Tests facilities

The test aims to determine the heat of combustion of building products and materials. The station consists of a calorimetric bomb, a calorimetric chamber with a water jacket, thermocouples and a computer system for recording the results.

This method allows to determine two values ​​of the gross heat of combustion (QPCS) and the net heat of combustion (QPCI) – calorific value.

Determining the heat of combustion is necessary, among others: to determine the fire load density.

Test methods from the 60695 allow to determine the fire hazard classification HB (HB40, HB75) and V (V0, V1, V2) of plastic products. The Laboratory distinguishes flame impact according to three standards (burner with nominal power of 5W, 50W, 500W). The test stand consists of a tripod stand, a selected burner, and a flammable gas cylinder – the impact time is measured with a stopwatch.

Test method with a 5W needle burner
The test involves applying a small gas flame to a representative sample of the product suspended on a stand. The time of applying the test flame is selected depending on the properties of the final product and can be: 5 s, 10 s, 20 s, 30 s, 60 s, 120 s.

Test method with a flame 50 W i 500 W
The test involves applying a gas flame with a defined power to a representative sample of the product suspended on a stand.

The stand is intended to conduct tests in the field of dust explosion according to the PN-EN 14034 standard using a 20 dm³ sphere, including the determination of:

• maximum explosion pressure Pmax,
• maximum rate of explosion pressure rise (dp/dt)max,
• lower explosion limit,
• dust explosion classes according to the Kst index..

The measurement system consists of a 20.5 dm³ sphere (test chamber), cover, ignition system, temperature and dynamic pressure sensors, dust injection system and computer data acquisition system.

Method A is used for testing the dust layer on a constant temperature heating plate. This method applies particularly to industrial equipment with hot surfaces, on which dust forms thin layers and is exposed to atmospheric air.

Method B is used for testing the ignition of a dust cloud in a heated furnace. This method applies especially to industrial devices with hot walls, which may get dust as a result of accidental events or events related to their operation.

The stand is used to determinate the minimum ignition energy of a dust cloud in a pipe with a capacity of 1.2 dm³, in a system with a moving electrode. Minimum Ignition Energy is the minimum energy that can ignite the tested dust.

The stand is intended for testing the explosive parameters of liquid and gas vapors according to the PN-EN ISO 1839 and PN-EN 15967 standards, including the determination of the following parameters:

• maximum explosion pressure Pmax,
• maximum rate of pressure rise (dp/dt)max,
• lower and upper explosion limits.

The measurement system consists of a 20.5 dm³ sphere (test chamber), a cover, an ignition system, an evaporator, temperature and dynamic pressure sensors, a valve for feeding the test substance and a computer data acquisition system.

The flash point value is used in safety regulations as a classification property to determine the degree of flammability of a liquid.

Testing according to PN-EN ISO 2719 (and ASTM D93:2013) allows to determinate the flash point of flammable liquids using the Pensky-Martens closed cup apparatus. The standard applies to liquids with a flash point above 40 ^oC. This standard specifies two procedures: A and B.

Procedure A is used to determine the flash point of paints and varnishes that do not form a surface film, fresh lubricating oils and other petroleum products not covered by procedure B.

Procedure B is used to determine the ignition temperature of residual fuel fuels, liquefied asphalts, used lubricating oils, liquids tending to form a surface film, liquids with solid suspension, high viscosity products such as polymer solutions and adhesives.

The flash point value is used in safety regulations as a classification property to determine the degree of flammability of a liquid.

Testing according to PN-EN ISO 13736 allows to determine the flash point of flammable liquids using the Abel closed-cup apparatus.

The method is applicable to samples of flammable substances with a flash point between -30°C and 75°C. However, the precision of the method (according to the standard) only covers determinations in the range from -8.5°C to 75°C.

The purpose of the test is to confirm the non-flammability (reaction to fire class A1 or A2) of construction products, i.e. homogeneous materials and essential components of non-homogeneous products.

The test involves subjecting a series of cylindrical samples to thermal exposure. The measurement is based on the analysis of the thermodynamic phenomena occurring when the sample is heated.

The aim of the test is to assess the potential impact of a construction material or product on the development of a fire. It is the basis for determining the reaction to fire class A2, B, C, D.

This test involves exposing the sample to the influence of a 30 kW burner placed in the corner, designed to simulate a single burning object.

The test takes place in a standardized test chamber from which exhaust gases are extracted using a smoke removal system, from which a sample is taken to the analyzer. The analysis involves measuring changes in oxygen and carbon dioxide content in subsequent time steps. Based on these data, heat release rate coefficients, fire growth rates and total heat released are determined. Additionally, during the test, the smoke release rate is measured, on the basis of which an additional smoke production classification is determined (s1, s2, s3). Based on visual observations, the product is also classified in terms of falling, burning drops/particles (d0, d1, d2).

This is an additional test to determine the reaction to fire class of flooring products Bfl, Cfl, Dfl, and non-flooring products B, C D. It is also a basic test for determining the E or Efl classification.

The test involves applying a standardized flame to the surface and/or edge of the tested sample and observing the phenomena occurring after it, such as:

• ignition of the sample after an application time in accordance with the standard,
• time until the sample ignites,
• reaching by the flame tip the standardized distance above the flame application point (as well as the time after which this occurred),
• occurrence of filter paper ignition (a measure of the occurrence of burning drops).

The aim of the study is to assess the potential impact of flooring products on fire development. The test is the basis for the classification of flooring products in the reaction to fire classes Bfl, Cfl and Dfl.

The method involves exposing the sample to thermal radiation from a radiating plate with a known radiation density distribution, as well as a pilot burner applied to the sample surface. During the test, the flame spread along the sample surface is observed. The classification criterion is the critical heat flux corresponding to the maximum flame range.

Additionally, during the test, the smoke release rate is measured, on the basis of which an additional smoke production classification is determined (s1, s2, s3).

The test involves exposing a rectangular material sample, placed in a test chamber at an angle of 45° to the horizontal, to thermal radiation with an intensity of 30 kW. Additionally, gas igniters are placed at the lower and upper surfaces of the sample, which enable the ignition of thermal decomposition products resulting from the impact of thermal radiation.

During the examination, the following is noted:

• czas do chwili zapalenia się dolnej płaszczyzny próbki, time until the bottom surface of the sample ignites,
• time until the upper surface of the sample ignites,
• temperature difference between the exhaust gases leaving the chamber and the external air entering the chamber during the 20 minutes of the test.

The aim of the study is to assess the impact of burning bushes on the surface of the acoustic barrier. The test involves burning a standardized amount of wood shavings in direct contact with the tested sample. The classification is made based on the following parameters:

• height and area of ​​damage,
• burn through,
• discoloration.

This method is used to determine the ignitability of vertically placed flat textile products intended for clothing, curtains and curtains, occurring as single- or multi-component products (coated, quilted, multi-layer, sandwich structures and similar combinations). It is used to determine the degree of flammability in accordance with the regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure on the technical conditions to be met by buildings and their location.

The test involves exposing a vertically placed sample of the textile product to a flame and measuring:

• ignition time of the smaple (PN-EN ISO 6940),
• time after which the flame will reach next heights (PN-EN ISO 6941).

The aim of the study is to assess the impact of burning torches on the surface of a roof or skylight. The test involves burning a standardized amount of wood wool in direct contact with the tested sample. The classification is based on the following parameters:

• the range of fire spread,
• occurrence of falling burning drops/solid waste,
• occurrence of burning particles penetrating the structure,
• surface of holes caused by burning,
• occurrence of internal combustion.

This is an additional test to determine the reaction to fire class of cables, electric wires and optical fibers B1_CA, B2_CA C^_CA, D_CA, as well as a basic test for determining the E_CA class.

The tests are carried out for a single insulated wire or cable. Its purpose is to check resistance to vertical flame spread. The classification is based on the extent of damage caused by the flame.

The test is used to assess the acidity of gases generated during the combustion of electric cables by determining the weighted average pH and conductivity for individual materials from which the wire, electric or fiber optic cable is made.

The materials are burned in a tube furnace and the combustion products are passed through two scrubbers with distilled water. Then after the test, the pH and conductivity of the water are measured using a pH meter and a conductivity meter.

Based on the test results, an additional classification of the corrosiveness of combustion products of electric cables is made (a1, a2, a3).

The aim of the study is to assess the potential impact of cables, electric or fiber optic wires on the development of a fire. It is the basis for determining the reaction to fire class B1_CA, B2_CA C_CA, D_CA.

This test involves exposing a sample in the form of vertically mounted wire harnesses to the influence of a burner with a standardized power.

The test takes place in a standardized test chamber from which exhaust gases are extracted using a smoke removal system. A sample of exhaust gases is taken to the analyzer. The analysis involves measuring changes in oxygen and carbon dioxide content in subsequent time steps. Based on these data, heat release rate coefficients, fire growth rates and total heat released are determined. Additionally, during the test, the smoke release rate is measured, on the basis of which an additional smoke production classification is determined (s1, s2, s3).

Based on visual observations, the product is also classified in terms of falling, burning drops/particles (d0, d1, d2).