CEN/TR 17309:2019

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2019
Preskusne metode za karakterizacijo trdnih matriksov z vidika okolja - Vodilo za
preskušanje plamenišča
Test methods for environmental characterization of solid matrices - Guide to flash point
testing
Charakterisierung von Abfällen - Anleitung zur Prüfung des Flammpunkts
Caractérisation des déchets - Lignes directrices pour la détermination du point d'éclair
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TR 17309:2019
ICS:
13.030.01 Odpadki na splošno Wastes in general
13.220.40 Sposobnost vžiga in Ignitability and burning
obnašanje materialov in behaviour of materials and
proizvodov pri gorenju products
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

CEN/TR 17309
TECHNICAL REPORT
RAPPORT TECHNIQUE
May 2019
TECHNISCHER BERICHT
ICS 13.220.40; 13.030.01
English Version
Test methods for environmental characterization of solid
matrices - Guide to flash point testing
Caractérisation des déchets - Lignes directrices pour la Prüfverfahren für die umweltbezogene
détermination du point d'éclair Charakterisierung fester Matrices - Anleitung zur
Prüfung des Flammpunkts
This Technical Report was approved by CEN on 19 November 2018. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC
444.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2019 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TR 17309:2019 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 4
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Outline . 6
5 Brief history . 6
6 Flash point, and sustained combustion and burning . 7
7 The need of flash point tests . 7
8 Selection of flash point method . 7
8.1 First considerations . 7
8.2 Open or closed cup . 8
8.3 Non-equilibrium, equilibrium and rapid equilibrium tests . 8
8.4 Flash point automation . 9
8.5 Correlation between methods . 9
8.6 Valid temperature ranges . 9
9 Testing environment . 10
10 Safety . 10
11 Calibration and verification . 10
11.1 General . 10
11.2 Calibration . 10
11.3 Verification . 10
12 Test samples . 11
12.1 Sample handling . 11
12.2 Samples containing volatile components . 11
12.3 Viscous, semi-solid and solid samples . 11
13 Apparatus . 12
13.1 Ignition sources . 12
13.2 Flash detection . 12
13.3 Stirring . 12
13.4 Temperature measurement . 13
13.5 Care of the instrument . 13
13.6 Sub ambient testing . 13
14 Flash point testing effects . 13
15 Test results . 14
15.1 Barometric pressure correction . 14
15.2 Expression and reporting of results . 14
15.3 Precision . 15
Annex A (normative) Major test methods used in specifications and regulations . 16
Annex B (informative) Verification of apparatus . 17
B.1 General . 17
B.2 Verification check standards . 17
B.3 Procedure . 17
B.4 Evaluation of the test result . 18
B.4.1 General . 18
B.4.2 Single test . 18
B.4.3 Multiple tests . 19
Bibliography . 20

European foreword
This document (CEN/TR 17309:2019) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 444 “Test
methods for environmental characterization of solid matrices”, the secretariat of which is held by NEN.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Introduction
Flash point values are used in transporting, storage, handling and safety regulations, as a classification
property to define “flammable” and “combustible” materials. Precise definition of the classes is given in
each particular regulation.
A flash point value can indicate the presence of highly volatile material(s) in a relatively non-volatile or
non-flammable material and flash point testing can be a preliminary step to other investigations into
the composition of unknown materials. For products material safety data sheets provide further
information also for flash point, but e. g. material safety data sheets for waste do not exist.
It is not appropriate for flash point determinations to be carried out on potentially unstable,
decomposable, or explosive materials, unless it has been previously established that heating the
specified quantity of such material in contact with the metallic components of the flash point apparatus,
within the temperature range required for the method, does not induce decomposition, explosion or
other adverse effects.
Flash point values are not a constant physical-chemical property of material tested. They are a function
of the apparatus design, the condition of apparatus used, and no general valid correlation can be
guaranteed between results obtained by different test methods or with test apparatus different from
that specified.
1 Scope
The flash point test can be summarised as a procedure where a test portion is introduced into a
temperature controlled test cup and an ignition source is applied to the vapours produced by the test
portion to determine if the vapour / air mixture is flammable or at what temperature the vapour / air
mixture is flammable.
This document is not intended to be a comprehensive manual on flash point tests and the interpretation
of test results, however it covers the key aspects on these subjects.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
4 Outline
There are many, slightly different, definitions of flash point, however the following definition is widely
used in standard test methods:
The flash point is the lowest temperature of the test portion, corrected to a barometric pressure of
101,3 kPa, at which the application of an ignition source causes the vapour of the test portion to ignite
momentarily and the flame to propagate across the surface of the liquid under the specified test
conditions.
It is important to realise that the value of the flash point is not a physical constant but it is the result of a
flash point test and is dependent on the apparatus and procedure used. This fact is so important that a
general statement similar to the following will be incorporated into all the main flash point methods:
Flash point values are not a constant physical-chemical property of materials tested. They are a function
of the apparatus design, the condition of the apparatus used, and the operational procedure carried out.
Flash point can therefore only be defined in terms of a standard test method, and no general valid
correlation can be guaranteed between results obtained by different test methods or with test
apparatus different from that specified.
Due to the importance of flash point test results for both safety and regulatory purposes, the test
method identification should always be included with the test result.
In general specific products specifications indicate which standard test method should be employed.
5 Brief history
th
The discovery of petroleum and the increased use of flammable distillates in the 19 century, for
lighting and heating
...