which an inclined 150 by 460-mm (6 by 18-in.) specimen of
the material is placed. The orientation of the specimen is such
that ignition is forced near its upper edge and the flame front
progresses downward.
4.2 Factors derived from the rate of progress of the flame
front and the rate of heat liberated by the material under test are
combined to provide a radiant panel index.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method is intended for use when measuring
surface flammability of flexible cellular materials exposed to
fire. The test method provides a laboratory test procedure for
measuring and comparing the surface flammability of materials
when exposed to a prescribed level of radiant heat energy. The
test is conducted using specimens that are representative, to the
extent possible, of the material or assembly being evaluated.
For example, if an assembly is required to be tested, such
specimens shall replicate the type and thickness of all the
layers present in the assembly being evaluated.
5.2 The rate at which flames will travel along surfaces
depends upon the physical and thermal properties of the
material, product, or assembly under test, the specimen mount-
ing method and orientation, the type and level of fire or heat
exposure, the availability of air, and properties of the surround-
ing enclosure. (1-6)
4, 5
5.3 Test Method E162 is a generic version of this test
method, using an apparatus that is substantially the same as the
one used in this test method. However, Test Method E162 is
normally intended for application to specimens other than
flexible cellular materials.
5.3.1 The pilot burner in this test method is different from
the pilot burner in Test Method E162.
5.4 In this procedure, the specimens are subjected to one or
more specific sets of laboratory fire test conditions. If different
test conditions are substituted or the end-use conditions are
changed, it is not always possible by or from this test to predict
changes in the fire-test-response characteristics measured.
Therefore, the results are valid only for the fire test exposure
conditions described in this procedure.
5.5 If the test results obtained by this test method are to be
considered as part of an overall assessment of fire hazard in a
building or structure, then the criteria, concepts and procedures
incorporated into Guide E1546 shall be taken into consider-
ation.
6. Apparatus
6.1 The apparatus shall be essentially as shown in Fig. 1 and
shall include the following:
6.1.1 Radiant Panel with Air and Gas Supply—The radiant
heat energy source shall be a panel that consists of a porous
material mounted in a suitable frame, exposing a radiating
surface of 300 by 460 mm (12 by 18 in.). The radiant heat
energy source shall be capable of operating at temperatures up
to 820°C (1500°F). The panel shall be equipped (see Fig. 1)
with a venturi-type aspirator for mixing gas and air at approxi-
mately atmospheric pressure; a centrifugal blower, or
equivalent, capable of providing 9.4 dm
3
/s (1200 ft
3
/hour) air
at a pressure of 0.7 kPa (2.8 in. water); an air filter to prevent
dust from obstructing the panel pores; a pressure regulator and
a control and shut-off valve for the gas supply.
6.1.2 Specimen Holder—The specimen holder shall con-
form in shape and dimension to Fig. 2 and be constructed from
heat-resistant chromium steel, or other suitable non-
combustible material which will not be affected by the heat
input during the test. Observation marks shall be filed on the
surface of the specimen holder to correspond with 75-mm
(3-in.) interval lines on the specimen.
6.1.2.1 The calibration process (see A1.2) shall be con-
ducted with the specimen holder to be used in the tests to
ensure that the physical characteristics of the construction
material do not affect the test results.
6.1.3 Framework for Support of the Specimen Holder—The
framework shall have two transverse rods of stainless steel,
each 12.5 mm 63.0 mm (0.5 60.13 in.) in diameter, with a
stop to center the specimen holder directly in front of the
radiant panel. The support and bracing members shall be
constructed from metal stock. Since the angle of the specimen
and its position with respect to the panel are critical, the
framework dimensions specifying these conditions shall be
within 3.0 mm (0.13 in.) of the values given in Fig. 1.
6.1.4 Pilot Burner—The pilot burner shall be a porcelain
tube 203-230 mm (8-9 in.) in length, nominally 6.3 mm (0.25
in.) in diameter, with two holes 1.5 60.1 mm (0.059 60.004
in.) in diameter equally spaced in the tube (see Fig. 3). The
burner shall be mounted horizontally and at an angle of 15 to
20° to the intersection of the horizontal plane of the burner with
the plane of the specimen with the outlet end of the burner
spaced 32 62 mm (1.25 60.1 in.) from the specimen (see Fig.
3). The pilot shall provide a 150 to 180-mm (6 to 7-in.) flame
of acetylene gas premixed with air in an aspirating type fitting.
Properly adjusted, the pilot flame shall have 25-mm (1-in.)
inner blue cones and needs to impinge on the upper central
surface of the specimen within 13 mm (0.5 in.) of the edge of
the specimen support frame. Flow rates of 0.015 dm
3
/s (0.032
ft
3
/min) of acetylene and 0.075 dm
3
/s (0.16 ft
3
/min) of air have
been found to provide the desired flame.
6.1.5 Stack—The stack shall be made from nominally
1.0-mm (0.040-in.) sheet steel with shape and dimensions as
shown in Fig. 1. The position of the stack with respect to the
specimen and radiant heat panel shall also comply with the
requirements of Fig. 1.
6.1.6 Thermocouples—Eight thermocouples of equal resis-
tance shall be mounted in the stack and supported with
porcelain insulators as indicated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4. The
thermocouples shall be Chromel-Alumel Type K, shielded
against high heat with insulation resisting up to 1200°C
(2190°F), and with wire gages in the range of 0.36-0.51 mm
(0.14-0.20 in.) (30 AWG-24 AWG) diameter and shall be
connected in parallel, or recorded individually and then
averaged, such that a mean temperature profile of the stack is
achieved. The mean stack thermocouple temperature rise for
4
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
this standard.
5
Also see Test Method E162.
D3675 − 25
2