ASTM E162-08
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method provides a laboratory test procedure for measuring and comparing the surface flammability of materials when exposed to a prescribed level of radiant heat energy. It is intended for use in measurements of the surface flammability of materials exposed to fire. The test is conducted using small specimens that are representative, to the extent possible, of the material or assembly being evaluated. (Example: in terms of their thickness, layering, and any potential substrate.)
The rate at which flames will travel along surfaces depends upon the physical and thermal properties of the material, product or assembly under test, the specimen mounting method and orientation, the type and level of fire or heat exposure, the availability of air, and properties of the surrounding enclosure.
In this procedure, the specimens are subjected to one or more specific sets of laboratory fire test conditions. If different test conditions are substituted or the end-use conditions are changed, it is not always possible by or from this test to predict changes in the fire-test-response characteristics measured. Therefore, the results are valid only for the fire test exposure conditions described in this procedure.
If the test results obtained by this test method are to be considered as part of an overall assessment of fire hazard in a building or structure, then the example criteria, concepts and procedures incorporated into Guide E 1546 shall be taken into consideration.
SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response standard describes the measurement of surface flammability of materials. It is not intended for use as a basis of ratings for building code purposes (see Appendix X1).
1.2 The values stated in pound-inch units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 This standard measures and describes the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently hazardous, and adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests. This test method may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. Specific information about hazard is given in Section 7.
Note 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
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An American National Standard
Designation:E162–08
Standard Test Method for
Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat
1
Energy Source
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E162; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope E1546 Guide for Development of Fire-Hazard-Assessment
Standards
1.1 This fire-test-response standard describes the measure-
3
2.2 ISO Standards
mentofsurfaceflammabilityofmaterials.Itisnotintendedfor
ISO13943 Fire Safety—Vocabulary
use as a basis of ratings for building code purposes (see
Appendix X1).
3. Terminology
1.2 The values stated in pound-inch units are to be regarded
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information
method, refer to the terminology contained in Terminology
only.
E176 and ISO13943. In case of conflict, the definitions given
1.3 This standard measures and describes the response of
in Terminology E176 shall prevail.
materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all
3.2.1 flashing, n—flame fronts of 3 seconds or less in
factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the
duration.
materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—All flame fronts, however temporary,
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
are to be taken into account.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.2 radiant panel index, I , n—the radiant panel index is
s
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the product of the flame spread factor, F , and the heat
s
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
evolution factor, Q.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently
4. Summary of Test Method
hazardous,andadequatesafeguardsforpersonnelandproperty
4.1 This test method of measuring surface flammability of
shall be employed in conducting these tests. This test method
materials employs a radiant heat source consisting of a 12 by
may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment.
18-in. (305 by 457-mm) panel, in front of which an inclined 6
Specific information about hazard is given in Section 7.
by 18-in. (152 by 457 mm) specimen of the material is placed.
NOTE 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
The orientation of the specimen is such that ignition is forced
near its upper edge and the flame front progresses downward.
2. Referenced Documents
4.2 A factor derived from the rate of progress of the flame
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
front and another derived from the rate of heat liberated by the
D3675 Test Method for Surface Flammability of Flexible
material under test are combined to provide a radiant panel
Cellular Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
index.
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
Building Materials 5. Significance and Use
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
5.1 Thistestmethodprovidesalaboratorytestprocedurefor
measuringandcomparingthesurfaceflammabilityofmaterials
1 when exposed to a prescribed level of radiant heat energy. It is
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire
intended for use in measurements of the surface flammability
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.22 on Surface
Burning.
of materials exposed to fire. The test is conducted using small
Current edition approved April 1, 2008. Published May 2008. Originally
specimens that are representative, to the extent possible, of the
approved in 1960. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as E162–06.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from International Standardization Organization, P.O. Box 56,
the ASTM website. CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E162–08
material or assembly being evaluated. (Example: in terms of
their thickness, layering, and any potential substrate.)
5.2 The rate at which flames will travel along surfaces
depends upon the physical and thermal properties of the
material,
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
An American National Standard
Designation:E162–06 Designation:E162–08
Standard Test Method for
Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat
1
Energy Source
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E162; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This fire-test-response standard describes the measurement of surface flammability of materials. It is not intended for use
as a basis of ratings for building code purposes (see Appendix X1).
1.2 Thevaluesstatedinpound-inchunitsaretoberegardedasthestandard.Thevaluesinparenthesesareforinformationonly.
1.3 This standard measures and describes the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled
conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the materials, products,
or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1.5 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently hazardous, and adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be
employed in conducting these tests. This test method may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. Specific
information about hazard is given in Section 7.
NOTE 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D3675 Test Method for Surface Flammability of Flexible Cellular Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E1546 Guide for Development of Fire-Hazard-Assessment Standards
3
2.2 ISO Standards
ISO13943 Fire Safety—Vocabulary
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Fordefinitionsoftermsusedinthistestmethod,refertotheterminologycontainedinTerminologyE176and
ISO13943. In case of conflict, the definitions given in Terminology E176 shall prevail.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 flashing, n—flame fronts of 3 seconds or less in duration.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—All flame fronts, however temporary, are to be taken into account.
3.2.2 radiant panel index, I , n— the radiant panel index is the product of the flame spread factor, F , and the heat evolution
s s
factor, Q.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 This test method of measuring surface flammability of materials employs a radiant heat source consisting of a 12 by 18-in.
(305 by 457-mm) panel, in front of which an inclined 6 by 18-in. (152 by 457 mm) specimen of the material is placed. The
orientation of the specimen is such that ignition is forced near its upper edge and the flame front progresses downward.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.22 on Surface Burning.
e1
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2006. Published December 2006. Originally approved in 1960. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as E162–02a .
Current edition approved April 1, 2008. Published May 2008. Originally approved in 1960. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as E162–06.
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,orcontactASTMCustomerServiceatservice@astm.org.For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from International Standardization Organization, P.O. Box 56, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E162–08
4.2 A factor derived from the rate of progress of the flame front and another derived from the rate of heat liberated by the
material under test are combined to provide a radiant panel index.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method provides a laboratory test procedure for measuring and comparing the surface flammability of materials
when exposed to a prescribed level of radiant heat energy. It is intend
...
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