ISO/TR 10093:2018
(Main)Plastics — Fire tests — Standard ignition sources
Plastics — Fire tests — Standard ignition sources
This document describes and classifies a range of laboratory ignition sources for use in fire tests on plastics and products consisting substantially of plastics. These sources vary in intensity and area of impingement. They are suitable for use to simulate the initial thermal abuse to which plastics are potentially exposed in certain actual fire risk scenarios. Different standards developing organizations have issued many standard test methods, specifications and regulations to assess fire properties of plastics or of products containing plastic materials. Many of those standards contain ignition sources associated with flaming and non-flaming ignition. This document describes the ignition sources and references the associated standard. This compilation of ignition sources does not discuss the application of the standard where the ignition source is described and is likely not to be a fully comprehensive list of ignition sources. This document does not address detailed test procedures.
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ISO/TC 61/SC 4
ISO/TR 10093:2018(E)
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Plastics — Fire tests — Standard ignition sources
Élément introductif — Élément central — Élément complémentaire
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ISO/TR 10093:2018(E)
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Introduction 6¶
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Contents Page
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2 Normative references 1¶
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Foreword . 5
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4 Ignition processes 4¶
Introduction . 6
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6 General principles 5¶
2 Normative references . 1
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3 Terms and definitions . 1
6.2 Non-flaming ignition
sources 6¶
4 Ignition processes . 4
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5 Characteristics of ignition sources . 5
7.1 7.1 Traditional
6 General principles . 5
cigarettes 8¶
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6.1 Flaming ignition sources . 5
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6.2 Non-flaming ignition sources . 6
8 Non-flaming electrical
ignition sources 9¶
7 Smouldering (cigarette) ignition sources . 8
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7.1 7.1 Traditional cigarettes . 8
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7.2 Non-reduced ignition propensity cigarettes . 8
8.2 Hot-wire ignition 10¶
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8 Non-flaming electrical ignition sources . 9
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8.1 Glow-wire ignition . 9
9.1 Conical radiant ignition
8.2 Hot-wire ignition. 10
sources 11¶
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9 Radiant ignition sources . 11
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9.1 Conical radiant ignition sources . 11
9.1.2 Smoke chamber
conical heater 14¶
9.1.1 Cone calorimeter ignition source . 12
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9.1.2 Smoke chamber conical heater . 14
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9.1.3 Ignition source from periodic flaming ignition test . 17
9.2 Other radiant ignition
9.2 Other radiant ignition sources . 18
sources 18¶
9.2.1 Glowbars ignition source . 18 Error! Hyperlink reference
not valid.¶
9.2.2 Lateral ignition and flame spread test (LIFT) radiant panel heater. . 19
9.2.2 Lateral ignition and
9.2.3 Setchkin ignition . 19
flame spread test (LIFT)
radiant panel heater. 19¶
10 Infrared heating system . 21
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11 Diffusion flame ignition . 22 not valid.¶
10 Infrared heating
11.1 Needle flame ignition . 22
system 21¶
11.2 Burning match . 23
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11.3 Burners generating 50 W or 500 W flames . 25
not valid.¶
11.1 Needle flame
12 Premixed burners . 27
ignition 22¶
12.1 Premixed burner for 1 kW flame . 27
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12.2 Burners for vertical cable tray tests . 28
not valid.¶
11.3 Burners generating
12.2.1 Venturi burners for 20 kW vertical cable tray tests . 28
50 W or 500 W flames 25¶
12.2.2 Burner for vertical riser cable tests . 29
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12.3 Burner for large scale horizontal tests . 30
not valid.¶
12.4 Burners for room corner tests . 31
12.1 Premixed burner for
12.4.1 Burner for ISO 9705-1 . 31 1 kW flame 27¶
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12.4.2 Alternate burner for room corner test . 32
not valid.¶
12.5 Burners for individual product heat release tests . 32
12.2.1 Venturi burners for
12.5.1 Burner for single fuel package calorimeter . 32
20 kW vertical cable tray
12.5.2 Square tube propane burner . 33 tests 28¶
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12.5.3 T-shaped propane burner . 33
not valid.¶
12.5.4 Dual T-shaped propane burner . 33
12.3 Burner for large scale
horizontal tests 30¶
... [1]
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13 Other ignition sources . 35
13.1 Wood cribs . 35
13.2 Paper bags. 35
Bibliography . 36
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ISO/TR 10093:2018(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.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives). Deleted: www.iso.org/directives
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. Details of any patent
rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on the ISO list of
patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Deleted: www.iso.org/patents
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following
URL: www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html. Deleted: www.iso.org/iso/forewor
d.html
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 61, Plastics, Subcommittee SC 4, Burning
behaviour.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO/TR 10093:2017), which has been technically
revised. The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— general changes and updates have been made following early publication of the previous edition;
— Clause 3: terms and definitions have been updated to align and with the definitions in ISO 13943:2017;
— Table 1 has been corrected: Column 2 for “Premixed burner for 1 kW flame” has been corrected to show
IEC 60332‐1‐1 and IEC 60332‐1‐2;
— Figure 9: reference in note has been corrected to IEC 60695‐11‐5:2016, Figure 1;
— 11.3.1 has been updated with correct references to IEC standards;
— 12.1.1: “Premixed burner for 1 kW flame” has been corrected to show IEC 60332‐1‐1 and IEC 60332‐1‐2;
— 12.1.2 has been updated to state that the flow rates are for the preferred “Method A”;
— 12.1.2 has been updated to change “greater than 98%” to “not less than 95%”.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html. Deleted: www.iso.org/members.ht
ml
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ISO/TR 10093:2018(E)
Introduction
Fires are caused by a wide range of possible ignition sources. Statistical analysis of fires has identified the
main primary and secondary sources, especially for fires in buildings. The most frequent sources of fires
have been found to be as follows:
a) cooking appliances;
b) space‐heating appliances;
c) electric wiring, connectors and terminations;
d) other electrical appliances (such as washing machines, bedwarmers, televisions, water heaters);
e) cigarettes;
f) matches and smokers' gas lighters;
g) blow‐lamps, blow‐torches and welding torches;
h) rubbish burning; and
i) candles.
The above list covers the major primary ignition sources for accidental fires. Other sources can be involved
in fires raised maliciously. Research into causes of fires has shown that primary ignition sources (e.g.
glowing cigarettes or dropped flaming matches) can set fire to waste paper, which then acts as a secondary
ignition source of greater intensity.
When analysing and evaluating the various ignition sources for applications involving plastics materials, it is
important to answer the following questions on the basis of detailed fire statistics.
1) What is the significance of the individual ignition sources in various fire risk situations?
2) What proportion is attributable to secondary ignition sources?
3) Where does particular attention have to be paid to secondary ignition sources?
4) To what extent are different ignition sources responsible for fatal fire accidents?
The following laboratory ignition sources are intended to simulate actual ignition sources that have been
shown to be the cause of real fires involving plastics. Laboratory ignition sources are preferred over actual
ignition sources due to their consistency, which results in greater data repeatability within a laboratory and
greater reproducibility between laboratories.
These laboratory ignition sources can be used to develop new test procedures.
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TECHNICAL REPORT ISO/TR 10093:2018(E)
Plastics — Fire tests — Standard ignition sources
1 Scope
This document describes and classifies a range of laboratory ignition sources for use in fire tests on
plastics and products consisting substantially of plastics. These sources vary in intensity and area of
impingement. They are suitable for use to simulate the initial thermal abuse to which plastics are
potentially exposed in certain actual fire risk scenarios.
Different standards developing organizations have issued many standard test methods, specifications
and regulations to assess fire properties of plastics or of products containing plastic materials. Many of
those standards contain ignition sources associated with flaming and non‐flaming ignition. This
document describes the ignition sources and references the associated standard.
This compilation of ignition sources does not discuss the application of the standard where the ignition
source is described and is likely not to be a fully comprehensive list of ignition sources.
This document does not address detailed test procedures.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements 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 13943, Fire safety — Vocabulary
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 13943 and the following
apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp Deleted: https://www.iso.org/ob
p
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
Deleted: http://www.electropedi
a.org/
3.1
afterflame
flame (3.8) that persists after the ignition source has been removed
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.11]
3.2
afterflame time
length of time for which an afterflame (3.1) persists under specified conditions
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.12]
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3.3
afterglow
persistence of glowing combustion after both removal of the ignition source and the cessation of any
flaming combustion
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.13]
3.4
afterglow time
length of time for which an afterglow (3.3) persists under specified conditions
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.14]
3.5
combustion
exothermic reaction of a substance with an oxidizing agent
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.55, modified — note has been ommited.]
3.6
ease of ignition
measure of the ease with which a test specimen can be ignited, under specified conditions
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.212]
3.7
exposed surface
surface of a test specimen subjected to the heating conditions of a fire test
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.106]
3.8
flame, noun
rapid, self‐sustaining, sub‐sonic propagation of combustion (3.5) in a gaseous medium, usually with
emission of light
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.159]
3.9
flame, verb
produce flame (3.8)
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.160]
3.10
flaming debris
burning material separating from a burning item and continuing to flame (3.9) on the floor, during a fire
or fire test
Note 1 to entry: Alternatively, flaming debris can be burning material, other than drops, which has detached from
a test specimen during a fire or fire test and continues to burn.
Note 2 to entry: Compare with the terms flaming droplets (3.11).
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.176]
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ISO/TR 10093:2018(E)
3.11
flaming droplets
flaming molten or flaming liquefied drops which fall from the test specimen during the fire test and
continue to burn on the floor
Note 1 to entry: Compare with the term flaming debris (3.10).
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.177]
3.12
glowing combustion
combustion (3.5) of a material in the solid phase without flame (3.8) but with emission of light from the
combustion zone
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.197]
3.13
ignitability
measure of the ease with which a specimen can be ignited (3.14), under specified conditions
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.212]
3.14
ignite, transitive verb
initiate combustion (3.5)
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.215]
3.15
ignite, intransitive verb
catch fire with or without the application of an external heat source
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.214]
3.16
ignition
initiation of combustion (3.5)
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.217]
3.17
ignition source
source of energy that initiates combustion (3.5)
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.219]
3.18
ignition time
duration of exposure of a test specimen to a defined ignition source (3.17) required for the initiation of
sustained combustion (3.5) under specified conditions
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.220]
3.19
irradiance
ratio of the radiant flux incident on a small but measurable element of surface containing the point, by
the area of that element
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[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.236]
3.20
minimum ignition temperature
minimum temperature of a material at which sustained combustion (3.5) can be initiated under
specified test conditions
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.327]
3.21
primary ignition source
first applied ignition source (3.17)
3.22
punking
propagation of a smouldering combustion (3.5) front after removal of the ignition source (3.17)
3.23
secondary ignition source
heat source which is activated following ignition (3.16) from a primary source
3.24
sustained flaming
flame (3.8), on or over the surface of a test specimen, which persists for longer than a defined period of
time
Note 1 to entry: Compare with the term transitory flaming (3.25).
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.380]
3.25
transitory flaming
flame (3.8), on or over the surface of a test specimen, which persists for a defined short period of time
Note 1 to entry: Compare with the term sustained flaming (3.24).
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.408]
4 Ignition processes
4.1 When plastics are exposed to thermal energy, flammable vapours are often generated from their
surface. Under suitable conditions (especially high temperatures), it is possible that a critical
concentration of flammable vapour will form and spontaneous ignition will result. If a flame is present
as the sole energy source, or as a supplementary source, the ignition process will be assisted; this
mechanism is sometimes known as piloted ignition.
4.2 A specimen of plastic is regarded as ignited when flames appear on the surface of the plastic or
when glowing combustion is evident.
4.3 After ignition has occurred, some burning plastics create additional fire hazards by forming
flaming debris or drips. If this flaming debris falls on to combustible material, it is possible that
secondary ignition will occur and the fire will spread more rapidly.
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ISO/TR 10093:2018(E)
4.4 The localized application of a heat source to some plastics results in glowing combustion. With
some thermoplastic foams and foams from thermosetting materials, the localized application of a heat
source results in punking which produces a carbonaceous char.
5 Characteristics of ignition sources
5.1 The following factors are the main characteristics describing ignition sources and their relation to
the test specimen:
a) intensity of the ignition source, which is a measure of the thermal load on the specimen resulting
from the combined conduction, convection and radiation effects caused by the ignition source;
b) area of impingement of the ignition source on the specimen;
c) duration of exposure of the specimen and whether it is continuous or intermittent;
d) presentation of the ignition source to the specimen and whether or not it impinges;
e) orientation of the specimen in relation to the ignition source;
f) ventilation conditions in the vicinity of the ignition source and exposed surface of the specimen.
NOTE Factors c) to f) are often a function of the specific fire test conditions.
5.2 Several of the ignition sources provide a range of intensities and areas of impingement to be
considered for use in fire tests of plastics.
5.3 IEC 60695‐1‐21 provides guidance on ignition sources relevant to the fire testing of
electrotechnical products.
6 General principles
6.1 Flaming ignition sources
6.1.1 Diffusion flame ignition source
To form a diffusion flame ignition source, a gas (usually propane, methane or butane) flows through
metallic tubes without ingress of air prior to the base of the flame. These flames simulate natural flames
well but they often fluctuate and are not convenient to direct if it is necessary to point any angular
presentation toward the specimen.
6.1.2 Premixed flame source
To form a premixed flame source, a gas burner (usually using propane, methane or butane) fitted with
air inlet ports or an air intake manifold is used. Premixed flame sources are typically more directional
than diffusion flame sources and are generally hotter than diffusion flame sources.
6.1.3 Issues associated with flaming ignition sources
Gas burners are always set up to conform to precise gas flow rates and/or flame heights. Periodic
checks of flame temperature or heat flux precede the setup, but criteria on these parameters are not
necessarily an essential part of the laboratory procedure. After setting up the burner for a particular
test (i.e. often at an acute angle to the test specimen), it is desirable to leave the burner in this
orientation throughout a series of experiments. This objective is conveniently satisfied if the operator
simply maintains the gas flow constant to the burner.
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ISO/TR 10093:2018(E)
The gas burners are connected to the gas supply by flexible tubing via a cylinder regulator providing an
outlet pressure, on‐off valve, fine‐control valve and flowmeter.
Difficulties sometimes occur with the supply and measurement of butane or propane when the
cylinders have been stored in an environment cooler than the defined test conditions and/or some
distance from the test rig. When difficulties occur, a sufficient length of tubing is used inside the
controlled environment (15 °C to 30 °C) to ensure that the gas equilibrates to the appropriate
temperature before flow measurement.
NOTE 1 One way to facilitate this equilibration is to pass the gas (before flow measurement) through a metal
tube immersed in water maintained at 25 °C.
It is important to exercise great care with the measurement and setting of the flow rate of the gas and to
check direct‐reading flowmeters, even those obtained with a direct calibration for the gas used initially,
at regular intervals during testing, with a method capable of measuring accurately the absolute gas flow
at the burner tube.
NOTE 2 One way of doing this is to connect the burner tube with a short length of tubing (about 7 mm internal
diameter) to a soap bubble flowmeter. Passage of a soap film meniscus in a glass tube (e.g. a calibrated burette)
over a known period of time gives an absolute measurement of the flow. Also, fine‐control valves that can each be
pre‐set to one of the desired gas flow rates, with simple means for switching from one to the other, have proved
helpful.
6.2 Non-flaming ignition sources
The following clauses/subclauses describe ignition sources as follows (see Table 1):
— Clause 7: smouldering (cigarette);
— Clause 8: Non‐flaming electrical ignition sources;
— 8.1 Glow‐wire ignition;
— 8.2 Hot‐wire ignition;
— Clause 9: Radiant ignition sources;
— 9.1 Conical radiant ignition;
— 9.2 Other radiant ignition;
— Clause 10: Infrared heating ignition;
— Clause 11: Diffusion flame ignition;
— 11.1 Needle flame ignition;
— 11.2 Burning match;
— 11.3 Burners generating 50 W or 500 W flames;
— Clause 12: Premixed flame ignition;
— 12.1 Premixed burner for 1 kW flame;
— 12.2 Vertical cable tray burners;
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ISO/TR 10093:2018(E)
— 12.3 Burners for large scale horizontal tests;
— 12.4 Burners for room corner tests;
— 12.5 Burners for individual product heat release tests;
— Clause 13: Other ignition sources;
— 13.1 Wood cribs;
— 13.2 Paper bags.
Table 1 — Classification of ignition sources
Type of ignition source Standard(s) using ignition source Clause/subclause
Smouldering (cigarette) ISO 8191‐1, NFPA 260, NFPA 261 Clause 7
Non flaming electrical ignition sources Clause 8
Glow‐wire ignition IEC 60695–2–10, IEC 60695–2–11, IEC 8.1
60695‐2–12, IEC 60695‐2–13, ASTM D6194
Hot‐wire ignition IEC/TS 60695–2–20, ASTM D3874 8.2
Radiant ignition sources Clause 9
Conical radiant ignition ISO 5657, ISO 5659‐2, ISO 5660‐1, 9.1
ASTM E1354, ASTM E1995, NFPA 270
Other radiant ignition ISO 871, ASTM D1929, ASTM E906, ISO 9.2
5658‐2,ASTM E1321
Infrared heating ignition sources ISO 12136, ASTM E2058, NFPA 287 Clause 10
+
Diffusion flame ignition sources Clause 11
Needle flame ignition IEC 60695–11–5 11.1
Burning match ISO 8191‐2, ISO 11925‐2 11.2
Burners generating 50 W or 500 W flames IEC 60695–11–3, IEC 60695–11–4, 11.3
ASTM D635, ASTM D5025, UL 94
Premixed flame ignition sources Clause 12
Premixed burner for 1 kW flame IEC 60695–11–2, IEC 60332‐1–1, 12.1
IEC 60332‐1–2
Vertical cable tray burners IEC 60332–3–10, ASTM D5424, 12.2
ASTM D5537, UL 1666, UL 1685, UL 2556
Burners for large scale horizontal tests ASTM E84, NFPA 262 12.3
Burners for room corner tests ISO 9705,‐1 ASTM E2257, NFPA 265, 12.4
NFPA 286
Burners for individual product heat release ASTM E1537, ASTM E1590, ASTM E1822, 12.5
tests NFPA 289
Other ignition sources Clause 13
Wood cribs 13.1
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ISO/TR 10093:2018(E)
Paper bags 13.2
7 Smouldering (cigarette) ignition sources
7.1 Traditional cigarettes
7.1.1 This source is typical of a common commercial cigarette, which is known to cause many fires
involving upholstered furniture and bedding as discussed in ISO 8191‐1. The untipped (unfiltered)
cigarette meets the following:
— length: (70 ± 4) mm;
— diameter: (8,0 ± 0,5) mm;
— mass: (1,0 ± 0,1) g;
— smouldering rate: (12,0 ± 3,0) min to reach from 5 mm to 50 mm mark.
7.1.2 The smouldering rate is verified on one specimen from each batch of 10 cigarettes used as
follows:
a) condition the cigarette before the test for 72 h in indoor ambient conditions and then for at least
16 h in an atmosphere having a temperature of (20 ± 5) °C and a relative humidity of (50 ±
...
TECHNICAL ISO/TR
REPORT 10093
Second edition
2018-10
Plastics — Fire tests — Standard
ignition sources
Plastiques — Essais au feu — Sources d'allumage normalisées
Reference number
ISO/TR 10093:2018(E)
©
ISO 2018
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ISO/TR 10093:2018(E)
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© ISO 2018
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Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2018 – All rights reserved
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ISO/TR 10093:2018(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Ignition processes . 4
5 Characteristics of ignition sources . 4
6 General principles . 5
6.1 Flaming ignition sources . 5
6.1.1 Diffusion flame ignition source . 5
6.1.2 Premixed flame source . 5
6.1.3 Issues associated with flaming ignition sources . 5
6.2 Non-flaming ignition sources . 6
7 Smouldering (cigarette) ignition sources . 7
7.1 Traditional cigarettes . 7
7.2 Non-reduced ignition propensity cigarettes . 8
8 Non-flaming electrical ignition sources . 8
8.1 Glow-wire ignition . 8
8.2 Hot-wire ignition . 9
9 Radiant ignition sources .10
9.1 Conical radiant ignition sources .10
9.1.1 General.10
9.1.2 Cone calorimeter ignition source .11
9.1.3 Smoke chamber conical heater .14
9.1.4 Ignition source from periodic flaming ignition test . .17
9.2 Other radiant ignition sources .18
9.2.1 Glowbars ignition source .18
9.2.2 Lateral ignition and flame spread test (LIFT) radiant panel heater. .19
9.2.3 Setchkin ignition .20
10 Infrared heating system .21
11 Diffusion flame ignition .22
11.1 Needle flame ignition .22
11.2 Burning match .23
11.3 Burners generating 50 W or 500 W flames .25
12 Premixed burners .28
12.1 Premixed burner for 1 kW flame .28
12.2 Burners for vertical cable tray tests.29
12.2.1 Venturi burners for 20 kW vertical cable tray tests .29
12.2.2 Burner for vertical riser cable tests .31
12.3 Burner for large scale horizontal tests .31
12.4 Burners for room corner tests .32
12.4.1 Burner for ISO 9705-1.32
12.4.2 Alternate burner for room corner test .33
12.5 Burners for individual product heat release tests .34
12.5.1 Burner for single fuel package calorimeter .34
12.5.2 Square tube propane burner .34
12.5.3 T-shaped propane burner .35
12.5.4 Dual T-shaped propane burner .35
13 Other ignition sources .36
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ISO/TR 10093:2018(E)
13.1 Wood cribs .36
13.2 Paper bags .37
Bibliography .38
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ISO/TR 10093:2018(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.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/directives).
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. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following
URL: www .iso .org/iso/foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 61, Plastics, Subcommittee SC 4, Burning
behaviour.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO/TR 10093:2017), which has been
technically revised. The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— general changes and updates have been made following early publication of the previous edition;
— Clause 3: terms and definitions have been updated to align and with the definitions in ISO 13943:2017;
— Table 1 has been corrected: Column 2 for “Premixed burner for 1 kW flame” has been corrected to
show IEC 60332-1-1 and IEC 60332-1-2;
— Figure 9: reference in note has been corrected to IEC 60695-11-5:2016, Figure 1;
— 11.3.1 has been updated with correct references to IEC standards;
— 12.1.1: “Premixed burner for 1 kW flame” has been corrected to show IEC 60332-1-1 and
IEC 60332-1-2;
— 12.1.2 has been updated to state that the flow rates are for the preferred “Method A”;
— 12.1.2 has been updated to change “greater than 98%” to “not less than 95%”.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/members .html.
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ISO/TR 10093:2018(E)
Introduction
Fires are caused by a wide range of possible ignition sources. Statistical analysis of fires has identified
the main primary and secondary sources, especially for fires in buildings. The most frequent sources of
fires have been found to be as follows:
a) cooking appliances;
b) space-heating appliances;
c) electric wiring, connectors and terminations;
d) other electrical appliances (such as washing machines, bedwarmers, televisions, water heaters);
e) cigarettes;
f) matches and smokers' gas lighters;
g) blow-lamps, blow-torches and welding torches;
h) rubbish burning; and
i) candles.
The above list covers the major primary ignition sources for accidental fires. Other sources can be
involved in fires raised maliciously. Research into causes of fires has shown that primary ignition
sources (e.g. glowing cigarettes or dropped flaming matches) can set fire to waste paper, which then
acts as a secondary ignition source of greater intensity.
When analysing and evaluating the various ignition sources for applications involving plastics
materials, it is important to answer the following questions on the basis of detailed fire statistics.
1) What is the significance of the individual ignition sources in various fire risk situations?
2) What proportion is attributable to secondary ignition sources?
3) Where does particular attention have to be paid to secondary ignition sources?
4) To what extent are different ignition sources responsible for fatal fire accidents?
The following laboratory ignition sources are intended to simulate actual ignition sources that have
been shown to be the cause of real fires involving plastics. Laboratory ignition sources are preferred
over actual ignition sources due to their consistency, which results in greater data repeatability within
a laboratory and greater reproducibility between laboratories.
These laboratory ignition sources can be used to develop new test procedures.
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TECHNICAL REPORT ISO/TR 10093:2018(E)
Plastics — Fire tests — Standard ignition sources
1 Scope
This document describes and classifies a range of laboratory ignition sources for use in fire tests on
plastics and products consisting substantially of plastics. These sources vary in intensity and area
of impingement. They are suitable for use to simulate the initial thermal abuse to which plastics are
potentially exposed in certain actual fire risk scenarios.
Different standards developing organizations have issued many standard test methods, specifications
and regulations to assess fire properties of plastics or of products containing plastic materials. Many
of those standards contain ignition sources associated with flaming and non-flaming ignition. This
document describes the ignition sources and references the associated standard.
This compilation of ignition sources does not discuss the application of the standard where the ignition
source is described and is likely not to be a fully comprehensive list of ignition sources.
This document does not address detailed test procedures.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements 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 13943, Fire safety — Vocabulary
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 13943 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https: //www .iso .org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http: //www .electropedia .org/
3.1
afterflame
flame (3.8) that persists after the ignition source has been removed
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.11]
3.2
afterflame time
length of time for which an afterflame (3.1) persists under specified conditions
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.12]
3.3
afterglow
persistence of glowing combustion after both removal of the ignition source and the cessation of any
flaming combustion
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.13]
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3.4
afterglow time
length of time for which an afterglow (3.3) persists under specified conditions
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.14]
3.5
combustion
exothermic reaction of a substance with an oxidizing agent
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.55, modified — note has been ommited.]
3.6
ease of ignition
measure of the ease with which a test specimen can be ignited, under specified conditions
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.212]
3.7
exposed surface
surface of a test specimen subjected to the heating conditions of a fire test
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.106]
3.8
flame, noun
rapid, self-sustaining, sub-sonic propagation of combustion (3.5) in a gaseous medium, usually with
emission of light
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.159]
3.9
flame, verb
produce flame (3.8)
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.160]
3.10
flaming debris
burning material separating from a burning item and continuing to flame (3.9) on the floor, during a fire
or fire test
Note 1 to entry: Alternatively, flaming debris can be burning material, other than drops, which has detached
from a test specimen during a fire or fire test and continues to burn.
Note 2 to entry: Compare with the terms flaming droplets (3.11).
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.176]
3.11
flaming droplets
flaming molten or flaming liquefied drops which fall from the test specimen during the fire test and
continue to burn on the floor
Note 1 to entry: Compare with the term flaming debris (3.10).
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.177]
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ISO/TR 10093:2018(E)
3.12
glowing combustion
combustion (3.5) of a material in the solid phase without flame (3.8) but with emission of light from the
combustion zone
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.197]
3.13
ignitability
measure of the ease with which a specimen can be ignited (3.14), under specified conditions
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.212]
3.14
ignite, transitive verb
initiate combustion (3.5)
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.215]
3.15
ignite, intransitive verb
catch fire with or without the application of an external heat source
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.214]
3.16
ignition
initiation of combustion (3.5)
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.217]
3.17
ignition source
source of energy that initiates combustion (3.5)
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.219]
3.18
ignition time
duration of exposure of a test specimen to a defined ignition source (3.17) required for the initiation of
sustained combustion (3.5) under specified conditions
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.220]
3.19
irradiance
ratio of the radiant flux incident on a small but measurable element of surface containing the point, by
the area of that element
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.236]
3.20
minimum ignition temperature
minimum temperature of a material at which sustained combustion (3.5) can be initiated under
specified test conditions
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.327]
3.21
primary ignition source
first applied ignition source (3.17)
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ISO/TR 10093:2018(E)
3.22
punking
propagation of a smouldering combustion (3.5) front after removal of the ignition source (3.17)
3.23
secondary ignition source
heat source which is activated following ignition (3.16) from a primary source
3.24
sustained flaming
flame (3.8), on or over the surface of a test specimen, which persists for longer than a defined
period of time
Note 1 to entry: Compare with the term transitory flaming (3.25).
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.380]
3.25
transitory flaming
flame (3.8), on or over the surface of a test specimen, which persists for a defined short period of time
Note 1 to entry: Compare with the term sustained flaming (3.24).
[SOURCE: ISO 13943:2017, 3.408]
4 Ignition processes
4.1 When plastics are exposed to thermal energy, flammable vapours are often generated from
their surface. Under suitable conditions (especially high temperatures), it is possible that a critical
concentration of flammable vapour will form and spontaneous ignition will result. If a flame is present
as the sole energy source, or as a supplementary source, the ignition process will be assisted; this
mechanism is sometimes known as piloted ignition.
4.2 A specimen of plastic is regarded as ignited when flames appear on the surface of the plastic or
when glowing combustion is evident.
4.3 After ignition has occurred, some burning plastics create additional fire hazards by forming flaming
debris or drips. If this flaming debris falls on to combustible material, it is possible that secondary
ignition will occur and the fire will spread more rapidly.
4.4 The localized application of a heat source to some plastics results in glowing combustion. With
some thermoplastic foams and foams from thermosetting materials, the localized application of a heat
source results in punking which produces a carbonaceous char.
5 Characteristics of ignition sources
5.1 The following factors are the main characteristics describing ignition sources and their relation to
the test specimen:
a) intensity of the ignition source, which is a measure of the thermal load on the specimen resulting
from the combined conduction, convection and radiation effects caused by the ignition source;
b) area of impingement of the ignition source on the specimen;
c) duration of exposure of the specimen and whether it is continuous or intermittent;
d) presentation of the ignition source to the specimen and whether or not it impinges;
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ISO/TR 10093:2018(E)
e) orientation of the specimen in relation to the ignition source;
f) ventilation conditions in the vicinity of the ignition source and exposed surface of the specimen.
NOTE Factors c) to f) are often a function of the specific fire test conditions.
5.2 Several of the ignition sources provide a range of intensities and areas of impingement to be
considered for use in fire tests of plastics.
5.3 IEC 60695-1-21 provides guidance on ignition sources relevant to the fire testing of electrotechnical
products.
6 General principles
6.1 Flaming ignition sources
6.1.1 Diffusion flame ignition source
To form a diffusion flame ignition source, a gas (usually propane, methane or butane) flows through
metallic tubes without ingress of air prior to the base of the flame. These flames simulate natural flames
well but they often fluctuate and are not convenient to direct if it is necessary to point any angular
presentation toward the specimen.
6.1.2 Premixed flame source
To form a premixed flame source, a gas burner (usually using propane, methane or butane) fitted with
air inlet ports or an air intake manifold is used. Premixed flame sources are typically more directional
than diffusion flame sources and are generally hotter than diffusion flame sources.
6.1.3 Issues associated with flaming ignition sources
Gas burners are always set up to conform to precise gas flow rates and/or flame heights. Periodic checks
of flame temperature or heat flux precede the setup, but criteria on these parameters are not necessarily
an essential part of the laboratory procedure. After setting up the burner for a particular test (i.e. often
at an acute angle to the test specimen), it is desirable to leave the burner in this orientation throughout
a series of experiments. This objective is conveniently satisfied if the operator simply maintains the gas
flow constant to the burner.
The gas burners are connected to the gas supply by flexible tubing via a cylinder regulator providing an
outlet pressure, on-off valve, fine-control valve and flowmeter.
Difficulties sometimes occur with the supply and measurement of butane or propane when the cylinders
have been stored in an environment cooler than the defined test conditions and/or some distance
from the test rig. When difficulties occur, a sufficient length of tubing is used inside the controlled
environment (15 °C to 30 °C) to ensure that the gas equilibrates to the appropriate temperature before
flow measurement.
NOTE 1 One way to facilitate this equilibration is to pass the gas (before flow measurement) through a metal
tube immersed in water maintained at 25 °C.
It is important to exercise great care with the measurement and setting of the flow rate of the gas and to
check direct-reading flowmeters, even those obtained with a direct calibration for the gas used initially,
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ISO/TR 10093:2018(E)
at regular intervals during testing, with a method capable of measuring accurately the absolute gas
flow at the burner tube.
NOTE 2 One way of doing this is to connect the burner tube with a short length of tubing (about 7 mm internal
diameter) to a soap bubble flowmeter. Passage of a soap film meniscus in a glass tube (e.g. a calibrated burette)
over a known period of time gives an absolute measurement of the flow. Also, fine-control valves that can each be
pre-set to one of the desired gas flow rates, with simple means for switching from one to the other, have proved
helpful.
6.2 Non-flaming ignition sources
The following clauses/subclauses describe ignition sources as follows (see Table 1):
— Clause 7: smouldering (cigarette);
— Clause 8: Non-flaming electrical ignition sources;
— 8.1 Glow-wire ignition;
— 8.2 Hot-wire ignition;
— Clause 9: Radiant ignition sources;
— 9.1 Conical radiant ignition;
— 9.2 Other radiant ignition;
— Clause 10: Infrared heating ignition;
— Clause 11: Diffusion flame ignition;
— 11.1 Needle flame ignition;
— 11.2 Burning match;
— 11.3 Burners generating 50 W or 500 W flames;
— Clause 12: Premixed flame ignition;
— 12.1 Premixed burner for 1 kW flame;
— 12.2 Vertical cable tray burners;
— 12.3 Burners for large scale horizontal tests;
— 12.4 Burners for room corner tests;
— 12.5 Burners for individual product heat release tests;
— Clause 13: Other ignition sources;
— 13.1 Wood cribs;
— 13.2 Paper bags.
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ISO/TR 10093:2018(E)
Table 1 — Classification of ignition sources
Type of ignition source Standard(s) using ignition source Clause/subclause
Smouldering (cigarette) ISO 8191-1, NFPA 260, NFPA 261 Clause 7
Non flaming electrical ignition sources Clause 8
Glow-wire ignition IEC 60695–2–10, IEC 60695–2–11, IEC 8.1
60695-2–12, IEC 60695-2–13, ASTM D6194
Hot-wire ignition IEC/TS 60695–2–20, ASTM D3874 8.2
Radiant ignition sources Clause 9
Conical radiant ignition ISO 5657, ISO 5659-2, ISO 5660-1, 9.1
ASTM E1354, ASTM E1995, NFPA 270
Other radiant ignition ISO 871, ASTM D1929, ASTM E906, 9.2
ISO 5658-2,ASTM E1321
Infrared heating ignition sources ISO 12136, ASTM E2058, NFPA 287 Clause 10
+
Diffusion flame ignition sources Clause 11
Needle flame ignition IEC 60695–11–5 11.1
Burning match ISO 8191-2, ISO 11925-2 11.2
Burners generating 50 W or 500 W flames IEC 60695–11–3, IEC 60695–11–4, 11.3
ASTM D635, ASTM D5025, UL 94
Premixed flame ignition sources Clause 12
Premixed burner for 1 kW flame IEC 60695–11–2, IEC 60332-1–1, 12.1
IEC 60332-1–2
Vertical cable tray burners IEC 60332–3–10, ASTM D5424, ASTM D5537, 12.2
UL 1666, UL 1685, UL 2556
Burners for large scale horizontal tests ASTM E84, NFPA 262 12.3
Burners for room corner tests ISO 9705,-1 ASTM E2257, NFPA 265, 12.4
NFPA 286
Burners for individual product heat
...
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