firehazard
trough. This application of flame in addition to the specified
assessment or a fire-risk assessment which takes into account
irradiance level from the heating element constitutes the
all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the
flaming combustion exposure.
fire hazard or fire risk of a particular end use.
4.3 The test specimens are exposed to the flaming and
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
nonflaming conditions within a closed chamber. A photometric
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
system with a vertical light path is used to measure the varying
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
light transmission as smoke accumulates. The light transmit-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
tance measurements are used to calculate specific optical
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
density of the smoke generated during the time period to reach
1.7 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
4
the maximum value.
as standard. Values stated in parentheses are for information
only.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method provides a means for determining the
2. Referenced Documents
specific optical density of the smoke generated by specimens of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
3
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.21 on Smoke and Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
4
Combustion Products. Additional parameters, such as the maximum rate of smoke accumulation, time
Current edition approved April 10, 2003. Published June 2003. Originally to a fixed optical density level, or a smoke obscuration index may provide useful
approved in 1979. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as E 662 – 01. information. See Appendix X1.
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