General

This Standard specifies a test method for measuring the response of materials exposed to controlled levels of radiant heating with or without an external igniter. The test method is used to determine the ignitability, heat release rates, mass loss rates, effective heat of combustion, and smoke release of materials and products.

Properties are determined as follows:

(a) Rate of heat release, by measurement of the oxygen consumption, as determined by the oxygen concentration and the flow rate in the exhaust product stream.

(b) Effective heat of combustion from a concomitant measurement of specimen mass loss rate, in combination with the heat release rate.

(c) Smoke release, by obscuration of light by the combustion product stream.

(d) Ignitability, as a measurement of time from initial exposure to time of sustained flaming.