ASTM E1623-04

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An American National Standard
Designation:E1623–04
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Fire and Thermal Parameters of Materials,
Products, and Systems Using an Intermediate Scale
1
Calorimeter (ICAL)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1623; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope eters,insufficienttestingandresearchhavebeendonetojustify
inclusion of the corresponding testing and calculating proce-
1.1 This fire-test-response standard assesses the response of
dures.
materials, products, and assemblies to controlled levels of
1.5 The heat release rate is determined by the principle of
radiant heat exposure with or without an external ignitor.
oxygen consumption calorimetry, via measurement of the
1.2 The fire-test-response characteristics determined by this
oxygen consumption as determined by the oxygen concentra-
test method include the ignitability, heat release rates, mass
tionandflowrateintheexhaustproductstream(exhaustduct).
loss rates, visible smoke development, and gas release of
The procedure is specified in 11.1. Smoke development is
materials, products, and assemblies under well ventilated
quantified by measuring the obscuration of light by the
conditions.
combustion product stream (exhaust duct).
1.3 This test method is also suitable for determining many
1.6 Specimens are exposed to a constant heating flux in the
of the parameters or values needed as input for computer fire
2
range of 0 to 50 kW/m in a vertical orientation. Hot wires are
models. Examples of these values include effective heat of
usedtoignitethecombustiblevaporsfromthespecimenduring
combustion, surface temperature, ignition temperature, and
the ignition and heat release tests. The assessment of the
emissivity.
parametersassociatedwithflamespreadrequirestheuseofline
1.4 Thistestmethodisalsointendedtoprovideinformation
burners instead of hot wire ignitors.
about other fire parameters such as thermal conductivity,
1.6.1 Heat release measurements at low heat flux levels (<
specific heat, radiative and convective heat transfer coeffi-
2
10 kW/m ) require special considerations as described in
cients, flame radiation factor, air entrainment rates, flame
Section A1.1.6.
temperatures, minimum surface temperatures for upward and
1.7 This test method has been developed for evaluations,
downward flame spread, heat of gasification, nondimensional
2 design, or research and development of materials, products, or
heat of gasification (1) and the F flame spread parameter (see
assemblies,formathematicalfiremodeling,orforresearchand
Test Method E1321). While some studies have indicated that
development. The specimen shall be tested in thicknesses and
this test method is suitable for determining these fire param-
configurations representative of actual end product or system
uses.
1.8 Limitations of the test method are listed in Section 5.5.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire
1.9 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.21 on Smoke and
standard.
Combustion Products.
Current edition approved March 1, 2004. Published April 2004. Originally
1.10 This standard is used to measure and describe the
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E1623-03. DOI:
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
10.1520/E1623-04.
2 flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself
The boldface numbers given in parentheses refer to the list of references at the
end of this standard. incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E1623–04
assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under 3. Terminology
actual fire conditions.
3.1 Definitions:
1.11 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer
hazardous, and adequate safeguards for personnel and prop-
to Terminology E176.
erty shall be employed in conducting these tests. This test
3.1.2 effective heat of combustion, n—the amount of heat
method may involve hazardous materials, operations, and
generated per unit mass lost by a material, product, or
equipment. Specific information about hazard is given in
assembly, when exposed to specific fire test conditions. (see
Section 7.
gross heat of combustion).
1.12 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.2.1 Discussion—The effect
...