Placeholder
ASTM F1506:2022
Back to products
Placeholder
ASTM F1959:2022

ASTM F1930:2023

STANDARD TEST METHOD FOR EVALUATION OF FIREPROOF CLOTHING FOR FIRE PROTECTION SIMULATIONS USING AN INSTRUMENTED MANIKIN

DEFINITION

Standard process for measuring the average predicted body burn of a flame-resistant fabric based on a laboratory flash fire simulation on an instrumented, stationary manikin.

This method is useful for 3 types of evaluation: garment design, comparison of garment construction materials, and end-use garment specification.

  • It does not contemplate high radiant heat exposures like the ones coming from an Electric Arc, fire exposure with presence of any kind of fuel (liquids or solids), or a nuclear explosion.
  • Sensors measure heat transfer through the fabric to evaluate performance of single layer garments or protective clothing ensembles in the simulated flash fire environment with controlled heat flux, flame distribution, and duration.
  • The pass/fail criteria are placed around ASTM F1930 by other standards such as NFPA 2112, the flash fire standard for FR clothing and NFPA F2733, the flash fire standard for FR rainwear. These standards require exposure to a 3 second propane fueled fire, and the average of 3 tests must be 50% or less 2nd and 3rd degree body burn to pass NFPA 2112 and 40% or less body burn to pass NFPA F2733. The results predict the exact extent, severity, and location of 2nd and 3rd degree body burn combined.
  • This method includes quantitative measurements and subjective observations that characterize single-layer garments or sets of protective clothing. Sensors measure heat transfer through the fabric to evaluate performance of single layer garments or protective clothing ensembles in the simulated flash fire environment with controlled heat flux, flame distribution, and duration. The average exposure heat flux is 84 kW /m2 (2 cal / s · cm2), up to 20 s. The manikin is provided with thermal sensors. 12 burners in two levels of six are surrounding the manikin.
  • A minimum of 100 thermal energy sensors will be used, distributed as a percentage on the dummy according to the indications of the standard on the mannequin except hands and feet that form approximately 12% of the body surface
  • The burn pattern is established by Stol & Greene.

PROCESS

  • Pretreatment of the sample: Wash the sample according to the manufacturer’s instructions and standard. Condition the sample properly.
  • Preparation of the apparatus with the purge of the burn chamber and the charge of the gas line.
  • Expose the naked manikin to flames before testing a set of samples.
  • Check the chamber temperature.
  • Dress the dummy with the test sample with a sample according to the measurements of the mannequin. One size larger reduces the prediction of injuries by 5% due to the insulating layer of air formed between the garment and the mannequin.
  • Record response observations of test sample.
  • Check the alignment of burners.
  • Verify the alignment of the dummy.
  • Set test parameters.
  • Confirm safe operating conditions
  • Check the ignition system.
  • Record chamber temperature.
  • Start of the test sample.
  • Acquisition of heat transfer data.
  • Acquisition of data and recording of comments on sample results.
  • Record response observations of test sample
  • Start preparation of test report.
  • Start forced air exhaust system.
  • Repetition of the 3 test tubes after replacement of sensors, if necessary, ventilation with prior aeration of the chamber and cleaning and sterilization of the sensors.
  • Repeat the naked exposure at the end of the set test. If the average exposure heat flux for the initial and final exposure differs by more than 5%, the test must be repeated.
  • Repeat the naked exposure at the end of the set test. If the average exposure heat flux for the initial and final exposure differs by more than 5%, the test must be repeated.
  • Issuance of the report

RESULTS

  • The visual and physical changes to the single layer garment or protective clothing ensemble are recorded to aid in understanding how the burn injury results can be interpreted.
  • After-flame is recorded for duration, but not for extent of body surface.
  • Heat transmitted to each sensor on the surface of the manikin records the location, extent and severity of burn injury. Total 2nd and 3rd degree burn is the focus.
  • Hands and feet are noy included in the test results.
  • The measurements obtained and observations noted can only apply to the particular garment(s) or ensemble(s) tested using the specified heat flux, duration, and flame distribution.

These standard measures and describes the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions, but does not incorporate all of the factors required for fire hazard or fire hazard evaluation of materials, products or assemblies, under real fire conditions.

Compare
Add to wishlist
Category: