ASTM E162-02a

Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source

SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response standard describes the measurement of surface flammability of materials. It is not intended for use as a basis of ratings for building code purposes (see Appendix X1).
1.2 The values stated in pound-inch units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 This standard measures and describes the response of 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.
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.
1.5 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently hazardous, and adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests. This test method may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. Specific information about hazard is given in Section 7.
Note 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Apr-2002
• ICS: 13.220.50 - Fire-resistance of building materials and elements
• Technical Committee: E05 - Fire Standards
• Drafting Committee: E05.22 - Surface Burning

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E162-02 - Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Replaced By: ASTM E162-02ae1 - Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D4727/D4727M-22 - Standard Specification for Corrugated and Solid Fiberboard Sheet Stock (Container Grade) and Cut Shapes
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• 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-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E176-21ae1 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM C647-19 - Standard Guide to Properties and Tests of Mastics and Coating Finishes for Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E84-23b - Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D3574-17 - Standard Test Methods for Flexible Cellular Materials—Slab, Bonded, and Molded Urethane Foams
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D3675-22 - Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Flexible Cellular Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E3020-22 - Standard Practice for Ignition Sources
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D4000-23 - Standard Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM F1085-19 - Standard Specification for Mattress and Box Springs for Use in Berths in Marine Vessels
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E1321-18 - Standard Test Method for Determining Material Ignition and Flame Spread Properties
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• 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-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D8318-20 - Standard Specification for Low-Density Poly (Vinylidene Fluoride) Based Material Intended for Use in Wire and Cable Jacketing
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002

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:E162–02a
Standard Test Method for
Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat
1
Energy Source
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E162; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber 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.
4
1. Scope 2.2 ISO Standards
ISO13943 Fire Safety—Vocabulary
1.1 This fire-test-response standard describes the measure-
mentofsurfaceflammabilityofmaterials.Itisnotintendedfor
3. Terminology
use as a basis of ratings for building code purposes (see
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
Appendix X1).
method, refer to the terminology contained in Terminology E
1.2 The values stated in pound-inch units are to be regarded
176andISO13943.Incaseofconflict,thedefinitions given in
as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information
Terminology E176 shall prevail.
only.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3 This standard measures and describes the response of
3.2.1 radiant panel index, I , n—the radiant panel index is
s
materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under
the product of the flame spread factor, F , and the heat
s
controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all
evolution factor, Q.
factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the
3.2.2 flashing, n—flame fronts of 3 seconds or less in
materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
duration.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.2.1 Discussion—All flame fronts, however temporary,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
are to be taken into account.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4. Summary of Test Method
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 This test method of measuring surface flammability of
1.5 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently
materials employs a radiant heat source consisting of a 12 by
hazardous,andadequatesafeguardsforpersonnelandproperty
18-in. (305 by 457-mm) panel, in front of which an inclined 6
shall be employed in conducting these tests. This test method
by 18-in. (152 by 457 mm) specimen of the material is placed.
may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment.
The orientation of the specimen is such that ignition is forced
Specific information about hazard is given in Section 7.
near its upper edge and the flame front progresses downward.
NOTE 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
4.2 A factor derived from the rate of progress of the flame
front and another derived from the rate of heat liberated by the
2. Referenced Documents
material under test are combined to provide a radiant panel
2.1 ASTM Standards:
index.
D3675 Test Method for Surface Flammability of Flexible
2
Cellular Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source 5. Significance and Use
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
5.1 Thistestmethodprovidesalaboratorytestprocedurefor
3
Building Materials
measuringandcomparingthesurfaceflammabilityofmaterials
3
E176 Terminology Relating to Fire Standards
when exposed to a prescribed level of radiant heat energy. It is
E1546 Guide for Development of Fire HazardAssessment
intended for use in measurements of the surface flammability
3
Standards
of materials exposed to fire. The test is conducted using small
specimens that are representative, to the extent possible, of the
material or assembly being evaluated. (Example: in terms of
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire
their thickness, layering, and any potential substrate.)
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.22 on Surface
Burning.
Current edition approved April 10, 2002. Published July 2002. Originally
published as E162–60T. Last previous edition E162–02.
2 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02. Available from International Standardization Organization, P.O. Box 56,
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07. CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E162
5.2 The rate at which flames will travel along surfaces
depends upon the physical and thermal properties of the
material, product or assembly under test, the specimen mount-
ing method and orientation, the type and level of fire or heat
exposure,theavailabilityofair,andpropertiesofthesur
...