1、BRITISH STANDARD BS5438:1976 Methods of test for Flammability of vertically oriented textile fabrics and fabric assemblies subjected to a small igniting flame UDC677.017.56:536.468BS5438:1976 This British Standard, having been prepared under the directionof the Fibres, Yarns andFabrics Standards Com
2、mittee, was published underthe authority ofthe Boardof BSI on 30 November1976 BSI 11-1999 The following BSI references relate to the work on this standard: Committee reference FBT/19 Draft for comment 74/35997 DC and draft for approval76/35357 ISBN 0 580 092992 Cooperating organizations The Fibres,
3、Yarns and Fabrics Standards Committee, under whose supervision this British Standard was prepared, consists of representatives from the following Government departments and scientific and industrial organizations: Association of Jute Spinners and Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers Indu
4、stry Ticking Suppliers Committee British Man-made Fibres Federation* Ministry of Defence* British Railways Board Narrow Fabrics Federation British Textile Employers Association* Retail Trading Standards Association Consumer Standards Advisory Committee of Incorporated BSI* Textile Institute* Departm
5、ent of Industry* Warp Knitters Association International Wool Secretariat* Wool Textile Delegation Knitting Industries Federation The organizations marked with an asterisk in the above list, together with the following, were directly represented on the committee entrusted with the preparation of thi
6、s British Standard: Apparel and Fashion Industries Association Lambeg Industrial Research Association Association of Heavy Textile Proofers Leather Cloth and Coated Fabrics British Burn Association Manufacturers Association British Lace Federation Medical Research Council British Resin Manufacturers
7、 Association North Yorkshire Fire Brigade British Throwsters Association Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Chemical Industries Association Soap and Detergent Industries Association Department of the Environment Textile Research Council Department of the Environment Fire United Kingdom An
8、timony Oxide Research Establishment Manufacturers Association Department of Health and Social Security Greater Manchester Council Fire Service Home Office Amendments issued since publication Amd. No. Date of issue Comments 3595 April1981 Indicated by a sideline in the marginBS5438:1976 BSI 11-1999 i
9、 Contents Page Cooperating organizations Inside front cover Foreword ii Section 1. General 1 Scope 1 2 References 1 3 Definitions 1 Section 2. Information common to methods1,2 and 3 4 Conditioning and testing 1 5 Health and safety of operators 2 6 Apparatus 2 7 Control of flame size 2 8 Room ventila
10、tion 2 Section 3. Methods of test 9 Test1 4 10 Test2 5 11 Test3 7 Appendix A Notes for users of the standard 10 Appendix B Proposed criteria of acceptance 17 Figure 1 General arrangement of apparatus 3 Figure 2 Burner 4 Figure 3 Position of burner 4 Figure 4 Frame and pin arrangement for tests1 and2
11、 6 Figure 5 Frame, pin and trip thread arrangement for test 3 8 Figure 6 Scheme of testing and possible fabric requirements 10 Table 1 Specimen requirements (in assemblies, per layer) for each surface tested 11 Publications referred to Inside back coverBS5438:1976 ii BSI 11-1999 Foreword The methods
12、 of test given in this standard will supersede those given in BS2963 “Tests for the flammability of fabrics” and BS 3119 “Methods of test for flameproof materials” and have been prepared following a comprehensive research programme and a series of inter-laboratory trials. BS2963 and BS3119 will be w
13、ithdrawn in due course. A background paper giving some details of the research project and the inter-laboratory trials was published in the February1975 issue of “Textile Institute and Industry”. A second paper giving information on the interpretation and application of the methods is given in the S
14、eptember1976 issue of the same journal. Attention is drawn to these background papers, to Appendix A, which gives notes to users of the standard including the relationship between the tests, and to Appendix B, which gives information on the setting of performance levels. A British Standard does not
15、purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application. Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity from legal obligations. Summary of pages This document comprises a front cover, an inside fro
16、nt cover, pagesi andii, pages1 to18, an inside back cover and a back cover. This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the inside front cover.BS5438:1976 BSI 11-1999 1 Section 1. General 1 Scope This
17、British Standard specifies test methods for observing and measuring aspects of the flammability (when subjected to a small igniting flame) of vertically oriented textile fabrics, specimens being either a single layer or an assembly of two or more layers. These aspects are relevant to apparel fabrics
18、 and to those textile fabrics which will be held loosely in an essentially vertical position, for example curtains drapes. The results may not apply to situations where there is restricted air supply or prolonged exposure to large sources of intense heat as in a conflagration. NOTEThe scope has been
19、 limited to those fabric end uses tested in inter-laboratory trials but the tests may be used to assess the behaviour of fabrics or assemblies intended for other end uses, provided that the information gained is understood to relate to the fabric or assembly only. 2 References The titles of the publ
20、ications referred to in this standard are listed on the inside back cover. 3 Definitions For the purposes of this British Standard the following definitions apply. 3.1 ignition flaming of the specimen for a period of1s or more after extinguishing of the butane flame, unless otherwise specified in pe
21、rformance requirements 3.2 glowing combustion of a material in the solid phase with emission of light from the surface 3.3 flaming debris material separating from the specimen during the test procedure and falling below the initial lower edge of the specimen and continuing to flame as it falls 3.4 h
22、ole a break in the fabric at least2mm 2mm in size caused by glowing or flaming. If the hole is crossed by any material it should be described as discontinuous 3.5 duration of flaming time for which the supported specimen continues to flame after extinction of the butane flame. This measurement is on
23、ly made when the flaming ceases due to the behaviour of the fabric and not because flame has reached the edge of the specimen 3.6 duration of afterglow time for which the specimen continues to glow after extinction of flaming or of the igniting flame, whichever is the later. This measurement is only
24、 made when glowing ceases due to the behaviour of the fabric and not because glowing has reached an edge of the specimen, other than the lower edge 3.7 flame application time the time for which the igniting flame is applied to the specimen, controlled to an accuracy of 0.2s for times up to8s and 0.5
25、s for times of10s or more 3.8 minimum ignition time the minimum flame application time required to cause ignition Section 2. Information common to methods1, 2 and3 4 Conditioning and testing 4.1 Conditioning and testing atmospheres. An atmosphere having a temperature of15 C to25 C and relative humid
26、ity55% to65% shall be used for the conditioning of specimens. For testing, an atmosphere substantially free from draughts and having a temperature of15 C to30 C and relative humidity20%to65%shall be used. 4.2 Conditioning and testing of specimens. Subject the specimens to be tested to the atmosphere
27、 for conditioning for24h. If the test is not carried out immediately after conditioning, place the specimen in a sealed container until the start of the test. Begin testing each specimen within3min of removing it from either the conditioning atmosphere or the container.BS5438:1976 2 BSI 11-1999 5 He
28、alth and safety of operators There is a considerable risk with these tests and suitable precautions should be taken. Between tests, the atmosphere of the testing-room, which should be of adequate dimensions to avoid endangering the health of operators, should be cleared of smoke and fumes by an extr
29、actor fan or other means of ventilation. It should be ensured that the desired atmosphere for testing is restored. 6 Apparatus A general arrangement of the test apparatus is given in Figure 1 which shows the test3 pin frame in position. The following apparatus is required. 6.1 A testing room equippe
30、d with an extractor fan or other means of ventilation and capable of providing the atmosphere for testing defined in clause4. It is strongly recommended that the testing room be divided into two parts, the inner one for carrying out the tests being of a minimum volume of4m 3and of a minimum height o
31、f2m and easily viewed from the outer part in which control equipment would be situated. 6.2 A supply of commercial butane complying with the requirements of BS4250. 6.3 A horizontal-tube burner 1)of3mm bore and with the dimensions as shown in Figure 2. The axis of the burner shall be located18mm abo
32、ve the level of the bottom row of pins on the frames specified in6.4. The burner shall be equipped with means for controlling the rate of gas flow and may also be equipped with means for igniting the gas by an electric spark and for automatically governing the duration of gas flow. 6.4 A test frame
33、with horizontal pins round each edge at50mm intervals, each at such pins being50mm projecting length 1.83mm diameter with a stub7mm from the tip (see Figure 3). The frame dimensions shall be as specified in the appropriate clauses of this standard. 6.5 A mounting frame for supporting the test frame.
34、 6.6 A timer designed to start (preferably automatically) at the end of the flame application time, fitted with a manual stop button and operating to an accuracy of0.2s or better. 6.7 Additional apparatus as specified in the appropriate clauses of this standard. 7 Control of flame size Control the r
35、ate of flow of butane so that, with the burner tube vertical, the height of the flame is45 2mm. Then verify that, with the burner tube horizontal, the horizontal reach of the flame is23 2 mm. Extinguish the flame and then return the burner to its horizontal position as shown in Figure 3. Ensure that
36、 the horizontal distance from the end of the burner to the nearest face of the fabric is17 1 mm (see Figure 3). This can be achieved, for example, by means of a wire spacer attached to the burner with subsequent use of a mechanical stop device. NOTEIt is recommended that the vertical flame height an
37、d horizontal reach of the flame should be checked, and if necessary adjusted, at least once per day. 8 Room ventilation Before any specimen is tested, ventilate the testing room or inner part of a divided room, if present, to ensure adequate oxygen supplies for the test, then allow adequate time for
38、 air movement to cease after stopping fans or other means of ventilation. 1) A burner complying with the requirements of this standard is available from James H. Heal & Co. Ltd., Richmond Works, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 6EP and from Shirley Institute, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 8RX.BS 5438:1976 B
39、SI 11-1999 3 Figure 1 General arrangement of apparatusBS5438:1976 4 BSI 11-1999 Section 3. Methods of test 9 Test1 9.1 Principle. A wide vertical strip of the fabric or assembly is taken, and a specified small butane flame is applied to the face of the strip for prescribed times. The minimum flame a
40、pplication time is found that causes ignition (see clause3) of the specimen. 9.2 Apparatus. The following apparatus, together with apparatus specified in clause6, is required. A rectangular test frame as shown in Figure 4, fitted with two vertical rows of pins150mm apart and two horizontal rows of p
41、ins200mm apart, which can be readily turned through a horizontal axis about its centre. (See also6.4.) 9.3 Preparation of specimens. Prepare at least six specimens each measuring220mm 170mm, three with the longer dimension in the length direction of the fabric or assembly, three in the width directi
42、on. 9.4 Conditioning of specimens. Condition specimens as described in clause4. Figure 2 Burner Figure 3 Position of burnerBS5438:1976 BSI 11-1999 5 9.5 Mounting of specimen. Mount the specimen vertically on the pins of the test frame, with a170mm edge horizontal, so that it extends10mm beyond the p
43、ins at each edge and remains reasonably flat and stationary when mounted. Push the specimen onto the pins until it reaches the stubs. Then place the test frame and specimen on the mounting frame unless the specimen was mounted with the test frame in place. 9.6 Procedure. Proceed in the following way
44、 a) To the outer face of a specimen mounted with the length direction of the material vertical, apply the butane flame for a duration of2s. Stop the timer by means of the manual stop button when the fabric ceases to flame, and note whether ignition, as defined in clause3 or in an appropriate perfor
45、mance standard, has taken place. If ignition did not occur, and if the state of the specimen permits, turn the frame and specimen through180 in a vertical plane and repeat but with a flame application time of3s. If the specimen did not ignite, repeat again but with fresh specimens as appropriate and
46、 with flame application times of4,6,8 and10s until the shortest of these times, if any, is found that causes a specimen to ignite. b) Repeata) but starting with a fresh specimen and at one time interval down the sequence of flame application times from the longest application time used ina) (unless
47、this is2s, in which case start again at2s) and with the direction of the material at180 to its direction at the corresponding time ina). If the result differs by2s or more from the result ofa) repeat once more and report all values. c) Repeata) andb) using specimens with a width direction of the mat
48、erial vertical. 9.7 Other face of the material. For some fabrics or multilayer assemblies it may be necessary to test both faces. With the inner face of the specimen towards the igniting flame, repeata),b) andc) of9.6. 9.8 Test report. Attention is drawn to the form of report sheet suggested in Appe
49、ndix A. The test report shall begin with the following statement: “The results may not apply to situations where there is restricted air supply or prolonged exposure to large sources of intense heat as in a conflagration”. The report shall state the information given in9.8.1 to9.8.4. 9.8.1 That the test was performed in accordance with this standard. 9.8.2 The criterion for ignition. 9.8.3 Whether or not ignition occurs. If it does, the minimum flame application time for ignition for each direction of the material for each face teste
