BS 2782-2 Methods of testing Plastics — Part 1: Thermal properties — Method 140A: Determination of the burning behaviour of horizontal and vertical specimens in contact with a small-flame ignition source

1 Scope

1.1 This International Standard specifies a small-scale laboratory screening procedure for comparing the relative burning behaviour of vertically or horizontally oriented plastic specimens exposed to a small-flame ignition source.

1.2 This method of test determines the afterflame/afterglow times and damaged length of specimens. It is applicable to solid and cellular materials having an apparent density of not less than 250 kg/m3, determined in accordance with ISO 845. This method is not applicable to materials that shrink away from the applied flame without igniting.

1.3 The classification system described in Annex A is intended for quality assurance and the preselection of component materials for products. This system is not intended for assessment of the fire behaviour of building materials or furnishings. The method of test described may be used for the preselection acceptance of a material, providing positive results are obtained at the thickness equal to the smallest thickness used in the application.
NOTE 1 Test results are influenced by material components, e.g. pigments, fillers and fire-retardants, and properties such as the direction of anisotropy and molecular mass.

2 Normative references

The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this International Standard. At the time of publication, the editions indicated were valid. All standards are subject to revision, and parties to agreements based on this International Standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the standards indicated below. Members of IEC and ISO maintain registers of currently valid International Standards.

ISO 291 Plastics — Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing.
ISO 293 Plastics — Compression moulding test specimens of thermoplastic materials.
ISO 294 Plastics — Injection moulding test specimens of thermoplastic materials.
ISO 295 Plastics — Compression moulding of test specimens of thermosetting materials.
ISO 845 Cellular plastics and rubbers — Determination of apparent (bulk) density.
ISO 1043-1 Plastics — Symbols — Part 1: Basic polymers and their special characteristics.
ISO 5725 Precision of test methods — Determination of repeatability and reproducibility for a standard test method by inter-laboratory tests.
ISO 10093:1 Plastics — Fire tests — Standard ignition sources.