EN ISO 6940:2004

Textile fabrics - Burning behaviour - Determination of ease of ignition of vertically oriented specimens (ISO 6940:2004)

ISO 6940:2004 specifies a method for the measurement of ease of ignition of vertically oriented textile fabrics and industrial products in the form of single or multi-component fabrics (coated, quilted, multilayered, sandwich constructions, and similar combinations), when subjected to a small, defined flame. This method assesses the properties of textile fabrics in response to flame contact under controlled conditions.

Textilien - Brennverhalten - Bestimmung der Entzündbarkeit vertikal angeordneter Proben (ISO 6940:2004)

Diese Internationale Norm legt ein Verfahren zur Messung der Entzündbarkeit von vertikal angeordneten textilen Flächengebilden und industriellen Erzeugnissen, in Form von Einzel- oder Verbundtextilien (beschichtet, gesteppt, mehrlagig, Verbundkonstruktionen und ähnliche Kombinationen) fest, die einer kleinen definierten Flamme ausgesetzt werden.
Mit Hilfe dieses Verfahrens werden die Eigenschaften von textilen Flächengebilden hinsichtlich ihrer Reaktion auf Flammeneinwirkung unter kontrollierten Bedingungen eingeschätzt. Die Ergebnisse erlauben keine Rückschlüsse auf Situationen, in denen der Luftzutritt beschränkt ist oder das Material der Einwirkung großer und intensiver Wärmequellen ausgesetzt ist.
Mit diesem Verfahren kann der Einfluss von Nähten auf das Verhalten der Erzeugnisse bestimmt werden, indem die Messprobe so angeordnet wird, dass die Naht der Prüfflamme ausgesetzt wird. Wann immer es zweckmäßig ist, sollten Besatzartikel als Teile der Kombination von Flächengebilden geprüft werden, in der sie verwendet werden oder werden sollen.

Textiles - Comportement au feu - Détermination de la facilité d'allumage d'éprouvettes orientées verticalement (ISO 6940:2004)

L'ISO 6940:2004 spécifie une méthode permettant de mesurer la facilité d'allumage des étoffes et produits industriels orientés verticalement par rapport à une flamme définie de petite taille; il peut s'agir d'étoffes simples ou complexes (textiles enduits, ouatés, multicouches, en sandwich et autres structures similaires). Cette méthode permet d'évaluer les propriétés des étoffes en réaction à un contact avec la flamme dans des conditions contrôlées

Tekstilni izdelki - Obnašanje pri gorenju - Ugotavljanje nagnjenosti k vnetljivosti navpično vpetih preskušancev (ISO 6940:2004)

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2004
• ICS: 13.220.40 - Ignitability and burning behaviour of materials and products
• ICS: 59.080.30 - Textile fabrics
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 248 - Textiles and textile products
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 248/SC 1/WG 1 - Curtains and drapes
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 06-Jun-2008
• Completion Date: 06-Jun-2008
• Ref Project: SIST EN ISO 6940:2004 - Textile fabrics - Burning behaviour - Determination of ease of ignition of vertically oriented specimens (ISO 6940:2004)

Relations

• Replaces: EN ISO 6940:1995 - Textile fabrics - Burning behaviour - Determination of ease of ignition of vertically oriented specimens (ISO 6940:1984, including Amendment 1:1993)
• Effective Date: 22-Dec-2008
• Revised: prEN ISO 6940 - Textile fabrics - Burning behaviour - Determination of ease of ignition of vertically oriented specimens (ISO/DIS 6940:2025)
• Effective Date: 25-Sep-2024
• Parent: EN ISO 6940:1995 - Textile fabrics - Burning behaviour - Determination of ease of ignition of vertically oriented specimens (ISO 6940:1984, including Amendment 1:1993)
• Effective Date: 24-Dec-2008

Overview

EN ISO 6940:2004 - Textile fabrics: Burning behaviour - Determination of ease of ignition of vertically oriented specimens is a CEN-adopted ISO test method for measuring the ease with which vertically mounted textile fabrics and textile-based industrial products ignite when exposed to a small, defined flame. The method applies to single- and multi-component constructions (coated, quilted, multilayered, sandwich constructions and similar combinations) and assesses behaviour under controlled laboratory conditions. Results are not necessarily representative of situations with restricted air supply or exposure to large, intense heat sources.

Key topics and requirements

• Test principle: a defined flame from a specified burner is applied to the surface or bottom edge of a vertically oriented specimen; ignition response is recorded and a mean ignition time calculated (weighted mean).
• Specimen size and mounting: typical specimen dimensions are 200 mm × 80 mm (tolerances given in the standard). Specimens are mounted on a metal frame using support pins; spacer stubs locate the specimen at the required distance from the frame.
• Burner and gas: a specified gas burner (described in Annex A) is used; commercial propane, butane or propane/butane mixtures are acceptable. The burner is movable between standby and operating positions.
• Timing and measurements: flame application time and afterflame time are measured with timing devices (accuracy to 0.2 s or better). Definitions used include flame application time, afterflame time, ignition, sustained combustion (afterflame ≥ 5 s or flame reaching top/edges), and minimum ignition time.
• Sampling and test numbers: iterative procedure requiring multiple specimens; a minimum of 10 specimens per orientation is specified, with sets prepared to allow for at least five ignition and five non‑ignition outcomes.
• Conditioning and atmosphere: specimens are conditioned in a controlled atmosphere for at least 24 h prior to testing; the standard specifies temperature/humidity conditions and handling to ensure consistent results.
• Safety and apparatus construction: guidance on ventilation, corrosion‑resistant materials and operator safety is included.

Applications and users

EN ISO 6940:2004 is used by:

• Textile and composite manufacturers for product development and quality control
• Independent testing laboratories and conformity assessment bodies
• Product designers and R&D teams evaluating materials, coatings, seams and trim effects on ignition
• Procurement and compliance teams verifying material performance against safety requirements

Practical uses include comparing materials for ease of ignition, assessing the influence of seams/trimmings, and generating repeatable data for material selection or regulatory evidence.

Related standards

• ISO 4880 - Burning behaviour vocabulary (definitions)
• ISO 6941 - Measurement of flame spread properties of vertically oriented specimens

For full procedural parameters, tolerances and annexed burner drawings, consult the official EN ISO 6940:2004 document.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2004
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN ISO 6940:1999
7HNVWLOQLL]GHONL2EQDãDQMHSULJRUHQMX8JRWDYOMDQMHQDJQMHQRVWLNYQHWOMLYRVWL
QDYSLþQRYSHWLKSUHVNXãDQFHY,62
Textile fabrics - Burning behaviour - Determination of ease of ignition of vertically
oriented specimens (ISO 6940:2004)
Textilien - Brennverhalten - Bestimmung der Entzündbarkeit vertikal angeordneter
Proben (ISO 6940:2004)
Textiles - Comportement au feu - Détermination de la facilité d'allumage d'éprouvettes
orientées verticalement (ISO 6940:2004)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 6940:2004
ICS:
13.220.40 Sposobnost vžiga in Ignitability and burning
obnašanje materialov in behaviour of materials and
proizvodov pri gorenju products
59.080.30 Tkanine Textile fabrics
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN ISO 6940
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
February 2004
ICS 13.220.40; 59.080.30 Supersedes EN ISO 6940:1995
English version
Textile fabrics - Burning behaviour - Determination of ease of
ignition of vertically oriented specimens (ISO 6940:2004)
Textiles - Comportement au feu - Détermination de la Textilien - Brennverhalten - Bestimmung der
facilité d'allumage d'éprouvettes orientées verticalement Entzündbarkeit vertikal angeordneter Proben (ISO
(ISO 6940:2004) 6940:2004)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 16 January 2004.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official
versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2004 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 6940:2004: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Foreword
This document (EN ISO 6940:2004) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 38
"Textiles" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 248 "Textiles and textile products",
the secretariat of which is held by BSI.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of
an identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by August 2004, and conflicting national
standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by August 2004.
This document supersedes EN ISO 6940:1995.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of
the following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
NOTE FROM CMC  The foreword is susceptible to be amended on reception of the German
language version. The confirmed or amended foreword, and when appropriate, the normative
annex ZA for the references to international publications with their relevant European
publications will be circulated with the German version.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 6940:2004 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 6940:2004 without any
modifications.
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 6940
Second edition
2004-02-01
Textile fabrics — Burning behaviour —
Determination of ease of ignition of
vertically oriented specimens
Textiles — Comportement au feu — Détermination de la facilité
d'allumage d'éprouvettes orientées verticalement

Reference number
ISO 6940:2004(E)
©
ISO 2004
ISO 6940:2004(E)
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ii ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

ISO 6940:2004(E)
Contents Page
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principle . 2
5 Apparatus . 2
6 Cautionary measures . 3
7 Sampling . 3
8 Conditioning and testing atmosphere . 5
9 Setting up the apparatus . 7
10 Test procedure . 10
11 Calculation of the mean ignition time . 11
12 Precision . 11
13 Test report . 11
Annex A (normative) Description and construction of the burner . 12
Annex B (informative) Calculation of mean ignition time — worked example . 13
Annex C (informative) Experimental techniques . 14
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ISO 6940:2004(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 6940 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 38, Textiles, Subcommittee SC 19, Burning behaviour
of textiles and textile products.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 6940:1984), which has been technically revised.
It also incorporates the Amendment ISO 6940:1984/Amd.1:1993.
©
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ISO 6940:2004(E)
Introduction
This method is one of two closely related methods of test for the inflammability of textile fabrics. It determines
the ease of ignition, as defined in ISO 4880; the other method measures flame spread time (see ISO 6941).
©
ISO 2004 – All rights reserved v

.
vi
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 6940:2004(E)
Textile fabrics — Burning behaviour — Determination of ease of
ignition of vertically oriented specimens
1Scope
This International Standard specifies a method for the measurement of ease of ignition of vertically oriented
textile fabrics and industrial products in the form of single or multi-component fabrics (coated, quilted,
multilayered, sandwich constructions, and similar combinations), when subjected to a small, defined flame.
This method assesses the properties of textile fabrics in response to flame contact under controlled conditions.
Results may not apply to situations where there is restricted air supply or exposure to large sources of intense
heat.
The influence of seams on the behaviour of fabrics can be determined by this method, the seam being
positioned within the test specimen so as to be subjected to the test flame. Whenever practicable, trimmings
should be tested as part of the fabric assembly on which they are, or will be, used.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document
(including any amendments) applies.
ISO 4880, Burning behaviour of textiles and textile products — Vocabulary
ISO 6941, Textile fabrics — Burning behaviour — Measurement of flame spread properties of vertically oriented
specimens
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
flame application time
time for which the ignition flame is applied to the test specimen
3.2
afterflame time
duration of flame
length of time for which a material continues to flame under specified test conditions, after the ignition source
has been removed
NOTE Afterflame time is measured to the nearest second and afterflame times of less than 1,0 s should be recorded as
zero.
3.3
ignition
initiation of combustion
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ISO 6940:2004(E)
3.4
sustained combustion
flaming of the specimen which gives an afterflame time of 5s or more or which reaches the top or vertical edges
in less than 5s
3.5
minimum ignition time
minimum time of exposure of a material to an ignition source to obtain sustained combustion under specified
test conditions
4Principle
A defined flame from a specified burner is applied to the surface or bottom edge of textile specimens which are
vertically oriented.
The mean ignition time is determined as the weighted mean of the measured flame application times to obtain
ignition of the specimens.
5 Apparatus
5.1 Mounting frame, constructed to a design capable of holding the gas burner (5.2, see Figure 1) and the
test specimen holder (5.3, see Figure 2) in the specified relative orientation (see Figure 3).
5.2 Gas burner, as described in Annex A, capable of being moved from a standby position, where the tip of
the burner is at least 75 mm from the test specimen, to either the horizontal or inclined operating position (see
Figure 3).
5.3 Specimen holder, consisting of a rectangular metal frame having a specimen support pin at each corner
of a rectangle of length 190 mm by width 70 mm (see Figure 2). The pins for supporting the specimen have a
maximum diameter of 2mm and a length of at least 26mm.
NOTE Longer pins may be needed for mounting thick or multilayer specimens.
For the purpose of locating the specimen in a plane at least 20 mm away from the frame (see 9.1.1 and 9.2.1),
a spacer stub of 2mm diameter and a length of at least 20mm shall be positioned adjacent to each of the four
pins.
5.4 Template, flat and rigid, made of a suitable material and a size corresponding to the size of the specimen
(200 mm× 80 mm). Holes approximately 4 mm in diameter are drilled in each corner of the template and
positioned so that the distances between the centres of the holes correspond to the distances between the pins
on the specimen holder (see Figure 2). The holes should be located equidistant about the vertical centreline of
the template.
5.5 Gas, commercial grade propane or butane or butane/propane mixtures.
NOTE Commercial grade propane is preferred but other gases may be used.
5.6 Timing devices
5.6.1 A timing device to control and measure the flame application time, which can be set at 1s and adjusted
at 1 s intervals to an accuracy of 0,2 s or better.
5.6.2 Three timing devices reading to 0,2 s or better are required to measure the afterflame time. This device
is started, preferably automatically, at the instant of test flame termination or removal, and is stopped manually.
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ISO 6940:2004(E)
6 Cautionary measures
6.1 Construction of testing equipment
Some products of combustion are corrosive. The equipment shall be constructed of material that will not be
adversely affected by the fumes.
6.2 Location of test apparatus
The volume of air surrounding the test location shall not have any influence on testing. Where an open-fronted
cabinet is used for the test, provision shall be made to allow the specimen to be mounted at least 300 mm from
any wall.
6.3 Health and safety of test operators
Burning of materials may produce smoke and toxic gases that can affect the health of operators. Between tests,
the atmosphere of the testing location, which shall be of adequate dimensions to avoid endangering the health
of operators, shall be cleared of smoke and fumes by an extractor fan or other means of ventilation (see 6.2).
NOTE Smoke and fume emission may be subject to national regulations concerning atmospheric pollution control.
7 Sampling
7.1 Number of specimens
Mark out a set of twelve test specimens, using the template (5.4), to allow for at least five instances of ignition
and five instances of non-ignition to occur.
Specimens should normally be tested with the length direction vertical and the outer face towards the igniting
flame. If the test material is non-homogeneous and preliminary testing indicates dissimilar inflammability
characteristics, length and width specimens should be tested separately. For surface ignition, where the two
surfaces of the sample are visually dissimilar and preliminary testing indicates dissimilar inflammability
characteristics, each surface shall be tested and the results reported separately.
An iterative procedure is used and the exact number of specimens cannot be stated. A minimum of
10 specimens is needed for each orientation. An extra test specimen is required for the setting-up procedure
(see 9.1 and 9.2).
7.2 Specimen holder pin location marks
Mark the position through which the pins on the specimen holder must pass by means of the holes in the
template (5
...