ASTM_D_2843_-_10.pdf

Designation:D284310Standard Test Method forDensity of Smoke from the Burning or Decomposition ofPlastics1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2843;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.Scope*1.1 This fire-test-response test method covers a laboratoryprocedure for measuring and observing the relative amounts ofsmoke obscuration produced by the burning or decompositionof plastics.It is intended to be used for measuring thesmoke-producing characteristics of plastics under controlledconditions of combustion or decomposition.Correlation withother fire conditions is not implied.The measurements aremade in terms of the loss of light transmission through acollected volume of smoke produced under controlled,stan-dardized conditions.The apparatus is constructed so that theflame and smoke is observable during the test.21.2 During the course of combustion,gases or vapors,orboth,are evolved that are potentially hazardous to personnel.Adequate precautions shall be taken to protect the operator.1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard.The values given in parentheses are for informationpurposes only.1.4 This standard is used to measure and describe theresponse of materials,products,or assemblies to heat andflame under controlled conditions,but does not by itselfincorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire riskassessment of the materials,products,or assemblies underactual fire conditions.1.5 Fire testing is inherently hazardous.Adequate safe-guards for personnel and property shall be employed inconducting these tests.Specific safety warning statements aregiven in 1.2 and 9.11.1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety problems,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.NOTE1There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:3D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for TestingD883 Terminology Relating to PlasticsD1600 Terminology forAbbreviated Terms Relating to Plas-ticsE84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics ofBuilding MaterialsE176 Terminology of Fire StandardsE662 Test Method for Specific Optical Density of SmokeGenerated by Solid MaterialsE691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study toDetermine the Precision of a Test MethodE906 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke ReleaseRates for Materials and Products Using a ThermopileMethodE1354 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke ReleaseRates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Con-sumption Calorimeter3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsThe terminology used in this test method isin accordance with Terminologies D883 and D1600(termsrelating to plastics)and Terminology E176(terms relating tofire).4.Summary of Test Method4.1 The test specimen is exposed to flame for the duration ofthe test,and the smoke is substantially trapped in the chamberin which combustion occurs.A 25 by 25 by 6-mm(1 by 1 by14-in.)specimen is placed on supporting metal screen andburned in a laboratory test chamber(Fig.1)under active flame1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plasticsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.30 on Thermal Properties-(Section D20.30.03).Current edition approved Jan.1,2010.Published February 2010.Originallyapproved in 1970.Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D2843-99(2004)1.DOI:10.1520/D2843-10.2Anonymous,“A Method of Measuring Smoke Density,”NFPA Quarterly,QNFPA,Vol 57,January 1964,p.276.Reprint NFPA Q57-9.Available from NFPA,60 Batterymarch St.,Boston,MA 02110.3For 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.*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 1.Specimen HolderA Stainless steel screenB Calcium-silicate sheetC Adjusting knobD Quench pan2.IgnitionA Burner4.PhotometerB Propane tankA Visual system(exit sign)C Gas shut-off valveB Measuring systemD Pressure regulator adjustment1 Light source and adjusting transformerE Pressure indicator2 Photronic cell and grid(to block stray light)F Burner-positioning knob3 Meter(indicating percent of light absorbed)3.Cabinet(shown without door)4 Temperature compensationA Hinges(door gasketed three sides)5 Photocell temperature monitorB Vents(25-mm(1