ASTM E1354 Cone Calorimeter

ASTM E1354
Cone Calorimeter TESTING

ASTM E1354 Cone Calorimetry Testing

Small Specimens, Large Amounts of Data

ASTM E1354 (ASTM E-1354) is a fire-test-response standard that measures the response of materials to a controlled level of radiant heat. The ASTM E1354 test method has long been coveted because it provides a wealth of data with a small specimen size (100mm x 100mm x 50mm max thickness). The test method is commonly used to test new products that are still in development, to prove code compliance for products entering the market, and for quality control purposes. ASTM E1354 utilizes a cone calorimeter and oxygen consumption calorimetry to determine the amount of heat released from a burning product. The rate of heat release (RHR) and the amount of heat released by a product are direct contributors to the severity of a fire, the spread of flames and fire growth.

The Cone Calorimeter

ASTM E1354 testing is conducted using a piece of equipment called a cone calorimeter. The cone calorimeter was developed by the Fire Research Group at the National Institute of Research and Technology (NIST) in 1982. It has long been revered as one of the most significant small-scale tests in the field of fire testing. The cone calorimeter is aptly named after its conical shaped furnace and its use of oxygen consumption calorimetry. Besides ASTM E1354, the cone calorimeters can be used to conduct other test methods such as ASTM D5485, ASTM D6113, ASTM E1740, CAN/ULC S135, ISO 5660-1, and NFPA 271. The primary components of a cone calorimeter are the concial shaped furnace for generating radiant heat, a spark ignitor for lighting the test specimen, a load cell for measuring mass loss, and an exhaust system where smoke measurements are taken and gas samples are taken. The gas that is sampled is passed through an oxygen analyzer to determine heat release. A drawing of the cone calorimeter setup can be found below.

How is ASTM E1354 testing performed?

ASTM E1354 test specimens are 3.94 x 3.94 inches (100mm x 100mm) with a maximum allowable thickness of 2 inches (50mm). Test specimens should be representative of the end-use construction and flat whenever possible. Prior to testing, specimens are conditioned to constant weight in an environment that is 73 °F (23 °C) and 50% relative humidity. Specimens are wrapped around the backside and edges with aluminum foil and held in a metal sample holder for testing.

Before the test begins, daily calibrations are performed on the equipment. The furnace can be set to a heat flux between 0 and 100 kW/m², but it is most commonly set at 35 kW/m² or 50 kW/m². A specified and consistent exhaust airflow is established and the baseline oxygen concentration readings are taken.

To begin the ASTM E1354 test, the test specimen is placed on top of the load cell and underneath the conical shaped furnace. A spark ignitor is moved overtop the sample surface until sustained burning is achieved across the entire sample surface. The test can also be conducted without the use of the spark ignitor. The products of combustion are pulled through the exhaust system where a laser is passed through the duct to measure smoke and gas is sampled and sent to the oxygen analyzer. The test is continued until two minutes after one of the following: the last sign of flaming, the mass loss rate drops below 150 g/m², the specimen mass has been completely consumed, the oxygen concentration returns to pretest values, or 60 minutes have elapsed. The test can also be stopped if the specimen has not ignited after 30 minutes from the start of the test and no signs of heat evolution are seen.

What data will be included in an ASTM E1354 report?

Time to Ignition
Time of Flame Out (where applicable)
Peak Rate of Heat Release
Time to Peak Rate of Heat Release
Average Rate of Heat Release (60, 180, 300 seconds)
Total Heat Released
Average Effective Heat of Combustion
Initial and Final Mass
Mass Loss Rate
Average Smoke Extinction Area
Time to Peak Smoke Extinction Area

When is cone calorimeter testing needed?

The ASTM E1354 test method has been developed for evaluating materials, conducting research and development, computer modeling, design, and to assist in making real world fire predictions. The cone calorimeter is also used as an alternate test method when a material cannot be properly tested using commonly cited methods due to the materials inherent properties (e.g. melting materials tested in accordance with ASTM E162).

Is Capital Testing an accredited ASTM E1354 laboratory?

Capital Testing and Certification Services is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited to conduct ASTM E1354 testing. ISO 5660-1 (a common alternate) is also covered under Capital Testing's scope of accreditation. Click Here for Capital Testing's full ISO/IEC 17025 scope.

Contact chrisp@capitaltesting.org for more information about ASTM E1354 or ISO 5660-1 testing.