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है”ह”ह

IS 13360-6-9 (2001): Plastics - Methods of Testing, Part 6:Thermal Properties, Section 9: Determination of Density ofSmoke from the Burning or Decomposition of Plastics [PCD12: Plastics]

IS 13360 (Part 6/See 9): 2001

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Indian StandardPLASTICS — METHODS OF TESTING

PART 6 THERMAL PROPERTIES

Section 9 Determination of Density of Smoke from the Burning orDecomposition of Plastics

ICS 83.080.01

0 BIS 2001

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDSMANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG

NEW DELHI 110002

March 2001 Price Group 3

Methods of Test for Plastics Sectional Committee, PCD 23

FOREWORD

This Indian Standard (Part 6/See 9) was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards, after the draft finalized bythe Methods of Test for Plastics Sectional Committee had been approved by the Petroleum, Coal and RelatedProducts Division Council.

Tests made on a material under conditions prescribed in this standard can be of considerable value in comparingthe relative smoke obscuration characteristics of plastics.

The test method prescribed in this standard serves to determine the extent to which plastic materials are likelyto smoke under conditions of active burning and decomposition in the presence of flame.

The usefulness of this test procedure is in its ability to measure the amount of smoke obscuration produced in asimple, direct, and meaningful manner under the specified conditions. The degree of obscuration of vision bysmoke generated by combustibles can be substantially affected by changes in quantity and form of material,humidity, draft, temperature, and oxygen supply.

While preparing this standard considerable assistance has been derived from ASTM D 2843-93 ‘Standard testmethod for Density of Smoke from the Burning or Decomposition of Plastics’ issued by American Society forTesting and Materials (ASTM), USA.

In reporting the results of a test or analysis made in accordance with this standard, if the final value, observedor calculated, is to be rounded off, it shall be done in accordance with IS 2:1960 ‘Rules for rounding offnumerical values (revised)’.

IS 13360 (Part 6/See 9): 2001

Indian Standard

PLASTICS — METHODS OF TESTINGPART 6 THERMAL PROPERTIES

Section 9 Determination of Density of Smoke from the Burning orDecomposition of Plastics

1 SCOPE

This standard (Part 6/See 9) prescribes a test methodwhich covers a laboratory procedure for measuringand observing the relative amounts of smokeobscuration produced by the burning or decompositionof plastics. It is intended to be used for measuring thesmoke-producing characteristics of plastics undercontrolled conditions of combustion or decom-position. Correlation with other fire conditions is notimplied. The measurements are made in terms of theloss of light transmission through a collected volumeof smoke produced under controlled, standardizedconditions. The apparatus is constructed so that theflame and smoke can be observed during the test.

CAUTION — During the course of combustion, gases or vapors,

or both, are evolved that maybe hazardous to pemormel. Adequate

precautions shall be taken to protectthe operator.

2 SUMMARY OF TEST METHOD

2.1 The test specimen is exposed to flame for theduration of the test, and the smoke is substantiallytrapped in the chamber in which combustion occurs.A 25 x 25 x 6 mm specimen is placed on supportingmetal screen and burned in a laboratory test chamber(see Fig. 1) under active flame conditions using apropane burner operating at a pressure of 276 kPa.The 300 x 300x 790 mm test chamber is instrumentedwith a light source, photoelectric cell, and meter tomeasure light absorption horizontally across the 300mm light beam path. The chamber is closed duringthe 4 minutes test period except for the 25 mm highventilation openings around the bottom.

2.2 The light absorption data are plotted versus time..4 typical plot is shown in Fig. 2. Two indexes areused to rate the material: the maximum smokeproduced and the smoke density rating.

3 APPARATUS

3.1 The smoke chamber shall be constructedessentially as shown in Fig. 1.

3.1.1 Chanrber

3.1.1.1 The chamber shall consist of a 300 x 300 x

790 mm aluminium box to which is hinged a heatresistant glass glazed door. This box shall be mounted

on a 350 x 400 x 57mm base which houses thecontrols. Dependent upon the materials tested, themetal may require protection from corrosion.

3.1.1.2 The chamber shall be sealed except for 25 x

230 mm openings on the four sides of the bottom ofthe chamber. A 1700 litres/minute blower shall bemounted on one side of the chamber. The inlet ductto the blower shall be equipped with a close-fittingdarnper. The outlet of the blower shall be connectedthrough a duct to the laboratory exhaust system. Ifthe chamber is in a ventilated hood, no connection tothe lab exhaust system through a duct is needed.

3.1.1.3 The two sides adjacent to the door shall befitted with 70 mm diameter smoke-tight glazed areascentred 480 mm above the base. At these locationsand outside the chamber, boxes containing the opticalequipment and additional controls shall be attached.

3.1.1.4 A removable white plastics plate shall beattached to the back of the chamber. There shall be a90 x 15(3mm clear area cen~ed about 480 mm above

the bottom of the chamber through which is seen anilluminated white-on-red exit sign. The whitebackground permits observation of the flame, smoke,and burning characteristics of the material. Theviewing of the exit sign helps to correlate visibilityand measured values.

3.1.2 Specimen Holder

3.1.2.1 The specimen shall be supported on a 64 mmsquare of 6 x 6 mm, 0.9 mm gauge stainless steeIwire cloth 220 mm above the base and equidistantfrom all sides of the chamber. This screen shall lie ina stainless steel bezel supported by a rod through theright side of the chamber. From the same rod, a similarbezel shall be located 76 mm below, and it shallsupport a square of asbestos paper which catches anyparticles that may &lp from the specimen during thetest. By rotating the specimen holder rod, the burningspecimen can be quenched in a shallow pan of waterpositioned below the specimen holder.

3.1.3 Ignition System

3.1.3.1 The specimen shall be ignited by a propaneflame from a burner operating at a pressure of276 kpa. The fuel (see Note 1) shall be mixed with

1

IS 13360 (Part 6/See 9) :2001

1. Specimen Holder

A Stakiass steel screenB AsbestossheetC Adjusting knob

D Quench pan2. Ignitiin

A BurnerB Propane tankC Gas shut-off valveD Pressure rsgulatoradjustmentE Pressure indicatorF Burner-positioning knob

3. Cabinet (shown without door)ABcD

4Am1

2

@1

3C

2B

4B5

rlC

3A

Hing& (door gesketed U& sides)Vents [25-mm (l-in) high opening four sides]Blower (damper on mounting aide)Control (blower ~ when damper is open)

2F‘c” -

4. PhotomawA Visual system (exit sign)B Measuringsystem

1 Lqht source and adjusting transformer2 Photmnic call and grtd (to block stray light)3 Meter (indicathg percent of Iiiht absorbed)4 Tempemture compensation5 Photocdl temperature rnonitof6 Rangechanga

5. TimerA indicator, Oto 5 min (friction reset)

FIG. 1.SCHEMATICQIAGRAM OFSMOKECHAMBER

+x I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Ig t4 or I I I I I 1 I # ! 1 1 I , 4

0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0

TIME IN MINUTES

FIG. 2 LIGHTABSORPTIONVersus TIME

2

air which has been propelled through the burner bythe venturi effect of the propane as it passes froma0.13 mm diameter orifice (see N-ote2), and the burnershall be assembled as shown in the exploded view ofthe burner in Fig. 3. The burner must be designed toprovide adequate outside air.

NOTES

1 Commercial grade 85 percent minimum, gross heating value

23000 caMitre propane meets the requirements.

2 Since the orifice provides the metering effect proportionate to

the supply pressure, care shall be taken that the orifice is the only

means of thel egress.

3.1.3.2 The burner shall be capable of being positionedquickly under the specimen so that the axis of theburner falls on a line passing through a point 8 mmabove the base at one back corner of the chamberextending diagonally across the chamber and slopingupward at 45o with the base. The exit opening of theburner shall be 260 mm from the reference point atthe rear of the chamber.

3.1.3.3 A duct at least 150 mm outside of the chambershall provide the air piped to the burner.

3.1.3.4 Propane pressure shall be adjustable andpreferably automatically regulated. Propane pressureshall be indicated by means of a Bourdon tube gage.

3.1.4 Photometric System

3.1.4.1 A light source, a barrier layer photoelectriccell, and a temperature compensated meter shall beused to measure the proportion of a light beam whichpenetrates a 300 mm path through the smoke. Thelight path shall be arranged horizontally as shown inFig. 4.

3.1.4.2 The light source shall be mounted in a box(4 B1 in Fig. 1) extending from the left side of thechamber at the mean height of480 mm above the base.

IS 13360 (Part 6/See 9) :2001

The light source shall be a compact filamentmicroscope operated at 5.8 V and a spherical reflector,with power supplied by a voltage regulatingtransformer. A 60 to 65 mm focal length lens shallfocus a spot of light on the photocell in the rightinstrument panel.

3.1.4.3 Another box containing the photometer(4 B2 in Fig. 1) shall be attached to the right side ofthe chamber. The barrier layer photoelectric cell shallhave standard observer spectral response. An egg crategrid in front of the photocell shall be used to protectthe cell from stray light. The grid shall be finished indull black and have openings at least twice as deep asthey are wide. The current produced by the photocellis indicated in terms of percent light absorption on ameter. The photocell linearity decreases as thetemperature increases; compensations shall thereforebe made.

NOTE— Photocell manufacturers recommend operating the

photocell at temperatures not excecdng 50”C.

3.1.4.4 The meter shall have two ranges. The rangechange shall be accomplished by shunting the meterto one tenth of its sensitivity. When smokeaccumulates to absorb 90 percent of the light beam, amomentary switch shall be depressed returning themeter to its basic sensitivity. By doing this the meterscale will then read from 90 to 100 percent instead ofOto 100 percent.

3.1.5 Timing Device

A clock to indicate 15s intervals shall be used. If thetime intervals are audibly marked it will be convenientfor the operator to record his observations. A clutchshall be used to reset the clock at the start of a test.The block shall be coupled to the burner-positioningdevice and it shall start when the burner is swunginto test position.

SHELL-I

MIXER

ORIFICEP

J&

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d

PROPANE TUBE

AIR TUBE

FIG. 3 EXPLODEDVIEW OFBURNER

3

IS 13360 (Part 6/See 9) :2001

T=

R=

c=

EGG CRATE GRID(cELLU14R uGHT SHIELD)

THERMOMETER TO FOUOWPHOTOCELL TEMPERATURE

THROUGH ALUMINIUMBRACKET AND WEU

Temperature-sensitive winding in or on meter case to increase in raaiatancs in proportion to inweaae in meterresistance with temperature.Potentiometertith caiibarated scale to reduce resistance in proportica to decrease in photocell outputwith risein temperature.Potentiometer to calibrate total resistance of shunt to change meter sensitivity exactly by 10:1 ratio.

FIG. 4 SMOKEDENSITYTESTCHAMBERPHOTOMETER

3.1.6 Plan imeter

A planimeter or other suitable means shall be used formeasuring the area under the light absorption curve.

4 TEST SPECIMEN

4.1 The standard specimen shall be 25.4* 0.3 x 25.4+ 0.3 X6.2 + 0.3 mm. Thicknesses other than 6.2 mmmay be used and their size shall be reported with thesmoke density values. Material thinner than 6.2 mmmay be tested, either in its normal use thickness, orby stacking and forming a composite specimen approxi-mately 6.2 mm thick. Material thicker than 6.2 mmmay be tested either in its normal use thickness or bymachining the material down to a thickness of 6.2 mm.

4.2 The specimens shall be sanded, machined, or diecut in a manner that produces a cut surface that is freefrom projecting fibers, chips and ridges.

4.3 The test sample shall consist of three specimens.

5 CONDITIONING

5.1 Conditioning

Condition the test specimen at 27 * 2°C and 65+5percent relative humidity for not less than 40 h priorto test for those tests where conditioning is required.In cases of disagreement, the tolerances shall be+ 1‘C and +2 percent relative humidity.

5.2 Test Conditions

Conduct tests in the standard laboratory atmosphereof 27 & 2°C and 65 + 5 percent relative humidity,unless otherwise specified in this test method. In cases

of disagreement, the tolerances shall be *l°C and +2percent relative humidity.

5.3 Tests shall be conducted in a hood that has awindow for observing the test.

6 STANDARD PROCEDURE

6.1 Turn on the photometer lamp, exit sign andexhaust blower.

6.2 Turn on the propane, ignite the burner, and adjustthe propane pressure to 276 kpa.

CAUTION — Do not failtolightthe burner immediately.

6.3 Set the temperature compensation.

6.4 Adjust the lamp control to zero percent lightabsorption.

6.5 Lay the test specimen flat on the screen in such aposition that the burner flame will be directly underthe specimen when the burner is swung into position.

6.6 Set the timer to zero.

6.7 Shut off the exhaust blower, close the smokechamber door, and immediately position the burnerunder the specimen and start the timer.

6.8 If in a hood, shut off the hood fan and close thehood door to within 50 mm of the bottom of the hood.

6.9 Record the percent light absorbed at 15s intervalsfor 4 minutes.

6.10 Record observations during the conduct of thetest. Include the time it takes for the sample to burstinto flame, the time for flame extinguishment or

4

IS 13360 (Part 6/See 9): 2001

specimen consumption, the obscuration of the exit signby smoke accumulation, and any general or unusualburning characteristics noted such as melting,dripping, foaming or charring.

6.11 Upon completion of the test, turn on the exhaustblower to ventilate the combustion products from thechamber.

CAUTION ,— It shall be noted that for some materials the

products ofbuming maybe toxic and care shallbe takento guardtheoperatorfrom theeffcetsof thesegases.The ventilatingfan inthe hood shall be turned on and the damperopenedimmediatelyafter the test iscompletedbeforeopeningthe hooddoor in orderto remove any irritating prtrducts of the test. The exhaust fan is

turned off and the hood damper closed during the test to prevent

back draft.

6.12 Open the door and clean the combustion depositsfrom the photometer, exit sign, and door glass withdetergent and water. Burn off any material remainingon the screen or replace the screen and asbestos squarefor the next test.

6.13 Run all tests in triplicate.

6.14 At the beginning of each series or at least once aday, check the light absorption of the meter against acalibrated neutral filter of approximately 50 percentabsorption. Check the 100 percent absorption pointagainst an opaque plate.

7 SPECIAL PROCEDURE

7.1 For materials which drip excessively, a second orauxiliary burner (with separate propane gas supply)shall be introduced into the chamber. See Fig. 5 andauxiliaty burner parts list.

7.2 The asbestos sheet (Item lB of Fig. 1) shall bereplaced with a stainless steel collector tray. This trayhas a slight taper to permit the drippings to collect atthe bottom. See item 11 of Fig. 5 and parts list forauxiliary burner.

7.3 The auxiliary burner shall be ignited at the sametime the standard burner is ignited. The auxiliaryburner shall be operated at 138 kPa and it shall bepositioned in such a manner that its flame is directedat the centre of the collector tray.

NOTE— Itmay be helpful to place a lightweight, about 1100 g

on the ahsminium mounting plate (Item 12, Fig. 5) to preventmovementof the burnerduring the test.

7.4 In all other respects the procedures of specifiedin 9 shall be followed.

8 OPTIONAL PROCEDURES

8.1 The output of the photocell maybe recorded versustime on an appropriate graphic recorder.

[

8

r 9 107

6

*

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.

Low pressure propane gas regulator (Oto 60 psi guage).Propane fuel tank. 9.Flexible gas line. 10.Aluminium support bracket. 11.‘/~in O.D. copper tuba (flexible).kin O.D. copper tube 8 in long. 12.45” extruded and expanded copper fdting. 13.90” extruded and expanded copper fitting (4 in horn bend 14.

FIG. 5 AUXILIARY

5

to end of burner head)Wing sleeve.Burner head (same as standard burner head)S.S. collector tray (2% by 2% by 3/, in deep with % in sqbottom).Aluminium mounting plate (3 by 3% in)9tY elbow and wall flange (copper).Z in. diameter copper tube 8% in long.

BURNER

1S 13360 (Part 6/See 9) :2001

8.2 With a suitably sensitive meter, more than onedecade change may be used to separate readings inthe very dense smoke range.

9 TREATMENT OF DATA

9.1 Average the readings at 15 s intervals of lightabsorption for the three specimens in each group. Plotthe average light absorption against time on linearpaper. Figure 2 is a sample curve.

9.2 Read the maximum smoke density as the highestpoint on the curve.

9.3 Determine the total smoke produced by measuringthe area under the curve. The smoke density ratingrepresents the total amount of smoke present in thechamber for the 4 minutes time interval. Measure thetotai smoke produced by the area under the curve oflight absorption versus time, divided by the total areaof the graph, O-4 minutes 0-100 percent lightabsorption, times 100.

Example — In the light absorption time plot in Fig.2, the plot has been made using 10 mm equal to 10percent as the ordinate and 10 mm equal to 0.25minutes as the absicca. The graph area for 4 minutes

is found to be 16000 mmz. The area under the curveis found to be 12610 mmz. The smoke density ratingis then computed as follows:

Smoke density rating, 12610. —X 100= 78.8

percent 16000

(dimensions in millimetres)

10 REPORT

The test repofi shall include the following information:

a)

b)

c)

d)

e)

f)

@h)

j)

Identification of the material,

Dimensions of the specimen,

Readings of light absorption at 15-secondsinterval for each test and average,

Plots of average light absorption versus time,

Maximum smoke density in percent lightabsorption,

Area in percent under the light absorption-time curve (smoke density rating),

Observations on behaviour of material,

Observations on obseurement of exit sign, and

The details of any departure from thespecifications of the method for testing.

Bureau of Indian Standards

BIS is a statutory institution established under the Bureau of lndian Standards Act, 1986 to promoteharmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goodsand attending to connected matters in the country.

Copyright

BIS has the copyright of all its publications. No part of these publications may be reproduced in any formwithout the prior permission in writing of BIS. This does not preclude the free use, in the course ofimplementing the standard, of necessary details, such as symbols and sizes, type or grade designations.Enquiries relating to copyright be addressed to the Director (Publications), BIS.

Review of Indian Standards

Amendments are issued to standards as the need arises on the basis of comments. Standards are also reviewedperiodically; a standard along with amendments is reaffirmed when such review indicates that no changes areneeded; if the review indicates that changes are needed, it is taken up for revision. Users of Indian Standardsshould ascertain that they are in possession of the latest amendments or edition by referring to the latest issue of‘BIS Catalogue’ and ‘Standards: Monthly Additions’.

This Indian Standard has been developed from Doc : No. PCD 23 (1677).

Amendments Issued Since Publication

Amend No. Date of Issue Text Affected

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