ISO/TR 7240-9:2022

TECHNICAL ISO/TR
REPORT 7240-9
First edition
2022-04
Fire detection and alarm systems —
Part 9:
Test fires for fire detectors
Systèmes de détection et d'alarme d'incendie —
Partie 9: Essais sur foyers pour détecteurs d'incendie
Reference number
ISO/TR 7240-9:2022(E)
© ISO 2022

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ISO/TR 7240-9:2022(E)
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© ISO 2022
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Published in Switzerland
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ISO/TR 7240-9:2022(E)
Contents Page
Foreword . vi
Introduction .vii
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 1
3.1 Terms and definitions . 1
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 1
4 Characteristics of test fires . 2
5 Test laboratory . 3
5.1 General . 3
5.2 Fire test room (for all detectors except aspirating smoke detectors) . 3
5.3 Fire test room and ventilation system (for aspirating smoke detectors) . 4
5.3.1 Fire test room . 5
5.3.2 Ventilation system. 6
5.4 Ambient test condition . 7
5.5 Instruments. 8
5.5.1 General . 8
5.5.2 Obscuration meter . 8
5.5.3 Measuring ionization chamber (MIC). 9
5.5.4 CO measuring instrument . 11
5.5.5 Spark generator .12
6 Test method description .13
6.1 General .13
6.2 Arrangement .13
6.3 Measurement parameters . 13
6.4 End-of-test parameters .13
7 Test fires .13
7.1 General .13
7.2 Test fire TF1 — Open cellulosic (wood) fire . 14
7.2.1 General . 14
7.2.2 Fuel . 14
7.2.3 Conditioning . . 14
7.2.4 Preparation . 14
7.2.5 Arrangement . 14
7.2.6 Ignition starter . 15
7.2.7 Test validity criteria . 15
7.2.8 End-of-test conditions . 16
7.3 Test fire TF2 — Smouldering (pyrolysis) wood fire . 16
7.3.1 General . 16
7.3.2 Fuel . 16
7.3.3 Hotplate . . . 16
7.3.4 Arrangement . 16
7.3.5 Heating rate . 16
7.3.6 End-of-test condition . 16
7.3.7 Test validity criteria . 17
7.4 Test fire TF2A and TF2B — Reduced smouldering (pyrolysis) wood fire . 19
7.4.1 General . 19
7.4.2 Fuel . 19
7.4.3 Hotplate . . . 19
7.4.4 Arrangement . 19
7.4.5 Heating rate .20
7.4.6 End-of-test condition . 20
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ISO/TR 7240-9:2022(E)
7.4.7 Test validity criteria . 20
7.5 Test fire TF3 — Glowing smouldering cotton fire . 21
7.5.1 General . 21
7.5.2 Fuel . 21
7.5.3 Arrangement . 22
7.5.4 Ignition . 22
7.5.5 End-of-test condition . 22
7.5.6 Test validity criteria . 23
7.6 Test fire TF3A and TF3B — Reduced glowing smouldering cotton fire . 24
7.6.1 General . 24
7.6.2 Fuel . 24
7.6.3 Arrangement . 24
7.6.4 Ignition . 25
7.6.5 End-of-test condition . 25
7.6.6 Test validity criteria . 25
7.7 Test fire TF4 — Flaming plastics (polyurethane) fire . 26
7.7.1 General . 26
7.7.2 Fuel . 26
7.7.3 Conditioning . .26
7.7.4 Arrangement . 26
7.7.5 Ignition . 27
7.7.6 Method of ignition . 27
7.7.7 End-of-test condition . 27
7.7.8 Test validity criteria . 27
7.8 Test fire TF5 — Flaming liquid (n-heptane) fire .29
7.8.1 General .29
7.8.2 Fuel . 29
7.8.3 Arrangement .29
7.8.4 Ignition . 29
7.8.5 End-of-test condition .29
7.8.6 Test validity criteria . 30
7.9 Test fire TF5A and TF5B — Reduced flaming liquid (n-heptane) fire . 32
7.9.1 General . 32
7.9.2 Fuel . 32
7.9.3 Arrangement . 32
7.9.4 Ignition . 33
7.9.5 End-of-test condition . 33
7.9.6 Test validity criteria . 33
7.10 Test fire TF6 — Liquid (methylated spirit) fire .34
7.10.1 General .34
7.10.2 TF6 used for detectors with heat sensor .34
7.10.3 TF6 used for Point-type flame detectors . 35
7.11 Test fire TF7 — Slow smouldering (pyrolysis) wood fire .36
7.11.1 General .36
7.11.2 Fuel . 36
7.11.3 Conditioning . .36
7.11.4 Preparation .36
7.11.5 Hotplate . . .36
7.11.6 Arrangement . 36
7.11.7 Heating rate .36
7.11.8 Test validity criteria . 37
7.11.9 Variables .38
7.11.10 End-of-test condition .38
7.12 Test fire TF8 — Low-temperature black-smoke liquid (decalin) fire .38
7.12.1 General .38
7.12.2 Fuel .38
7.12.3 Arrangement .38
7.12.4 Volume .38
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ISO/TR 7240-9:2022(E)
7.12.5 Ignition .38
7.12.6 End-of-test condition . 39
7.12.7 Test validity criteria . 39
7.13 Test fire TF9 — Deep-seated smouldering cotton fire .40
7.13.1 General .40
7.13.2 Fuel .40
7.13.3 Arrangement . 41
7.13.4 Ignition . 41
7.13.5 End-of-test condition . 41
7.13.6 Test validity criteria . 42
Annex A (informative) Information concerning the construction of the measuring
ionization chamber .43
Annex B (informative) m value for different light beam lengths .45
Annex C (informative) y value .49
Bibliography .53
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ISO/TR 7240-9:2022(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
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ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
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expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 21, Equipment for fire protection and fire
fighting, Subcommittee SC 3, Fire detection and alarm systems.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO/TS 7240-9:2012), which has been
technically revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— The content has been reworded to include reproductions of clauses from other Parts of the ISO 7240
series so that this document can be considered a catalogue of information.
A list of all parts in the ISO 7240 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
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ISO/TR 7240-9:2022(E)
Introduction
This document provides a summary of the standard test fires defined in other Parts of the ISO 7240
series and where they are used. It has been published to provide a convenient catalogue of test fires. The
formal definition and description of each test fire remains within the individual Parts of the ISO 7240
series. All text which has been reproduced from other Parts of the ISO 7240 series is written in italic
font.
The combustibles selected represent a spectrum of large (m) and small (y) combustion particles for
both grey and black smoke. These include burning liquids, plastics and cellulosic (wood) materials, and
glowing and smouldering fabrics.
Figure 1 shows the limits of m vs y where they are defined for the relevant test fires. This figure
illustrates how the test fires are designed to represent a reasonable cross–section of fire types and
thus ensure that the response characteristics of the detectors being assessed are broadly capable of
detecting the majority of common fires that can occur in practice.
Key
X measuring ionization chamber (MIC) reading, y (dimensionless)
NOTE  y is the known function of the concentration of particulates in the smoke or aerosol.
Y absorbance index, m (dB/m)
TF1 to TF5, types of test fire which are explained in this document and which have been selected to illustrate a
spectrum of large and small combustion particles.
TF7 and TF8
Figure 1 — Composite of ISO test fires TF1 to TF5, TF7 and TF8 profile curves:
m versus y
The test fires described in this document are intended to be applicable for the evaluation of all
automatic fire detectors (smoke, heat, flame, etc.). TF7 has completed its original purpose, but has been
maintained for reference now and in the future. The test fires described are or have been employed on
a selective basis for use in concert with a specified International Standard covering the particular type
of detector. For example, test fire TF6, methylated spirits, has been used to evaluate the response of
point-type heat detectors. Test fires TF1 through TF5 have been selected to evaluate the response of
system-connected smoke detectors. Test fire TF7 has been selected in lieu of test fire TF2 to evaluate
the response of smoke alarms intended primarily for installation in residential-type occupanci
...