ASTM_D_5424_-_14.pdf

Designation:D542414Standard Test Method forSmoke Obscuration of Insulating Materials Contained inElectrical or Optical Fiber Cables When Burning in a VerticalCable Tray Configuration1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5424;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.1.Scope*1.1 This is a fire-test-response standard.1.2 This test method provides a means to measure thesmoke obscuration resulting from burning electrical insulatingmaterials contained in electrical or optical fiber cables whenthe cable specimens,excluding accessories,are subjected to aspecified flaming ignition source and burn freely under wellventilated conditions.1.3 This test method provides two different protocols forexposing the materials,when made into cable specimens,to anignition source(approximately 20 kW),for a 20 min testduration.Use it to determine the flame propagation and smokerelease characteristics of the materials contained in single andmulticonductor electrical or optical fiber cables designed foruse in cable trays.1.4 This test method does not provide information on thefire performance of electrical or optical fiber cables in fireconditions other than the ones specifically used in this testmethod,nor does it measure the contribution of the cables to adeveloping fire condition.1.5 Data describing the burning behavior from ignition tothe end of the test are obtained.1.6 The production of light obscuring smoke is measured.1.7 The burning behavior is documented visually,by pho-tographic or video recordings,or both.1.8 The test equipment is suitable for making other,optional,measurements,including the rate of heat release ofthe burning specimen,by an oxygen consumption techniqueand weight loss.1.9 Another set of optional measurements are the concen-trations of certain toxic gas species in the combustion gases.1.10 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.(See IEEE/ASTM SI 10.)1.11 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.1.12 Fire testing is inherently hazardous.Adequate safe-guards for personnel and property shall be employed inconducting these tests.1.13 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.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical InsulationE84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics ofBuilding MaterialsE176 Terminology of Fire StandardsE800 Guide for Measurement of Gases Present or GeneratedDuring FiresE1354 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke ReleaseRates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Con-sumption CalorimeterIEEE/ASTM SI 10 Standard for Use of the InternationalSystem of Units(SI):The Modern Metric System2.2 NFPA Standards:3NFPA 70 National Electrical CodeNFPA 289 Standard Method of Fire Test for Individual FuelPackages1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 onElectrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee D09.21 on Fire Performance Standards.Current edition approved Nov.1,2014.Published November 2014.Originallyapproved in 1993.Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D5424 10.DOI:10.1520/D5424-14.2For 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 National Fire Protection Association(NFPA),1 BatterymarchPark,Quincy,MA 02169-7471,http:/www.nfpa.org.*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standardCopyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 2.3 Underwriters Laboratories Standards:4UL 1581 Reference Standard for Electrical Wires,Cables,and Flexible CordsUL1685 Standard Vertical Tray Fire Propagation and SmokeRelease Test for Electrical and Optical Fiber Cables2.4 Canadian Standards Association Standards:5CSA Standard FT-4 Vertical Flame Tests:Cables in CableTrays,Section 4.11.4 in C22.2 No.0.3,Test Methods forElectrical Wires and Cables2.5 IEEE Standards:6IEEE 1202 Standard for Flame Testing of Cables for Use inCable Tray in Industrial and Commercial Occupancies2.6 Other Standards:CA Technical Bu