Assessment of draft ISO radiant panel spread‐of‐flame test

Abstract

AbstractA versatile radiant panel apparatus for studying flame propagation in materials used as interior finishes on floors, walls and ceilings is described. Comparative trials with this apparatus and other tests based on relatively very small sources of heat were made on a wide variety of floorcoverings. The results showed that fibre composition and specimen orientation have a marked effect on flame spread. Materials which gave favourable (low flame spread) results in the panel test also gave favourable results in the small heat source tests. On the other hand, some materials which gave favourable results in the small heat source tests gave unfavourable results in the panel test. It was concluded that although small heat source tests will continue to play an important role in flammability testing, the radiant panel test gives an additional assurance of the flame spread resistance of materials in general and should be strongly recommended for materials intended for high risk areas. The effects on flame spread in the panel test of various factors concerned for materials intended for high risk areas. The effects on flame spread in the panel test of various factors concerned with the structure and conditions of test specimens and the apparatus are discussed. A small modification of the radiant panel apparatus is described which enables it to be temporarily altered to simulate a standard French radiant panel test.