ISO/TC 92/SC 1/WG 7 - Large and intermediate scale fire test methods

This document specifies a method of testing the reaction-to-fire properties of an intermediate-scale, box-shaped structure made up of sandwich panels. This test method is a screening method intended for use by producers to reduce the burden of testing in ISO 13784-1, especially with respect to the occurrence of flashover. This test method is not applicable to determining self-standing capability during fire, which is instead examined using ISO 13784-1 or ISO 13784-2. This method is not intended to evaluate the reaction-to-fire performance of facades, or the fire resistance of a product, which can be tested by other means.

This document specifies a test method for evaluating the reaction-to-fire performance of thermal insulating sandwich panel building systems for large rooms and the resulting flame spread on or within the thermal insulating sandwich panel building construction when it is exposed to heat from a simulated internal fire with flames impinging directly on its internal corner. The test method is not intended for evaluating a product's fire resistance. This document is applicable to both freestanding and self-supporting and frame-supported thermal insulating sandwich panel systems, but only to wall and ceiling or roof constructions.

ISO 9705-1:2016 specifies the test method to evaluate the reaction of wall and ceiling products to fire when installed at the surface of a small room and exposed directly to a specified ignition source. The test represents a fire scenario, which starts under well-ventilated conditions in a corner of a specified room with a single open doorway. Tests performed in accordance with the method specified in this part of ISO 9705 provide data for the early stages of a fire from ignition up to flashover. The method does not evaluate the fire resistance of products. The method is not intended to evaluate floor coverings. This method is not suitable for sandwich panel building systems, pipe insulation and façades for which specific ISO standards (i.e. ISO 13784, ISO 20632 and ISO 13785, respectively) are available.

ISO 16405:2015 gives guidance concerning suitable apparatus and procedures to be used when applying the FTIR method to measure concentrations of effluent gases produced in large-scale or simulated real-scale fire tests. Such tests include the room corner test (see ISO 9705) and open calorimeter tests as described in ISO 24473. This guidance and measuring method only describes the way in which the sampling of the gases and collection of FTIR spectra are performed. Analysis of spectra and calibration is part of ISO 19702.

ISO 13784-1:2014 specifies a method of test for determining the reaction to fire behaviour of sandwich panel building systems, and the resulting flame spread on or within the sandwich panel building construction, when exposed to heat from a simulated internal fire with flames impinging directly on the internal corner of the sandwich panel building construction. The test method described is applicable to free-standing, self-supporting, and frame-supported sandwich panel systems. ISO 13784-1:2014 is not intended to apply to sandwich panel products which are glued, nailed, bonded, or similarly supported by an underlying wall or ceiling construction. For products used as internal linings, the ISO 9705 test method should be used. ISO 13784-1:2014 provides for small room testing of sandwich panel building systems. For large-room testing of sandwich panel building systems, ISO 13784-2:2014 should be used. This method is not intended to evaluate the fire resistance of a product, which should be tested by other means.

ISO 12949:2011 provides a full-scale test method for determining the heat release rate and total heat release from a mattress or a mattress and foundation. The test specimen is ignited by exposure to a pair of gas burners that simulate burning bedclothes. The measurement capability is designed for mattress sets of low flammability, i.e. having a peak rate of heat release below 300 kW. ISO 12949:2011 applies to mattresses and mattress and foundation sets. ISO 12949:2011 does not apply to mattress pads, pillows, blankets, or other items used on top of a mattress. ISO 12949:2011 is a performance standard and does not prescribe the use of any specific components, fire retardant chemicals, or materials, and does not prescribe any design features that might lead to improved or degraded performance of a mattress set.

ISO 14696:2009 provides a method for measuring the response of materials, products and assemblies exposed in vertical orientation to controlled levels of radiant heating with a piloted ignition source. The test method is used to determine the ignitability, heat release rates, mass loss rates and visible smoke development of materials, products and assemblies under well-ventilated conditions. The heat release rate is ascertained by measurement of the oxygen consumption as determined by the oxygen concentration and flow in the exhaust product stream. Smoke development is quantified by measuring the obscuration of light by the combustion product stream. Specimens are exposed to heating fluxes ranging from 0 kW/m2 to 50 kW/m2. Hot wires are used as the ignition source.

ISO 13785-2:2002 specifies a method of test for determining the reaction to fire of materials and construction of façade claddings when exposed to heat and flames from a simulated interior compartment fire with flames emerging through a window opening and impinging directly on the façade. The information generated from this test may also be applicable to the scenario of an external fire impinging on a façade; however, the results may not be applicable for all fire exposure conditions. This method is applicable only to façades and claddings that are non-loadbearing. No attempt is made to determine the structural strength of the façade or cladding. This test is not intended to determine the fire behaviour of a given building façade. Details such as balconies, windows, window shutters, curtains, etc., are not considered in this test. This test does not include the risk of fire spread e.g. through the window details of the façade system as it only is constructed as a façade wall. There is clear evidence that an internal corner (also called a re-entrant corner) configuration produces a more intense fire exposure than a flat façade. The most commonly encountered internal re-entrant corner is with an angle of 90°. The test façade specimen therefore contains an internal corner with a re-entrant angle of 90°. The test method described is intended to evaluate the inclusion of combustible components within façades and claddings of buildings which are otherwise of non-combustible construction.

ISO 13785-1:2002 specifies a screening method for determining the reaction to fire of materials and constructions of façades or claddings when exposed to heat from a simulated external fire with flames impinging directly upon a façade. It is intended for use by producers to reduce the burden of testing in ISO 13785-2:2002 by eliminating those systems that fail the tests described in ISO 13785-1:2002. The test method consists of observing the behaviour of the façade panel construction to fire and the resulting flame spread on or within the façade construction. This test method is applicable only to façades and claddings that are not free standing and that are used by adding to an existing external wall. This test method also is applicable only to vertical elements and is not applicable to determining the structural strength of the façade or cladding.

This part of ISO 9705 provides guidance on ISO 9705:1993. It describes the technical background of the test and gives information which may be used for determining a testing procedure for a specific scenario, or how results can be utilized in a total hazard analysis for the specified scenario.

ISO 13784-2:2002 specifies a test method for determining the reaction to fire of sandwich panel building systems for large rooms and the resulting flame spread on or within the sandwich panel building construction when it is exposed to heat from a simulated internal fire with flames impinging directly on its internal corner. The test method is not intended for evaluating a product's fire resistance. ISO 13784-2:2002 is applicable to both freestanding and self-supporting, and frame-supported, sandwich panel systems, but only to wall and ceiling or roof constructions.

ISO 13874-1:2002 specifies a test method for determining the reaction to fire of sandwich panel building systems for small rooms and the resulting flame spread on or within the sandwich panel building construction when it is exposed to heat from a simulated internal fire with flames impinging directly on its internal corner. The test method is not intended for evaluating a product's fire resistance. ISO 13874-1:2002 is applicable to both freestanding and self-supporting, and frame-supported, sandwich panel systems. It is not applicable to sandwich panel products that are glued, nailed, bonded or similarly supported by an underlying wall or ceiling construction.

Specifies a test method that simulates a fire that under well ventilated conditions starts in a corner of a small room with a single open doorway. The method is intended to evaluate the contribution to fire growth provided by a surface product using a specified ignition source. It is especially suitable for products that for some reason cannot be tested in a small laboratory scale, e.g. thermoplastic materials, the effect of an insulating substrate, joints, surfaces with great irregularity.