ASTM D3675-98

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or
withdrawn. Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 3675 – 98
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Method for
Surface Flammability of Flexible Cellular Materials Using A
1
Radiant Heat Energy Source
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3675; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 4. Significance and Use
1.1 This is a fire test response standard. 4.1 This test method is intended for measurements on
1.2 This test method covers the measurement of surface materials whose surfaces may be exposed to fire. It provides a
flammability of flexible cellular materials. laboratory test procedure for measuring and comparing the
1.3 This standard should be used to measure and describe surface flammability of materials when exposed to a prescribed
the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and level of radiant heat energy. The test is made on 150 by
flame under controlled conditions and should not be used to 460-mm (6 by 18-in.) specimens that are representative, to the
describe or appraise the fire-hazard or fire-risk of materials, extent possible, of the material or assembly being evaluated.
products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, 4.2 The rate at which flames will travel along surfaces
results of this test may be used as elements of a fire-hazard depends upon the physical and thermal properties of the
assessment or a fire-risk assessment which takes into account material, its method of mounting and orientation, the type and
all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the level of fire or heat exposure, the availability of air, and
3,4
fire hazard or fire risk of a particular end use. properties of the surrounding enclosure.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the 4.3 In this procedure, the specimens are subjected to one or
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the more specific sets of laboratory fire test exposure conditions. If
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- different test conditions are substituted or the anticipated
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- end-use conditions are changed, it may not be possible by or
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. from this test to predict changes in the performance character-
istics measured. Therefore, the results are strictly valid only for
NOTE 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
the fire test exposure conditions described in this procedure.
4.4 If the test results obtained by this test method are to be
2. Referenced Documents
considered in the total assessment of fire hazard in a building
2.1 ASTM Standards:
structure, then all pertinent established criteria for fire hazard
E 162 Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials
2 assessment developed by ASTM Committee E-5 must be
Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
included in the consideration.
3. Summary of Test Method
5. Apparatus
3.1 This test method of measuring surface flammability of
5.1 The apparatus shall be essentially as shown in Fig. 1 and
flexible cellular materials employs a radiant panel heat source
Fig. 2 and shall include the following:
consisting of a 300 by 460-mm (12 by 18-in.) panel in front of
5.1.1 Radiant Panel with Air and Gas Supply—The radiant
which an inclined 150 by 460-mm (6 by 18-in.) specimen of
panel shall consist of a porous refractory material vertically
the material is placed. The orientation of the specimen is such
mounted in a cast iron frame, exposing a radiating surface of
that ignition is forced near its upper edge and the flame front
300 by 460 mm (12 by 18 in.) and shall be capable of operating
progresses downward.
3.2 Factors derived from the rate of progress of the flame
front and heat liberated by the material under test are combined
3
For additional information refer to the following:
to provide a flame spread index.
(1) Robertson, A. F., Gross, D., and Loftus, J., “A Method for Measuring Surface
Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Energy Source,” Proceedings, ASTM,
Vol 56, 1956, pp. 1437–1453.
(2) Robertson, A. F.,“ Surface Flammability Measurements by the Radiant Panel
Methods,” ASTM STP 344, ASTM, 1962, pp. 33–46.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-20 on Plastics
(3) Gross, D. and Loftus, J. J., “Surface Flame Propagation on Cellulosic Materials
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.30 on Thermal Properties.
Exposed to Thermal Radiation,” Journal
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