AS/NZS 3837:1998 Method of test for heat and smoke release rates for materials and products using an oxygen consumption calorimeter
Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand
This Standard incorporates Amendment No. 1 (June 2012). The changes required by the Amendment are indicated in the text by a marginal bar and amendment number against the clause, note, table, figure or part thereof affected.
Amendment No. 1 was raised to address significant differences observed between group number achieved by applying empirical correlations to predict the time to flashover using AS 3837 test results and measured results achieved in AS ISO 9705.
This Standard is based on ISO 5660-1:1993, Fire tests—Reaction to fire—Rate of heat release from building products, except that the ISO test method excludes smoke measurement, and the test method and test apparatus are based on ASTM E 1354, Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter.
It is envisaged that in the future, applications Standards for specific materials will be prepared by appropriate committees. These applications Standards will call up this test method and will set parameters such as irradiance levels and specimen construction or any other relevant parameters.
Specifications for particular materials and products will need to state the irradiance level and specimen construction for each acceptance level.
The terms ‘normative’ and ‘informative’ have been used in this Standard to define the application of the appendix to which they apply. A ‘normative’ appendix is an integral part of a Standard, whereas an ‘informative’ appendix is only for information and guidance.
Reconfirmed: 2016-06-10
First published as AS/NZS 3837:1998. Reissued incorporating Amendment No. 1 (June 2012).
This Standard specifies a test method for measuring the response of materials exposed to controlled levels of radiant heating with or without an external igniter. The test method is used to determine the ignitability, heat release rates, mass loss rates, effective heat of combustion, and smoke release of materials and products.
Properties are determined as follows:
(a) Rate of heat release, by measurement of the oxygen consumption, as determined by the oxygen concentration and the flow rate in the exhaust product stream.
(b) Effective heat of combustion from a concomitant measurement of specimen mass loss rate, in combination with the heat release rate.
(c) Smoke release, by obscuration of light by the combustion product stream.
(d) Ignitability, as a measurement of time from initial exposure to time of sustained flaming.
Contents:
Foreword
Section 1: Scope And General
Section 2: Apparatus, Specimens And Test Procedures
Section 3: Calculations And Reporting Of Results
Appendix A: Commentary
Appendix B: References
Appendix C: Diagram Of A Typical Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter
Appendix D: Calculation Of Heat Release With Additional Gas Analysis
Appendix E: Interlaboratory Trials
Fire Safety.
Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council; Australian Building Codes Board; Australian Industry Group; AWTA Textile Testing; BRANZ; Bureau of Steel Manufacturers of Australia; CSIRO Manufacturing&Materials Technology; Department of Building and Housing (New Zealand); Engineers Australia; Fire Protection Association Australia; Insulated Panel Council Australasia; Insurance Council of Australia Limited; Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association Incorporated; Property Council of Australia; Society of Fire Protection Engineers Australasian Chapter; Testing Interests (Australia); Victoria University.
