ASTM_E_2102_-_15.pdf

Designation:E210215An American National StandardStandard Test Method forMeasurement of Mass Loss and Ignitability for ScreeningPurposes Using a Conical Radiant Heater1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2102;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.INTRODUCTIONThe screening fire-test-response method described in this standard uses a radiant energy sourcesimilar to that used in the cone calorimeter,Test Method E1354.However,the test method apparatusis much simpler,because it excludes measurements of oxygen consumption or of smoke obscuration,which are incorporated into the cone calorimeter to measure heat and smoke release.A fire-test-response standard describes a test method from which one or more fire-test-response characteristicscan be measured,as a result of exposure to a prescribed source of heat or flame,under controlledconditions.There are many occasions,typically for initial research and development,when there is aneed for screening samples of materials,products,or assemblies,using a simple test.This allows theuser to verify whether certain fire-test-response characteristics of the sample fall within the expectedmargins.Screening tests,as related to fire,are described in fire terminology as fire-response testsperformed to determine whether a material,product,or assembly(a)exhibits any unusual fire-relatedcharacteristics,(b)has certain expected fire-related characteristics,or(c)is capable of beingpreliminarily categorized according to the fire characteristic in question.Screening tests addressingfire properties should be chosen so that the energy input(as heat or flame)is representative of that inthe fire test method for which screening is desired.1.Scope1.1 This fire-test-response standard provides a means ofmeasuring mass loss and ignitability,for screening purposes,from essentially planar materials,products,or assemblies(including surface finishes),exposed to controlled levels ofradiant heating,with or without an external ignitor.This testmethod is intended for screening purposes only.1.2 The principal fire-test-response characteristics obtainedfrom this test method are those associated with mass loss fromthe specimens tested,as a function of time.Time to sustainedflaming is also determined.Heat release is,optionally,deter-mined using thermopile measurements detailed in Annex A2.1.2.1 The fire-test-response characteristics obtained fromthis test are best used for comparisons between materials withsome similarities in composition or structure.1.3 The relationship between mass loss and heat releasedepends on the material,product,or assembly tested,and nouniversal formula exists for calculation of heat release usingmass loss measurements(see also additional limitations in 5.7).1.4 The fire-test-response characteristics obtained from thistest method are also obtainable with the apparatus used in TestMethod E1354(the cone calorimeter)or in an applicationsstandards of that equipment(see also 5.4).The referenced testmethods permit measurements of added fire-test-response char-acteristics.1.5 The fire-test-response characteristics obtained by thistest method are specific to the specimen tested,in the form andthickness tested,and are not an inherent property of thematerial,product,or assembly.1.6 This fire-test-response method does not provide infor-mation on the fire performance of the test specimens under fireconditions other than those conditions specified in this testmethod.For additional limitations of this test method,see 5.7.1.7 Use the SI system of units in referee decisions;seeIEEE/ASTM SI-10.The units given in parentheses are forinformation only.1.8 This standard is used to measure and describe theresponse of materials,products,or assemblies to heat and flameunder controlled conditions,but does not by itself incorporate1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on FireStandards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.21 on Smoke andCombustion Products.Current edition approved Oct.1,2015.Published November 2015.Originallyapproved in 2000.Last previous edition approved in 2014 as E2102-14.DOI:10.1520/E2102-15.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of thematerials,products,or assemblies under actual fire conditions.1.9 Fire testing is inherently hazardous.Adequate safe-guards for personnel and property shall be employed inconducting these tests.See also Section 7.1.10 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 a