firetestingtechnology

Fire Tw R E s s Wes ex RH19 2H

Radiant Panel FlameSpread Apparatus (ASTM E162; ASTM D3675)

Radiant Panel Flame Spread Apparatus_digital 15/07/2020 14:02 Page 1

FIRE TESTING TECHNOLOGY

2

ASTM E162, ASTM D3675:Standard Test Method forSurface Flammability ofMaterials Using a RadiantHeat Energy Source

The Radiant Panel Flame SpreadApparatus measures the surfaceflammability of building products(ASTM E162) and cellular plastics(ASTM D3675) by using a gas­firedradiant heat panel. It is intended tomeasure and describe theproperties of materials, products,or assemblies in response to heatand flame under controlledlaboratory conditions and theresults of this test may be used aselements of a fire risk assessmentthat takes into account all of thefactors that are pertinent to anassessment of the fire hazard of aparticular end use. An index, Is, isdetermined from the flame spreadand heat evolution factors. Thisradiant panel index is a requiredparameter in various specifications,especially for the mass transitindustry (buses and trains).

The test is made on specimens ofsmall size that are representatives,to the extent possible, of thematerial or assembly beingevaluated. The rate at which flameswill travel along surfaces dependsupon the physical and thermalproperties of the material, itsmethod of mounting andorientation, the type and level offire or heat exposure, theavailability of air, and properties ofthe surrounding enclosure.

Summary of TestMethodThis test method of measuringsurface flammability of materialsemploys a radiant heat sourceconsisting of a 12" × 18" (300 ×460mm) panel in front of which aninclined 6" × 18" (150 × 460mm)specimen of the material is placed.The orientation of the specimen is

such that ignition is forced near itsupper edge and the flame frontprogresses downward.

A factor derived from the rate ofprogress of the flame front andanother relating to the rate of heatliberation by the material undertest is combined to provide a flamespread index.

The flame spread index, Is, of aspecimen as the product of theflame spread factor, Fs, and theheat evolution factor, Q, as follows:Is = FsQ

FTT E162 TestApparatusThe FTT Radiant Panel FlameSpread apparatus is supplied as acomplete easy­to­use system.

Features include:• Porous cement and cast iron gas

operated radiant panel (12" × 18") with electric sparkigniter and automatic safetyflame out detector.

• Stainless steel specimen holder,with observation marks every75mm (3") for assessing theprogress of the flame front.

• Stainless steel specimensupport.

• Stainless steel pilot burnerassembly.

• Pyrometer to determine thesurface temperature of theradiant panel, includingmounting bracket.

• Air flow meter and gas controlvalve to control the mixture tothe radiant panel.

• Stainless steel exhaust stackwith a removable panel toenable easy cleaning ofthermocouples.

Radiant Panel Flame Spread Apparatus_digital 15/07/2020 14:02 Page 2

RADIANT PANEL FLAME SPREAD APPARATUS

3

• The stack is provided with 8thermocouples as required bythe standards.

• Calibration burner with methanegas flow meter.

• Safety gas controls and cut offcircuitry.

• 1Data logger and analysissoftware 162Soft.

162Soft Data AnalysisSoftwareThis test apparatus iscomplemented with the 162Softsoftware package to make thecalibration and use of theinstrument extremely easy.

162Soft is a Windows basedsoftware which enables simple dataacquisition, analysis and storage viaa 22­bit data logger. All parametersare displayed. The softwareinterface can be retrofitted to anyexisting ASTM E162 apparatus. Theversatile data logger may be used inother applications and is suppliedwith software that allows the datastored in the logger to bedownloaded to a PC for furtheranalysis.

The Status Panel displays thesignals from all the transducers (theeight thermocouples in the stackand the pyrometer) on the left toindicate when the stacktemperature and pyrometer meetthe test criteria. On the right of theStatus Panel is a stack calibrationgraph and the value of as used inthe calculation of the heatevolution factor which is equal toHeat Release Rate recorded for achange in temperature of 100°C.The calibration and test routinesare very easy to conduct byfollowing the option menu on the162Soft software.

Result processing is very simple byusing the available curve fit feature.The temperature rise Vs time graphcan be displayed and printed. Thecalibration data used for processingthe results can be changed andrecalculated after the test run.Report can be generated andprinted by one push of a button onthe Print Report Panel.

Radiant Panel, Specimen Holder andExhaust Stack

Gas Panel, Control Box and Data LoggerPrint Report Status Panel

Radiant Panel Flame Spread Apparatus_digital 15/07/2020 14:02 Page 3

FIRE TESTING TECHNOLOGY

4

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

ASTM E162 Test Chamber

Overview Test frame consisting of steel frame and outer panels which hold the control panel and stack assembly

External dimensions 1.2m (L) × 0.6m (D) × 1.9m (H)

Exhaust Made from 1mm 304 stainless steel 8 type k thermocouples of equal resistance, supported with insulatorsEnd formed to 0.020" (0.5mm) DiameterEasy clean hatch

Exhaust flow rate 30­85m3/min

Voltage 240VAC, 50/60Hz, 13A

Burner, Gas Control System

Burner In compliance with ASTM E162 and ASTM D3675 manufactured from a porous refractory material

Burner dimensions 12 × 18" (300 × 450mm) mounted in a metal frame

Pyrometer Calibration pyrometer for confirmation of radiant panel output, meter 310°C, 600°C, 880°C, with 4m cableMeasurement range: +300°C ­ +900°CResponse time: ≤2ms for T>+600°CAnalogue output: 4­20mARugged stainless steel housingDigital signal processingPrecision lens non­hygroscopic

Air/Gas flow meters Air Mass Flow Controller 0­10g/secGas Mass Flow Controller 0­0.6g/secPowered via 15V 60W switch mode DC duel voltage power supply47­63HzAccuracy +/­ 1%Start­up rise time <150msShock 15g, 11msRipple and Noise 50mV pk­pk

Venturi Mixer Number 3 Air/Gas Venturi mixer

Pilot Burner Stainless Steel Burner 203­229mmID 3.2mmOD 4.8mmPorcelain tube ID 5.16mm, OD 6.84mmMethane flowmeter range 1­18L/minViton sealsBorosilicate glass tube¼" Brass connections

Flash back arrestor Safety precaution

Ignition system Ceramic housed sparker powered by 230V ZT931 ignition device producing 15kV spark

Control system Solid state gas control system with PLC control24V switch mode DC 10A duel voltage power supply47 – 63HzAccuracy +/­ 1%Start­up rise time <150msShock 15g, 11msRipple and noise 50mV pk­pkThermocouple interlock safety systemMFC control voltage 5V DC 0­100% FS via high precision control circuitsAdjustable 60­600 L/min air flow meterGas solenoids 240VAC, 50/60HzTemperature alarm module:

• Sample rate 4Hz• Accuracy +/­ 0.25% of reading• Linearization accuracy <0.1% of reading

Radiant Panel Flame Spread Apparatus_digital 15/07/2020 14:02 Page 4

RADIANT PANEL FLAME SPREAD APPARATUS

5

SOFTWARE

162Soft Microsoft Windows based application that acquires test data and assists with several calibration routines

Data logger A 3­slot cardcage with 6½ digit (22 bit) internal DMM enabling up to 120 single­ended or 48 double­ended measurementsScan rates up to 250 channels/s available

PCIe­GPIB IEEE­488 interface converts any PCI express bus PC into an instrumentation control and data acquisition system making any PC equippedwith a PCIe GPIB capable of controlling a GPIB instrument such as the Data logger with data transfer rates in excess of 300KB

Services Required• A hood with exhaust blower placed over the stack is required• Electrical power providing 230VAC, 50Hz, 13A• Commercial grade propane, compressed air, acetylene gas, methane gasDue to the continuous development policy of FTT technical changes could be made without prior notice.

Radiant Panel Flame Spread Apparatus_digital 15/07/2020 14:02 Page 5

FIRE TESTING TECHNOLOGY

6

Unrivalled Experience inDesign and ManufacturingFTT’s site in East Grinstead, is home to the largest group of fire scientists andinstrumentation design engineers working on fire testing instrumentation, and is at the heart of our design andmanufacturing. For more than 30 years FTT has provided the highest quality instruments and service for fire testing and research professionals worldwide, directly and through its extensive global sales and support network.

Quality• World­class

manufacturing inaccordance withmultiple internationaland national standards,including: EN, ISO &ASTM

• ISO 9001, ISO 14001certified

Integrity• A dedicated team

passionate about firetestinginstrumentation andcontinuous productimprovement

• Delivering reliable,robust and easy­to­useinstruments for thepast 30 years

Excellence• A world­class team

made up of qualifiedfire scientists,mechanical, electricaland electronic fireinstrument designengineers andproduction, installationand maintenanceengineers

Global• World­wide

distribution networkfor global sales,installations, training,maintenance andtechnical support

• Leading global supplierof the ConeCalorimeter, LargeScale Calorimeter, NBSSmoke Chamber andOxygen Index

Radiant Panel Flame Spread Apparatus_digital 15/07/2020 14:02 Page 6