Flame propagation test

Applications. The flame propagation test is used to classify materials into four categories from M.l (nonflammable) to M.4 (highly flammable). In aerospace applications, NASA uses the upward flame propagation test. This test simulates the beginning of a fire with a medium incident heat flux.  

Testing procedure. In the flame propagation test, the sample is clamped horizontally. Two marks are placed on the sample at a distance of 250 mm. A 50 mm space 

Standard methods. French specification - NF P 92-504 NASA Handbook 8060.1C test 1. 

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There are several standards organizations in different countries that regulate fire performances of cables7 10. Table 26.1 shows some examples of flame propagation tests for single wires or cable bundles from different countries. 

IEEE 1202-2006 Standard for Flame-Propagation Testing of Wire and Cable, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Piscataway, NJ, 2006. 

Arylphosphates are also possible candidates of flame-retardant additives. Wang et al. [124, 125] reported the effects of 4-isopropyl phenyl diphenyl phosphate (IPPP) addition on the thermal stability of LiPF /EC+DEC electrolyte. Addition of 5 mass% of IPPP showed positive effects on the decrease in the onset temperature and exothermic behavior of the electrolyte solution [125]. A flame-propagation test was also examined for the electrolyte containing IPPP. Addition of 15 wt% (% in... 

Bhatia, P. and Brown, W. W. Flame propagation tests on 600 V control and power cables for Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant I.E.E.E. Summer Meeting and International Symposium on high power testing, 1979. 

Some of the tests and criterion used to define fire resistance may be found in the Hterature (9). Additionally, the compression—ignition and hot manifold tests as defined in MIL-H-19457 and MIL-H-5606, respectively the Wick test as defined by Federal Standards 791, Method 352 flash point and fire point as defined in ASTM D92 autoignition temperature as defined in ASTM D2155 and linear flame propagation rate are defined in ASTM D5306 are used. 

Artificial surfaces must be resistant to cigarette bums, vandaUsm, and other harm. Fire resistance is most critically evaluated by the NBS flooring radiant panel test (10). In this test, a gas-fired panel maintains a heat flux, impinging on the sample to be tested, between 1.1 W/cm at one end and 0.1 W/cm at the other. The result of the bum is reported as the flux needed to sustain flame propagation in the sample. Higher values denote greater resistance to burning results depend on material and surface constmction. Polypropylene turf materials are characterized by critical radiant flux indexes which are considerably lower than those for nylon and acryflc polymers (qv) (11). 

Metal deck assembhes are tested by UL for under-deck fire hazard by usiag their steiaer tunnel (ASTM E84). The assembly, exposed to an under-deck gas flame, must not allow rapid propagation of the fire down the length of the tuimel. FM uses a calorimeter fire-test chamber to evaluate the hazard of an under-deck fire. The deck is exposed to a gas flame and the rate of heat release is measured and correlated to the rate of flame propagation. A different FM test assesses the damage to roof iasulations exposed to radiant heat. 

Sometimes conveying (qv) velocities, typically 20—25 m/s, exceed the flame-propagation rate as determined by tests. Moreover, velocities vary throughout the system. If the flame-propagation rate exceeds the conveying velocities, consideration must be given to the isolation of parts of the system by choking, ie, the use of rotary values, screen conveyors, bins, etc. 

The UL flammability ratings describe the relative ease of ignition and combustibiUty of plastics. Tests include the measurement of flame propagation, time to self-extinguish, melt and drip with and without flame, and oxygen indexes. Some engineering plastics, eg, polyetherimides, are, as ranked by this test, inherently nonflammable. Others can be made nonflammable by compounding with flame retardants (ERs) such as bromine... 

This arrester is nsnally designed to be effective in one direction only. However, hydranlic arresters exist that are reported to be effective in preventing flame propagation in both directions. Tests to establish this on a particnlar hydranlic arrester design are described by Flessner and Bjorklnnd (1981). 

Heat-flux data obtained from calorimeters present in the fire-affected area revealed maximum heat fluxes of 160-300 kW/m. Figure 5.1 shows the calorimeter positions, the final contours of the flash fire, and heat-flux data from calorimeters positioned near or in the flames. No data are available on flame propagation during the vapor-bum tests. 

Similar behavior was observed for LNG clouds during both continuous and instantaneous tests, but average flame speeds were lower the maximum speed observed in any of the tests was 10 m/s. Following premixed combustion, the flame burned through the fuel-rich portion of the cloud. This stage of combustion was more evident for continuous spills, where the rate of flame propagation, particularly for LNG spills, was very low. In one of the continuous LNG tests, a wind speed of only 4.5 m/s was sufficient to hold the flame stationary at a point some 65 m from the spill point for almost 1 minute the spill rate was then reduced. 

A recent review relating the pyrotechnic reaction mechanism, particle size, stoichiometry, temp and compaction density to burning rate is Ref 66, and a study of the effect of multidimensional heat transfer on the rate of flame propagation is Ref 120, which showed that the material of the delay body has no effect on the performance of most delay compns, a finding which agrees with test data... 

Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and Appliances, 1991. Tests for Fire Resistance of Vault and File Room Doors, 1990. (similar to ASTM E 152) Tests for Flame Propagation of Fabrics and Film, 1976. 

Tests for Fire Resistance of Roof Covering Materials, 1983. (similar to ASTM E 108) Tests for Flame Propagation and Smoke Density Values for Electrical and Optical Fiber Cables in Spaces Transporting Environmental Air, 1991. 

Test for Flame Propagation Height of Electrical and Optical Fiber Cables Installed Vertically in Shafts, 1991. 

The above flame retardants, HMPN and TMP, along with another commercially available alkyl phosphate, triethyl phosphate (TEP), were systematically characterized by Xu et al. To quantify the flammability of the electrolytes so that the effectiveness of these flame retardants could be compared on a more reliable basis, these authors modified a standard test UL 94 HB, intended for solid polymer samples, and measured the self-extinguishing time (SET) instead of the universally used flame propagation rate. Compared with the UL 94 HB, this new quantity is more appropriate for the evaluation of the electrolytes of low flammability, since the electrolytes that are determined to be retarded or nonflammable by this method all showed zero flame propa-... 

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