ASTM_E_162_-_15a.pdf

Designation:E16215aAn American National StandardStandard Test Method forSurface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant HeatEnergy Source1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E162;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S.Department of Defense.1.Scope1.1 This fire-test-response standard describes the measure-ment of surface flammability of materials.It is not intended foruse as a basis of ratings for building code purposes(seeAppendix X1).1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information onlyand are not considered standard.1.3 This standard measures and describes the response ofmaterials,products,or assemblies to heat and flame undercontrolled conditions,but does not by itself incorporate allfactors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of thematerials,products,or assemblies under actual fire conditions.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.1.5 Fire testing of products and materials is inherentlyhazardous,and adequate safeguards for personnel and propertyshall be employed in conducting these tests.This test methodmay involve hazardous materials,operations,and equipment.Specific information about hazard is given in Section.NOTE1There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C1186 Specification for Flat Fiber-Cement SheetsC1288 Specification for Discrete Non-Asbestos Fiber-Cement Interior Substrate SheetsD3675 Test Method for Surface Flammability of FlexibleCellular Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy SourceE84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics ofBuilding MaterialsE176 Terminology of Fire StandardsE1546 Guide for Development of Fire-Hazard-AssessmentStandards2.2ISO Standards3ISO 13943 Fire SafetyVocabulary3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsFor definitions of terms used in this testmethod,refer to the terminology contained in TerminologyE176 and ISO 13943.In case of conflict,the definitions givenin Terminology E176 shall prevail.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 flashing,nflame fronts of 3 seconds or less induration.3.2.1.1 DiscussionAll flame fronts,however temporary,are to be taken into account.3.2.2 radiant panel index,Is,nthe radiant panel index isthe product of the flame spread factor,Fs,and the heatevolution factor,Q.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 This test method of measuring surface flammability ofmaterials employs a radiant heat source consisting of a 12 by18-in.(305 by 457-mm)panel,in front of which an inclined 6by 18-in.(152 by 457 mm)specimen of the material is placed.The orientation of the specimen is such that ignition is forcednear its upper edge and the flame front progresses downward.4.2 A factor derived from the rate of progress of the flamefront and another derived from the rate of heat liberated by thematerial under test are combined to provide a radiant panelindex.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on FireStandards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.22 on SurfaceBurning.Current edition approved July 1,2015.Published September 2015.Originallyapproved in 1960.Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E162 15.DOI:10.1520/E0162-15A.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3Available from International Organization for Standardization(ISO),1,ch.dela Voie-Creuse,Case postale 56,CH-1211,Geneva 20,Switzerland,http:/www.iso.ch.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 5.Significance and Use5.1 This test method provides a laboratory test procedure formeasuring and comparing the surface flammability of materialswhen exposed to a prescribed level of radiant heat energy.It isintended for use in measurements of the surface flammabilityof materials exposed to fire.The test is conducted using smallspecimens that are representative,to the extent possible,of thematerial or assembly being evaluated.(Example:in terms oftheir thickness,layering,and any potential substrate.)5.2 The rate at which flames will travel along surfacesdepends upon the physical and thermal properties of thematerial,product or assembly under test,the specimen mou