Fire test methods flammability

AMD 1 Fire hazard testing. Part 2 Test methods. Needle-flame test (AMD 9176) dated 15 November 1996. Previously known as BS 6458 Section 2.2 1993 Fire hazard testing. Terminology concerning fire tests. Superseded BS 6458 Part 1 1990 Flammability of solid non-metallic materials when exposed to flame sources - List of test methods. Superseded BS 6334 1983... 

The physical properties important for the projected use of hydraulic fluids are viscosity, density, foaming behavior, and fire resistance. There is no generally recognized test method for measuring flammability of hydraulic fluids, although various test methods maybe utilized (Moller 1989). 

The substitution of more benign solvents in many formulations will have global ramifications. For example, water-reducible coatings are products where the solvent system used to disperse and suspend solids is primarily water. The remainder of the solvent system may contain liquids that are classified as flammable or combustible liquids. Inherent limitations in these systems relate to product viscosity, accuracy in predicting overall fire hazard, abihty to assess physical changes of state when a product is tested, and test method rehabihty and ease of use (Scheffey and Tabar, 1996). 

ASTM E 2058 Standard Test Methods for Measurement of Synthetic Polymer Material Flammability Using a Fire Propagation Apparatus. Annual Book of Standards, Vol. 04.07, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA. 

Karlsson B. Performance-based test methods for material flammability. In Fire Retardant Materials. Horrocks AR, Price D, Eds. Woodhead Publishing Limited Cambridge, U.K., 2001 chap. 12, pp. 355-377. 

ASTM E 84 Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials ASTM E 108 Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings ASTM E 119 Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials ASTM E 136 Standard Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750°C ASTM E 162 Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source... 

Measurement of flame spread under external heat flux is necessary where the thermal radiation is likely to impinge on the textile materials, for example, the flooring material of the building or transport vehicles whose upper surfaces are heated by flames or hot gases, or both. The French test method, NF P 92-503 Bruleur Electrique or M test involves radiant panel for testing flame spread of flexible textile materials. This test method (flame spread under external heat flux) is the basis of that used by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) for assessing flammability of textile composites used in thermal/acoustic insulation materials (FAR 25.856 (a)) used in aircraft and has also been included by the EU for fire test approval of floorings such as prEN ISO 9239 and BS ISO 4589-1. 

Other textile products that require composite flammability testing are protective clothing assemblies for fire fighters suits, military flight suits, etc. Flammability standards and test methods for textile components in protective clothing have been discussed by Bajaj21 and Horrocks.22... 

The higher the flame propagation rate, the faster the fire spreads and therefore the more flammable the fluid, as measured by the test. As can be seen this approach ranks the fluids in the same order as the flash point, with H-515 being the most flammable and H-537 the least. There are a variety of methods that can be used to demonstrate flammability and some show the PAO fluids in a better light than others however, the ultimate test of flammability has to be the performance of the fluid in service. US Air Force statistics show quite clearly a significant reduction in aircraft losses since the introduction of the PAO-based H-537 into service. 

Noncombustible (NFPA 13)—A material that, in the form in which it is used and under the conditions anticipated, will not ignite, burn, support combustion, or release flammable vapors when subjected to fire or heat. Materials that are reported as passing ASTM El 36, Standard Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750°C, shall be considered noncombustible materials. 

In contrast to the considerable number of fire tests for plastics, there are relatively few fire tests specifically for rubbers as such. There are a number of tests for rubber products including cable insulation, hoses of various types, and cellular products. In some cases, e.g.. cellular products, the test relates to both cellular plastics and rubbers, e.g.. BS 4735 and ISO 3582. Horizontal burning characteristics when subjected to a small flame or BS 5111. Determination of smoke generation. For convenience, these have been described in the section dealing with plastics tests, Other tests for rubber products include ISO 8030 [51], Flammability of rubber hoses for underground mining, ISO 3401 [52], Conveyor belts Flame retardation specification and test method, and BS 5173, Part 103 [53], Fire rc.sistance of plastics and rubber hoses and hose assemblies, and linings of hoses, etc. 

The introduction of commercial aircraft built with increas-ingly complex composite materials and configurations has led aircraft manufacturers, their suppliers and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to review the test methods used to determine fire safet-y. A particular focus has been placed on reexamining the flammability performance cri-teria established by FAA 14 CFR 25.853, which governs mate-rials used in aircraft interiors. 

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