Classification of Flame Retardancy Levels
Flame retardant rating is a standard used to describe the resistance of a material to flame spread. Common flame retardant classification includes UL 94,EN 13501,ASTM E84,and GB/T 8624
Flame retardant rating is a standard used to describe the resistance of a material to flame spread. Common flame retardant classification includes:
UL 94: UL (Underwriters Laboratories) 94 is a standard developed by Insurance Laboratories in the United States for testing the combustion performance of plastic materials. It divides materials into V-0, V-1, and V-2 grades, with V-0 grade being the highest flame retardant grade, indicating that the material stops burning within 2 seconds of self ignition in flame testing and there will be no dripping of combustion.
EN 13501: This is a standard used in the European standard system to evaluate the fire performance of building materials, which divides materials into different grades based on the speed of flame propagation and the toxicity of combustion products.
ASTM E84: This is a standard developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) to test the flame propagation performance of building interior wall and ceiling materials. Evaluate based on the flame propagation speed and smoke generation of the material.
GB/T 8624: This is the classification standard for the combustion performance of building materials specified in the Chinese national standard, which divides materials into A1, A2, B1, B2, B3, and C grades. Among them, A1 grade is the highest grade, indicating very low combustion performance.
These standards are usually classified based on the combustion performance of materials under experimental conditions, such as combustion speed, flame spread, and harmful gases produced.
UL 94 is a standard developed by Underwriters Laboratories in the United States for testing the flame retardant properties of plastic materials. This standard mainly evaluates the combustion performance of plastic materials and categorizes them into different grades, so that consumers and manufacturers can understand the performance of materials in fires.
The UL 94 standard mainly evaluates three main aspects of plastic materials in flame testing:
1. Flammability: The self ignition time of a material in flame testing. Materials that are more flame retardant will extinguish flames faster, resulting in shorter self ignition time.
2. Burning Time: The duration of continuous combustion of a material during flame testing. Materials with good flame retardancy will stop burning faster and have a shorter duration.
3. Dripping: Whether the material will drip during flame testing. Materials with good flame retardancy usually do not produce droplets to prevent the spread of fire.
As related to plastic materials offered by Professional Plastics, there are 6 Flame Classifications Specified in UL 94 that are assigned to materials based on the results of these small-scale flame tests. These classifications listed in descending order for each of the following three groupings are used to distinguish a material's burning characteristics after test specimens have been exposed to a specified test flame under controlled laboratory conditions. These classifications relate to materials commonly used in manufacturing enclosures, structural parts and insulators found in consumer electronic products (UL 94 5VA, 5VB, V-0, V-1, V-2, HB).
UL 94-5VA Surface Burn; Burning stops within 60 seconds, test specimens MAY NOT have a burn-through (no hole). This is the highest (most flame retardant) UL94 rating.
UL 94-5VB Surface Burn; Burning stop within 60 seconds, test specimens MAY HAVE a burn-through (A hole may be present)
UL 94 V-0 Vertical Burn; Burning stops within 10 seconds, NO flaming drips are allowed
UL 94 V-1 Vertical Burn; Burning stops within 60 seconds, NO flaming drips are allowed
UL 94 V-2 Vertical Burn; Burning stops within 60 seconds, Flaming drips ARE allowed.
UL 94 H-B Horizontal Burn; Slow horizontal burn test (H-B) are considered "self-extinguishing". The lowest (least flame retardant) UL94 rating.
The testing methods of UL 94 standards include horizontal burn, vertical burn, and inclined burn to simulate different fire scenarios. These testing methods can help consumers and manufacturers understand the performance of materials in actual fires and select suitable materials for specific application scenarios, such as electronic devices, building materials, etc.
EN 13501 is one of the standards used in the European standard system to evaluate the fire performance of building materials. The full name of this standard is "EN 13501-1 Fire classification of construction products and building elements". It provides a unified method for classifying and identifying the fire performance of building materials to ensure the safety of buildings in the event of a fire.
The main purpose of EN 13501 standard is to evaluate the combustion characteristics of building materials in the event of a fire and classify them into different levels, so that consumers and building designers can choose materials that meet their needs. The following are the main contents and classification methods of the EN 13501 standard:
1. Testing methods: The EN 13501 standard specifies a series of testing methods for evaluating the combustion performance of building materials under fire conditions. These testing methods include tests on flame propagation performance, toxicity of combustion products, and smoke generation.
2. Classification system: According to the EN 13501 standard, building materials can be classified into seven levels, namely:
A1: Non combustible materials, flames do not spread, do not produce smoke and toxic gases.
A2: Basically non combustible materials, flames do not spread, and produce less smoke and toxic gases.
B: Limited combustible materials have a slower flame propagation speed and produce more smoke and toxic gases.
C: Combustible materials have a fast flame propagation speed and produce a large amount of smoke and toxic gases.
D: There are certain restrictions on flame propagation, but it does not belong to A1, A2, B, or C levels.
E: There is no fire resistance, but it has a certain degree of flame retardant effect in case of fire.
F: Lack of fire resistance, fast flame propagation, and high production of smoke and toxic gases.
3. Identification: According to the EN 13501 standard, by attaching labels or providing relevant certificates to building materials, the fire rating of the materials can be clearly identified for consumers and building designers to choose and use.
Overall, the EN 13501 standard provides a unified testing method and classification system for the fire performance of building materials in the European region, providing important reference for building design and fire safety.
ASTM E84 is a standard published by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) for testing the flame propagation performance of building materials, also known as the "surface combustion performance test" or "standard flame propagation test". This standard is mainly used to evaluate the flame propagation characteristics of building materials such as walls, ceilings, and barriers, as well as the amount of smoke and toxic gases generated. The ASTM E84 standard is widely used in the construction industry, especially in commercial and residential buildings.
The following are the main contents and testing methods of ASTM E84 standard:
1. Testing setup: The ASTM E84 test uses a testing setup called the Steiner Tunnel, which is a narrow passage approximately 25 feet long (7.62 meters) and 20 inches wide (50.8 centimeters). One end of the device is ignited, and the other end is used to measure the propagation of flames on the surface of the material.
2. Test samples: Test samples are usually wall panels, ceilings, or other building materials with a certain size. In the test, the sample is vertically installed on one side of the testing device.
3. Testing process: At the beginning of the test, the bottom of the sample is ignited, and then the flame spreads on the surface of the sample. Record the speed and duration of flame propagation, as well as the amount of smoke and toxic gases generated during the testing process. After the test, calculate the Flame Spread Index (FSI) and Smoke Developed Index (SDI) of the sample based on the collected data.
4. Classification: According to the ASTM E84 standard, materials are classified into different grades based on their flame propagation index and smoke development index:
Class A: Flame propagation index ≤ 25, smoke development index ≤ 450
Class B: Flame propagation index ≤ 75, smoke development index ≤ 450
Class C: Flame propagation index ≤ 200, smoke development index ≤ 450
The test results of ASTM E84 standard can help building designers and fire engineers evaluate the performance of building materials in fires and develop corresponding fire prevention measures. The widespread application of this testing standard provides important reference for the selection and use of building materials, which helps to improve the fire safety of buildings.
GB/T 8624 is a Chinese national standard for the classification of combustion performance of building materials, commonly known as the "Classification Method for Combustion Performance of Building Materials". This standard is mainly used to evaluate the combustion performance of building materials under fire conditions, so that consumers and building designers can choose suitable materials and ensure the fire safety of buildings.
The following are the main contents and classification methods of GB/T 8624 standard:
1. Classification method: The GB/T 8624 standard divides building materials into six levels, namely A1, A2, B1, B2, B3, and C. These levels are classified based on the combustion performance of materials under standardized fire test conditions, with A1 level being the highest, indicating very low combustion performance, and C level indicating higher combustion performance.
2. Test method: The GB/T 8624 standard specifies a series of test methods for evaluating the combustion performance of building materials under fire conditions. These testing methods include tests on flame propagation performance, smoke generation, and toxic gas generation.
3. Classification: According to the GB/T 8624 standard, the classification of each level is as follows:
A1 level: Non combustible materials, do not participate in flame propagation, do not produce smoke and toxic gases;
A2 level: Basic non combustible materials, slow flame propagation speed, less smoke and toxic gases produced;
B1 level: Refractory materials with moderate flame propagation speed, producing a significant amount of smoke and toxic gases;
B2 level: Flammable materials with fast flame propagation speed, producing a large amount of smoke and toxic gases;
B3 level: Extremely flammable material, flame propagation speed is very fast, producing a lot of smoke and toxic gases;
Level C: Combustible materials with fast flame propagation speed, producing more smoke and toxic gases.
The test results of GB/T 8624 standard can help consumers and building designers understand the performance of building materials in fires, choose materials suitable for specific needs, and take corresponding fire prevention measures to ensure the fire safety of buildings. This standard is of great significance in the construction materials industry in China, providing important reference for the selection and use of building materials.