STD.

ASTM Db113-ENGL 1999

~~~

.. 0759510 Obb0100 4T7 ..

Designation: 06113 - 99

Standard Test Method lor

Uslng a Con e Calorimeter to Determine Fire-Test-Response
Characteristics of Insulating Materials Contained in
Electrical or Optical Fiber Cables 1
lbis 5W>dard js isJuM under lile fi>:cd desigo.>!iOd D 6 113: dlt number irnmcdi",e!y folloo-;nl ,he desinalion indicO/el lhe ye ", (lf
on" ,,:tI ,Wopt":'Qoro iD .tt.o: cose uf = ," ioo. lb< ,..,'" Df las! _i<lM. A lI~mbet ... raremheses il\d ic Ma 1M yu. uf
supe'K npl ep.f1J<I1I (o) .!IdkaI.. an eduonal char!ge.;na:!he 1... ,"vlSion or re~pprov ll.

1. $cope

1.2 SeveraJ lire-tcst-response charactcrislics, including lhe

time 10 sustained flaming, heat releasc rateo total heal rc lcascd,
effectiyc heal af combusta n, and spccific cxtinction area; are
rneasured or calculatcd by lruS test melhod al a constan! radiant
f1UJ(.

For specific lirnit:ltions sce also 5.7 and St;:CtiOIl 6.

1.3 -n,e tests are conduclcd by burning (he eleclrieal nsulating materials cont:tined in e[eculc;l[ Of opticaJ fibcr cables
when the cable teSI specimens, cxcluding accessories. are
subjectcd 10 radiant he:.L
1.4 This standard measures ami describes t}e response 01
r1U1/erials, products, o r assemblies lo heat urui jiame under
controlled cOl/di/jOM, but does no! by itself incorpora/e all
lac/ors reqlliretl lo r fire }wzard or jire risk assesSmel/l 01 lile
r1U1/erials. produclS or assemblies uruler actual jire conditioNS.
1.5 The values slalcd in SI unils are lo be regarded as the
standard. The values givcn in pareniheses are fOf informalion
only.
1.6 This standard does nOI purpon ro address all of the
slifety concerru, if any, associaled with its use. Ir is the
responsibiliry 01 th e user 01 this standard ro establish uppropria/e salety and }eallh practices and determine lhe applicabiliry or regulatory limilations prior lO use. For specific
prceaulionary slatements, see Seelio n 7.

2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Slandards:
D 6[8 Praclice fOT Condilioning Plastics fOf Testing 2
D 17 I 1 Tenninology Relating to Electrleal Insulation J
O 5424 Test Method fOf SmoKe Obscuration of Insulaling
Materials Containe<! in Eleculca[ Of OpticaJ Fiber Cables
When Burning in a Vertical Cable Tray Configuration 4
O 5485 Test Method for Determining \he Corrosive EffeCI
o f Combuslion ProduclS Using lhe Cone Corrosimeler"
' Thi. tes. n.ethoo . undtf the jltrisdicnOfl of ASThl Coonmi n D-9 0fI
Eltnc.1l lIId EltCItOllic tmutaltng MalerWs wl is Ihe dtrt<:1 tl'SpoM,t>ohly of
Subcommltta: 009.2 1 On FIn: PedollTW>Ce SIJIIIJanJ ..
Cu ~ft, t(li,ion appnl~ (kr.
1999. Publimod Dc<:embtr 1999. OriginoJly
I"'bli$hed as D 6 11 3 - 97. UsI previous edlllon 061 L3 _ 97_
, A ~~1II'lI 800t <f S/rJlldanJ.. \101 08.0 t.
'/lm,,1II'lI &>nt '" S"".&'nJs, Vol 10_0 1.
"""",,1 &>nt '" S"uoJ.,nJs, \101 LO.02.

Jo.

Copyright por American Society ForTesling & Materials

Mon Apr 30 09:23:29 2001

o 5537 Test Mcthod roc Hc.at Retease, Ramc Sprcad and

Mass Loss Tesling of Insu lating Materials Contained in
Eleculcal or Optical Fiber Cables When Buming in a
Vertical Cable Tray Configuration4
E 176 Terminology of Fire Standards 5
E 691 Practice for Conducting an lnterlaboratory Study to
Delcrmine lhe Prccisio n of a T eSI Mcthod 6
E 906 Test Meth od for Heat and Visible SmoKe Release
R3te~ for Materials 3nd ProdUCIS~
E 1354 Test Method fOf Heat and Visible Smoke Re1ease
Rate.~ for Materi al snd ProduelS Using an Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter'
E 1474 Test Method fOf Detennining Ihe Heal Release Rate
of Upholstered Fumitu re and Mattress ComponenlS or
Compos ites Using a Beneh Scale Oxygen Consumption
Calorimcler
2.2 e SA Standard:
CSA C22.2 No. 0.3, Ff4. Vertical Rame Tesis: Cables in
Cable Trays, Section 4.1 1.4 in C22.2 No. 0.3. Tesl
Mcthods for ElCCulc al W iccs and Cables 7
2.3 lEC SIG/uiards:
LEC 695-4 Fire Hazard Tcsting. Part 4: Tcrminology Coneeming FiTe Tes\S8
lEC 695-5-2 Fire Hazard Tesling. Part 5: Guidance fOT
Assessing Smokc Co rrosivity frum Buming of Elct:trotcchn ical Products. Section 2: Test Methods~
2.4 IEEE SWl1dllrd:
IEEE 1202 : Standard for Flame Tcsting uf Cables fur Use in
Cable Trily in lndu~tri al and Commercial Oceupancies,
IEEE Standard [202'~
2.5 'SO Stundaros:
ISO Gui de 52 Glussary uf Fire Tenns and Definitions, First
&lition. 1989 10
ISO CD 11907-4 Dynamie Melhod for Mcasuring Smokc

l.! This is a flre.tcst-rcsponsc standard.

heati ng

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" .... un! BI)Ok t>f SI<INIilnl VoL 04.01 .

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O.uano. Canada. M9W LR3.

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56.

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:!O. CH 12 1L. S..',I... Land_

STD.ASTM D6"3-ENGL 1999

.. 0759510 0660101 333 . .

~illl! 06113
Corrosivity Using a Radian l Conical Heater lO
2.6 OSHA Swrurord;
OSHA 191.1450 Occupational Exposure lO Ha7.ardous
Chemicals in Laboratories 11

3.2.8 oxygen consumption principie, n.-.......the e)l(pression of

lbe relationship be1wcell the mass of oxygen consumed duriog
combustion and me heat released.
3.2.9 smoke obscuration, n-the reduetion in visibility due
10 the smoke.
3.2. !O specific extinction area, n-a measure of smoke
obscuralion potc mial per unl mass lost. detennincd as the
proouct of \he C)I(tinction coellicicnt and the volumetric mass
Ilow rale, divided by lhe mass loss rateo
3.2.1 1 slIstained flaming, n--existence of flamc on or over
the surfacc of thc lest specimen for pcriods of 4 s or more.
3.2.1 1.1 Discussion- A aming of less than 4 s duration is
ide ntified as tlashing or transitor)' flaming.
3.2. 12 total hear re/eased. n-intcgratcd value of lhe rale of
heat relcasc, for a specificd time periodo

2.7 UL Standar<b:
ANSUUL 910 Standard Test Mcthod ror Fire and Smoke
Charactcristics of Electrical and Oplica] Fibcr Cables

Uscd in Air Handling Spaces 12

ANSUUL 1581 Reference Standard ror Electrical Wircs.
Cables, and Flexible Cords 12
UL 1666 Standard Test (or Aame Propagation Height of
Electrical and Optic ru.Fiber Cables Insta.lled Vertically in
Shafls l 2

UL 1685 Standard Vertical Tray Fire Propagation and

Smoke Rc1case Test (or Elcctrical and Oplica] Fibcr
Cahlcs l2

4. Sum.mary of TC!St Metbod

4. 1 Al! fire-test- respon:;e characteristics in lhis tes! method

are delennined using he apparalUS and pmcedurcs described in
Test MeUlOd E 1354.
4.2 The oxygen consumption principie. uscd in Ihis tes!
method, is bascd on the obscrvacion Ihal. generally. lhe nel heal
of combustion is di rectly relale<! 10 Ihe amounl of oxygen
required for combustion ( 1). u Approximatcly 13_ 1 MJ of heal
are released per I leg of oxygen consumed. Tes! specimens in
this test melhad are bumcd in ambLen! air conditions. wlUle
being subjcclcd 10 a prescri bed eXlernal hcating fl ux. (See also
X5.1).
4.3 lbc hea! relcasc is dcternlined by the measure ment of
the o)l(ygcn consumption, as detennined by the oxygen eoncentralion and Ihe flow rate in he combustio n product slrcam.
a~ describcd in Test Melhod E 1354.
4.4 lbe primary measuremenLS are oxygen concentration
and exlmust gas flow rale. Additional measuremenLS inelude
the time lO sustaincd flam ing, !he smoke obscuration generaled,
the mass 105s rdte. and the dfcclive heat of combustion.
Igni13bility is delennined by measuring Ihe time from inilinl
exposure to time of sus I3incd flaming of lhe test speeimen.
4.5 A cone ealorimeter is uscd 10 mcasu re the eonsumption
of oxygen during mis lest; heal rclea.<;c is then ealeulaled, based
un lhe oxygen consump tion principIe. The les! specimcn is
mountoo horizontally and a spark ignition sourcc is employed.

3. Terminology
3. 1 Definitions:
3. 1.1 Por definitions of tenns uscd in lhis test method amI
associaled with tire issues use Tenninology E 176. ISO Guide
52 and leC 695-4. W here d ifferences c;o; ist in dcfinitions, those
containcd in Terminology E 176 shall be uscd. Use Tcnninology O 17 11 for defi ni tions of Icnns u1>Cd in Ihis test mClhod and
associatcd with cJectrical insulation matcrials.
3.2 Definilions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 cone calorimeter. n-the apparalus whieh is uscd In
Test Method E 1354 lo ctennine heat rclease rate. by the
principie of oxygen consumption calorimetry, and other firelest-response eharaeteristies.
3.2.2 effective hea/ o/ combus/ion, lt-the ratio of the
measurcd hcat rclease to lhe mass IOS5. under specified test
eonditions.
3.2.2. 1 Discussion-The elfecti ve heal of combustion is a
fun c!ion of the test conditions. includ ing healing flux. exp<>sure
time and test spcrimen geomctry.
3.2.3 heat re/ease rate, n- the ealorilie energy releascd per
unl time by the combus/ion of a material under spccificd test
conditions.
3.2.4 healing flux, n- Ihe prcscribed incident power per unit
arca of test spc<:imen, the power bcing imposed externally fmm
Ihe healer onlo Ihe tes t ~~imCll al the initiation of the test.
3.2.4 .1 DisclIssion- TIlc lest spccirnen, o nce ignited, is also
healcd by its o wn flame .
3.2.5 ignilubility, n- the measure of lhe case wit h which a
specimen can be ign itcd due to the infl uence of an external
energy source, undcr specific<l ICSI eondilions.
3.2.6 fiel heat oi combusl;on, n- che quantity of heat released by he complete combuslion of a unit mass of the
malerial, the water produccd bcing in che vapor slate.
3.2.7 orien/lIlion. n-C he plane in whieh the exposoo face of
the test specimen is localoo during testjng. which is horizo ntal
fadng up for this test.

S. Significante a nd Use
5.1 This test mclhod is used 10 detenninc the heat re1case
rale and a numbcr of oUler fire- test-response characleristics as
a resull of exposing insulating materials contalned in cloctrieal
or op:ical cables lO a prescribcd healing flux in Ihe cone
calorimeter apparatus.
5.2 Quanlilntve hcal release mC:l:;uremcnL~ providc infor
rnmion that is potcntially useful for design of electrical or
optica! cables. and produet development.
5.3 Heal rclease mcasurcmenlS provide u~efu l infonnalion
for product developmcnt by giving il quanti tali ve me.1sure of
spcci fie changes in fire performance eauscd by componenl and

"" .~,t~hl e fmm OccuuiOlUl 1L(~hh :>nd S~f(1y Admlnlw3lion. lOO Conlll
1111 "'" ,,"",,"" NW. W>shing'on. oc. 202 10.

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from

Und<:rwri,n. l...>bor:Ir:oriCf. 111<" ..

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" n.. boIdr= numhu< lIi""n in pventhesoe.

Rd. No"lI

brook . tL 6IXX>2.

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Copyright por American Sociely For Testing & Materials

Mon Apr 30 09:24:08 2001

les!

rnelhod.

.. fn tu ~ liS! uf ,,,re,,,nca 311ho

STD.ASTM

Dbl13-ENG~ 1~~~

.. 0759510 Obb0102 27T ..

06113

composite modifications. Heat release data from tbis test

method will nol be predictive of product behavior if the
product will not spread flame over its surface under the fire
exposure conditions of interest
5.4 The fire-test-response characteristics determined by tbis
test method are affected by the thiclcness of the material used
as test specimen, whether as a plaque or as coating on a wire
or cable. The diameter of the wire or cable used will also affect
the test results.
5.5 A radiant exposure is used as an energy source for this
test method. 'Ibis type of source has been used for comparison
with heat release rate and flame spread studies of insulating
materials constructed into cables when buming in a vertical
cable tray configuration (fest Methods D 5424 and D 5537)
(2-9). No definitive relationships have been established.
5.6 1be value of heat release rate corresponding lo the
critical limit between propagating cable fires and nonpropagating fires is not lcnown.
5.7 'Ibis test method does not determine the net heat of
combustion.
5.8 It has not been demonstrated that this test method is
capable of predicting the response of electrical or optical fiber
cables in a full scale fire. In particular, this test method does not
address the self-extinguishing characteristics of the cables in a
full scale fire.

exposure chamber througb a properly designed exhaust system.

An adequate metbod of venting the combustion products
captured in the exposure chamber during the test is through an
OSHA approved smoke hood14 at the end of a test.
7.3 Check the exhaust system for proper operation before
testing and discharge into a building exhaust system witb
adequate capacity. Malee provisions for collecting and venting
any combustion products that for whatever reason are not
collected by the emaust system of the apparatus.

8. Test Spedmen

8.1 Size and Preparation:

8.1.1 The types of test specimens permitted are (a) materials
in the form of a ftat plaque, or (b) electrical insulating materials
contained in electrical or optical cables. The test specimen shaIl
be 100 ::!: 2 by 100 ::!: 2 mm (approximately 4 ::!: 0.08 by 4 ::!:
0.08 in.) in size, or as close to tbat as possible. Fill the
specimen holder as completely as possible with the cable
pieces. Malee the thickness of a material test specimen in a Hat
plaque the same as that of the end use of the material in cable
construction. If the end use thickness is not known, or if the test
is conducted for otber purposes, use a tbickness of 6.3 ::!: 0.5
mm (approximately 0.25 OJJ2 in.). Ensure that the oyeran
characteristics of tbe test specimens are tbose of the wire or
cable in its end use (wall thickness and overall diameter).
N011! l-Overall test spccimen thicknesses of less titan 2 mm (approxi-

6. Test LimitatiODS

lIIlIlely 0.08 in.) are not recommended, because potential testing

become larger.

6.1 If during the test of one or more of the three replicate

test specimens, any of the following unusual behavior occurs:
molten material overflows the specimen holder trougb; a test
specimen is displaced from the zone of controlled irradiance
(explosive spalling); or the test specimen swells sufficiently
prior to ignition to touch the spark plug or swells up to the
plane of the heater base during combustion; then test an
additional specimen of the identical preconditioned test specimens in the test mode in whicb the unusual behavior occurred
Do not incorporate data obtained from the tests noted aboye,
yielding inadequate results, in the averaged data but report the
occurrence. 'Ibis test method is not suitable if more than three
out of six test specimens tested show any of the aboye
characterislics.
.
6.2 The applicability of this test method to smoldering
ignition of cables has not been demonstrated. 'Ibis test method
is not suitable for incident heat fluxes below 10 kW/m2
6.3 The validity of the results of this test method for a
particular scenario depends on the conditions under which the
tests are conducted. In particular, it has been established tbat
the use of a different heating flux will change relative results.

8.1.2 For test specimens of materials in tlat plaques, cut the

test specimen to a size of 100 2 by 100 ::!: 2 mm
(approximately 4 :!: 0.08 by 4 ::!: 0.08 in.). Wrap the test
specimen in a single layer of a1uminum foil (0.03 to 0.04 mm
(l.2 to l.6 X 10-3 in.) thick), shiny side towards the test
specimen. Place the edge frame over the test specimen and cut
the aluminurn foil along the open edges at the top of the edge
frame to expose the test specimen. Remove the test specimen
from the edge frame, place a grid on the exposed face of the
test specimen and insert botb tbe test specimen and the grid
into the edge frame.
8.1.3 For test specimens of electrical insulating materials
contained in electrical or optical fiber cables, cut tbe cables to
100 2 mm (approximately 4 ::!: 0.08 in.) lengtbs to fill the
specimen holder. Seal tbe ends using an adhesive cement. 15
Apply the adhesive cement to the cable ends such that there are
no visible air holes in the coating and tbat the cement does not
overlap the cable ends. Wrap the cable lengtbs in a single layer
of aluminum foil. Place the edge frame over the cable test
specimens and cut the aluminum foil along the open edges at
the tip of the edge frame and expose the test specimens.
Remove the test specimens from tbe edge frame, place a grid
on the exposed face of tbe test specimens and insert both the
test specimen and the grid into the edge frame.

7. Safety PrecautioDS
7.1 The test procedures involve high temperatures and
combustion processes. Hazards therefore exist ror burns, ignition of extraneous objects or c1othing, and inhalation of
combustion products. The operator must take appropriate
precautions during the insertion and removal of tbe test
specimens, for example, by using protective gloves. Do not
touch either the cone heater or the associated fixtures while hot,
except with the use of appropriate protective gear.
7.2 Vent the combustion products Howing through the

,. Use a smolce hood in compliaoce with OSHA regulalioos foc Occupaliooal

Exposure lo Hazardous Chemicals iD Labocatories - 191.1450.

"Adhesive cement, Sauereisen losa-Lute. 8vailable fmm Sauereisen, 160
Gamma Orive. Piusburgh. PA 15238. or from Fischer Scientific (Catalog numbee
04-760-1 S). is suitable foc Ibis application.

Copyright por American Society For Testing &Materlals

Mon Apr 3009:24:11 2001

etrOl:S

STD.ASTM D6113-ENGL 1999

. . 0759510 0660103 1 06 . .

~IDI! 06113
8.2 Condition the test specimens in accordance with Practice D6 18 10 moisture equilibrium (constanl weighl) al an
ambient temperature of23 ::!: 3G C and a relative humidity of 50
5%.

8. 1.4 Optionaliy. for test specimens of c\cctrical insulating

materials containcd in electrical Of optica! fibcr cables, cut thc
cables to lOO:!: 2 mm (approximately 4:!: 0.08 in.) lengths lO
fill Ihe specimen holder, withoUl sealing the ends. Wrap he
cable lengths in a single layer of alwninurn foil. Place Ihe cdgc

8.3 Specimen Holder and Mounting:

rrarne over lhe cable test specimens and cut the aluminum foil

8.3. l A specimen holder consists of thc bollom. the edge

frame, relaining pi ns and wire grid as shown in Fig. 1. The
bottom is constructed from 2 mm nominal stainless steel and
has outside dimensions of l it by tll :!: 2 by 24 :!: 2 mm
heighl. The grid s conslructed from 1 mm nominal stainless
stecl and has dimensions of 109 2 by 109 ::!: 2 mm. Thc grid
has 1 mm ri bs and \he opcnings in Ihe center are 19 1 by 19
::!: l mm. lbe edge frame is construcled from 2 mm nominal

along {he open cdges al the (ip of lhe edge feame and expose

the test specimens. Removc the test specimens fram the edge
frame, place a grid on the exposed face of the tesl specimcns
and inscrt both the test specimen and Ihe grid into Ihe cdgc
frame.
NOTE 2- TIie objcclive of ,caling lhe cable enos is 10 prevenl g~s
evoll11ioo through such emls, lha! is not 10 be cxpcclcd when a full length

of cable is exposed lo a tire in actual use. MOreo,'CT, the same melhod of

te,t specimen preparotion is use<! in Test Mcthod D 5485, and !he draft
intemational test mc!hod ISO CD 11907-4. mentioncd in lEC 695-52,
However. it is undear whether Ihe rcsults of me cone calorimetcr lcsting
are more meallingful with Ihe cable ends sealed or unsealed.

stanlcss sleel with outside dimensions of 116 2 by 116 2

by 56 :!: 2 mm hcight. 111C frame has an 8 mm lip Qn the tor
lO providc an opening of 100 by 100 mm on the topoThere are
two 3 0.5 mm damctcr by 130 3 mm long retaining pns

MA1EUAL:
STAlNLESS LMmmTIUCK

Ji

EDGE ffiAME

CEtmi'.R QPENING S 19mm,

EOGE Q?ENINGS 19, ~.Smm
CORNER QPENINGS (, . ,6 ,4mm

NOTE : ALL DIMENS1QNS ARE

IN MILLIMETERS.

FIG. 1 Speeimen Holder

Copyrighl por American Society For Testing & Materials

Mon Apr 30 09:24:16 2001

STD.AST" Dbl13-ENGL 1'"

.. 075'510

Ob.010~ O~~

..

D6113
TABLE 1 Resulta of Inter-l.IIboratory TrIaIs tor Test Mettlod

to locle tbe test specimen in tbe edge frame.

E 1354A

8.3.2 The bottom is lined with a layer of a low density

(nominal density 65 kg m-3 ) ceramic fiber refractory blanket
witb thiekness of at least 13 mm. If necessary, fill the edge
frame below the test specimens with refractory blanket to the
level of the retaining pins. Lock the assembly witb retaining
pins and place assembly on the bottom specimen holder. The
distance between the bottom of the radiant heater and the top
of the edge frame is adjusted to 25 1 mm by using a sliding
height adjustmenl

Property
Units

Range
r
A

B
R
A

TTI

PkRHR

Avg RHR

THR

EHC

SEA

kW/rri'

MJlrri'

MJIkg

m"kg

5 to 1SO

kW/rri'
70to
1120

7010870

510720

4.1
0.125

13.3
0.131

23.3
0.037

7.4
0.068

O.OSO

59.0
0.076

7.4
0.220

60.4
0.141

25.5
0.151

11.8
0.088

2.42
0.055

63.0
0215

71040 30102200

123

" Abbrevlatlons used: TTI: time 10 sustalned llaming; Pk RHR: maxlmum heal
",Iuse rale; Avg RHR: average hUI release rale In lile 1SO s following 19nItion;
THR: total heal reieased; EHC: eflective heat of combustion; range: range of
resuhs obtained in !he inter.-boralOry evaluation; SEA: aWlage specific extinctlon

9. Procedure
9.1 Prepara/ion:

9.1.1 Calibrate the test apparatus in aecordance with Test

Method E 1354. Position the eone heater for a horizontal
specimen orientation and set tbe radiant heating flux level lo
the chosen value, with a tolerance of 1 kW/m 2 .
9.1.2 Verify that the distance between the bottom of the
eone heater baseplate and the top of the test specimen is 25 mm
(approximately 1 in.).
9.1.3 Position the spark igniter at a distance of 13 mm aboye
the test specimen surface.

area.

kW/m 2), average specific extinction area (in m2fk:g) and the
effective beat of combustion (in MJlkg) by using data over the
entice period indicated in 9.2.4, beginning with the next
reading after tbe last (if any) negative heat release rate reading
at the beginning of the test.
NOTE 5--Certain lest specimens do nol show visible. sustained ftanng
but do indicate non-zero heat release or smoke obscuration values.

NOTE 3-As stated in 6.1, if the test specimen comes in contact witb tbe
spark igniter or tbe heater base plate, the test results will not be usable.

10.3 Calculate the average mass loss rate (in gis) over the
period starting at the time wben 10 % of the ultimate test
specimen mass loss occurred and ending at the time when 90 %
of the ultimate test specimen mass loss occurred.

9.2 Procedure:

9.2.1 Prepare the data collection system for testing in

accordance with the operating procedures for the system in
Test Method E 1354. Place the test specimen in the specified
holder on the load cell and start data collection. The holder
must be al room temperature initiaUy. TIte data collection
intervals shaU not exceed 5 s.
9.2.2 Energize the spark igniter and move it into place as
rapidly as possible after test specimen insertion.
9.2.3 Start tbe timer at the beginning of the test After
flaming is first observed, continue the observation for an
additional4 s. At that point record tbe time and move the spark
igniter out of tbe flameo Determine the time to flaming ignition.
Note that tbe time to ignition is the time for sustained flaming
to start; therefore, if the timer is stopped at tbe end of tbe 4 s
observation period, the time lO be reported iS,that value, minus
4 s.

NOTE 6-This is done in order lo get more consistent results.

NOTE 7-For certain materials the mass loss is not representative of the
fraction of the lest specimen that has burnt. Por silicone materials. {or
example, combustion results in solid residues of products of silicon
oxidation, witb higher mass than the original test specimen.

11. Report
11.1 Report the following infonnation, as a summary, for all
test specimens of a particular material or product:
11.1.1 Test specimen identification or number,
11.1.2 Manufacturer or submitter,
11.1.3 Date of test,
11.1.4 Composition or generic identification, and
11.1.5 Details of preparation.
11.2 lnclude the following information for each test specimen:
11.2.1 Test specimen thickness (mm),
11.2.2 Test specimen ioitial mass, measured on tbe load ceU

NOTE 4-If ftaming combustion is nol observed, report as "No Ignition

was Observed" and nOl as "TIme lo Ignition Equals Zero".

9.2.4 Collect data from the start of the test until tbe first of
the following criteria has been reached: average mass loss over
a I-min period has dropped below 1.5 g or 60 min have
elapsed. Ensure that the minimum test period is 30 mino
9.2.5 Observe and record physical changes to the test
specimen, such as melting, swelling, and cracking.
9.2.6 Remove tbe specimen holder.
9.2.7 Replace with an empty specimen holder or insulated
pad to prevent thermal damage to the load cell.
9.2.8 Test tbree test specimens under each condition.

(g),

11.2.3 If the test specimen is in the foem of electrlcal

insulating materials contained in electrical or optical cables,
the number of lengths of cable, and the diameter of the cable,
11.2.4 Heating flux and initial exhaust system flow rate,
11.2.5 TIme to sustained flaming (s),
11.2.6 Curve of heat release rate versus time,
11.2.7 Average heat release rate for the first 180 s after
ignition (kW/m 2),
11.2.8 Peak heat release rate (kW/m 2 ),
11.2.9 Total heat released by the lest specimen per unit area
for entire test (MJ/m2 ),
11.2.10 Average effective heat of combustion for entire test
(MJlkg),

10. CaIculatioD
10.1 Use the ca1culation procedures from Test Method
E 1354 for all fire-test-response characteristics.
10.2 Calculate the total heat release per unit area (in

s
--------_._------------------_._
Copyright por American Society For Testing & Materials
Mon Apr 30 09:24:22 2001

...

_._.. __.... _ ... _._-_......._--_

..

STD.ASTM D6113-ENGL 1999

.. 0759510 0660105 TB9 . .

~~ 06113
11.2.11 Average specific cxincllon area for entire les!

12. 1.3 An intcrlaboratory evaluation, using 4 laboratones.

was conducted to assess the prccision of the procedure ror
mca~uring Ihe heat release rate an olher tire-test-rcsponse
characteristics of electrical insulating materials contained in
electrical or optical liber cables using Ihc cone calorimeter. llle
specimens uscd werc: a flat plaque of an eJectrical insulating
material and four cables, and were described as follows.
12.1.3.1 Plaque PI: a non commercial poly(vinyl chloride)
wire and cable typc compound, al a thiekness of 6 mm.
12.1.3.2 Cable CI: a cable with a white jacket and an outer
diameter uf 5 mm, with 4 pairs of 24AWG insulated copper
COnducloN. TIte wire insulation and outer jacket are polyolefin
compounds conWining no halogens.
12.1.3.3 Cable C2: a plenum ratcd (CMP) tclephone cable
with a blue jaekel and an outer diameter of 4 mm, with 4 pairs
of 24 AWG salid insulated copper conduclors. The wire
insulation is fluorinatcd ethylene propylene and Ihe ouler jacket
is nre retarded poly(vinyl chloride).
12.1.3.4 Cable C3: a riser raled (CMR) inside lelephone
switehboard cable with a grey jacket and an outer diarneter of
9 mm. wilh 25 paiN of 24 AWG solid hare copper conductors.
1c wire insulation and outer jacket are lire retamed poly
(vinyl chloride) _
12.1.3.5 Cable C4: a vertical tray rated (CM) Typc TC
control with a black jacket and un outcr diameter of 15 mm,
with 9 solid insulated 12 AWG copper conduetors. TIte wire
insulation is poly(vinyl chloride)/nylon insulation and the outer
jacket is poly(vinyl chloride).
12.1.4 Tables 2-7 contain !he statistical infonnatiun on
precision for repcatability and reproducibility for the fotlowing
properties: time to sustained flaming, peak heat release rate,
average heat release rate over Ihe firsl 180 s afler ignition, the
total heat rcleascd, !he effective heat of eombustion and !he
average spccific extinction area.

(m 2/kg),

11.2.12 Mass remaining al tesllennination (g).

11.2.13 Test specimen mass loss (g),

11.2.14 Average test specimen mass loss rate foc cntire ICS{
(gI<),

11.2.15 Additional observations, if any, and

11.2.16 Difliculties encountcrcd in tcsting, if any.
11.3 Average the following final values for aH test spcci-

mens:
11.3.1 Time lo sustaincd flaming (s),
11.3.2 Average hcat release rate vallle (kW/m 2 ) Qyer the first
180 s aftcr ignition,
11 .3.3 Average etfcctivc heal of combustion (MJlkg) for he
entirc test. This is obtaincd by dividing he tOlal hea! released
by lhe test spccimen mass loss,
11.3.4 Peak he.1t releasc Tate (kW/m 2).
11.3.5 Tota! heal released (Ml/m 2),
11.3.6 Average specific extinction arca (m 2/kg),
11.3.7 Test spc;.:imcn ma.~s loss (g). and
11.3.8 Average lest specimen mass loss rate (g/s).
12. Precision and Bias

12.1 Precision :

12.1.1 The precision of test measurements using the cone

calorimeler for materials as fiat plaques. in accordance with
Test Method E 1354. has becn detennincd by intl..T-Iaooratory
trials conducted by ASTM CommiUee E-5 on Fire Standards.
1e firc-test-responsc characteristics chusen for dctennining
repcatabily and rl..inoducibility were: time 10 sustained flaming, peak heat release rate, average heat release rate over the
first 180 s after ignition. lbe total heat re\eased, the effeclve
heat of combustion and the average specitic e ;l:!inction arca.
The results wcre exprcssed in lenn~ uf an cquation sueh a~:
r (or R) '" A + B' Propcrty

(1)

NOTE 8---- Two labomlories did nOl repon spedfic c;l:linclion area dala.

where:

12.1.4.1 nle abbreviations used in Ihe lables are as follows:

Average is the overalt average of!he individual lab averages;
STD rcpcat is the overall standard deviation for repeatability;
STD Rcpro is the overall standard deviation for reproducibility; r is Ihe intra-Iaboratory repeatab ility: R is the interlahoratory reproducibility; RSD rcpeat is rclative standard
deviaton for repealability (namcly 100 times the ratio of
standard deviation and average) and RSD Repro is relative
standard deviation for reproducibility. TIle fonnulas used are
found in Praclice E 691 .

ntra-Iaboratory repealability;
R
inter-laboratory reproducibility;
Property = fire-test-re~ponse characteristic considered and
A and 8 are consWnts.
12 .1 .2 Results of tests on plaque specimens for Ihe materials
lest are shown in Tablc IY.
r

"Supporting data m a"ail.\bl~ from ASTM Head quarte.., Reqlle" RR: EOS

,,'"

TABLE 2 Intralaboratory and InterlaboratOf}' Precision Results of Round Robin EVlltualion: Time lO Susl8ined Flaming (s)
Heal Flux (kWfm 2)
STO !'lep<o
!'ISO repeat
!'ISO !'Iepro
AveI89"
STO 'apeal
16,4
Plaque PI
n
n
16.4
Malerial

"'"'"

Plaque PI
Cable Cl
Cable Cl
Cable Cl!
Cable C2
Cable C3
Cable C3
Cable C4
Cable C4
A"a~ge

"

Valu ...

"'"'"
"'"
"

"A

105.0
37.2
236_3

"""
NO

10000.0

251,0
47_6
232.1

' O

"

"
65.4

17_2
65.4

0.0
12_5

12_5

"
'A

120.3

23 _9
1203

"

"

",
'""

'"O
"""
'"

,
"
"
'"
"
'""

' .0
16.7

167

61.4

"0.0

61,4

31.3

31.3

"

13.4
51.8

"

Copyright por American Society Fer Testing & Materials

Men Apr 30 09:24:26 2001

- _._- -

""

51_8

"

STD.ASTM D6113-ENGL 1999

. . 0759510 0660106 915 . .

~@! D 6113
TABLE 3 Intralabo ralOf)' a nd Inte rlaborllOf)' Precision Res ults 0 1 Round Ro bin Evaluation: Peak Rate of Heat Release (kW/m 2)
Malerial

H6at

Average

STO reJ~1

STO Repto

210.3

31.2

31.2

"
""
"

1656
292.6
204 .6

"
"
"8'

Flux (kWlm")

Plaque PI
Plaque PI

CableCl
w
Cable el
Cable C2
CableC2
eableC:!
w
CableC3
CableC4
W
CableC4
Average Values

"

"

'""

116 .1
109.6
185.1
11 5.2

"'.0

'"2

13 .0

13.3

"

"
"

28.2
10.2

28.2

12.6

"

",
""
"
24
"
""
"

ASO repeat

ASO Aepro

"

14,6

1. 8

"

23.6
67.4

24.3

""

15.2

15.2
10.9

'"

"

154

""
,.,
,.,

8.5

""

"

TABLE 4 Intralaboratory ana Interlabo ra tory Prec ision Aa sults 01 Ao und Robin Evalualion: Average (3 min) Rata of Heat Re lea se
(kWfm~

Matenal

Heal Flux (kWlnr )

A'fflraga

STO ' epaal

STO Repo-o

PI!IQIJ8 PI

SO

159.4
134.9
165.7
85.3
24.2

21 .6

21 .6

Ptaque PI
Cabte el
SO
Cable el
Cable C2
SO
Cable C2
Cable C3
W
eable C3
Cable C4
50
Cable C4
Ave rage Values

"

"
"

"
"

"

10004
83.0
106.9
42.8

"
""8.'

20.3
10.4

24 4

"

'A

' .3

10.6

'3
" .0

" .0

"

'"

""

""",
",
"

26

ASO 'ep6!ll

ASO Aepro

"

13.6

13.6

"
"

"

30

"

' .0
16.7

16.1

"
"8.'"

27 .7
00

29.7

'A

,.,

79.4

79.4

"

26

TABLE 5 Intral a boratory and Inter1 a borato ry Prllclsl o n Rllsults of Round Robln Evaluatlon: Total Heat Release<:! (kJ)
Material

Average

STO rapea!

STO Rep ro

"".3

SO.,

72.3

"

1011.1
484.0

10.6
33.6
28,8

"'O

~. ,

32.3

43.3

"
"

129.7
474.2
475 5
1202 .7
11818

196
33.9

46.6

Heal Flux (kW/m')

Plaque P I
ro
Plaque PI
Cable e l
SO
Cable e l
eable C2
SO
Cable C2
CableC3
SO
Cable C3
Cable C4
ro
Cable C4
Avaraga Valul)$

"

"

492.2

"

11 7.8
1185

117.6
123.5

"

'"

"'""'
""
3'"
00
55

eJ'

'"

ASO repeat

RSDRepro

""

"7.3

LO'

8.8

'"

35.4
15.3

330

"
'".8

'"
'"

5.'

10.0

46.7

,.,

,.,
"

10.5

"

TABLE 6 Intralaboratory and Interlaboratory P rec lslon Results of Round Robln Evaluation: Eflectlve Heat 01 Combustion (MJlkg)
Malerial

He31 Flu. (kW/m ')

Average

STO repea!

STO Rcpro

""
'"'"

14 .5

'O

""
"
"ro
"
"

17,2
27.9

0.8
OA

eA

eA

"

'A

e,
e,

SO

C3
C3

e'
e,

SO

AV6mge ValullS

31 .7
35

"

11.2
122
15 .0
14.8

"

""
o.,
""

"

"",

12.1.5 Figs. 2-7 conta in plolS 0 1' lhe standard dcviations fOf

repeata bility (and reproducibility) versus lhe

3
9

ASO .apeal

,.,

' O
12.1
3.'

'"' .3
"
"

14.7

,
5

11.2
14.6

RSO

Repro

"

12.1

'"

10.9
11 ,2

14.6

"

an expected error ba nd of :!: 5 % compared 10 f ue val ue. For

homogeneous materials with only a single pyrolysis mechanism. Ihis uncertainty is reduce<! by de tennining Ihe nel heal of
combustion from (uygen bumb mcas uremcnts and Ihe o xygenfue l stoiehiomctri e mass ratio fro m ulti matc elemental analysiso For mos! testing, th is is nol practical. since test spccimens
are composilcs. am.! usuul!y non- homogeneous. Thcrcfore, Ihey
often exhibit several dcgradation reaclions. Thc:rcforc, fo!

correspo nd ing

averages,

12.2 Bias- For solid tes t speci m c ns of unk nown eheru ica!
composition. as used in building rnaterials. fu rnishings. and
common occupanl fuel load. documenlatjon exist~ (1, 10)
stating Ihai he use oC Ihe relationship Iha! approxi matdy 1) . I
MJ oC hea! are released per ! kg of oxygen consumed results in
7

Copyright por Ame rican Sodely For Testin g & Materials

Mon Apr 30 09:24:30 2001

,,
,,
,
,
,

D~113-ENGL

STD.AST"

1'"

D~~D1D7

.. D7S'SlD

6S1 ..

D6113

TABLE 7 Intralaboratory and Interl8bor..ory Prec:lsion RHulb of Round Robln Evaluatlon: SpecifIc Extlnctlon Are8 (ItgIrn2)
Material

Heat Flux (kW/rri')

Average

STO repeat

STO Repro

P1
PI
el
el
e2

50

1312.4
1035.0
522.1
294.3
221.3
292.7
966.4
451.3
1100.8
730.6

105.8
24.3
137.7
35.6
31.3
42.0
143.7
12.5
76.0
62.6
67

105.8

25
50

25
50
25
50
25

C2
e3
C3
C4
C4

50

25
Average Values

296

RSO repeat

RSO Repro

296

8.1
2.4
26.4
12.1
142
14.3
14.9

8.1

68

137.7

385
100

385

31.3

88

88

143.7

117
402

402

80.4
66.0
94

35

2.8

213
175

6.9
8.6
11

225
185

26.4
14.2
14.9
7.3
9.0
13

140

120

.!!?.
c: 100
O

~CD

80

'E
ca

60

c:

40

83

"C

b1

20

EB

EE
83D

O
ro

50

150

100

200

250

300

Average (s)

R~peatability

Reproducibility

FIG. 2 Time Sustalned Flamlng Precislon

unknown samples, a 5 % accuracy limit is seen. For

reference materials, however, carefu1 detennination of the ratio
of the net heat of combustion to the oxygen-fuel stoichiometric
mass ratio makes this source of uncertainty substantially less.

insulation; tire; fire-test response; heat release; heat release

rate; optical fiber cable; oxygen consumption calorimetry;
smoke obscuration

13. Keywords
13.1 cable; cone calorimeter; electrical cable; electrical

Copyright por American Society For Testlng &Materials

Mon Apr 30 09:24:37 2001

 -.'.'fUO "'~OI .,.

01111
50

~40

~e

EB

o 30

11

1O
'E
as

20
El:!

"C

EH

+
rn
n

10
o

50

100

150
200
Average (kW/m2)

Repeatability

Reproducibility

FIG.3 Peak ....t R...... Rete .,...Ion

c:op,rtgIIl por AmerIcIn SocIIty For Tlltinll & Materia..

Mol! Apr 30 09:24:41 2001

250

300

, .,", : ~ -'~

.>'"

ST'- ASTft'WJ-'.'",,:c'~' . " . . . ow.alO; ldII

35

C\I

08113

EB

30

~
25
~

+-

e
o 20

EB"

i.~

e 15
~

ca 10

ro

"'O

6j

jo

rtJ

40

20

100

80

60

120

140

160

180

Average (kW/m2)

Repeatability

Reproducibility

AG. 4 Average Heat Re..... Rete Plwcl8lon

10

CopyrIght por Amertc:an SocIety For TestIng & Materlals

30 09:24:47 2001

110ft.

- - -_._-_. -_.. _-_.- -..

_.

"
;,-0.

_.;i~

~.' ~:,;,~~,

.< "'

."."')0 ot.WlllG 3.....

~". ~'"..;.'" ~.:'\ -,-'" :~>

-:-

'_DI11I
140

-~

os;

120

L-a;I

100

80

ID

o
'E
as

60

c:

40

!!

dti

CJ

en

20

CJ

CJ

'-'

o
I

200

400

Repeatability

600
800
Average (kJ)
+

Reproducibility

FIG. 5 Total Heat R....aed Precl810n

11

CopyrIght por AmIrIcIn Soclety For TtIting & Materia..

lIon Apt 30 09:24:50 2001

1000

1200

1400

ST' ST"

'~113-ENGL l"~

..

a?S~510 ~~Oll

D8113

3.5

-..,
C)

aaa ..
EB

:lE 2.5
EH

c:

'ti

.~

lE

e 1.5

lE

"E
as

"O

c:

GJ 0.5

o
o

10

15

20

25

Average (MJ/kg)
o

Repeatability

Reproducibillty

RG. 6 EIf. Heat Combustlon Preclslon

12

CopyrIght por Amerlc:an Soclety For TutlnlJ & MaterIa"

lIon .30 09:24:55 2001

30

35

STD.AST"

D~113-ENGL l~~~

D1S~SlD D~~Dlla ll~

..

..

o D6113
160

140

120

-~

e:I
t:tI

EH

c: 100

as

"i

80

e
"E
as

60

c:

40

"'O

o
~

n
lE

20

200

400

-600

800
1000
Average (m2/kg)

Repeatability

1200

1400

Reproducibllity

ANNEX
(Mandatory Iaformation)
Al. CALCULATIONS

A 1.2 For the test method described in this standard. the

preferred calculation procedure is the one described in Section
10. If calculations are made from time to ignition. tbis must be
explicitly and clearly described in the reporto

A 1.1 Traditional practice in cone calorimetry has been the

calculation of total heat released per unit area and specific
extinction area starting al the time of the,first sean after the
time to ignition.

APPENDIXES
(Nonmandatory Iaformation)
Xl. COMMENTARY

rationale for various features used. both in the mandatory and

the optional sections of this test method.

Xl.l This commentary is provided to give sorne insight

ioto the development of the test method and to describe a

13

Copyright por American Soclety For T8Itlng & Materials

Mon Apr 30 09:24:59 2001

STP.AS TM P611 3 -E NGL 1999

. . 0 759510 0660113 0 55 . .

4t 0 611 3
X2. FIRE PROPERTIES

X2.l Smob Obscurution-1hc visibililY in a ti re almospherc will adversely affect me ability of QCcupanls of a

eonvened iOlo carbon diox.ide and waler. This nel heat of

combustion i5 usually measured in a bomb calorimeter.
X2.3.3 In actual fires. materials very rarely get totally
convened inlo carbon diox.ide and waler. re lhey were, a fue
atmospnere wQu ld be \'inual1 y nontoxic. in facl. e arhon monollide and org,mic compu unds, such as hydrocarbons. aldehydcs. and keloncs. are usually found in fires. which is an
indicat10n thal the combustion has becn incomplete.
X.2.3.4 Since lhe effcctive heal o f combustion is obtained as
lhe ralio or Ihe total hcat rcleased and rne mass loss. il
rcprese nt..~. thus, !he best estimate of the actual heat that would
be rcleascd per unit mass of material in a firc. when !he heat
sourte has the sarnc in tcnsily as the applied heating flux io the
cone ealorimeter test melhod.
X2.3.S The effcctive heat of combustion depends on !he
healing flux <lpplied. ThU;. it is particular!y important, in order
10 delennine e ITecti vc heat of combuslon. for rnc heating flux
applied 10 be suflicient 10 cause consistent lest spccimen
ignilion (sustained flllm ing), and lo rcpresen! \he sccnario o f
interest.
X2.3.6 Data ha ve becn publishcd inwcating that thc clfcetive heal of combuSlion does nOl vary considerably once !he
heating fl ux is high eoough for consistent spccimen ignilion
(10, 19, 20, 21). In other words. rep licalc testS should always
lead to specimen ignillon. lls is ootlhe case ((JI'" all malerials
or products !hal can be tested in !he eone ealorimeter and
lherefore Ihe eonditions of test musl be describcd explieitly

building, or vehicle, 10 escape and tbe ability of tire fighters lo

control o r c)(tinguish Ihe fice .

Xl.I.l 1bc degrec of sllloke obscuration is a physical

observation made durin g an ac tual fire. Specific extinction area
is a fire- test-response characterisc oCa sample. detennined in

a test apparatus, such as me cone calorimeter. and related 10 Ihe

reduclion of ligh! Iransmiued per unit mass huml (see 3.2.10).
X2. 1.2 TIlere is no simple direct correlalion betwecn spe

cifie ex.tinction area, as mC:iliurcd in he cone calorimeter, and

Ihe degree oC smoke ohscurati on in un actual !arge seale tire.
Howcver, Ihe

~mokc

ohscuration in a room oC spccified size

and ventilation has beco appro:.u.mated by using sornc of the

fire-Icst-response charac teristics oblaincu from this lest
method, ineluding the specitic exlinction arca. lhe heat release
rate and the effective heat o f combustion ( 11).
X2.2 Ratl! o/ Hear Re/ease:
X2.2.1 Rate of heat relcase is one of Lhe rnost imponant
variables, possibly even Ihe single mosl importanl variable. in
detennining Ihe hazard from a tire (12-16). In particular. the
rate o f heat re leasc is a measure of lbe intensily of the flIC (13,
16). The rate of heat release and Ihe amouot of heat rclcascd in
acrual tires will delennine tbe elllenl 10 which other tn3[erials.
prod ucls or assemblies in the lire eom partrnent may igni te and
spread the tire funhcr. 111e amou nl of smoke gcocraled is
usually a direct function of lhe heal releasc rate, partieularly in
large scale teStS (5-9).
X2.2.2 The rate of hea! release can be detcnniocd by
measu ri ng thc oxygcn dcp1clion in a fire atmosphere ( 1, 17,
18). Oxygen coneentration measuremeot devices. of Ihe paramagoctic type. are now suffi cicntly precise lo measure lhe
small differeoces in oxygen conccntration needed for determining rate of heat rclcase.

(22).

X2.3.7 The elIccl\'e hcat of eombustioo is a constaol during

combustion of esscntiall y homogencous samples ha ving only a
sing le modc o f dcgradation. An example oCa material with a
single mode of degradation is poly(methyl methacrylate),
ahhough jt is nOI used as an clcctrical insulation material.

X2.4 Cririca! Flux Jor Ignirion:

X2.4.1 The theoretical crilical flux for igltion is tbe mini-

X2. 3 Effectivt! Ht!ar o/ Combllstion:

mum healing Ilux [O cau.o;e ig nitinl1 ofthe sample. ft is nonnally

determined as the inlereept of a plot of Ihe square root of the
inverse of the time 10 Ignillon as a function of healing flux.
X2.4.2 In order 10 detcrmine the critical Ilux for ignition
wilh sutIicicnt acc uracy il is cSSCTltial tu havc fire Icst data al a
minimum of Ihrec heatiog fluxes. The precision of the rcsults is
li kely to oerease ir!he numbcr oClests increases, partieularly
if [he d3la has been ge ncratcd al several different heating
l1uxes.
X2.4.3 lf no ignilion is observed al a cenain healing flux,
Ihe use of a highcr hcating nu x is likel y 10 generale dala more
appropriate ror input into li te h31.ard assessme nt calculations.

X2.3.1 ne etfective heat of eom bustion is determined. in

lhe cone ealorimetcr, a.~ the summation of the producls of Ihe
insl1:lntancous he1:lt relcase rate valucs al every sean and Ihe
sean time, dividcd by {he mass loss. over lhe entire test length.
This i5 equiva1cnt lO th e rat io belween the total heat relcascd
(i n MJ) and lhe total mass 10sI (in kg).
X2.3.2 The effeelive heal or combuslion is di ffercnl rrom
Ihc nel (01'" gross) heal of combuslion. The latter is Ihe
[hcnnodynamic energy generated when lhe c nemical spccics
are eomple[ely combUSlcd 10 !heir final producIs. oamely whe n
all Ihe carbono hyclrogen and oXyg\:n in the mo1ceules is

14

Copyright por American Society For Testing & Materials

Mon Apr 30 09:25:03 200t

STD . ASTM D6113-ENGL 1999

. . 0759510 0660114 T91 . .

(ffi]! 0 6113
X3. ELECTRICAL OR OPTICAL FIBER CABLF.s
X3. 1 Traditional fire tests on cables have used cable trays.
Test methods, such as those in UL 158 1, UL 1685, CSA FT4,
or IEEE 1202, h:lYC focussed on tire propagation uoo have been

terms o the rrnuim um ehar le ngth nI llame heighl. This gives

a simple indication of cable tire propagation.

X3.3 Othcr. more severe, tire tests have also been designed

used (or classificaLion of cables ror use in cable ttays. Test

Methods O 5424 and D 5537 measure, additionally. Ielease of

roc cables: UL 1666 ::md UL 9 10. The llame propagation heigbt

of riser cables is assessed wir.h UL 1666, while UL 910 is used
rOl" cables ntended fOf air hand ling spaces. sut h as plenums.

heat. smoke. and camon oxides aOO mass loss. Opuona!

measuremenlS of heat reJease are also included in UL 1685.

X3.4 A number of references have becn published wherein

rne..1surcments of heal Idease rate of electricaJ cables were
made using the eone ealorimetcr (2-9).

X3.2 Cable d3mllge in vertical cable ttay fue tests has

LIaditionall y been Ihe c riterion ror assessing fire propagati on, in

X4. CONE CALORIMETER

X4. 1 The cont: calorimeter. Test Mcthod E 1354. is one of
the small-scale test ins trurncnls capable of being used to
measure heat rclease rateo 'Ibe other besl known mclhods are
lhe O hio Sute University hcal rcltase rate calorirneler (see Test
Melhod E 906 (23, 24) and thc Factory Mulual apparatus (Z5,
26).

cleclrical cn bles (Z-9). upholstcrcd fumilurc and maltress

composites (sce Tesl Method E 1474) (27-30) and wa ll cove rings (31).
X4.3 One of Ihe mosl freg uent combinations of heating
nu xes used for measurements of hcat rclc.ase of electrlcaJ
cables in the cone calorimcler has becn testng at 20 , 40. and 70
kW/m 2(2-9). Olntr /)cating f1uxcs have also been used.

X4.Z It has been shown Ihal the eone calorimcter is use fui
for measuring heal rclease r:lleS of test specimens rcprescoling
a varielY of ma teriuls ( 10-19) and several products. including

X4.4 Thc healing f1uxes to be chosen foc trus test method

should be relev3nl 10 Ihe fire sccnario bcing investigated.

XS_ APPU CAB ILITY 01' TRE OXYG EN CONSUMPTlON PRINC lPLE

X5.1 The value of 13.1 MJ o f hea t relcase pcr I kg oC

oxygen consumed is val id ror Ihe majorily of combustible
malerials (1, 10). and should be used unless an a1temale value

has becn delermined. and properly documented, Cor the matcri als being testoo.

X6. ALTERNATIVE MOVNTING METHODS

X6. 1 Heat Release 01 C(lble Maren"a/:i al Equall.er/gth:

X6. 1. J.4 Use Ihc tesl specirnen le ngth de tcnnined in

X6. 1.1.3 wi[ all other cable test spccimcns that are to be teslcd
in Ihis eompar:tive ana lys is.

X6. [. J

When il is desircd lo compare cables at equal lcngth,

il wo uld be des irahle 110 1 10 fi ll the spccimen holder completely
with 100 mm Icnglhs o f cable with e vcry test spccimcn. In such
cases. lhe rccommcnded procedure is as shown in X6. 1.1.IX6. 1. 1.4.
X6.I.J.1 Oloosc. from the various cables for which Ihe
comparison is (O be made. Ihe one with lhe greatest outs ide
di amelc r.
X6.1. 1.Z Follow lhe inSl ruclions of 8.1 for prepari ng tesl
s[)eCimens of tllal panicular cable.
X6.1 .1.3 Measure Ihe total lengl h o f the lest specimcn for
lhal cable.

X6.1.2 Following the calculation o f heat release rate per

uni t arca, convert he value obtained into heal re lease rate per
unit 1cngth. by rn ultiplying the valuc hy !he e:l::posed suace
area and dividi ng il by lhe exposed le ng!h of cable.
X6. I.Z. 1 Make Ihe samc ealculation for total heat release.
X6.1.3 TItis mClhod should not be used for cables with
oulside diamelcrs cxceedi ng 15 mm.

IS

Copyright por Americ an Soclety Far Te sllng & Material s

Mon Ap r JO 09:25: 10 2001

STD.ASTM D611 3-ENG L 19 99

.. 075 9510 06601 . 5 928 ..

CID}! 0 6113

REFERENCES

c..

( l ) Huggctt,
"E~tima! ion of Rate oC Ht3.1 Release by Me:ms ofO"ygen
Consumption Measuremcnts," Fi~ and Materia/s, 4. 1980, pp.

(17) Parker. W.1 . -Calcu l atio n ~ of !he l/cal Release Rale by Oxy~n
Consumption for Various App lications," NBSfR 812427 /. 1982.
(18) Parkcr. WJ.,"Caiculatio ns of lhe Heal Relear.c: Ral e by O xygen
Consumplion for Various Applications." hmrna/ (Jf Firt SC"Cts. 2
SeplembcrfOctobcr. 1984. pp. 3SO-395.
(1') Tr~n. H.C.... Experimental Data on Wood Malerials." Chapler 11 b.
lJeal Rtleast in Firt:l, Elscv ier. London. U K. V Babrauskas and SJ.
Grayson, eds .. 1992, pp. 357-372.
(20) HirschJer, M.M ." Heat Release From Plaslics," Cbapter 12 a. Htal
Rtu-au in Fins. Elsevicr. London. UK. Eds. V. Babraushs and S.J.
Grayson. 1992. pp. 315-422.
(21 ) Gaoohi. P.D.. ~Compari5Oll of Cone Calori~ter Resul ts with UL94
C lassification for Sorne PI3~ics." ProcudiftgJ Fifth A""U<li BCC
Con/trtnce on. Flamt Rtlardant;y. SlllrnJord. er. Ma)' 24-26, 1994.
(22) Hoover. J. R .. Caudill, L.M ., Chapin, J. T.. Walnocl:. J.T. and Clarkc.
EB" "Wirc and Cable Comb\l ~tion EfficicllC)' Dcterminalions Us in g
Cune Calorimetry anu me Oxygen Bomb." NaliorwE Fir( Proltelion
RfJtan:h Foo<Niatioll S)'mposium 0/1 Fire Rirk (nd Fi,., lI(lrprd
Asussm<"M/. June 1996, San :r;ncisco. CA, pp. 261 - 276. National
Fue Prolc:con Ass.ociation. Quirocy. MA. 1996.
(23) Smilh. E. E" MMea.suring RJIC of lI e:1L Smolce aOO TaKir: GM
Rdease.~ Firt T~chnalogr. 1972. pp. 237-245.
(24) Smilh. E.E .. " Heat Release Rale of Buildi ng Matcrials.~ /gn iIiOtl,
H~at Re/tase and NonComb..slibilityofMarerials. ~ ASTM STP 5()2.
A.E Robc:rtson. cd.. American Socic:ty fUf Testing and Materials.
Conshohocken. PA. USA. 1972. pp. 11~134.
(2S) Tcwa.rson. A .. "fupcrimental Evaluauon of Aamrn:lbilily PlIl1UIIclaS
o l'olymcric Malerials." Chnpter 3, Flamt R~tarrlanl Polymtric
Maltria/s. Vu! 3, M. Lewin. S.M. Allu :md E.M. Pcarce. cds.,
Plenu!)) Press. New York. NY. 1982. pp. 97-153.
(26) TewllTson, A . "Generalon of IIcat and Che mical Compollnd~ in
Fire.~." Tht SFPE Hmulbook 01 Fi" Prol(Clion Engi"uring. Society
of Are Protection Engineers. Boston. MA. 1988. pp. 1-199.
(27) P:u'ker. W. J , Tu. K.-M .. Nurbakhl. S .. aOO Damanl. G . H..
"Furn ilUre Aamrnabilily : An Investigalion ofth~ California Teclm ical
Bulle!in 133 Te$t. Pan 111: Full $cale Chair Bums," N/S'T/R 4Jn.
National n$titute or Standards . 00 Techoology (N[Sn. Gaithersburgo MO. t990.
(2 11) Uirsch ler. M. M., :md Smi~h, G. 1'.. "Aammability uf Seu of
F~bric/Foam Combill31iolls for Use in Upltolslercd Fumilure." Firt
Saf(ry j(",ma/. /6, 1990. pp. 13- 31.
(29 ) Hi rsc hler. M. M., alld Shak.ir. S .. "Cumparison of !he Fire Perforo
man,e of V3Jiou~ Upboblercd Furnilure Composile Combina lions
(Fabric/Foam) in Two Rale of Hcal Release CalorimeleN: Cone and
Ohio Sta le Universil)' [nstrumenls." Jaumnl r>j Fi,-,. S("CM. 9.
1991. pp . 223-248.
(30) Babrauskas. V.. "Btnch-$cak Prcdictions or MatlTCSs and Upbolslcred Chair Fires.,s imilarilies and Dilfercnces:' N/~TIR 5H2. N~
lional Insulule of Standard! aud Technology (NIST). Gaimcrsburg.

106 1- 1065.
(2) Gandhi. P.D .. Przybyla. LJ .. and Grarson. SI. "Elecmc Cables
Applications," Cbapler 16. in lIeal Re/tase in Fires. Elsevier, London,
UK, V. Babrauskas alld S.J. Grayson, eds. 1m. pp. 545-563.
(3) Coaker. A.W., lIirschlcr, M.M" Shakir. S., and Sh<xmaker. CL.
"AlIIIlIWIbiliry Testing ur New Vin)'l Compounds with Lo .... A:unnu..

biLity and Low Smoke ReJease in Cables," Procudings J9th. Imema.

nonal Wi,.. anJ Cabk Symposilll". Nov. 13-15, Reno. NV. pp,

643-54. US AmI)' CECOM, r'Ol'1 Monmouth. NJ. 1990.

(4) Bllbrausw. v.. Peacock, R.O., Brau n. E., Bukow~. R.W. and Jonc:s,
W.W.. Fi,.. Pufonnonce of Wif'f: und lblt; Rl'ccnon-/q--Fi,.. TnlS' A
Cri,icaJ R~v~ 01 he &isl;1I8 Me,!'ooJ ""d 01 Nnv CO"UplS, NIST
Tech. Note 129!. Nationa! InstiMe o( Stan<.l:mls and Toxlmology.
Gaithersburg, MD 1991.
(S) Coakcr. A,W,. Hirsch!er. M.M .. and Shoerna ker. eL. "Rafe of Heal
Rc1ease Testing for Viny! Wire and Cable Materials wilh Reduced
A:unmability and Smoke. Ful1 Scale Cahle Tray Tests aOO Small Seale
Tests." Fi~ Safety JOl<rna/. J9. 1992. pp. 19_53.
(6) Hirschlcr. M.M., ~Su rve)' uf Fin: Testing of ElocUical Cables." Firt
(lnd Materia/s. /6. 1992. pp. 107- 118.
(7) HirschJa-. M.M. and Shakir, S" "McllSurements of Cable Fire Properties by Using Heat Rclease Equiprnem." Aamo: Ret3Jd:lD1$ ' 92,
Plastics and Rubbco- nstitute Are Retardanl$ Tech. MIg, Elseviet,
Ul!'Idon. UK. l an. 22-23. 1992, pp. 71-99.
(8) Hin<.: hlcr, M.M. , "Can He,"l Releasoe Reall)' Predictlbe Aame Spre3d
of Elcerneal Cables?" Procudillg.f 2nd flllunali.m(l{ CQtlf~rtnc~ On
Firt mul Male,w/j , Crystal Ci ty. VA. Sept. 25-26. 1993. pp. 181- 190.
(9) Hirschlcr. M.M" "Use of Largc Seale Heal Rclcase Testing 10 Predi"
Fl:une Spread uf Elcctrical Cahles." 4rh. Symposlum. lnt~mlllwnal
A$Sociali<NI Firt Sa/tly SCitIlCt . Onawa. Canada. June 13- 17. 1994.
(10) Babrnuskas. V" aOO Grayson, S J " eds .. "He~u Releas<: in Fires,"
Ebevier Applied Seiencc Publishcf's. London. UK. 1992.
( 11) Gandhi. P.D., ~Usi ng Calorirncter Dala and a Zone Modd 10 PrediCI
Smoke Obso:uralQn in Room Fires A Para[Jl(tr1C SttKIy.~ Firt Sa/tty
JOl<mal.2Q. 1993. pp. 1I~ 1 33.
( U ) Babrauskas. V.. LaW5()D, J .. WaIIOtl. W.. and Twilley. W.,- Uphol _
Iered Fu m ilure Heat Relc:asc Rales ~kasurcd wlh !be Fomilure
Calorimeta-." NBS/R 82- 2604. JOS).
( 1 ~) Thomas. P.H .. in "lnleffi3lio nal Confc~llCe ARE: Control me He
aL. Reduc e Ihe Hazard." LondOfl. UK. QMC Fire and Materi als
Ce nlre. Paper 1. Ocl. 24-13, 19&8.
(14) Babrauskas. V.. in "Inl. Conf. ARE: Cuntrol lbe Heat...Rcduce Ihe
Haurd." Lominn. UK. Q:o.-1C Fire and M~leriah Ce ntre. r~per 4. Ocl.
24-25, 1988.
(15) Hirschler. M.M .. "Hol\' 10 Meuure Smoke Obscuratioo in a Manner
RctcvanllO Fire Hazard Aessrmnt: Use uf Hcal Release Calocim.
cuy Tesl Equipmcnl. " Joul'/1(/l o/ Firt SOtIlU5. 9. 199 1. pp.

[83-222.

MO. 19'J3.

(6) Babrausbs. v ., and Peacock. R.O.. " He:1I Rele3se Rale. The Sin, 1e

(31 ) Fri lZ. T .. and Hunsberger. P.. "Cone Calorimeler Tests of Wall
Coverings." in l'rocudi"8s 1st. {"ltmariona/ Con/trtnU on. Firr
and Maleria/l . Crystal Cily. VA. Sepl. 24-2S. 1992. pp. 117- 123.

Mosl Importanl Variable in Fire Houru." Firt Safety JourfUJl. 18.

1992. pp. 255- 272.

11Ie Amerlcan SOCl6ty lar Teskng and Materials lak..s na posilian ,~ lfHJ ...Iidily of any va/6fll rig!lts f$$frrfld in conr>&CIion
."ir/l eny 10m mflllionad j" Ihis slandard. Usars al lhis Sl1lndard f,.. o;q,essJy advised (fiel del~""inalion 01 ~ validitycf any wch
pal~nl righlS. and 1/10 rl$k 01 inlringcment 01 such riglm. are fIltiffJly IlIei, o ...n rnspcosibility.
11>i$ $talldard is sllbject ra rellision al any rim<r by "lit 'fUPOtl&it>le I~at conwnilr.... and "",SI be ,,,....w&d .......'Y fi .... ye8f$ and
il nct ,,,.,,;sed. eilher fIII~ cr ,.;thdra."". Yoo' ~13 are 1r1",;f1d "illle, ter r"Yisiorl 01 1M stal1<tard cr for aoailic<lal Standa~
and $hoo/d be ~re~ /lDAS7M I--MMiQvIln,,1S- Yoo, COI1Imenl. WIiI recae care/u{ ccnsidt!ra/iot1 ala meeling ellhe
lochnica/ comm~IH. wIVch you mayalfend." roo feel!haI)OOl CO'II/I1etlIS /1aVilI1Ot ,eceived a lair h6aring)'OU shoold ma/ct! roor
.......,. kno..., /o l1HJ ASTM Ccmmif"HI "" SlandiJrds, .' l1>e ~ss Ihown below.

'''sponsi>Ie

T1IIS sSilndard is cooyrighIM tI)' ASTA( IOQ8a"HaIbat DrWe. PO lknt croo. WIlSI Ccnshohcdrer1, PA 19428-2959. Uaited Slales.
IndMdual repMl. (smgI' 01 ~ r;opIe~) oIlhis $t;Jndarj may be obIalned by COIlIacDng ASTM al the abo'" iIddn!$S or al
6HNIX4585 (phooe/. 6J(Jo8329555 (laII). OT "''''''''' $Im.'''9 (~_~); o' /t>Iough _AS 1M _ " - (.......... utm.OIP).

16

Copyright por American Soeiety FOI Tesling & Materlals

Mon Apr 30 1n:25: 14 2001

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