Common test methods for cables under fire conditions - Heat release and smoke production measurement on cables during flame spread test - Test apparatus, procedures, results

EN 50399 specifies the apparatus and methods of test for the assessment of vertical flame spread, heat release, smoke production and occurrence of flaming droplets/particles of vertically-mounted electric cables under defined conditions.
NOTE   For the purpose of this standard, the term “electric cable” covers all power, control and communication cables, including optical fibre cables and hybrid cables used for the conveyance of energy and/or signals.
EN 50399 details the apparatus for the fire propagation testing and the arrangement and calibration of the instrumentation to be installed in order to measure the heat release and the smoke production during the test. The combustion gases are collected in a hood above the test chamber and conveyed through an exhaust system, which allows the measurement of heat release rate and smoke production. Test procedures to be used for type approval testing for classification of cables in classes [2, 6] B1ca, B2ca, Cca and Dca are given. Cable installation on the test ladder and the volume of air passing through the chamber are in accordance with the Commission Decision 2006/751/EC [5], which is reflected in the requirements of this standard.

Allgemeine Prüfverfahren für das Verhalten von Kabeln und isolierten Leitungen im Brandfall - Messung der Wärmefreisetzung und Raucherzeugung während der Prüfung der Flammenausbreitung - Prüfeinrichtung, Prüfverfahren und Prüfergebnis

Méthodes d'essai communes aux câbles soumis au feu - Mesure de la chaleur et de la fumée dégagées par les câbles au cours de l'essai de propagation de la flamme - Appareillage d'essai, procédure et résultats

L’EN 50399 spécifie l’appareillage et les méthodes d’essai pour l’évaluation de la propagation verticale de la flamme, du dégagement de chaleur, de l’émission de fumée et de la production de gouttelettes/particules enflammées, de câbles électriques montés en position verticale dans des conditions définies.
NOTE   Pour les besoins de la présente norme, le terme « câble électrique » couvre tous les câbles de puissance, de commande et de communication, y compris les câbles à fibres optiques et les câbles hybrides utilisés pour le transport d’énergie et/ou de signaux.
L’EN 50399 précise l’appareillage pour les essais de propagation de l’incendie, ainsi que les dispositions et étalonnages des instruments à installer pour mesurer le dégagement de chaleur et l’émission de fumée au cours de l’essai. Les gaz de combustion sont collectés dans une hotte au-dessus de la chambre d’essai et sont dirigés au travers d’un système d’extraction, ce qui permet de mesurer le dégagement thermique et l’émission de fumée. Les procédures d’essai à utiliser pour les essais d’homologation de type pour la classification des câbles dans les Classes [2, 6] B1ca, B2ca, Cca et Dca sont indiquées. L’installation des câbles sur l’échelle et le volume d’air circulant à travers la chambre d’essai sont conformes à la Décision 2006/751/CE de la Commission [5], dont les exigences de la présente norme sont le reflet.

Skupne preskusne metode za ognjevzdržnost kablov - Meritve oddajanja toplote in nastajanja dima na kablih med preskusom z razpršenim plamenom - Preskusna naprava, postopki, rezultati

Standard EN 50399 določa naprave in preskusne metode za ocenjevanje navpičnega širjenja plamena, oddajanja toplote, nastajanja dima in pojava gorečih kapljic/delcev na navpično napeljanih električnih kablih v določenih razmerah.
OPOMBA:   V tem evropskem standardu izraz »električni kabel« zajema vse napajalne, krmilne in komunikacijske kable, vključno z optičnimi kabli in hibridnimi kabli, ki se uporabljajo za prenos energije in/ali signalov.
EN 50399 podrobno opisuje naprave za preskušanje širjenja ognja ter razporeditev in umerjanje instrumentov, ki se namestijo za namene merjenja oddajanja toplote in nastajanja dima med preskusom. Zgorevalni plini se zbirajo v pokrovu nad preskusno komoro in prehajajo skozi izpušni sistem, ki omogoča merjenje stopnje oddajanja toplote in nastajanja dima. Podani so preskusni postopki za homologacijsko preskušanje pri razvrščanju kablov v razrede [2, 6] B1ca, B2ca, Cca in Dca. Namestitev kablov na preskusno lestev in prostornina zraka, ki prehaja skozi komoro, sta v skladu z odločbo Komisije 2006/751/ES [5], kar se odraža v zahtevah tega standarda.

General Information

Status
Published
Public Enquiry End Date
04-Jun-2020
Publication Date
28-Sep-2022
Technical Committee
Current Stage
6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
Start Date
22-Sep-2022
Due Date
27-Nov-2022
Completion Date
29-Sep-2022

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SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 50399:2022
01-november-2022
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 50399:2011
SIST EN 50399:2011/A1:2016
Skupne preskusne metode za ognjevzdržnost kablov - Meritve oddajanja toplote in
nastajanja dima na kablih med preskusom z razpršenim plamenom - Preskusna
naprava, postopki, rezultati
Common test methods for cables under fire conditions - Heat release and smoke
production measurement on cables during flame spread test - Test apparatus,
procedures, results
Allgemeine Prüfverfahren für das Verhalten von Kabeln und isolierten Leitungen im
Brandfall - Messung der Wärmefreisetzung und Raucherzeugung während der Prüfung
der Flammenausbreitung - Prüfeinrichtung, Prüfverfahren und Prüfergebnis
Méthodes d'essai communes aux câbles soumis au feu - Mesure de la chaleur et de la
fumée dégagées par les câbles au cours de l'essai de propagation de la flamme -
Appareillage d'essai, procédure et résultats
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 50399:2022
ICS:
13.220.40 Sposobnost vžiga in Ignitability and burning
obnašanje materialov in behaviour of materials and
proizvodov pri gorenju products
29.060.20 Kabli Cables
SIST EN 50399:2022 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
SIST EN 50399:2022

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
SIST EN 50399:2022


EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 50399

NORME EUROPÉENNE

EUROPÄISCHE NORM September 2022
ICS 13.220.40; 29.060.20 Supersedes EN 50399:2011; EN 50399:2011/A1:2016
English Version
Common test methods for cables under fire conditions - Heat
release and smoke production measurement on cables during
flame spread test - Test apparatus, procedures, results
Méthodes d'essai communes aux câbles soumis au feu - Allgemeine Prüfverfahren für das Verhalten von Kabeln und
Mesure de la chaleur et de la fumée dégagées par les isolierten Leitungen im Brandfall - Messung der
câbles au cours de l'essai de propagation de la flamme - Wärmefreisetzung und Raucherzeugung während der
Appareillage d'essai, procédure et résultats Prüfung der Flammenausbreitung - Prüfeinrichtung,
Prüfverfahren und Prüfergebnis
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2022-08-08. CENELEC 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 CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC 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 CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Türkiye and the United Kingdom.



European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2022 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
 Ref. No. EN 50399:2022 E

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SIST EN 50399:2022
EN 50399:2022 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 6
Introduction . 7
1 Scope . 9
2 Normative references . 9
3 Terms and definitions . 9
4 Test apparatus . 11
4.1 General. 11
4.2 Test chamber . 11
4.3 Ignition source . 12
4.4 Ladder . 13
4.5 Inlet air supply . 13
4.6 Hood . 14
4.7 Exhaust duct . 14
4.8 Extracting ventilator; effluent cleaning . 15
4.9 Smoke production measuring equipment . 16
4.10 Combustion gas analysis equipment . 16
5 Qualification of test apparatus . 17
5.1 General. 17
5.2 Flow distribution measurements . 17
5.3 Sampling delay time measurement . 17
5.4 Commissioning calibrations . 18
5.5 Routine calibration . 18
5.6 Check of the flame shape . 19
5.7 Performance checks of the test equipment. 19
6 Test procedure . 19
6.1 Initial test conditions . 19
6.2 Test sample . 19
6.3 Sample conditioning . 19
6.4 Determination of the number of test pieces . 20
6.5 Mounting of the test sample . 21
6.6 Exhaust volume flow . 23
6.7 Propane and air flow rates to burner . 23
6.8 Flame application time . 23
6.9 Testing operations . 23
6.10 Observations and measurements during the test . 24
7 Determination of parameters derived from the test . 25
7.1 Calculation of HRR and SPR parameters . 25
7.2 Determination of extent of flame spread (FS). 26
8 Test report . 26
8.1 General. 26
8.2 Contents . 26
2

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SIST EN 50399:2022
EN 50399:2022 (E)
Annex A (normative) Calculation of heat release . 46
A.1 Volume flow . 46
A.2 Generated heat effect . 46
A.2.1 Heat release from the ignition source . 46
A.2.2 Heat release from a tested product . 47
A.3 Calculation of the mole fraction of water vapour in the air . 48
Annex B (normative) Smoke production . 49
Annex C (informative) Additional information on Reynolds number in Figure 13 . 50
Annex D (normative) Flow distribution inside the duct . 51
D.1 General . 51
D.2 Velocity profile factor kc . 51
D.2.1 General . 51
D.2.2 Measurement specifications . 51
D.2.3 Actions . 52
D.2.4 Calculation of kc . 52
D.2.5 Measurement report . 53
Annex E (normative) Commissioning calibrations . 54
E.1 General procedures for separate pieces of equipment . 54
E.2 Gas analyser calibrations . 54
E.2.1 General . 54
E.2.2 Oxygen analyser adjustment . 54
E.2.3 Oxygen analyser output noise and drift . 54
E.2.4 Carbon dioxide analyser adjustment . 55
E.3 HRR calibrations . 55
E.3.1 General . 55
E.3.2 HRR calibration by means of the burner . 55
E.3.3 HRR calibration by means of burning a flammable liquid . 57
E.3.4 Commissioning factor k used for HRR calculations . 58
t
E.4 Smoke measurement system calibration . 59
E.4.1 General . 59
E.4.2 Stability check . 59
E.4.3 Optical filter check for white light systems . 59
E.4.4 Smoke calibration by means of burning a flammable liquid . 59
Annex F (informative) Guidance on calibration procedures for specific measuring equipment
. 62
F.1 General procedures for separate pieces of equipment . 62
F.2 Gas analyser calibrations . 62
F.2.1 Oxygen analyser adjustment . 62
F.2.2 Carbon dioxide analyser adjustment . 62
F.3 Check of propane mass flow controller . 62
F.3.1 General . 62
F.3.2 Actions . 63
F.3.3 Criterion . 63
3

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SIST EN 50399:2022
EN 50399:2022 (E)
F.4 Optical filter check for white light systems . 63
F.4.1 General . 63
F.4.2 Actions . 63
F.4.3 Criterion . 63
Annex G (normative) Calculation of HRRav, SPRav and FIGRA . 64
G.1 Calculation of HRR . 64
av
G.2 Calculation of SPRav . 65
G.3 Calculation of the Fire Growth Rate Index (FIGRA) . 66
Annex H (informative) Guidance on the choice of test equipment . 68
H.1 General . 68
H.2 Burner and venturi mixer . 68
H.3 Mass flow controllers . 68
H.4 Backing board . 68
Annex I (normative) Guidance on the file format for data from the test . 69
Annex J (normative) Rounding of numbers . 73
Annex K (informative) Check of the flame shape for nominal heat output of 20,5 kW . 74
K.1 Introduction. 74
K.2 Preparation of the wooden boards . 74
K.3 Procedure (to be performed in duplicate) . 75
K.4 Evaluation . 76
K.5 Flame shape analysis . 79
Annex L (informative) Guidance on conducting performance checks of the test equipment . 82
L.1 Introduction. 82
L.2 Fire test cable . 82
L.3 Performance of the fire test cable . 83
L.4 Procedure to check the performance of the test equipment . 83
L.5 Use of an alternative cable . 84
Bibliography . 85
Figures
Figure 1 — General arrangement of test apparatus . 28
Figure 2 — Test chamber — dimensions . 29
Figure 3 —Test chamber — schematic side elevation and air inlet arrangement . 30
Figure 4 — Thermal insulation of back- and sidewalls of the test chamber . 31
Figure 5 — Positioning of burner and typical arrangement of test sample on ladder . 32
Figure 6 — Burner configuration . 33
Figure 7 — Arrangement of holes for burners . 34
Figure 8 — Schematic diagram of a burner control system using Mass Flow Controllers . 35
Figure 9 — Tubular steel ladder for EN 50399 cable test . 36
Figure 10 — Schematic drawing of a hood . 37
Figure 11 — Typical guide vanes . 38
Figure 12 — Bidirectional probe . 39
Figure 13 — Probe response versus Reynolds number . 40
4

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SIST EN 50399:2022
EN 50399:2022 (E)
Figure 14 — Sampling probe . 41
Figure 15 — Schematic diagram of sampling line . 42
Figure 16 — Schematic drawing of smoke production measuring system . 43
Figure 17 — Mounting of bundles . 44
Figure 18 — Backboard mounting arrangement for Class B1ca . 45
Figure D.1 — Section of the exhaust duct – Positions for measurement of the gas velocity . 52
Figure E.1 — Overview of commissioning calibrations . 61
Figure K.1 — Shape and dimensions of the wooden board . 75
Figure K.2 — Positioning of the wooden board at the centre of the burner . 76
Figure K.3 — Examples of a flame shape on a wooden board (flame profile = dotted line; flame
tip = X) . 78
Figure K.4 — Envelope of acceptable flame profiles . 79
Figure L.1 — Illustration of the recommended fire test cable . 83
Tables
Table 1 — Mounting as a function of cable dimension . 22
Table E.1 — Burner ignition times and HRR levels . 56
Table E.2 — Example of determination of commissioning k factor . 58
t
Table I.1 — Example of the required raw data file format . 70
Table K.1 — Coordinates for the flame profile envelope (see Figure K.4) . 80
Table K.2 — Coordinates for the minimum of the flame tip (see Figure K.4) . 81
5

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SIST EN 50399:2022
EN 50399:2022 (E)
European foreword
This document (EN 50399:2022) has been prepared by CLC/TC 20, “Electric cables”.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which this document has to be (dop) 2023-08-08
implemented at national level by publication of
an identical national standard or by
endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards (dow) 2025-08-08
conflicting with this document have to be
withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 50399:2011 and all of its amendments and corrigenda (if any).
EN 50399:2022 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to EN 50399:2011:
— inclusion of the detailed description of the test apparatus in this document, rather than by reference to
EN 60332-3-10 (see 4.1).
— improvements in the test apparatus (see 4.2 to 4.7), including the mandatory use of mass flow
controllers for the supply of gases to the burner.
— several improvements of the qualification of the test equipment, including guidance for a check of the
flame shape (5.6) and a performance check of the test equipment (5.7).
— additions for testing of flat cables including mounting (see 6.4 and 6.5).
— new informative Annex K (Check of the flame shape for nominal heat output of 20,5 kW).
— new informative Annex L (Guidance on conducting performance checks of the test equipment).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national committee. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CENELEC website.
6

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SIST EN 50399:2022
EN 50399:2022 (E)
Introduction
EN 50399 specifies the test apparatus and test procedures for the assessment of the reaction to fire
performance of cables to enable classification under the Construction Products Regulation [1, 2] to be
achieved.
EN 50399 describes an intermediate scale fire test of multiple cables mounted on a vertical cable ladder
and is carried out with a specified ignition source to evaluate the burning behaviour of such cables and
enable a direct declaration of performance. The test provides data for the early stages of a cable fire from
ignition of cables. It addresses the hazard of propagation of flames along the cable, the potential, by the
measurement of the heat release rate, for the fire to affect areas adjacent to the compartment of origin, and
the hazard, by the measurement of production of light obstructing smoke, of reduced visibility in the room
of origin and surrounding enclosures.
The following parameters may be determined under defined conditions during the test:
a) flame spread.
b) heat release rate.
c) total heat release.
d) smoke production rate.
e) total smoke production.
f) fire growth rate index.
g) occurrence of flaming droplets/particles.
The apparatus is derived from that of EN 60332-3-10 [3, 4] but with modifications and with additional
instrumentation to measure heat release and smoke production during the test. It has been demonstrated
[5] that the utilization of these additional measurement techniques, proven for other standard tests e.g. for
other building products, are appropriate for assessing the reaction to fire performance of electric cables.
These techniques include heat release and smoke production measurements. Compared with the test
methods described in the EN 60332-3 series, they enable a more comprehensive assessment system,
which is both more precise and sensitive, and enables a wider range of fire performance levels.
Care should be exercised in relating the parameters measured to different safety levels in actual cable
installations as the actual installed configuration of the cables could be a major determinant in the level of
flame spread, heat release and smoke production occurring in an actual fire. These parameters depend
upon several features, such as:
a) the volume of combustible material exposed to the fire and to any flaming or heat which could be
produced by the combustion of the cables.
b) the geometrical configuration of the cables and their relationship to an enclosure.
c) the temperature at which it is possible to ignite the gases emitted from the cables.
d) the quantity of combustible gas released from the cables for a given temperature rise.
e) the volume of air passing through the cable installation.
f) the construction of the cable e.g. armoured or unarmoured, multi- or single core.
All the foregoing assumes that the cables can be ignited when involved in an external fire.
The conditions of cable mounting, including volume of material exposed and geometrical configuration of
the cables on the test ladder, and volume of airflow through the chamber have been chosen to be in
accordance with that required by the Commission Decision 2006/751/EC [6]. CENELEC has not been
7

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SIST EN 50399:2022
EN 50399:2022 (E)
involved in the definition of these parameters. These standardized conditions provide the basis for
classification, as detailed in EN 13501-6 [7] and EN 50575 [2], but do not necessarily correspond to
conditions found in a particular cable installation.
EN 50399 gives the detailed description of the test apparatus and details of the test procedures, which are
used.
8

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SIST EN 50399:2022
EN 50399:2022 (E)
1 Scope
This document specifies the apparatus and methods of test for the assessment of vertical flame spread,
heat release, smoke production and occurrence of flaming droplets/particles of vertically mounted electric
cables under defined conditions.
NOTE For the purpose of this document, the term “electric cable” covers all power, control and communication
cables, including optical fibre cables and hybrid cables used for the conveyance of energy and/or signals.
This document details the apparatus for the fire propagation testing and the arrangement and calibration of
the instrumentation to be installed to measure the heat release and the smoke production during the test.
The combustion gases are collected in a hood above the test chamber and conveyed through an exhaust
system, which allows the measurement of heat release rate and smoke production. Test procedures to be
used for type approval testing for classification of cables in classes [2, 7] B1ca, B2ca, Cca and Dca are given.
Cable installation on the test ladder and the volume of air passing through the chamber are in accordance
with the Commission Decision 2006/751/EC [6], which is
...

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 50399:2020
01-junij-2020
Skupne preskusne metode za ognjevzdržnost kablov - Meritve oddajanja toplote in
nastajanja dima na kablih med preskusom z razpršenim plamenom - Preskusna
naprava, postopki, rezultati
Common test methods for cables under fire conditions - Heat release and smoke
production measurement on cables during flame spread test - Test apparatus,
procedures, results
Allgemeine Prüfverfahren für das Verhalten von Kabeln und isolierten Leitungen im
Brandfall - Messung der Wärmefreisetzung und Raucherzeugung während der Prüfung
der Flammenausbreitung - Prüfeinrichtung, Prüfverfahren und Prüfergebnis
Méthodes d'essai communes aux câbles soumis au feu - Mesure de la chaleur et de la
fumée dégagées par les câbles au cours de l'essai de propagation de la flamme -
Appareillage d'essai, procédure et résultats
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 50399
ICS:
13.220.40 Sposobnost vžiga in Ignitability and burning
obnašanje materialov in behaviour of materials and
proizvodov pri gorenju products
29.060.20 Kabli Cables
oSIST prEN 50399:2020 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
oSIST prEN 50399:2020

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
oSIST prEN 50399:2020

EUROPEAN STANDARD DRAFT
prEN 50399
NORME EUROPÉENNE

EUROPÄISCHE NORM

March 2020
ICS 13.220.40; 29.060.20 Will supersede EN 50399:2011 and all of its
amendments and corrigenda (if any)
English Version
Common test methods for cables under fire conditions - Heat
release and smoke production measurement on cables during
flame spread test - Test apparatus, procedures, results
Méthodes d'essai communes aux câbles soumis au feu - Allgemeine Prüfverfahren für das Verhalten von Kabeln und
Mesure de la chaleur et de la fumée dégagées par les isolierten Leitungen im Brandfall - Messung der
câbles au cours de l'essai de propagation de la flamme - Wärmefreisetzung und Raucherzeugung während der
Appareillage d'essai, procédure et résultats Prüfung der Flammenausbreitung - Prüfeinrichtung,
Prüfverfahren und Prüfergebnis
This draft European Standard is submitted to CENELEC members for enquiry.
Deadline for CENELEC: 2020-06-05.

It has been drawn up by CLC/TC 20.

If this draft becomes a European Standard, CENELEC 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.

This draft European Standard was established by CENELEC in three official versions (English, French, German).
A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to
the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.

Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are aware and to
provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without notice and
shall not be referred to as a European Standard.



European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2020 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Project: 70536 Ref. No. prEN 50399 E

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oSIST prEN 50399:2020
prEN 50399:2020 (E)
1 Contents Page
2 European foreword . 6
3 Introduction . 7
4 1 Scope . 9
5 2 Normative references . 9
6 3 Terms and definitions . 9
7 4 Test apparatus . 10
8 4.1 General. 10
9 4.2 Test chamber . 11
10 4.3 Ignition source . 11
11 4.4 Ladder . 13
12 4.5 Inlet air supply . 13
13 4.6 Hood . 13
14 4.7 Exhaust duct . 14
15 4.8 Extracting ventilator; effluent cleaning . 15
16 4.9 Smoke production measuring equipment . 15
17 4.10 Combustion gas analysis equipment . 16
18 5 Qualification of test apparatus . 16
19 5.1 General. 16
20 5.2 Flow distribution measurements . 16
21 5.3 Sampling delay time measurement . 17
22 5.4 Commissioning calibrations . 17
23 5.5 Routine calibration . 17
24 5.6 Check of the flame shape . 18
25 5.7 Repeatability and reproducibility checks of the test equipment . 18
26 6 Test procedure . 19
27 6.1 Initial test conditions . 19
28 6.2 Test sample . 19
29 6.3 Sample conditioning . 19
30 6.4 Determination of the number of test pieces . 19
31 6.5 Mounting of the test sample . 21
32 Table 1 — Mounting as a function of cable diameter (or major axis dimension for non-circular
33 cables) . 21
34 6.6 Exhaust volume flow . 22
35 6.7 Propane and air flow rates to burner . 22
36 6.8 Flame application time . 22
37 6.9 Testing operations . 22
38 6.10 Observations and measurements during the test . 23
39 7 Determination of parameters derived from the test . 24
40 7.1 Calculation of HRR and SPR parameters . 24
41 7.2 Determination of extent of flame spread (FS). 25
42 8 Test report . 25
43 8.1 General. 25
44 8.2 Contents . 25
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45 Figure 1 — General arrangement of test apparatus . 27
46 Figure 2 — Test chamber — dimensions . 28
47 Figure 3 —Test chamber — schematic side elevation and air inlet arrangement . 29
48 Figure 4 — Thermal insulation of back and sides of the test chamber . 30
49 Figure 5 — Positioning of burner and typical arrangement of test sample on ladder . 31
50 Figure 6 — Burner configuration . 32
51 Figure 7 — Arrangement of holes for burners . 33
52 Figure 8 — Schematic diagram of a burner control system using Mass Flow Controllers . 34
53 Figure 9 — Tubular steel ladder for EN 50399 cable test . 35
54 Figure 10 — Schematic drawing of a hood . 36
55 Figure 11 — Typical guide vanes . 37
56 Figure 12 — Bidirectional probe . 38
57 Figure 13 — Probe response versus Reynolds number . 39
58 Figure 14 — Sampling probe . 41
59 Figure 15 — Schematic diagram of sampling line . 42
60 Figure 16 — Schematic drawing of smoke production measuring system . 43
61 Figure 17 — Mounting of bundles (not on scale, only one of 15 bundles) . 44
62 Figure 18 — Backboard mounting arrangement for Class B1 . 45
ca
63 Annex A (normative) Calculation of heat release . 46
64 A.1 Volume flow . 46
65 A.2 Generated heat effect . 46
66 A.2.1 Heat release from the ignition source . 46
67 A.2.2 Heat release from a tested product . 47
68 A.3 Calculation of the mole fraction of water vapour in the air . 48
69 Annex B (normative) Smoke production. 49
70 Annex C (informative) Additional information on Reynolds number in Figure 13 . 50
71 Annex D (normative) Flow distribution inside the duct . 51
72 D.1 General . 51
73 D.2 Velocity profile factor kc . 51
74 D.2.1 General . 51
75 D.2.2 Measurement specifications . 51
76 Figure D.1 — Section of the exhaust duct – Positions for measurement of the gas velocity . 52
77 D.2.3 Actions . 52
78 D.2.4 Calculation of k . 52
c
79 D.2.5 Measurement report . 52
80 Annex E (normative) Commissioning calibrations . 54
81 E.1 General procedures for separate pieces of equipment . 54
82 E.2 Gas analyser calibrations . 54
83 E.2.1 General . 54
84 E.2.2 Oxygen analyser adjustment . 54
85 E.2.3 Oxygen analyser output noise and drift . 54
86 E.2.3.1 Noise and drift . 54
87 E.2.3.2 Actions . 54
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88 E.2.3.3 Criteria . 55
89 E.2.3.4 Calibration report . 55
90 E.2.4 Carbon dioxide analyser adjustment . 55
91 E.3 HRR calibrations . 55
92 E.3.1 General . 55
93 E.3.2 HRR calibration by means of the burner . 55
94 E.3.2.1 Conditions . 55
95 E.3.2.2 Procedure . 55
96 Table E.1 — Burner ignition times and HRR levels . 56
97 E.3.2.3 Calculations . 56
98 E.3.2.4 Criteria . 56
99 E.3.3 HRR calibration by means of burning a flammable liquid . 57
100 E.3.3.1 General . 57
101 E.3.3.2 Conditions to be used for burning methanol . 57
102 E.3.3.3 Procedure for methanol. 57
103 E.3.3.4 Calculations . 57
104 E.3.3.5 Criteria . 58
105 E.3.4 Commissioning factor k used for HRR calculations . 58
t
106 Table E.2 — Example of determination of commissioning kt factor . 58
107 E.4 Smoke measurement system calibration . 59
108 E.4.1 General . 59
109 E.4.2 Stability check . 59
110 E.4.3 Optical filter check for white light systems . 59
111 E.4.4 Smoke calibration by means of burning a flammable liquid . 59
112 E.4.4.1 General . 59
113 E.4.4.2 Conditions to be used for burning heptane . 59
114 E.4.4.3 Procedure . 60
115 E.4.4.4 Calculations . 60
116 E.4.4.5 Criteria . 60
117 Figure E.1 — Overview of commissioning calibrations . 61
118 Annex F (informative) Guidance for calibration procedures for specific measuring
119 equipment . 62
120 F.1 General procedures for separate pieces of equipment . 62
121 F.2 Gas analyser calibrations . 62
122 F.2.1 Oxygen analyser adjustment . 62
123 F.2.2 Carbon dioxide analyser adjustment . 62
124 F.3 Check of propane mass flow controller or rotameter . 62
125 F.3.1 General . 62
126 F.3.2 Actions . 63
127 F.3.3 Criterion . 63
128 F.4 Optical filter check for white light systems . 63
129 F.4.1 General . 63
130 F.4.2 Actions . 63
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131 F.4.3 Criterion . 63
132 Annex G (normative) Calculation of HRR , SPR and FIGRA. 64
av av
133 G.1 Calculation of HRRav . 64
134 G.2 Calculation of SPR . 64
av
135 G.3 Calculation of the Fire Growth Rate Index (FIGRA) . 65
136 Annex H (informative) Guidance on the choice of test equipment . 66
137 H.1 General . 66
138 H.2 Burner and venturi mixer . 66
139 H.3 Mass flow controllers . 66
140 H.4 Backing board . 66
141 H.5 Cable . 67
142 H.6 Wooden boards for the flame shape measurement . 67
143 H.7 Software to analyse the wooden boards . 67
144 Annex I (normative) Guidance on the file format for data from the test . 68
145 Table I.1 — Example of the required raw data file format . 69
146 Annex J (normative) Rounding of numbers . 72
147 Annex K (normative) Check of the flame shape for nominal heat output of 20,5 kW . 73
148 K.1 Introduction. 73
149 K.2 Preparation of the wooden boards . 73
150 Figure K.1 — Shape and dimensions of the wooden board . 73
151 K.3 Procedure (to be done in duplicate) . 74
152 Figure K.2 — Positioning of the wooden board at the centre of the burner: wooden board
153 perpendicular on the burner and in contact with the back wall of the chamber . 74
154 K.4 Evaluation . 74
155 Figure K.3 — Flame profile. 75
156 K.5 Requirement. 76
157 Table K.1 — Coordinates for acceptable flame shape . 76
158 Annex L (informative) Repeatability and reproducibility of test results . 77
159 L.1 Introduction. 77
160 L.2 Fire test cable . 77
161 Figure L.1 — Illustration of the recommended fire test cable . 77
162 L.3 Performance of the fire test cable . 78
163 L.4 Procedure to test the repeatability of the test equipment (intralab testing) . 78
164 L.5 Procedure to test the reproducibility of the test equipment (interlab testing) . 78
165 Bibliography . 79
166
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167 European foreword
168 This document (prEN 50399:2020) has been prepared by CLC/TC 20, “Electric cables”.
169 This document is currently submitted to the Enquiry.
170 The following dates are proposed:
• latest date by which the existence of this (doa) dor + 6 months
document has to be announced at national
level
• latest date by which this document has to be (dop) dor + 12 months
implemented at national level by publication of
an identical national standard or by
endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards (dow) dor + 36 months
conflicting with this document have to be (to be confirmed or
withdrawn modified when voting)
171 This document will supersede EN 50399:2011 and all of its amendments and corrigenda (if any).
172 prEN 50399:2020 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to EN 50399:2011:
173 — inclusion of the test apparatus in this document, not only by reference to EN 60332-3-10 (see 4.1);
174 — improvements of the test apparatus (see 4.2 to 4.7), including the obligatory use of mass flow
175 controllers for the feeding of gases to the burner;
176 — several improvements of the qualification of the test equipment, including a check of the flame shape
177 (5.6) and repeatability and reproducibility of the equipment (5.7);
178 — additions for testing of flat cables incl. mounting (6.4, 6.5);
179 — inclusion of normative Annex K (Check of the flame shape for nominal heat input of 20,5 kW) and
180 Annex L (Repeatability and reproducibility of test results).
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181 Introduction
182 EN 50399 specifies the test apparatus and test procedures for the assessment of the reaction to fire
183 performance of cables to enable classification under the Construction Products Regulation [1, 2] to be
184 achieved.
185 The test method describes an intermediate scale fire test of multiple cables mounted on a vertical cable
186 ladder and is carried out with a specified ignition source to evaluate the burning behaviour of such cables
187 and enable a direct declaration of performance. The test provides data for the early stages of a cable fire
188 from ignition of cables. It addresses the hazard of propagation of flames along the cable, the potential, by
189 the measurement of the heat release rate, for the fire to affect areas adjacent to the compartment of origin,
190 and the hazard, by the measurement of production of light obstructing smoke, of reduced visibility in the
191 room of origin and surrounding enclosures.
192 The following parameters may be determined under defined conditions during the test:
193 a) flame spread;
194 b) heat release rate;
195 c) total heat release;
196 d) smoke production rate;
197 e) total smoke production;
198 f) fire growth rate index;
199 g) occurrence of flaming droplets/particles.
200 The apparatus is derived from that of EN 60332-3-10 [3] but with modifications and with additional
201 instrumentation to measure heat release and smoke production during the test. It has been demonstrated
202 [4] that the utilization of these additional measurement techniques, proven for other standard tests, e.g. for
203 other building pro
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