ISO/TC 92/SC 1/WG 5 - Small and bench scale fire test methods

This document specifies a method for determining the kinetics and yields of gaseous emissions from a specimen exposed to radiant heat in a cone calorimeter. Gas yields are determined by exposing small representative specimens to an external heat flux with or without spark ignition. The concentrations of specific gases in the effluent (smoke) are measured. In combination with calculated masses of gases, their yields from the specimen mass, mass loss or mass loss rate can be determined. This document uses Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy as described in ISO 19702, with additional information on the test apparatus and gas analyser suitable for this specific application.

This document specifies a test method for determining the non-combustibility performance, under specified conditions, of homogeneous products and substantial components of non-homogeneous products. Information on the precision of the test method is given in Annex A.

This document specifies the apparatus and procedure for measuring reaction to fire behaviour under reduced oxygen atmospheres. Continuous measurements are made to calculate heat release rates, smoke and specific gas production rates, and mass loss rates. Ignition time measurements are also made and ignition behaviour is obtained. Pyrolysis parameters of specimens exposed to controlled levels of irradiance and controlled levels of oxygen supply can be determined as well. Different reduced oxygen atmospheres in the test environment are achieved by controlling the oxygen volume concentration of input gas fed into the chamber (vitiation) or by controlling the total volume of atmosphere fed into the chamber (ventilation). Ranges of oxygen volume concentration below 20,95 % of oxygen can be studied. The apparatus is not intended to control enriched oxygen conditions above atmospheric 20,95 % oxygen concentration. The measurement system prescribed in this document is based on the cone calorimeter apparatus described in ISO 5660-1. Therefore, this document is intended to be used in conjunction with ISO 5660-1.

This document specifies a method of test for determining the ignitability of products by direct small flame impingement under zero impressed irradiance using vertically oriented test specimens. Information on the precision of the test method is given in Annex A (informative). Information on testing not essentially flat end-use products is given in Annex B (normative). Information on testing perforated end-use products is given in Annex C (normative).

This document specifies a test method suitable to analyse effluents produced during pyrolysis and combustion of samples and products tested according to ISO 5659-2. The specified test method is based on Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy described in ISO 19702, with additional information on the test apparatus and analyser calibration suitable for its application to this physical fire model. This document is intended to be used in conjunction with ISO 5659-2 and ISO 19702. The test method provides time-resolved gas concentrations during the whole of an ISO 5659-2 test. This document does not address the accuracy of this fire model for any product application, nor does it address the accuracy of the gas concentrations relative to any real-scale fire tests or fire scenarios. For future conversion of this document into an International Standard, an interlaboratory trial is intended to be conducted to replace Annex B. This document does not include any toxicity assessment or provide input data for fire safety engineering. As combustion conditions vary depending on the oxygen consumption rate in the enclosure during the ISO 5659-2 test, this physical fire model is not recognised as being representative of any specific fire scenario. Therefore, it is difficult to compare test results with real-scale fire conditions. As a consequence, if this test method is used for comparison among materials or products, it is intended to be done in combination with other fire tests.

This document specifies a method for the determination of the gross heat of combustion (QPCS) of products at constant volume in a bomb calorimeter. This method is intended to be applied to solid products. NOTE Liquids can be tested with similar equipment and using conditions described in ASTM D240[1], as described in IEC 61039[2] using ISO 1928[3] test equipment. Annex A specifies the calculation of the net heat of combustion, QPCI, when required. Information on the precision of the test method is given in Annex B.

ISO/TS 5660-4:2016 specifies a method for evaluating materials and products that produce low levels of heat release when exposed to high irradiance levels typical of fully developed fires. It differs from ISO 5660‑1 by prescribing items such as specific specimen size, specimen holder, specimen orientation, volumetric flow rate for O2 analyses and irradiance levels at which testing is conducted. The test method described in this document is intended for use on products and materials that contain only small amounts of combustible elements, e.g. test specimens that yield a total heat release of 0,75 MJ/m2 to 15 MJ/m2.

ISO 5660-1:2015 specifies a method for assessing the heat release rate and dynamic smoke production rate of specimens exposed in the horizontal orientation to controlled levels of irradiance with an external igniter. The heat release rate is determined by measurement of the oxygen consumption derived from the oxygen concentration and the flow rate in the combustion product stream. The time to ignition (sustained flaming) is also measured in this test. The dynamic smoke production rate is calculated from measurement of the attenuation of a laser light beam by the combustion product stream. Smoke obscuration is recorded for the entire test, regardless of whether the specimen is flaming or not.

ISO 17554:2014 specifies a small-scale method for assessing the mass loss rate of essentially flat specimens exposed in the horizontal orientation to controlled levels of radiant heating with an external igniter under well-ventilated conditions. The mass loss rate is determined by measurement of the specimen mass and is derived numerically. The time to ignition (sustained flaming) is also measured in this test. Mass loss rate can be used as an indirect measure of heat release rate for many products. However, this is not an apparatus for determining heat release rates, and the measured mass loss rates for some products are not so closely linked to their heat release rates. Such products need to be tested in accordance with ISO 5660‑1 for correct assessment of heat release.

ISO/TS 5660-3:2012 examines the measurement limitations and applications of the cone calorimeter data as currently used for building products, and recommends ways in which some of these may be overcome for other types of products for other application areas. It compiles information from a large body of experience with regard to the use of the instrument. This information is presented as a set of guidelines, which will help to standardize the use of the cone calorimeter in this wider scope. Particular guidance is given on aspects of specimen preparation and on the behaviour, such as melting, spalling and intumescing, of specimens exposed to radiant heat. The relevance of specimen thickness and the use of substrate, and methods of fixing to substrate, are also discussed. Advice is given on approaches to testing a variety of "non-standard" products. Recommendations are made on techniques of calibration of the apparatus, selection of appropriate heat flux levels and ignition protocols.

ISO 12136:2011 determines and quantifies the flammability characteristics of materials, in relation to their propensity to support fire propagation, by means of a fire propagation apparatus (FPA). Material flammability characteristics that are quantified in ISO 12136:2011 include time to ignition, chemical and convective heat release rates, mass loss rate, effective heat of combustion, heat of gasification and smoke yield. These properties can be used for fire safety engineering and for fire modelling.

ISO/TS 17431:2006 specifies an intermediate-scale test method that simulates a fire that under well-ventilated conditions starts in a corner of a small room with a single doorway and can develop until the room is fully involved in the fire. ISO/TS 17431:2006 is primarily intended to evaluate the contribution to toxic hazard in, and potential for fire spread to, evacuation routes connected to the room of origin in which surface products are installed. ISO/TS 17431:2006 is especially suitable for products with which a full-scale room test has to be terminated before the full involvement of the room with fire because of the occurrence of flashover or any other safety reasons.

ISO/TR 5660-3:2003 examines the limitations of the cone calorimeter as currently used for building products and recommends ways in which some of these may be overcome for other types of products for other application areas. It compiles information from a large body of experience with regard to the use of the instrument into a set of guidelines which will help to standardize the use of the cone calorimeter in this wider scope. Particular guidance is given on aspects of specimen preparation and on the behaviour, such as melting, spalling and intumescing, of specimens exposed to radiant heat. The relevance of specimen thickness and the use of substrate, and methods of fixing to substrate, are also discussed. Advice is given on approaches to testing a variety of "non standard" products. Recommendations are made on techniques of calibration of the apparatus, selection of appropriate heat flux levels and ignition protocols. In addition to the guidance given to operators, ISO/TR 5660-3:2003 makes recommendations on presentation of the test results.

ISO 5660-1:2002 specifies a method for assessing the heat release rate of a specimen exposed in the horizontal orientation to controlled levels of irradiance with an external igniter. The heat release rate is determined by measurement of the oxygen consumption derived from the oxygen concentration and the flow rate in the combustion product stream. The time to ignition (sustained flaming) is also measured in this test.

Replaces equations (F.9) and (F.10) in clause F.4.

The rate of heat release is determined by measuring the oxygen consumption derived from the oxygen concentration and the flow rate in the combustion product stream. The time to ignition (sustained flaming) is also measured. Products with surface irregularities may be tested according to specific requirements.