Flooring materials, as commonly used building and decoration materials, must not only be comfortable and aesthetically pleasing but also possess a certain level of safety. Fire resistance is a crucial aspect of safety performance, and various countries have developed specific fire testing methods.
01 Radiant Heat Source Method
Representative Methods: GB/T 11785, EN ISO 9239-1, AS ISO 9239-1, ASTM E648, NFPA 253, DIN 4102-14
Applicable Samples: Suitable for various flooring materials, such as textile carpets, wood flooring, rubber and plastic flooring, composite flooring, and floor coating materials, etc.
Method Description: In a test combustion chamber, a horizontally placed flooring material is ignited using a T-shaped burner. A heat radiation panel is fixed at an angle above the material and continuously acts on the sample surface. The flame propagation ability of the sample is observed during the test. The farther the propagation distance, the lower the critical heat radiation flux, and the worse the flame retardant performance of the sample. Some tests may also require additional testing and recording of smoke production within the flue.
Performance Requirements: Refer to relevant requirements in national building codes or industry standards.
Test Diagram:
02. Pill Method
Representative Methods: GB/T 11049, ISO 6925, ASTM D2859, BS 6307, 16 CFR 1630, 16 CFR 1631
Applicable Samples: Applicable to all types of fabric floor coverings, regardless of their construction or fiber composition. (GB/T 11049, ISO 6925, BS 6307)
16 CFR 1630: Carpets with dimensions greater than 1.83m (6ft) and an area greater than 2.23m² (24 sq.ft) (washing may be selected based on actual conditions).
16 CFR 1631: Carpets with dimensions less than 1.83m (6ft) and an area greater than 2.23m² (24 sq.ft) (washing may be selected based on actual conditions).
Method Description: A 230±3mm square sample is placed horizontally with the exposed side facing upwards. Place a small pill flat in the center of the specimen and lightly ignite it with an igniter. The test is stopped when the ignited flame, or any spreading flame, burns until it extinguishes, or when it burns with or without flame to any edge of the hole in the metal plate. Observe the maximum damaged length (mm) of each specimen. Repeat the test on at least 8 specimens.
Test requirements: Not specified in GB/T 11049 / ISO 6925.
ASTM D2859 / 16 CFR 1630: The distance between the edge of the burned portion and the inner edge of the circular metal frame shall not be less than 25 ± 0.5 mm (1 inch).
Test diagram:
03 Hot Metal Nut Test (BS 4790)
Applicable Samples: Applicable to all fabric flooring materials
Method Description: Place a nut heated to 900℃±20℃ on a horizontally laid-out sample for 30±2 seconds. Record whether the sample ignites, or the burning condition after ignition. Repeat the test on 3 samples.
Test Requirements: Refer to BS 5287, which can be divided into:
Test Diagram:
04. Alcohol-Based Cotton Fabric Ignition Test (DIN 51960)
Applicable Samples: Organic flooring materials (Note: excluding fabrics)
Method Description: Lay the sample horizontally on a wooden board, and place a thin cotton sheet (fiber cloth sheet) with a diameter of 25 mm in the center of the sample. Pour 2.5 ml of 96% pure ethanol evenly onto the sheet and ignite it. After the flame extinguishes, observe and measure the largest burn mark. Note that sample discoloration is not considered. Repeat the test on 5 samples.
Result Evaluation:
Class 1---The burn mark of all 5 samples is no greater than 50 mm;
Class 2---The burn mark of one or more samples exceeds 50 mm.
Summary
Method 1 is applicable to the widest range of product types and fields, possessing a certain degree of widespread use, and requires the flooring material to have strong flame-retardant properties.
Methods 2, 3, and 4 are very similar, differing only in the type of combustion source used. However, Methods 2 and 3 are for flammable fabric flooring materials, requiring the sample to possess certain flame-retardant properties; Method 4 is for non-woven organic flooring materials; Methods 3 and 4 are relatively obscure and outdated, only required for products sold in the UK and German markets.
