ASTM D8354-21

Standard Test Method for Flammability of Electrical Insulating Materials Intended for Wires or Cables When Burning in a Vertical Configuration

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This vertical flame test provides information regarding the flammability performance of electrical insulating materials.  
5.2 This test method is used to assess the vertical flame test performance of electrical insulation materials used in wires or cables in Test Methods D2633 and D3032 (Test A), as well as in Specifications D2219 and D2220.  
5.3 In this test method, the test specimens are subjected to one or more specific sets of laboratory test conditions. If different test conditions are substituted or the end-use conditions are changed, it is not always possible by or from this test to predict changes in the fire-test-response characteristics measured. The results are therefore valid only for the fire-test exposure conditions described in this procedure.
SCOPE
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.  
1.2 This fire test method is applicable to electrical insulation materials used for wires or cables. The materials are tested as plastic specimens on their own or installed on the wires or cables.  
1.3 The ignition source is a gas burner fueled by methane or natural gas.  
1.4 Use the values stated in SI units in referee decisions; see IEEE/ASTM SI-10. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.5 This standard is used to measure and describe 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.  
1.6 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Mar-2021
• ICS: 13.220.40 - Ignitability and burning behaviour of materials and products
• ICS: 29.035.01 - Insulating materials in general
• Technical Committee: D09 - Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials
• Drafting Committee: D09.17 - Fire and Thermal Properties

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D1711-24 - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM E176-24 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM D5025-20a - Standard Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2020
• Refers: ASTM D5025-20 - Standard Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2020
• Refers: ASTM E176-18a - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2018
• Refers: ASTM E176-18 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Refers: ASTM D1711-15 - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Refers: ASTM E176-15a - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2015
• Refers: ASTM E176-15ae1 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2015
• Refers: ASTM E176-15 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2015
• Refers: ASTM D1711-14a - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2014
• Refers: ASTM E176-14c - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2014
• Refers: ASTM E176-14b - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2014
• Refers: ASTM E176-14a - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2014
• Refers: ASTM E176-14 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2014

Overview

ASTM D8354-21: Standard Test Method for Flammability of Electrical Insulating Materials Intended for Wires or Cables When Burning in a Vertical Configuration provides a reliable laboratory procedure to assess the flammability performance of electrical insulation materials used in wires and cables. Published by ASTM International, this standard is crucial for manufacturers and laboratories evaluating fire resistance and safety characteristics of plastic insulation materials and assemblies under controlled vertical flame conditions.

The method applies specifically to specimens tested on their own or installed on wires or cables, using a gas burner fueled by methane or natural gas. Data generated through this test support safety evaluations, quality control, and regulatory compliance for producers and users of electrical insulation products.

Key Topics

• Flammability Testing: The standard outlines a vertical flame test where electrical insulating material specimens are ignited using a standardized burner under defined conditions.
• Test Specimens: These can be sections of electrical insulation, insulated wire, or insulated cable, with detailed requirements regarding preparation, conditioning, and specimen length.
• Test Setup:
  • Vertical mounting of test specimens
  • Use of a methane or natural gas burner
  • Application of the flame up to five times for 15 seconds each
  • Use of a kraft paper flag to assess vertical flame spread and a cotton mat to capture and detect flaming drips
• Measurement Parameters:
  • Duration of burning after flame removal
  • Percentage of indicator flag burned
  • Burn length, especially for related methods like Test A in D3032
  • Whether flaming drops ignite the cotton mat
• Validity and Limitations:
  • Results are specific to the defined test conditions and may not predict real-world fire risks under different situations.
  • Safety precautions and appropriate laboratory practices are mandatory during testing.
  • SI units are the primary measurement standard.

Applications

ASTM D8354-21 is widely applied in the evaluation and selection of electrical insulating materials for wires and cables where fire safety is a concern. Its primary uses include:

• Product Development and Qualification: Ensures newly designed insulation materials meet flammability safety criteria before deployment in wiring products.
• Regulatory Compliance: Satisfies requirements for vertical flame testing in specifications such as ASTM D2219 and D2220 for Poly(Vinyl Chloride) insulation, and in test methods D2633 and D3032 for thermoplastic wire and cable insulations.
• Quality Assurance: Assists manufacturers in routine quality control to maintain or improve the safety profile of their products for markets with stringent fire safety codes.
• Risk Assessment: Provides comparative data on flame spread and ignition that can inform broader fire risk evaluations when combined with other assessments.

Industries utilizing this standard include electrical and electronics manufacturing, building construction, automotive, aerospace, and any sector where electrical wiring fire safety is essential.

Related Standards

For comprehensive fire testing and material evaluation, ASTM D8354-21 is commonly used alongside several other ASTM and international standards:

• ASTM D2219: Specification for Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Insulation for Wire and Cable, 60°C Operation
• ASTM D2220: Specification for Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Insulation for Wire and Cable, 75°C Operation
• ASTM D2633: Test Methods for Thermoplastic Insulations and Jackets for Wire and Cable
• ASTM D3032: Test Methods for Hookup Wire Insulation (Test A references this vertical flame test)
• ASTM D5025: Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
• ASTM D5207: Practice for Confirmation of Test Flames for Small-Scale Burning Tests
• ASTM E176: Terminology of Fire Standards
• ISO 13943: Fire Safety – Vocabulary

By utilizing ASTM D8354-21 in conjunction with these standards, organizations can ensure a robust and internationally recognized approach to evaluating the flammability of electrical insulating materials for wires and cables.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:D8354 −21
Standard Test Method for
Flammability of Electrical Insulating Materials Intended for
Wires or Cables When Burning in a Vertical Configuration
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8354; 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.
NOTE—The title of this test method was corrected editorially and the yeardate was changed on March 31, 2021.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
1.2 Thisfiretestmethodisapplicabletoelectricalinsulation
D2219 Specification for Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Insulation for
materials used for wires or cables. The materials are tested as
Wire and Cable, 60 °C Operation
plastic specimens on their own or installed on the wires or
D2220 Specification for Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Insulation for
cables.
Wire and Cable, 75 °C Operation
D2633 Test Methods for Thermoplastic Insulations and
1.3 The ignition source is a gas burner fueled by methane or
Jackets for Wire and Cable
natural gas.
D3032 Test Methods for Hookup Wire Insulation
1.4 Use the values stated in SI units in referee decisions; see
D5025 Specification for Laboratory Burner Used for Small-
IEEE/ASTM SI-10. The values given in parentheses after SI
Scale Burning Tests on Plastic Materials
units are provided for information only and are not considered
D5207 Practice for Confirmation of 20-mm (50-W) and
standard.
125-mm (500-W) Test Flames for Small-Scale Burning
1.5 This standard is used to measure and describe the
Tests on Plastic Materials
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself
2.2 ISO Standard:
incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk
ISO 13943 Fire Safety – Vocabulary
assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under
2.3 Federal Standard:
actual fire conditions.
PPP-T-45D Federal Specification for Tape; Paper, Gummed
1.6 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safe-
(Kraft)
guards for personnel and property shall be employed in
conducting these tests.
3. Terminology
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 Definitions:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.1 For definitions of terms relating to electrical and
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
electronic insulating materials, the definitions in this test
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
method are in accordance with Terminology D1711. For terms
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
relating to fire, the definitions in this test method are in
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
accordance with Terminology E176 and ISO 13943. In case of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
conflict, the definitions given in Terminology E176 shall
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
prevail.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
1 3
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of Central Secretariat, BIBC II, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier,
Subcommittee D09.17 on Fire and Thermal Properties. Geneva, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.
Current edition approved March 31, 2021. Published April 2021. Last previous AvailablefromStandardizationDocumentsOrderDesk,Bldg.4SectionD,700
edition approved in 2020 as D8354 – 20. DOI: 10.1520/D8354-21. Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D8354−21
4. Summary of Test Method 6.2.2 Use a compact lower clamp designed to afford mini-
mal interference with flaming or dripping particles flowing or
4.1 In this test method, a test specimen of an electrical
fallingdownwardalongthetestspecimenduringtheflametest.
insulating material or a wire or cable test specimen is mounted
6.2.3 The lower clamp shall not prevent downward flowing
vertically and ignited with a small burner, applying a 500 W
or dropping material from direct contact with the cotton layer
flame, with five consecutive exposures of 15 s each.
at the bottom of the chamber.
4.2 The burner gas is methane or natural gas (see 6.5).
6.3 Burner:
4.3 A kraft paper flame indicator flag is attached to the test
6.3.1 The burner shall meet the requirements of Specifica-
specimen to assess vertical flame spread.
tion D5025.
6.3.2 The burner shall be designed to provide a flame that is
4.4 A cotton mat is placed under the test specimen to
125 6 10 mm (4 ⁄8 6 0.4 in.) long, with an intensity of 500 W
capture droplets falling from the test specimen and determine
(1700 BTU/h).
whether flaming ignition of the cotton occurs.
6.3.3 The burner shall be mounted at a 20° angle to the
4.5 The report records the fraction of the flame indicator
horizontal by mounting it on an angled wedge assembly, in
flag that has been burnt, whether flaming material has dropped
accordance with 6.4.
from the test specimen and ignited the cotton mat and the time
during which the test specimen continues flaming after the 6.4 Wedge Assembly:
burner has been removed. Test A in Test Methods D3032 also
6.4.1 The base of the burner shall be secured to a wedge
requires reporting the burn length.
assembly, which shall angle the barrel 20° from the vertical
while the longitudinal axis of the barrel remains in a vertical
5. Significance and Use
plane (see Fig. 1).
6.4.2 The wedge assembly shall allow the repeated removal
5.1 This vertical flame test provides information regarding
of the flame from a location on the test specimen and
the flammability performance of electrical insulating materials.
reapplication of the same flame to the same location on the test
5.2 This test method is used to assess the vertical flame test
specimen.
performance of electrical insulation materials used in wires or
6.4.3 The wedge assembly shall allow the removal of the
cables in Test Methods D2633 and D3032 (Test A), as well as
flame source without moving the test specimen or disturbing
in Specifications D2219 and D2220.
the cotton mat (see 6.8).
5.3 In this test method, the test specimens are subjected to
6.5 Gas—The burner shall be provided either with methane
one or more specific sets of laboratory test conditions. If
gas, technical grade, 98.0 % minimum purity, or with natural
different test conditions are substituted or the end-use condi-
gas. The heating value of either gas shall be 37 6 1 MJ/m or
tions are changed, it is not always possible by or from this test
8.9 kcal (thermochemical) per cubic meter or 1000 BTU
to predict changes in the fire-test-response characteristics
(thermochemical) per cubic foot, at 25 61ºC(77 6 2 ºF) and
measured. The results are therefore valid only for the fire-test
101 kPa (14.7 psi).
exposure conditions described in this procedure.
6.5.1 Adjust the burner barrel height, as indicated in Prac-
tice D5207 to confirm that the overall height of the gas flame
6. Apparatus
is 125 6 10 mm (4 ⁄8 6 0.4 in.) and that the blue inner cone is
40 62mm(1 ⁄16 60.08in.)high.Usethesameprocedurefor
6.1 Test Chamber:
methane and for natural gas.Agas supply gauge pressure of 69
6.1.1 The test chamber shall be constructed of sheet metal,
to 138 kPa (10 to 20 lbf/in. ) has been found to be adequate to
300 65mm(12 6 0.2 in.) in width, 350 65mm(14 6
maintain the required flame.Acylinder shall not be used when
0.2 in.) in depth, 600 6 5 mm (24 6 0.2 in.) in height, and
this range of pressure is no longer sustainable at room
open at the top.
temperature.
6.1.2 The test chamber shall contain a closable front door,
6.5.2 Ensure that the burner flame does not change from
hinged or sliding, with a glass window for observing the flame
blue to luminous without any change of the settings. If this
application, which provides a draft restricted, four-sided enclo-
occurs, it is an indication that the fuel-gas content of the
sure when the door is closed.
cylinder is exhausted and that the gas cylinder is to be labeled
6.1.3 Three circular draft holes shall be located in a row,
as empty and returned for refilling.
parallel to the lower edge of each of the two side panels.These
draft holes shall be located approximately 25 mm (1 in.) above
6.6 Flame—Ensure that the overall flame remains blue and
the bottom surface of the chamber and shall be 29 mm
that the height of the blue inner cone is not less than 38 6
(1.13 in.) in diameter. These draft holes shall be free of
2 mm (1.50 6 0.08 in.). If the height of the flame is lower
obstructions to air flow.
without any change in settings, it is likely that the contents of
the gas cylinder are at low pressure and the cylinder shall be
6.2 Means for Holding Test Specimen Taut in Vertical
replaced.
Position:
6.2.1 The test chamber shall be provided with screws or 6.7 Timing Device—The tim
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