ASTM D6113-21

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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.
Designation: D6113 − 16 D6113 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Using a Cone Calorimeter to Determine Fire-Test-Response
Characteristics of Insulating Materials Contained in
Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6113; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*Scope
1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.
1.2 Several fire-test-response characteristics, including the time to sustained flaming, heat release rate, total heat released, effective
heat of combustion, and specific extinction area; are measured or calculated by this test method at a constant radiant heatingheat
flux. For specific limitations see also 5.7 and Section 6.
1.3 The tests are conducted by burning the electrical insulating materials contained in electrical or optical fiber cables when the
cable test specimens, excluding accessories, are subjected to radiant heat.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability orof regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements, see Section 7.
1.6 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.
1.7 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these
tests.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D09.17 on Fire and Thermal Properties.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2016March 1, 2021. Published December 2016May 2021. Originally approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 20102016 as
D6113 – 11.D6113 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/D6113-16.10.1520/D6113-21.
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 Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6113 − 21
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
D5424 Test Method for Smoke Obscuration of Insulating Materials Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When
Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration
D5485 Test Method for Determining Corrosive Effect of Combustion Products Using the Cone Corrosimeter
D5537 Test Method for Heat Release, Flame Spread, Smoke Obscuration, and Mass Loss Testing of Insulating Materials
Contained in Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration
E176 Terminology of Fire Standards
E603 Guide for Room Fire Experiments
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
E906E906/E906M Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using a Thermopile
Method
E1354 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Consumption
Calorimeter
E1474 Test Method for Determining the Heat Release Rate of Upholstered Furniture and Mattress Components or Composites
Using a Bench Scale Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter
E2058 Test Methods for Measurement of Material Flammability Using a Fire Propagation Apparatus (FPA)
E2965 Test Method for Determination of Low Levels of Heat Release Rate for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen
Consumption Calorimeter
2.2 CSA Standard:
CSA C22.2 No. 0.3, FT4, Vertical Flame Tests: Cables in Cable Trays, Section 4.11.4 in C22.2 No. 0.3, Test Methods for
Electrical Wires and Cables
2.3 IEC Standards:
IEC 60695-4 Fire Hazard Testing. Part 4: Terminology Concerning Fire Tests
IEC 60695-5-2 Fire Hazard Testing. Part 5: Assessment of Potential Corrosion Damage by Fire Effluent - Section 2: Guidance
on the Selection and Use of Test Methods
2.4 IEEE Standard:
IEEE 1202 Standard for Flame Testing of Cables for Use in Cable Tray in Industrial and Commercial Occupancies, IEEE
Standard 1202
2.5 ISO Standards:
ISO 13943 Fire Safety: Vocabulary
ISO 11907-4 Plastics—Smoke Generation—Determination of the Corrosivity of Fire Effluents—Part 4: Dynamic Decomposi-
tion Method Using a Conical Radiant Heater
2.6 NFPA Standards:
NFPA 262 Standard Method of Test for Flame Travel and Smoke of Wires and Cables for Use in Air-Handling Spaces
NFPA 287 Standard Test Methods for Measurement of Flammability of Materials in Cleanrooms Using a Fire Propagation
Apparatus (FPA)
2.7 OSHA Standard:
OSHA 191.1450 Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories
2.8 UL Standards:
ANSI/UL 1581 Reference Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables, and Flexible Cords
ANSI/UL 1666 Standard Test for Flame Propagation Height of Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables Installed Vertically in Shafts
ANSI/UL 1685 Standard Vertical Tray Fire Propagation and Smoke Release Test for Electrical and Optical Fiber Cables
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
Available from Canadian Standards Association (CSA), 5060 Spectrum Way, Mississauga, ON L4W 5N6, Canada, http://www.csa.ca.178 Rexdale Blvd., Toronto, ON
M9W 1R3, Canada, http://www.csagroup.org.
Available from International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), 3, rue de Varembé, Case postale 1st floor, P.O. Box 131, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland,
http://www.iec.ch. https://www.iec.ch.
Available from Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE), 445 Hoes Ln., P.O. Box 1331, Piscataway, NJ 08854-1331,08854-4141, http://www.ieee.org.
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1, ch. de la Voie-Creuse, Case postale 56, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iso.ch.ISO
Central Secretariat, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland, https://www.iso.org.
Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org.
Available from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20210, http://www.osha.gov.
Available from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), UL Headquarters, 333 Pfingsten Rd.,Road, Northbrook, IL 60062-2096,IL, 60062, http://www.ul.com.
D6113 − 21
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method and associated with fire issues use Terminology E176, ISO 13943 and IEC
60695-4. Where differences exist in definitions, those contained in Terminology E176 shall be used. Use Terminology D1711 for
definitions of terms used in this test method and associated with electrical insulation materials.
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method and associated with fire issues use Terminology E176, ISO 13943, and IEC
60695-4. Where differences exist in definitions, those contained in Terminology E176 shall be used. Use Terminology D1711 for
definitions of terms used in this test method and associated with electrical insulation materials.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 cone calorimeter, n—the apparatus which is used in Test Method E1354 to determine heat release rate, by the principle of
oxygen consumption calorimetry, and other fire-test-response characteristics.
3.2.2 effective heat of combustion, n—the ratio of the measured heat release to the mass loss, under specified test conditions.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—
The effective heat of combustion is a function of the test conditions, including heating flux, exposure time and test specimen
geometry.
3.2.3 heat flux, n—heat transfer to a surface per unit area, per unit time (see also initial test heat flux).
3.2.3.1 Discussion—
The heat flux from an energy source, such as a radiant heater, can be measured at the initiation of a test (such as Test Method E1354
or E906/E906M) and then reported as the initial test heat flux, with the understanding that the burning of the test specimen can
generate additional heat flux to the specimen surface. The heat flux can also be measured at any time during a fire test, for example
as described in Guide E603, on any surface, and with measurement devices responding to radiative and convective fluxes. Typical
2 2 2
units are kW/m , W/cm , or BTU/(s ft ).
3.2.4 heat release rate, n—the calorific energy released per unit time by the combustion of a material under specified test
conditions.
3.2.4 heating flux, n—the prescribed incident power per unit area of test specimen, the power being imposed externally from the
heater onto the test specimen at the initiation of the test.
3.2.4.1 Discussion—
The test specimen, once ignited, is also heated by its own flame.
3.2.5 ignitability, n—the measure of the ease with which a specimen can be ignited due to the influence of an external energy
source, under specified test conditions.
3.2.6 initial test heat flux, n—the heat flux set on the test apparatus at the initiation of the test (see also heat flux).
3.2.6.1 Discussion—
The initial test heat flux is the heat flux value commonly used when describing or setting test conditions.
3.2.7 net heat of combustion, n—the quantity of heat released by the complete combustion of a unit mass of the material, the water
produced being in the vapor state.
3.2.8 orientation, n—the plane in which the exposed face of the test specimen is located during testing, which is horizontal facing
up for this test.
3.2.9 oxygen consumption principle, n—the expression of the relationship between the mass of oxygen consumed during
combustion and the heat released.
3.2.10 smoke obscuration, n—the reduction in visibility due to the smoke.
3.2.11 specific extinction area, n—a measure of smoke obscuration potential per unit mass lost, determined as the product of the
extinction coefficient and the volumetric mass flow rate, divided by the mass loss rate.
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3.2.12 sustained flaming, n—existence of flame on or over the surface of the test specimen for periods of 4 s or more.
3.2.12.1 Discussion—
Flaming of less than 4 s duration is identified as flashing or transitory flaming.
3.2.13 total heat released, n—integrated value of the rate of heat release, for a specified time period.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 All fire-test-response characteristics in this test method are determined using the apparatus and procedures described in Test
Method E1354. See(See also 9 and 10.)
4.2 The oxygen consumption principle, used in this test method, is based on the observation that, generally, the net heat of
combustion is directly related to the amount of oxygen required for combustion (1). Approximately 13.1 MJ of heat are released
per 1 kg of oxygen consumed. Test specimens in this test method are burned in ambient air conditions, while being subjected to
a prescribed external heating initial test heat flux. (See also X5.1).)
4.3 The heat release is determined by the measurement of the oxygen consumption, as determined by the oxygen concentration
and the flow rate in the combustion product stream, as described in Test Method E1354.
4.4 The primary measurements are oxygen concentration and exhaust gas flow rate. Additional measurements include the time to
sustained flaming, the smoke obscuration generated, the mass loss rate, and the effective heat of combustion. Ignitability is
determined by measuring the time from initial exposure to time of sustained flaming of the test specimen.
4.5 A cone calorimeter is used to measure the consumption of oxygen during this test; heat release is then calculated, based on
the oxygen consumption principle. The test specimen is mounted horizontally and a spark ignition source is employed.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method is used to determine the heat release rate and a number of other fire-test-response characteristics as a result
of exposing insulating materials contained in electrical or optical cables to a prescribed heating initial test heat flux in the cone
calorimeter apparatus.
5.2 Quantitative heat release measurements provide information that is potentially useful for design of electrical or optical cables,
and product development.
5.3 Heat release measurements provide useful information for product development by giving a quantitative measure of specific
changes in fire performance caused by component and composite modifications. Heat release data from this test method will not
be predictive of product behavior if the product will not spread flame over its surface under the fire exposure conditions of interest.
5.4 The fire-test-response characteristics determined by this test method are affected by the thickness of the material used as test
specimen, whether as a plaque or as coating on a wire or cable. The diameter of the wire or cable used will also affect the test
results.
5.5 A radiant exposure is used as an energy source for this test method. This type of source has been used for comparison with
heat release rate and flame spread studies of insulating materials constructed into cables when burning in a vertical cable tray
configuration (Test Methods D5424 and D5537) (2-9). No definitive relationships have been established.
5.6 The value of heat release rate corresponding to the critical limit between propagating cable fires and non-propagating fires is
not known.
5.7 This test method does not determine the net heat of combustion.
The boldface numbers given in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of this test method.
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5.8 It has not been demonstrated that this test method is capable of predicting the response of electrical or optical fiber cables in
a full scale fire. In particular, this test method does not address the self-extinguishing characteristics of the cables in a full scale
fire.
6. Test Limitations
6.1 If during the test of one or more of the three replicate test specimens, any of the following unusual behavior occurs: molten
material overflows the specimen holder trough; a test specimen is displaced from the zone of controlled irradiance (explosive
spalling); or the test specimen swells sufficiently prior to ignition to touch the spark plug or swells up to the plane of the heater
base during combustion; then test an additional specimen of the identical preconditioned test specimens in the test mode in which
the unusual behavior occurred. Do not incorporate data obtained from the tests noted above, yielding inadequate results, in the
averaged data but report the occurrence. This test method is not suitable if more than three out of six test specimens tested show
any of the above characteristics.
6.2 The applicability of this test method to smoldering ignition of cables has not been demonstrated. This test method is not
suitable for incident initial test heat fluxes below 10 kW/m .
6.3 The validity of the results of this test method for a particular scenario depends on the conditions under which the tests are
conducted. In particular, it has been established that the use of a different heating initial test heat flux will change relative results.
7. Safety Precautions
7.1 The test procedures involve high temperatures and combustion processes. Hazards therefore exist for burns, ignition of
extraneous objects or clothing, and inhalation of combustion products. The operator must take appropriate precautions during the
insertion and removal of the test specimens, for example, by using protective gloves. Do not touch either the cone heater or the
associated fixtures while hot, except with the use of appropriate protective gear.
7.2 Vent the combustion products flowing through the exposure chamber through a properly designed exhaust system. An adequate
method of venting the combustion products captured in the exposure chamber during the test is through an OSHA approved smoke
hood at the end of a test.
7.3 Check the exhaust system for proper operation before testing and discharge into a building exhaust system with adequate
capacity. Make provisions for collecting and venting any combustion products that for whatever reason are not collected by the
exhaust system of the apparatus.
8. Test Specimen
8.1 Size and Preparation:
8.1.1 The types of test specimens permitted are (a) materials in the form of a flat plaque, or (b) electrical insulating materials
contained in electrical or optical cables. The test specimen shall be 100 6 2 by 100 6 2 mm (approximately 4 6 0.08 by 4 6
0.08 in.) in size, or as close to that as possible. Fill the specimen holder as completely as possible with the cable pieces. Make the
thickness of a material test specimen in a flat plaque the same as that of the end use of the material in cable construction. If the
end use thickness is not known, or if the test is conducted for other purposes, use a thickness of 6.3 6 0.5 mm (approximately 0.25
6 0.02 in.). Ensure that the overall characteristics of the test specimens are those of the wire or cable in its end use (wall thickness
and overall diameter).
NOTE 1—Overall test specimen thicknesses of less than 2 mm (approximately 0.08 in.) are not recommended, because potential testing errors become
larger.
8.1.2 For test specimens of materials in flat plaques, cut the test specimen to a size of 100 6 2 by 100 6 2 mm (approximately
–3
4 6 0.08 by 4 6 0.08 in.). Wrap the test specimen in a single layer of aluminum foil (0.03 to 0.04 mm (1.2 to 1.6 × 10 in.) thick),
shiny side towards the test specimen. Place the edge frame over the test specimen and cut the aluminum foil along the open edges
Use a smoke hood in compliance with OSHA regulations for Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories (OSHA 191.1450).
D6113 − 21
at the top of the edge frame to expose the test specimen. Remove the test specimen from the edge frame, place a grid on the exposed
face of the test specimen and insert both the test specimen and the grid into the edge frame.
8.1.3 For test specimens of electrical insulating materials contained in electrical or optical fiber cables, cut the cables to 100 6
2 mm (approximately 4 6 0.08 in.) lengths to fill the specimen holder. Seal the ends using an adhesive cement. Apply the
adhesive cement to the cable ends such that there are no visible air holes in the coating and that the cement does not overlap the
cable ends. Wrap the cable lengths in a single layer of aluminum foil. Place the edge frame over the cable test specimens and cut
the aluminum foil along the open edges at the tip of the edge frame and expose the test specimens. Remove the test specimens
from the edge frame, place a grid on the exposed face of the test specimens and insert both the test specimen and the grid into
the edge frame.
8.1.4 Optionally, for test specimens of electrical insulating materials contained in electrical or optical fiber cables, cut the cables
to 100 6 2 mm (approximately 4 6 0.08 in.) lengths to fill the specimen holder, without sealing the ends. Wrap the cable lengths
in a single layer of aluminum foil. Place the edge frame over the cable test specimens and cut the aluminum foil along the open
edges at the tip of the edge frame and expose the test specimens. Remove the test specimens from the edge frame, place a grid
on the exposed face of the test specimens and insert both the test specimen and the grid into the edge frame.
NOTE 2—The objective of sealing the cable ends is to prevent gas evolution through such ends, that is not to be expected when a full length of cable is
exposed to a fire in actual use. Moreover, the same method of test specimen preparation is used in Test Method D5485, and the draft international test
method ISO CD 11907-4, mentioned in IEC 60695-5-2. However, it is unclear whether the results of the cone calorimeter testing are more meaningful
with the cable ends sealed or unsealed.
8.2 Condition the test specimens in accordance with Practice D618 to moisture equilibrium (constant weight) at an ambient
temperature of 23 6 3°C and a relative humidity of 50 6 5 %.
9. Specimen Holder and Mounting
9.1 Two specimen holders are described, one in 9.2 and one in 9.3.
9.2 The first specimen holder is shown in Fig. 1. The bottom is constructed from 2.4-mm 2.4 mm nominal stainless steel and has
outside dimensions of 106 by 106 by 25-mm 25 mm height (62 mm).
9.2.1 An open stainless steel square, 59 mm in inside dimensions, shall be spot welded to the underside of the horizontal specimen
holder to facilitate the centering of the specimen under the cone heater. The leading edge of the open square underneath the
specimen holder, which is the one opposite the handle, is optional. The open square on the bottom of the specimen holder shall
be designed to seat with the sample mount assembly located at the top of the load cell ensuring that the specimen holder is centered
with respect to the cone heater.
9.2.2 Optionally, use an edge frame and a grid. The optional edge frame (Fig. 2) is constructed from 1.9-mm 1.9 mm nominal
stainless steel with outside dimensions of 111 by 111 by 54-mm 54 mm height (62 mm). The optional grid (Fig. 3) is constructed
from 1-mm 1 mm nominal stainless steel and has dimensions of 109 by 109 mm 109 mm (62 mm). The optional grid has 2-mm
2 mm ribs and the openings in the center are 20 by 20 mm (61 mm).
9.2.3 The distance between the bottom surface of the cone heater and the top of the specimen shall be adjusted to be 25 6 1 mm,
except as indicated in (1) below.
(1) The distance between the bottom surface of the cone heater and the top of the specimen shall be adjusted to 60 mm in the
case of those dimensionally unstable materials that have the potential to intumesce or deform to such an extent that they are likely
to make physical contact with either (a) the spark plug before ignition or (b) the underside of the cone heater after ignition.
(2) If a test is conducted in accordance with the specimen mounting in (1) above (a 60–mm distance), the heat flux calibration
shall be performed with the heat flux meter positioned 60 mm below the cone heater base plate.
(3) If a test has been conducted with a distance of 25 mm and the type of physical contact described in (1) above has occurred,
that test shall be deemed invalid and the distance shall be adjusted to 60 mm for future tests.
9.2.4 Intumescent materials. The testing technique to be used when testing intumescing specimens in the horizontal orientation
shall be documented in the test report. Options include those shown in (1)–(4) below.
The sole source of supply of the adhesive cement known to the committee at this time is Sauereisen Insa-Lute, available from Sauereisen, 160 Gamma Drive, Pittsburgh,
PA 15238. If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration
at a meeting of the responsible technical committee, which you may attend.
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NOTE 1—All dimensions are in millimetres.
NOTE 2—*Indicates a critical dimension.
FIG. 1 New Specimen Holder
(1) Use a retainer frame or edge frame (Fig. 2). The edge frame is used to reduce unrepresentative edge burning of specimens.
The edge frame is constructed from 1.9-mm 1.9 mm nominal stainless steel with outside dimensions of 111 by 111 by 54-mm 54
mm height (62 mm).
(2) Use a wire grid (Fig. 3). The wire grid is used for retaining specimens prone to delamination and is suitable for several types
of intumescent specimens. The grid is constructed from 1-mm 1 mm nominal stainless steel and has dimensions of 109 by 109
mm (62 mm). The grid has 2-mm 2 mm ribs and the openings in the center are 20 by 20 mm (61 mm).
(3) Use a separation distance between the cone base plate and the upper specimen surface of 60 mm instead of 25 mm. This
technique is suitable for those dimensionally unstable materials that have the potential to intumesce or deform to such an extent
that they are likely to make physical contact with either (a) the spark plug before ignition or (b) the underside of the cone heater
after ignition.
(4) Use a special mounting procedure suitable for the specimen to be tested.
9.2.5 The bottom of the specimen holder shall be lined with a layer of a low-density (nominal density 65 kg/m ) refractory fiber
blanket with a thickness of at least 13 mm.
9.3 A second specimen holder is shown in Fig. 4.
9.3.1 The second specimen holder consists of the bottom, the edge frame, retaining pins and wire grid as shown in Fig. 4. The
bottom is constructed from 2 mm nominal stainless steel and has outside dimensions of 111 by 111 6 2 by 24 6 2 mm height.
D6113 − 21
NOTE 1—All dimensions are in millimetres.
NOTE 2—*Indicates a critical dimension.
FIG. 2 Optional Edge Frame
The grid is constructed from 1 mm nominal stainless steel and has dimensions of 109 6 2 by 109 6 2 mm. The grid has 1 mm
ribs and the openings in the center are 19 6 1 by 19 6 1 mm. The edge frame is constructed from 2 mm nominal stainless steel
with outside dimensions of 116 6 2 by 116 6 2 by 56 6 2 mm height. The frame has an 8 mm lip on the top to provide an opening
of 100 by 100 mm on the top. There are two 3 6 0.5 mm diameter by 130 6 3 mm long retaining pins to lock the test specimen
in the edge frame.
–3
9.3.2 The bottom of the specimen holder shall be lined with a layer of a low density (nominal density 65 kg m ) ceramic fiber
refractory blanket with thickness of at least 13 mm. If necessary, fill the edge frame below the test specimens with refractory
blanket to the level of the retaining pins. Lock the assembly with retaining pins and place assembly on the bottom specimen holder.
The distance between the bottom of the radiant heater and the top of the edge frame is adjusted to 25 6 1 mm by using a sliding
height adjustment.
10. Procedure
10.1 Preparation:
10.1.1 Calibrate the test apparatus in accordance with Test Method E1354. Position the cone heater for a horizontal specimen
orientation and set the radiant heating initial test heat flux level to the chosen value, with a tolerance of 61 kW/m .
10.1.2 Verify that the distance between the bottom of the cone heater baseplate and the top of the test specimen is 25 mm
(approximately 1 in.).
D6113 − 21
NOTE 1—All dimensions are in millimetres.
FIG. 3 Optional Grid
10.1.3 Position the spark igniter at a distance of 13 mm above the test specimen surface.
NOTE 3—As stated in 6.1, if the test specimen comes in contact with the spark igniter or the heater base plate, the test results will not be usable.
10.2 Procedure:
10.2.1 Prepare the data collection system for testing in accordance with the operating procedures for the system in Test Method
E1354. Place the test specimen in the specified holder on the load cell. The specimen holder shall be centered with respect to the
cone heater. The specimen holder shall be at room temperature initially.
10.2.1.1 Start the data collection. The data collection intervals shall be 5 s or less.
10.2.2 Energize the spark igniter and move it into place as rapidly as possible after test specimen insertion.
10.2.3 Start the timer at the beginning of the test. After flaming is first observed, continue the observation for an additional 4 s.
At that point record the time and move the spark igniter out of the flame. Determine the time to flaming ignition. Note that the
time to ignition is the time for sustained flaming to start; therefore, if the timer is stopped at the end of the 4 s observation period,
the time to be reported is that value, minus 4 s.
NOTE 4—If flaming combustion is not observed, report as “No Ignition was Observed” and not as “Time to Ignition Equals Zero.”
D6113 − 21
FIG. 4 Alternate Specimen Holder
10.2.4 Collect data from the start of the test until the first of the following criteria has been reached: average mass loss over a
1–min period has dropped below 1.5 g or 60 min have elapsed. Ensure that the minimum test period is 30 min.
10.2.5 Observe and record physical changes to the test specimen, such as melting, swelling, and cracking.
10.2.6 Remove the specimen holder.
10.2.7 Replace with an empty specimen holder or insulated pad to prevent thermal damage to the load cell.
10.2.8 Test three test specimens under each condition.
11. Calculation
11.1 Use the calculation procedures from Test Method E1354 for all fire-test-response characteristics.
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TABLE 1 Results of Inter-Laboratory Trials for Test Method
A
E1354
Property TTI Pk RHR Avg RHR THR EHC SEA
2 2 2 2
Units s kW/m kW/m MJ/m MJ/kg m kg
Range 5 to 150 70 to 70 to 870 5 to 720 7 to 40 30 to 2200
r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A 4.1 13.3 23.3 7.4 1.23 59.0
B 0.125 0.131 0.037 0.068 0.050 0.076
R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A 7.4 60.4 25.5 11.8 2.42 63.0
B 0.220 0.141 0.151 0.088 0.055 0.215
A
Abbreviations used:
TTI: time TTI—time to sustained flaming;
Pk RHR: maximum Pk RHR—maximum heat release rate;
Avg RHR: average Avg RHR—average heat release rate in the 180 s following
ignition;
THR: total THR—total heat released;
EHC: effective EHC—effective heat of combustion; range: range of results
obtained in the
inter-laboratory inter-laboratory evaluation
evaluation; SEA: average SEA—average specific extinction area.area
2 2
11.2 Calculate the total heat release per unit area (in kW/m ), average specific extinction area (in m /kg) and the effective heat
of combustion (in MJ/kg) by using data over the entire period indicated in 10.2.4, beginning with the next reading after the last
(if any) negative heat release rate reading at the beginning of the test.
NOTE 5—Certain test specimens do not show visible, sustained flaming but do indicate non-zero heat release or smoke obscuration values.
11.3 Calculate the average mass loss rate (in g/s) over the period starting at the time when 10 % of the ultimate test specimen mass
loss occurred and ending at the time when 90 % of the ultimate test specimen mass loss occurred.
NOTE 6—This is done in order to get more consistent results.
NOTE 7—For certain materials the mass loss is not representative of the fraction of the test specimen that has burnt. For silicone materials, for example,
combustion results in solid residues of products of silicon oxidation, with higher mass than the original test specimen.
12. Report
12.1 Repo
...