ASTM D2843-99(2004)e1
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Density of Smoke from the Burning or Decomposition of Plastics
Standard Test Method for Density of Smoke from the Burning or Decomposition of Plastics
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Tests made on a material under conditions herein prescribed can be of considerable value in comparing the relative smoke obscuration characteristics of plastics.
This test method serves to determine the extent to which plastic materials are likely to smoke under conditions of active burning and decomposition in the presence of flame.
Note 2—The visual and instrumental observations from this test compare well with the visual observations of the smoke generated by plastic materials when added to a freely burning large outdoor fire.4
The usefulness of this test procedure is in its ability to measure the amount of smoke obscuration produced in a simple, direct, and meaningful manner under the specified conditions. The degree of obscuration of vision by smoke generated by combustibles can be substantially affected by changes in quantity and form of material, humidity, draft, temperature, and oxygen supply.
SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response test method covers a laboratory procedure for measuring and observing the relative amounts of smoke obscuration produced by the burning or decomposition of plastics. It is intended to be used for measuring the smoke-producing characteristics of plastics under controlled conditions of combustion or decomposition. Correlation with other fire conditions is not implied. The measurements are made in terms of the loss of light transmission through a collected volume of smoke produced under controlled, standardized conditions. The apparatus is constructed so that the flame and smoke can be observed during the test.
1.2 Caution-During the course of combustion, gases or vapors, or both, are evolved that may be hazardous to personnel. Adequate precautions should be taken to protect the operator.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information purposes only.
1.4 This standard should be used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled laboratory 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 this 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.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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. Specific precautionary statements are given in 1.2 and Note 7. Note 1-There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
General Information
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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.
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Designation:D2843–99 (Reapproved 2004)
Standard Test Method for
Density of Smoke from the Burning or Decomposition of
Plastics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2843; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
´ NOTE—Editorially changed Note 1 in December 2004.
1. Scope* responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.1 This fire-test-response test method covers a laboratory
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific warning
procedure for measuring and observing the relative amounts of
statements are given in 1.2 and 9.11.
smoke obscuration produced by the burning or decomposition
of plastics. It is intended to be used for measuring the
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
smoke-producing characteristics of plastics under controlled
2. Referenced Documents
conditions of combustion or decomposition. Correlation with
other fire conditions is not implied. The measurements are
2.1 ASTM Standards:
made in terms of the loss of light transmission through a
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
collected volume of smoke produced under controlled, stan-
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
dardized conditions. The apparatus is constructed so that the
D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to
flame and smoke can be observed during the test.
Plastics
1.2 Warning—During the course of combustion, gases or
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
vapors, or both, are evolved that may be hazardous to person-
Building Materials
nel. Adequate precautions should be taken to protect the
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
operator.
E662 Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
Generated by Solid Materials
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
purposes only.
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.4 This standard should be used to measure and describe
E906 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release
the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
Rates for Materials and Products Using a Thermopile
flame under controlled laboratory conditions and should not be
Method
used to describe or appraise the fire-hazard or fire-risk of
E1354 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release
materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Con-
However, results of this test may be used as elements of a
sumption Calorimeter
fire-hazard assessment or a fire risk assessment which takes
3. Terminology
into account all of the factors which are pertinent to an
assessment of the fire hazard or fire-risk of a particular end 3.1 Definitions—Theterminologyusedinthistestmethodis
use.
in accordance with Terminologies D883 and D1600 (terms
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the relating to plastics) and Terminology E176 (terms relating to
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
fire).
4. Summary of Test Method
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics
4.1 Thetestspecimenisexposedtoflameforthedurationof
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.30 on Thermal Properties
the test, and the smoke is substantially trapped in the chamber
(Section D20.30.03).
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2004. Published January 2005. Originally
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D2843 - 99 (2004).
DOI: 10.1520/D2843-99R04E01. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Anonymous, “A Method of Measuring Smoke Density,” NFPA Quarterly, contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
QNFPA,Vol 57, January 1964, p. 276. Reprint NFPAQ57-9.Available from NFPA, Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
60 Batterymarch St., Boston, MA 02110. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D2843–99 (2004)
in which combustion occurs. A25 by 25 by 6-mm (1 by 1 by 6.1.1.3 The two sides adjacent to the door shall be fitted
1 3
⁄4-in.) specimen is placed on supporting metal screen and with 70-mm (2 ⁄4 in.) diameter smoke-tight glazed areas
burned in a laboratory test chamber (Fig. 1) under active flame centered 480 mm (19 ⁄4 in.) above the base.At these locations
conditions using a propane burner operating at a pressure of and outside the chamber, boxes containing the optical equip-
276 kPa (40 psi). The 300 by 300 by 790-mm (12 by 12 by ment and additional controls shall be attached.
31-in.) test chamber is instrumented with a light source, 6.1.1.4 A removable white plastic plate shall be attached to
photoelectric cell, and meter to measure light absorption the back of the chamber. There shall be a 90 by 150-mm (3 ⁄2
horizontally across the 300-mm (12-in.) light beam path. The by 6-in.) clear area centered about 480 mm above the bottom
chamber is closed during the 4-min test period except for the of the chamber through which is seen an illuminated white-
25-m (1-in.) high ventilation openings around the bottom. on-red exit sign. The white background permits observation of
4.2 The light-absorption data are plotted versus time. A the flame, smoke, and burning characteristics of the material.
typical plot is shown in Fig. 2.Two indexes are used to rate the The viewing of the exit sign helps to correlate visibility and
material:themaximumsmokeproducedandthesmoke-density measured values.
rating. 6.1.2 Specimen Holder:
6.1.2.1 The specimen shall be supported on a 64-mm
5. Significance and Use
1 1 1
(2 ⁄2-in.) square of 6 by 6-mm, 0.9-mm gage ( ⁄4 by ⁄4-in.,
5.1 Tests made on a material under conditions herein
0.035-in. gage) stainless steel wire cloth 220 mm (8 ⁄4 in.)
prescribed can be of considerable value in comparing the
above the base and equidistant from all sides of the chamber.
relative smoke obscuration characteristics of plastics.
Thisscreenshalllieinastainlesssteelbezelsupportedbyarod
5.2 This test method serves to determine the extent to which
through the right side of the chamber. From the same rod, a
plastic materials are likely to smoke under conditions of active
similar bezel shall be located 76 mm (3 in.) below, and it shall
burning and decomposition in the presence of flame.
support a square of fire resistant material which catches any
particles that may drip from the specimen during the test. By
NOTE 2—The visual and instrumental observations from this test
rotating the specimen holder rod, the burning specimen can be
compare well with the visual observations of the smoke generated by
plastic materials when added to a freely burning large outdoor fire. quenched in a shallow pan of water positioned below the
specimen holder.
5.3 The usefulness of this test procedure is in its ability to
6.1.3 Ignition System:
measure the amount of smoke obscuration produced in a
6.1.3.1 The specimen shall be ignited by a propane flame
simple, direct, and meaningful manner under the specified
from a burner operating at a pressure of 276 kPa (40 psi). The
conditions. The degree of obscuration of vision by smoke
fuel (Note 3) shall be mixed with air which has been propelled
generated by combustibles can be substantially affected by
through the burner by the venturi effect of the propane as it
changes in quantity and form of material, humidity, draft,
passes from a 0.13-mm (0.0005-in.) diameter orifice (Note 4),
temperature, and oxygen supply.
and the burner shall be assembled as shown in the exploded
6. Apparatus view of the burner in Fig. 3. The burner must be designed to
provide adequate outside air.
6.1 The smoke chamber shall be constructed essentially as
shown in Fig. 1.
NOTE 3—Commercial grade 85.0 % minimum, gross heating value
6.1.1 Chamber:
23 000 cal/litre (2590 Btu/ft ) propane meets the requirements.
6.1.1.1 The chamber shall consist of a 14-gage (B & S) 300
NOTE 4—Since the orifice provides the metering effect proportionate to
by 300 by 790-mm (12 by 12 by 31-in.) aluminum box to
the supply pressure, care must be taken that the orifice is the only means
which is hinged a heat-resistant glass glazed door. This box of fuel egress.
shall be mounted on a 350 by 400 by 57-mm (14 by 16 by
6.1.3.2 The burner shall be capable of being positioned
2 ⁄4-in.) base which houses the controls. Dependent upon the
quickly under the specimen so that the axis of the burner falls
materials tested, the metal may require protection from corro-
onalinepassingthroughapoint8mm( ⁄10 in.)abovethebase
sion.
at one back corner of the chamber extending diagonally across
6.1.1.2 The chamber shall be sealed except for 25 by
the chamber and sloping upward at 45 deg with the base. The
230-mm (1 by 9-in.) openings on the four sides of the bottom
exit opening of the burner shall be 260 mm (10 ⁄4 in.) from the
of the chamber. A 1700-L/min (60-ft /min) blower shall be
reference point at the rear of the chamber.
mounted on one side of the chamber. The inlet duct to the
6.1.3.3 Aductatleast150mm(6in.)outsideofthechamber
blower shall be equipped with a close-fitting damper. The
shall provide the air piped to the burner.
outlet of the blower shall be connected through a duct to the
6.1.3.4 Propane pressure shall be adjustable and preferably
laboratory exhaust system. If the chamber is in a ventilated
automatically regulated. Propane pressure shall be indicated by
hood, no connection to the lab exhaust system through a duct
means of a Bourdon tube gage.
is needed.
6.1.4 Photometric System:
6.1.4.1 Alight source, a barrier-layer photoelectric cell, and
Bartosic, A. J., and Rarig, F. J., “Evaluation of the XP2 Smoke Density
a temperature compensated meter shall be used to measure the
Chamber,” Symposium on Fire Test Methods—Restraint & Smoke, ASTM STP 422,
proportion of a light beam which penetrates a 300-mm (12-in.)
ASTM, Philadelphia, PA, 1966.
path through the smoke. The light path shall be arranged
Detailed drawings of the smoke chamber are also available at a nominal cost
from ASTM Headquarters. Order Adjunct: ADJD2843. horizontally as shown in Fig. 4.
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D2843–99 (2004)
1. Specimen Holder
A Stainless steel screen
B Fire-Resistant Sheet
C Adjusting knob
D Quench pan
2. Ignition
A Burner 4. Photometer
B Propane tank A Visual system (exit sign)
C Gas shut-off valve B Measuring system
D Pressure regulator adjustment 1 Light source and adjusting transformer
E Pressure indicator 2 Photronic cell and grid (to block stray light)
F Burner-positioning knob 3 Meter (indicating percent of light absorbed)
3. Cabinet (shown without door) 4 Temperature compensation
A Hinges (door gasketed three sides) 5 Photocell temperature monitor
B Vents (25-mm (1-in.) high opening four sides) 6 Range change
C Blower (damper on mounting side) 5. Timer
D Control (blower on when damper is open) A Indicator, 0 to 5 min (friction reset)
FIG. 1 Schematic Diagram of Smoke Chamber
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D2843–99 (2004)
FIG. 2 Light Absorption versus Time
FIG. 3 Exploded View of Burner
6.1.4.2 The light source shall be mounted in a box (4B1 in focal length lens shall focus a spot of light on the photocell in
Fig. 1) extending from the left side of the chamber at the mean the right instrument panel.
height of 480 mm (19 ⁄4 in.) above the base. The light source 6.1.4.3 Another box containing the photometer (4B2 in Fig.
shall be a compact filament microscope lamp No. 1493 1) shall be attached to the right side of the chamber. The
operated at 5.8Vand a spherical reflector, with power supplied barrier-layer photoelectric cell shall have standard observer
by a voltage-regulating transformer. A60 to 65-mm (2 ⁄2-in.) spectral response. An egg-crate grid in front of the photocell
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D2843–99 (2004)
T = Temperature-sensitive winding in or on meter case to increase in resistance in proportion to increase in meter resistance with temperature.
R = Potentiometer with calibrated scale to reduce resistance in proportion to decrease in photocell output with rise in temperature.
C = Potentiometer to calibrate total resistance of shunt to change meter sensitivity exactly by 10:1 ratio.
FIG. 4 Smoke Density Test Chamber Photometer
shall be used to protect the cell from stray light. The grid shall Material thinner than 6.2 mm ( ⁄4 in.) may be tested, either in
be finished in dull black and have openings at least twice as its normal use thickness, or by stacking and forming a
deep as they are wide. The current produced by the photocell composite specimen approximately 6.2 mm ( ⁄4 in.) thick.
isindicatedintermsofpercentlightabsorptiononameter.The Material thicker than 6.2 mm ( ⁄4 in.) may be tested either in its
photocell linearity decreases as the temperature increases; normal use thickness or by machining the material down to a
compensations shall therefore be made. thickness of 6.2 mm ( ⁄4 in.).
NOTE 5—Photocell manufacturers recommend operating the photocell NOTE 6—If specimens other than the standard specimen are to be used,
at temperatures not exceeding 50°C. cooperating laboratories should agree upon preparation procedures and
dimensions of the specimen. The results in such cases may vary from the
6.1.4.4 The meter shall have two ranges. The range change
results obtained with the standard specimen.
shall be accomplished by shunting the meter to one tenth of its
7.2 The specimens shall be sanded, machined, or die cut in
sensitivity. When smoke accumulates to absorb 90 percent of
a manner that produces a cut surface that is free from
the light beam, a momentary switch shall be depressed return-
projecting fibers, chips, and ridges.
ing the meter to its basic sensitivity. By doing this the meter
7.3 The test sample shall consist of three specimens.
scale will then read from 90 to 100 % instead of 0 to 100 %.
6.1.5 Timing Device—A clock to indicate 15-s intervals
8. Conditioning
shall be used. If the time intervals are audibly marked it will be
convenient for the operator to record his observations.A
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